2018 Yellow Springs High School Graduation Supplement

class of2018

A s p e c i a l s e c t i o n o f t h e Y e l l o w S p r i n g s N e w s | M ay 3 1 , 2 018

C o m m ence m ent ce r e m o n Y ta k es p l a ce o n T h u r s d ay, M ay 3 1 , 7 p . m . , in the hi g h sch o o l g y m The responses and photos in this publication were compiled with generous assistance of YSHS’s Dave Smith, Elizabeth Lutz, Eli Hurwitz and Julie Spencer.

The Yellow Springs News is pleased to honor the Yellow Springs High School CLASS OF 2018 with this special section.

It is made possible by the sponsorship of the businesses and organizations listed throughout.

2 Yellow Springs High School

CLA SS OF 2018 A Special Section of the Y ellow Spr ings News | May 31, 2018

Mia Billiat

Ellery Bledsoe

Parents/guardians: Mary

Parents/guardians:

Billiat; Paul Billiat

My entire school experience so far could be summarized as going from good to bad to worse —as it concerns my grades, anyway. I started in a Montessori school and then moved to a school in Mechanicsburg where I didn’t get along very well with people, making my time there less than stellar. But in seventh grade, I started at McKinney Middle School, which at first I found to be a very lenient and comforting environment. I found Yellow Springs as a uniquely accepting and supportive place, and I feel like I have learned a lot here and matured.

Unfortunately, my grades haven’t been the best and I haven’t put as much work into them as I should have, which I would like to apologize to my parents and to all of my teachers for, because they have all tried to help me and work with me to make sure that I learned what I needed to learn throughout the years. I am extremely grateful for them. Although I also know that Yellow Springs has a negative side — as I have found that there are a lot of gossipy, busybodied, pretentious, hipsterish kind of people in this town — I know that they mean well and I’m still glad that I got to spend time here.

I have always been very shy and I’m kind of depressed that I didn’t get to know the people here that well because they all seem like funny, creative and interesting people — but they also seem pretty nuts, so maybe I dodged a bullet.

After graduating, I plan to take a gap year and do the things I need to do before I start at a college, such as working, taking some community college courses, loafing off my parents and figuring out what I want to do.

Jessica Bledsoe; Matthew Bledsoe I didn’t grow up here. I moved here when I was 15, so I can’t recall any ancient memories of this town like my classmates.

But I appreciate what this school has given me. It’s full of great people.

Next year I will be at Ithaca College studying biology.

I would like to thank Sarah Feeney, Aidan, Gage Ward, the snorkel lady, Rabbi Barr, Paula Hurwitz, Dave Smith, Beth and my family. I would also like to thank Officer Nipper for arresting me and giving me street cred when I would otherwise have had none.

Finally, I would like to thank the Hurwitzes: Selanie, Eli, Aza and Tyler. Last summer they took me into their home and have done more for me then they will ever know. Aza, my first friend in Yellow Springs, begrudgingly became my sister.

Thinking of how far I’ve come since I’ve lived with her family, I am so grateful that she’s managed to tolerate me. And … it’s been kinda cool to have a live-in friend. (I’d never say that to her face though.)

This community has shaped me quite a bit in three years.

Parker Bleything Parents/guardians: Steve

Bleything; Lindsey Hardiman

My name is Parker Bleything, I am 18 and I am graduating this year. I have attended Yellow Springs schools all my life, since

preschool. I lived in Springfield most of my life but I lived here for two years. I have spent all my years growing up in this town.

This town has influenced me and helped make me the person I am today. I have a much more openminded view thanks to growing up in a community like Yellow Springs. I have learned how to embrace new ideas. I have met people and experienced things I would never experience anything else.

I would like to thank the teachers at my high school for all their hard work. Almost every single one of them has helped me in some way. I can tell these people have good intentions and want the best for their students.

I would like to mention John Gudgel as a role model of what education should really all be about. My future plans are to go to Clark State and study computer software development.

After that, I plan to transfer to further my education. In 10 years, I hope to see myself enjoying life with some money and my loved ones.

Kallyn Buckenmyer Parents/guardians: Darla

Buckenmyer; Joey Buckenmyer

Zack BrintlingerConn Parents/guardians:

Angela Brintlinger; Steven Conn

Kaden Boutis

Yellow Springs is one of those strange places which is somehow the center of the universe.

