Kenston School News
Each year the National Merit Scholarship Corporation conducts a scholarship program intended to encourage and recognize academic excellence.
National Merit Scholars
Each year the National Merit Scholarship Corporation conducts a scholarship program intended to encourage and recognize academic excellence. Students enter the program by taking the PSAT in their junior year in October. Over 22,000 high schools across the nation administer the test annually with over 1.6 million juniors taking the test.
National Merit recognizes the highest 50,000 scores across the nation; the top 16,000 are entered into the National Merit competition as semifinalist. This year, two seniors earned National Merit semifinalist standing: Laura Parsons and Aubrey Taylor. Less than 1 percent of each state’s graduating seniors’ test scores earn this distinction.
The other 34,000 students are identified as National Merit Commended Scholars. Kenston High School has six students who are named as commended scholars. These students are typically in the top 95 percent of all students who take the test. The students are Alexandra Akers, Weston Gaskins, Frank Hegedus, Annika Markoff, Anya Parsons and Nathan Pulling.
NHS Induction
Congratulations to the Kenston High School students who were recently inducted into the National Honor Society. Each student had to demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, character, leadership and service.
Kenston commends: Hannah Andrews, Madalyn Blackford, Alexa Busby, Summer Davidson, Margaret Eibler, Hannah Fender, Brennan Fisher, Nathan Gaskins, Layla Gilbert, Todd Gruden, Lynae Hairston, Molly Hubert, Emily Jernejcic, Stephen Kale, Colin Mast, Tyler McMahan, Tyler Mesnick, Ian Montville, Nyla Morrison, Gillian Oakes, Chloe Peiffer, Casey Pleune, Dennis Princic, Nathan Spencer, Donaldo Valadez, Maxwell Vollrath, Philip Voudris, Andrew Watts, Adler Weber, Rachel Weber, Amelia Witmer-Rich and Marin Zoretich.
Speech and Debate
Kenston’s speech and debate team traveled to John F. Kennedy High School and Olmsted Falls High School on Oct. 22 for the first tournaments of the season. At the varsity tournament at JFK, Anthony Alandt placed first in Declamation and Chloé Peiffer placed fourth in Original Oratory. Qualifying for finals in Congressional Debate were Samantha Stephens and Colin Varga. At the novice tournament at Olmsted Falls, Devin Cinch was the tournament champion in Congressional Debate and Haley Sharp placed third in Original Oratory.
At the second Speech and Debate Tournament of the year held at Edison High School, the high school team placed fourth. Individually, in Declamation, Anthony Alandt placed second while Cadie Matty placed fourth. In Original Oratory, Valerie Brown placed third while Haley Sharp placed sixth. In Dramatic Interpretation, Eden Truax placed fifth. In Congressional Debate, Samantha Stephens placed third while Ryann Greulich placed fourth.
Class Officers
The class officers at Kenston High School were elected by their peers. Representing the freshman class of 2023 are president Chase Tuller, vice president Robert Phillips, secretary Nicholas Lai and treasurer Samuel Koltas. Representing the sophomore class of 2022 are president Ryan Peters, vice president Michael Yost, secretary Ronja Markoff and treasurer Max Yost.
Representing the junior class of 2021 are president Chloe Peiffer, vice president Nathan Gaskins, secretary Alexa Busby and treasurer Adler Weber. Senior class of 2020 officers are president Gianna LaSalvia, vice president Logan Vargo, secretary Anthony Alandt and treasurer Megan Sparks.
S’MORE Dinner Theatre
Auburn and Bainbridge residents over the age of 60 are invited to a special dress rehearsal performance of “ELF the Musical” on Dec. 4. Seniors are invited to a dinner at 5 p.m. followed by the play at 6 p.m.
Please call 440-543-9677 to make reservations.
Seeking Citizens Advisory Members
The Kenston Board of Education is currently seeking interested community members to fill positions currently vacant on the district’s Citizens Advisory Committee.
The Kenston Board of Education created the Kenston Citizens Advisory Committee (KCAC) at its November 2006 meeting. The purpose of KCAC is to serve as a conduit between the Kenston Board of Education and the Kenston Community by communicating, researching and providing education on strategic matters, reinforcing the district’s vision statement that “an exemplary school district is committed to establishing and maintaining effective partnerships with its community.”
By Nov. 26, individuals interested are asked to submit: one page of reason why the applicant desires to serve on KCAC; one page of resume data including background, education, experience, professional accomplishments and major strengths; and two letters of recommendation. Send the documents of application to President, Kenston Board of Education, 17419 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023.
Interviews by a board committee and the KCAC president will be conducted in December with duties beginning in 2020. It is desired that the membership be as diverse as possible on a number of demographic and professional variables. Applicants with experience in public relations are welcomed.
The composition of KCAC is nine community members, the district treasurer, the district superintendent and one member of the board of education. Community members serve for three-year terms. KCAC will have a minimum of four meetings per year.
