Three Kenston High Schools students have been named as 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program finalists...
National Merit Finalists
Three Kenston High Schools students have been named as 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program finalists. Okan Kardzhala, Jessica Kirshman and Garrett McConnell were among the finalists announced by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
“We are extremely proud of Okan, Jessica and Garret for their accomplishments,” said Kenston Superintendent Nancy Santilli. “To become a National Merit finalist shows not only academic achievement but a degree of excellence in their extra and co-curricular activities that they have demonstrated throughout their high school careers.”
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s goal is to honor the nation’s scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence. Finalists’ selection is based on their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards.
Auburn NTHS Induction
Senior Madison Oystoic was recently named as a member of the National Technical Honor Society. Madison attends Auburn Career Center, which recognizes students for NTHS based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership and service in the technical and career fields. She is in her second year in the Patient Care Technician program.
“Madison’s respect and care for others, as well as her willingness to accept people for who they are, make her an outstanding role model in her field,” said teacher Christine Tredent.
Speech and Debate
Kenston Middle School’s Speech and Debate Team competed virtually at the Ohio Middle School State Championship. The middle school team had four of the top 11 Extemporaneous debaters at state. Congratulations to Grace Voudris, who went undefeated, placing third in Ohio based on tiebreakers. Grace has a winning streak of 16 debates in a row and has not lost a debate round since the beginning of January.
Nathan Rolf, Charles McBride and Jillian Ragsdale each won three of their four debate rounds, placing eighth, ninth and 11th in the state, respectively. Great job to Public Forum Debate partners Nathaniel McIntosh and William Radefeld, Katherine Smith and Sara Studer, and Charlotte Syslo and Alexandra Grunwald and Extemporaneous debater Reagan VanFossen, who all won at least one of their debates at state. Representing Kenston proudly in Congressional Debate were Porter Fontana and Kherington Swader.
KMS also did outstanding in the speech events. Marin Carlson placed sixth in the State of Ohio in Declamation. In Oratory, Madelyn Foerster, Gabriella Bates and Demetria Marshall wrote and presented outstanding speeches about sign language, feral cats and cliques, respectively.
Russian Scholar Laureates
Kenston High School senior Colin Mast and junior Zhen Henrikson were named 2019 and 2020, respectively, National Russian Scholar Laureate. They are each one of only 33 students nationally who received this award.
Established in 2004 by the Board of Directors of the American Council of Teachers of Russian, the ACTR Russian Scholar Laureate Award provides an opportunity for schools and Russian teachers to recognize one sophomore or junior each year as an outstanding Russian scholar. Each student received a letter of commendation, a certificate, and a unique lapel pin. Mr. Ted Krejsa is their Russian world language teacher.
KIS Students of the Month
Kenston Intermediate School is pleased to announce their Students of the Month for March. Students selected for “positive attitude” Student of the Month honors were fourth-graders Taylor Durham, Braeden Geisweidt, Jackson Granc, Juliet Matsko, Beckett Neal, Jillian Plavcan, Kiefer Schatz, Ezequiel Silva, Parker Timmons, Gianni Tomaselli and Aaralyn Williams; and fifth-graders, Camila Angel, Ellie Deken, Emily Dooley, Lila Fink, Walker Hicks, Stella Loveland, Niy’ah Norman, Riley O’Hare, Sawyer Scharver and Adam Zawitz.
Poetry Contest Winner
Kenston Middle School eighth-grader Chloe Syslo has won first place in the “Write Where You Are” poetry contest put on by the National Writing Project at Kent State University for her poem, “Campfire.”
“Campfire”
The fire is beautifully crackling.
My feet feel its warmth,
But my hands remain cold.
I see my friends in their masks.
Mixed expressions.
Mixed feelings.
The ground is dry, but the clouds hover.
Our eyes are wet from smiles and tears.
There is fear.
There is happiness.
There is acceptance.
There is something more than the campfire.
The burnt wood.
The bug spray.
The smells are unpleasant.
Yet we are grateful for it.
Words spoken.
Truth or dare?
Truths were shared.
A connection.
One to be grateful for,
One that makes me feel complete.
I want to stay up all night.
I am fulfilled.
I shake,
I cry,
I air-hug,
I speak.
These are my people,
And this is the place.
The place where we clicked.
A birthday campout.
A campfire.
It made us friends.
Without it, I am not me.
I am hidden.
I am misunderstood.
I am alone.
I am broken.
I needed that campfire.
I love that campfire.
Seeking KCE Representative
The Kenston Board of Education is seeking a community member to serve as a representative on the Kenston Community Education (KCE) Board of Directors to fill the seat of board member Greg Bumbu who has moved out of the community.
“I appreciate Mr. Bumbu’s service, said Mrs. Santilli. “His leadership and insight will be missed.”
The board is comprised of three representatives appointed by the Auburn Trustees, Bainbridge Trustees and the Kenston Board of Education. They meet monthly on the fourth Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Qualifications are to be a resident of the Kenston Local School District and bring new ideas and enrichment programming to the communities. It is a three-year volunteer term.
By April 9, interested individuals need to submit the following documents for application: one-page statement of interest; resume including background, education, experience, professional accomplishments and major strengths; and two letters of recommendation. Please send applications to: President, Kenston Board of Education, 17419 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023.
KCE has been partnering with our community for over 40 years to provide opportunities for residents to learn, play and grow for a lifetime. In 1976, the townships of Auburn and Bainbridge and the Kenston Board of Education established the Auburn-Bainbridge Recreation Board to operate and maintain playgrounds, playing fields, gymnasiums and any other recreational activities for the residents of Auburn and Bainbridge Townships. While it is now more frequently known as Kenston Community Education (KCE), its mission of providing recreational and enrichment opportunities for individuals of all ages remains the same. Their goal is to provide the highest level of service and the broadest selection of programs at the most affordable prices. They also maintain the schedule for the township and district playing fields and after-hours use of school facilities.
In 2016, they moved their base of operations to Gardiner Center and are now able to offer programs for Senior Adults and toddlers during the school day. KCE is a non-profit, self-funded business that does not receive any direct taxpayer funds for operation.