Everywhere I go, I meet someone from Yellow Springs. My uncle from Philadelphia recently married a woman who, as it turns out, lived in Yellow Springs. I’ve never been so appreciative of that as I am now, beginning life past high school knowing I can connect with Yellow Springers anywhere I go. I’d like to thank my parents and my teachers for putting me in the best position to succeed, even if I didn’t always make it easy. Thank you all.

Parents/guardians:

Kathleen Boutis; Nick Boutis Yellow Springs has been a nice place to grow up. Although I’ve literally had no choice where I get to live in my life, the time I’ve spent here has been enjoyable — or maybe I’ve been Stockholmed.

Days walking around in the Glen, walking around downtown, or walking around in the drainage system under downtown, all were, and will continue to be, invaluable experiences growing up. Everyone here is super nice, and have always been there when kind or wise words are needed — with the exception of the Yellow Springs Open Discussion and those who frequent it.

I hope this makes up for my lack of a supplement and quote in the yearbook, as I forgot to turn that paper in on time, ironically giving myself the title on it: “Least likely to turn this in.” Overall though, I really couldn’t have asked for O u r

AC Service

a better place to grow up, and will truly miss Yellow Springs no matter where I find myself in the future — unless that place is Yellow Springs, in which case I will complain incessantly about every little thing here. Thanks to every teacher, friend and anyone else who has helped me along the way; it’s been fun. xoxoxo

I know it’s customary to write about what a great time I had growing up in the village, but I didn’t grow up here. Also, most people write about what a great school YSHS is, but it wasn’t. At least not for me. However, there are some really great people on staff, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for all they have done in helping me navigate my way out of high school.

I so appreciate Ms. Nickell, Mr. Day, Mr. Smith, Ms. Simon, Mr. Comstock, Ms. Materne and Mr. Lydy for making school bearable, and even a little bit fun. These people will always hold a special place in my heart, and I learned so much from each of them.

I also would like to thank my softball coaches for giving me something to look forward to during the school year, and teaching me so much about a sport that I love. I appreciate you more than I can ever put into words Coach Jim DeLong, Coach Bubba Worsham, and my fantastic pitching instructor, Coach Jesi Worsham. I love you all so much.

Lastly, I didn’t quite know how to put into words what I really wanted to say, so I leave you with this: www.youtube. com/watch?v=v-Dur3uXXCQ

James broWning No response submitted.

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Antioch School Antioch University Midwest

Bing Design

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Yellow Springs High School CL A SS OF 2 0 1 8

Jackson Burmester Parents/guardians: Clint

Burmester; Kristy Cordova

My name is Jackson Clay Burmester. I’ve been a proud Springer since Sept. 4, 1999. My fondest memories of growing up in Yellow Springs span the entirety of my life so far; from browsing the shelves of Mr. Fubs toys and Sugar Cube candy shop as a child to exploring the trails of the Glen and cruising around the country roads as a teenager.

I’m going to major in eco-tourism and adventure travel at Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville, Ohio. I hope to graduate Hocking and travel the world.

I grew up in Sacramento, Calif., with uniforms and a strict classroom. After second grade, I moved to Ohio with my family.

Going to school here since third grade and then leaving my sophomore year and going to Fairborn High School was a major change. Coming back gave me a new look on the privileges and the freedom I have being a Yellow Springs student. The sense of community and being able to grow up with the same people that live near me has given me a feeling of home that I could not get anywhere else. I have became close with people I never imagined I would get to know the way I have all these years and formed friendships with some teachers and staff that I will never forget.

I’m thankful for my family and friends that I have been blessed to grow up with and thankful for the community.

Ms. Reynolds, Ms. Eguaroge and Mr. Lowry. Yellow Springs High School was very flexible and supportive. Whenever I came to Mr. Hatert or any of my teachers with something new like an internship or an opportunity to volunteer in Haiti, I was confronted with kindness. I was never shut down or told it would be too hard. Instead, the response was something along the lines of “That sounds like a great idea,” and “You could do that by...”.

I would also like to thank all of the people who have helped me grow up, like Dave Huber (who shared his player piano with me), my second moms and dads (Bobby and Amanda, Jenifer and Chad, Chas, Eve, Naysan, Jalana, etc.) and last, but most certainly not least, my family.

Grant Crawford Parents/guardians: Amy

Crawford; Mark Crawford

Hey gang, it’s me. This is alphabetical, so you just finished reading Clay’s. Good young man, going places.

Yellow Springs is a great town, folks. Great town. Born and raised, myself. Homegrown Springer, Grant is. I came to the high school my sophomore year and I’ve never regretted it — except during the AP Chem test. I’ve sought meaning in life through my wonderful friends, experienced and wise teachers, and the endless struggle to be a good person. I’d like to thank my parents for the life sentence and my brothers for the help.

In the future I hope to improve and be better to the people I love.

See y’all.

Clay Cooper Parents/guardians: Jen

Keegan Chlanda No response submitted.

Naseem Chappelle No response submitted.

Ella Comerford Parents/guardians:

Brendan Comerford; Christy Lewis Comerford

DeAunna Cheatom Parents/guardians:

Maria Cheatom; Teresa Dean

I like the Glen and the village, but it’s the people who made Yellow Springs a great place to grow up. I spent my adolescent years at The Antioch School where I was free to learn and explore. My kindergarten teacher, Jeanie Felker, was my first role model. While no others could compare, I was lucky to have amazing teachers such as Chris, Mr. McCoy, Mr. Hatert,

Ater; Ben Cooper

Yellow Springs is very small, although we do have a beautiful little town. There are trees everywhere you look. I feel that because of this I have a great appreciation for nature. The Glen is always open for a nice walk, Tom’s Market can hook you up with a cold beverage and a steaming panini and Miguel’s has the bomb tacos.

I’ve always loved walking, riding my bike and skateboarding in this town, especially in the warm weather. One of the special things about this town is how you can get pretty much anywhere without using a car.

Another great thing about this town is the community feel. It seems like I never walk downtown without saying “hi” to someone. This town has served as a nice little bubble to grow in.

After I graduate, I will be going to Carthage College to study nursing for four years.

Where do I see myself in 10 years? I see myself working as a nurse on the west coast or in graduate school studying to become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist. I just want to thank my family and friends for everything.

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students. The environment at YS was safe and challenging.

Honestly, I’m not an honor roll student and academics have always been a chore for me. YS Schools are different; I have felt valued for my contributions and have learned a lot throughout the last few years.

I reflect on moments like when Ms. Blake taught me that social issues need my attention. Or when Mrs. Haller pushed me to get through painful math courses. The conversations in Ms. Lutz’s class and her genuine interest in things I care about.

The thousands of times Mr. Johnston motivated me and encouraged me. I can’t forget my mom and dad, who have spent countless hours at the dining room table helping with homework and giving lots of “progress book” lectures. Even beyond academics, making sure our house was always a home to all my friends and staying up with me late to talk. Without them, I wouldn’t be the young man I am today.

Now, graduation is just around the corner. I feel scared and fragile again. Just like that young eighth-grader, who was clueless about the journey ahead. However, I have courage and confidence thanks to all my teachers, family and friends. I wish I could say that I’m going on to some fancy college or that I have all my career goals planned out. I do not. I can say, because of my time at YS, I know that I will head in the right direction.

Education is important and I plan to be a lifelong learner. It may be in the form of a trade, being a student or a community volunteer. So that my mother doesn’t have a complete heart attack, I’ve enrolled in community college to get started — it’s a bonus that this route will save me some cash.

It takes a village to raise a child; YS schools have been part of my village.

Austin Cunningham Parents/guardians:

Heather Cunningham; Ross Cunningham It’s no secret that middle school is usually the most miserable for kids. Those years, so awkwardly sandwiched between elementary and high school, are not created equal. I came to Yellow Springs schools after barely surviving seventh grade at a small private school. I was scared and fragile. Quickly, to my surprise, I knew I was in the right place. I’m grateful today that my parents made the choice to enroll me at YS. As an eighth-grader, I was welcomed by both teachers and

Jasmine Davidson Parents/guardians: Gail

Cyan; Adrian Davidson

I have lived in Yellow Springs

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Jerome Borchers, Lamm’s Insurance

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Children’s Center After School Program

4 Yellow Springs High School my whole life. I don’t think I could have chosen a better place to grow up. A very open place where anyone can do sports, you have an abundant amount of space to express your creativity and the supportive community.

I still remember all these times playing at the park and being able to walk around town with friends. Many teachers and adults around me have helped me grow, and have set me up to be successful in life. And I would like to thank Mr. Gudgel, Mrs. Wooten-Mitchell, Mr. Smith, Ms. Lutz, Ms. Lohmeyer and Mr. McCoy. I have always felt a part of this community, and like having the ability to join clubs that made me feel safer and not alone (Young People of Color). Yellow Springs has helped shape me to be the way I am. And I am grateful to have this foundation of who I am, and I plan on continuing to grow and become a better person. I will be attending Morgan State in the fall, studying health sciences.

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remember, and my first memories there are not of drama with classmates or cramming for tests, but rather of being cared for and helped along as a child.

So it’s no wonder that the high school became like a second home to me, and my teachers and coaches like extended family.

I’d like to give a special thanks to a couple of community members beyond the school setting.

First, I’d like to thank James Johnston, whose hard work and endless enthusiasm make much of the community music in Yellow Springs possible. I’d also like to thank Mike, Cassidy and Marsha from the Village Cyclery, who have taught me so much about bikes and about life. I do look forward to going off to college next year, but Yellow Springs is my hometown and it always will be.

Christian Elam No response submitted.

Peter Day Parents/guardians:

Angela Day; John Day Like everyone who grows up in Yellow Springs and goes to the Yellow Springs schools, I am deeply indebted to the town. Living here has provided me with more opportunities than many kids get: world-class music performances at the end of my street, kind people to ask for advice, safe streets on which to run and a beautiful Glen in which to romp. At home, my brother, Gabriel, and my parents and grandparents have nurtured me in every way, above all in encouraging me to do what is right. I have made many mistakes, most inconsequential, some serious, and in every case my family and friends have supported me, even when I probably didn’t deserve it.

My teachers have also been important figures in my life.

Because my dad is a teacher at the high school, it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can

Reese Elam No response submitted.

Raine Galvin Parents/guardians: DJ

When I was 8 years old, my parents opened two businesses in Yellow Springs: Urban Handmade and Clay + Stan. During that summer I went to the Gaunt Park Pool every single day and made so many friends.

I currently live in Dayton, but thanks to open enrollment, I get to come here every day and get a pretty amazing education.

Living in Dayton and going to school in Yellow Springs has allowed me to have a glance outside of “the bubble,” which I’m definitely grateful for because I think it makes my view much less skewed and I don’t live in a scope. I am able to appreciate even more all that Yellow Springs has done for me. I have so many amazing memories of this community; I am so grateful for the support in all of my projects and involvements from the Yellow Springs citizens.

One thing that I am so grateful for in the Yellow Springs School District is the English department. Beth Lutz, Desiree Nickell and Aurelia Blake opened selfexpressive doors for me that I may not have known existed without their guidance. Without them, I don’t think I would be in the position I am, which is heading to Ohio University in the fall to study high school English education. The teachers at YSHS make an effort to connect with you on a level that you will understand, and for that, I am forever grateful. I would also like to take a minute to thank Dave Smith, my guidance counselor, French teacher and life role model. Mr. Smith has impacted so many lives, and for me, it’s no different. He’s taught me so many valuable life lessons and I can truly say Mr. Smith is a key factor in who I am and what I’ll be doing with my life.

Of course, I cannot write this without speaking about my truly inspiring parents who have worked endlessly and have defeated many odds to get me to where I am. Mom and Dad, thank you so much for raising

easy and flawless for me.

Aidan Hackett

Galvin; Justin Galvin

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Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors, Bambi Williams, Sam Eckenrode & Minerva Bieri

me so amazingly and for always following your hearts.

Yellow Springs, you’ve been an insanely important part of my lifelong adventure and I cannot thank you enough for all of the lessons and memories you’ve given to me in the past 10 years.

Everyone in Yellow Springs has been so kind and supportive of our schools and students, except for a select few — yeah, I’m looking at you, Yellow Springs Open Discussion. Thanks so much for everything, Yellow Springs. Skrt Skrt.

Parents/guardians:

Elizabeth Lutz-Warren; Margaret Hackett

Julian Gundelsweiler Parents/guardians:

Jeannamarie Cox This was my first year in Yellow Springs and at YSHS. Living with the Peifer family and going to an American high school was a great experience for me. Since I started learning English in first grade, I knew I wanted to go and study abroad in the USA. AFS, an organization for exchange students, my host family and my parents made this year possible for me.

Spending a year outside of a little town was totally new to me.

Having no public transportation was not the only challenge for me. The American school system is very different compared to the German one. The days here are very long from school until 3:30 p.m., and extracurricular activities afterward. Most days, I came home at 7 p.m. There’s not much time left for other stuff, and furthermore, you have to do homework at night, to keep your grades up. And people here take grades, and especially homework, very seriously, which was surprising to me. Since homework is such a big part of your grade, I always tried to complete mine. But it wasn’t always easy, especially when I first came here. So I started asking people for help, and these people then became my friends.

Not only my friends, the whole YS community treated me like a member since day one, pretty much everybody was nice and made this exchange year very

Yes, Officer Nipper. The kid who ducked into the bushes was me.

Yellow Springs is my childhood home. I had my boyhood moments here: playing T-ball (shout-out to Coach Jimmy), crawling through the drain pipes with Jack Runyon, riding a wagon down Gaunt Park Hill — bad mistake, and also with Jack Runyon.

My years in school have been great. In contrast to some other communities, I can say that I actually learned something. I’d like to thank all of my teachers, especially for bearing the village of very grade-concerned parents and students.

I’d like the thank the Mayor, Alex Turner, Zeke Hardman, Eric Zadan, the guy at the Emporium, Gage, Ellery, my friends, my extra-large family, and my Mom, and my Mom. You have all gotten me to this point.

Now I plan to study microbiology in college — or maybe in my bedroom. Undecided.

Lastly, I’d like to thank the village for all its support as I’ve gone through the trauma of eating a donut. I couldn’t have made it without your care.

Elias Harris Parents/guardians: Ilyaas

Harris; Angelica Vazquez

I’ve been going to Yellow Springs schools since fifth grade

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Current Cuisine

Dunphy Real Estate, Jo, Teresa & Sheila

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Yellow Springs High School CL A SS OF 2 0 1 8 and the experience has been pretty fun. Yellow Springs has been the best school system I have attended. The teachers here have made me feel welcomed and they go out of their way to help every student — which is amazing, because every school I have gone to before here was nothing like YS schools.

for supporting me and shining so much light in my life.

Daniel Huff No response submitted.

Tomi Harris No response submitted.

Aza Hurwitz Parents/guardians: Eli

Hurwitz; Selanie Hurwitz

Rhi HarshWessendorf No response submitted.

Alaina Hoff Parents/guardians:

Wendy Ricks; Darren Hoff Through this crazy, beautiful experience called life, we’ve all had our ups and downs. I have been fortunate enough to experience this with the overwhelming support from my family and friends. I would like to thank my mom, sister, family and friends

I have learned a lot whilst growing up in the village. I have had amazing teachers that should really get more credit than they do now — and should probably get paid more, too. Shout outs to Ms. Nickell for teaching me how to write something that is readable; Mr. Dayner for teaching me how to set up a tipi; Mr. Lydy for teaching me all of U.S. history in a mere 36 weeks; Ms. Holly, Ms. Eguaroje and Ms. Simon for teaching me how to love a subject I am not good at; and Mr. Smith for teaching me how to be a good person. I am also incredibly lucky to have been brought up in a family so full of love, which is really all the world needs. Grandma, you are the greatest teacher the world has ever known. Mom and Dad, you two are close seconds behind Grandma.

In “today’s world,” growing up implies the lack of any knowledge whatsoever. While in the process of growing up, children are inherently less wise and undeserving of responsibility and decision-making because we make bad decisions. But when I see what is going on in “today’s world,” I think it would be wise if everyone took a minute (or maybe several weeks) to remem-

ber what it was like to grow up.

Remember how it felt when you wanted your mom to buy you candy from the store. Remember the adrenaline rush of going off of the diving board over and over again. Remember wanting to stay with your friends for just a little longer. Remember the terrifying feeling of unrequited love.

Remember the gut-wrenching feeling of your first breakup.

Then, after remembering the pains and ecstasies of your youth, stay young at heart and be compassionate. Nobody gets anywhere by taking themselves too seriously. If remembering childhood is too complicated, go to your public library and check out a copy of “The Little Prince.”

It’s free and only 80 pages, meaning you are unlikely to wrack up library fines. Then, read the wise words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery until you understand why I am asking you to read them.

Yellow Springs has treated me well, probably because I don’t use Facebook. But despite loving my hometown, I am leaving it and going to Earlham College in the fall to continue my education and to continue growing up.

Hopefully, I will take my own advice and not grow up all of the way. And hopefully, in five or 10 years, I will be wiser than I am now, but not pretentious.

And hopefully, in those years, I will have become fluent in French and also live in Georgia, because I actually like humidity a lot. The greatest part about the future is that it is unknown.

Maybe next year I will hope for something completely different. But right now, I am not going to enjoy home to the fullest, because in the words of the greatest literary heroine of the 21st century, Bella Swan: “When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it’s not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end.”

Donnie Isenbarger

Raven James Parents/guardians:

Tracey James; Scott James The first day of kindergarten, Chief Grote stood at the end of the sidewalk waiting to open our car doors for us with a great smile. I remember the big, purple backpack I begged my mom to get me, and the tiny tears that formed on the rims of her eyes when she gave me her “my baby’s growing up” smile.

I remember being so excited for my first day of “real” school, and being able to make so many friends. Little did I know this was the simplest year of my life before I began my journey through the big milestones of my childhood. Throughout elementary school, I discovered my strengths and weaknesses and I definitely struggled greatly before I succeeded. With the endless support of my mom and my teachers, I learned to never give up.

Fast forward, within the four short years that I’ve spent at Yellow Springs High School, I’ve discovered amazing friends I know I will keep forever, and I’ve made memories and stories I will cherish for the rest of my years. I’m glad that my wonderful parents raised me in the safe, inclusive little town called Yellow Springs, a place I will forever call home.

No response submitted.

Deborah Isaiah Parents/guardians:

Elizabeth Robertson; Daniel Robertson During my exchange year here, I loved it. Yellow Springs

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High School is a really welcoming and friendly school. I loved the group work in school and how everyone’s opinion and idea counts. YSHS has prepared me for college and how to talk to in front of an audience because it is something that is not usually practiced in my country. I love the PBL at the high school because it encourages me to share my ideas in a group.

The students are so nice and helpful. Special thanks to my best friends Tyler, Sumayah and Lydia, and my great friends Lucy, Amani, Julia, Alexis, Lily, Alaina, Alexa, Hannah and Anna, and all my other friends.

The teachers are really nice and are always willing to help you. I would like to especially thank my host family, Dan, Liz and Ru Robertson, for being so supportive; Mr. Comstock, for always supporting me and helping me figure things out; Mr. Lowry, for always helping me during lab if I need help; Ms. Nickell; Ms. Equaroje; Mr. Gudgel, my track coach; and all my other teachers.

My plan after I complete high school in my country is to go to college to study nursing. This has been a great experience; thank you to my host family, friends and the village of Yellow Springs.

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Payden Kegley Parents/guardians:

Alyson Hamilton; Mike Hamilton I’ve been a student at Yellow

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Emporium Wines/ Underdog Café

Glen Garden Gifts

6 Yellow Springs High School Springs Schools since kindergarten, and I’ve loved every moment of it. I really appreciate how much each of the teachers cared about each student. During my time at Yellow Springs, I participated in and lettered in three varsity sports: volleyball, cheer and track.

While I was part of those teams, I earned nine varsity letters and four school records; two of these were for volleyball, including most digs in a season/ career, with 1,050 total; and two were for track: pole vault (8’0”) and triple jump (32’0”).

Volleyball was probably my favorite part of high school; two first-place titles and one secondplace title. I also placed second team all MBC (2016); first team all MBC (2017); first team all League (2017); and 2017 senior all-star member. I also achieved over 1,000 career digs, which is about 350 digs a season, averaging 16 digs a game.

My junior year I set the conference record for most digs in a season, and my senior year I beat that record and set another one for the MBC for most digs in a career.

My athletic accomplishments have pushed me as a person and led me to my future. I proudly signed to play volleyball at Clark State Community College on a partial scholarship for two years.

After that, I plan to transfer to Wright State University to continue my academic and athletic career. I look forward to my future and becoming a RN just like my mom.

Madison Kellar Parents/guardians:

Jessica Phillips; Robert Kellar When I moved to Yellow Springs in 2014, middle of my eighth-grade year, I was terrified to come to a place where I knew no one. I was so scared I wouldn’t fit in or be accepted — all these kids had grown up with each other and here I was, the new girl, who they had never seen before. Little did I know Yellow Springs would become the place I never wanted to leave and where I would make friend-

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ships and bonds that would last a lifetime — not only with other students, but with staff and teachers as well. From the day I got to Yellow Springs to now, I have never once felt that I wasn’t accepted, nor did I ever feel like I didn’t belong. Although I wasn’t here with the class of 2018 from pre-K to eighth grade, they made me feel like I was a part of their family, I feel like I never missed a beat with them. These students are truly amazing individuals and never fail to amaze me with their intelligence, artistic ability, motivation and many talents. This is the class that will help change the world, I can promise you that.

Although they are amazing individuals, we wouldn’t be the people we are today without our extraordinary teachers, guidance counselors, principals and everyone involved in the schools.

These teachers here at YSHS are some of the best around; they are truly involved and care about their students. They push us to be nothing but great and never make us feel anything less. Not only are they great teachers, but they are also wonderful people.

They go above and beyond for us, not only in the classroom, but out in the world as well.

There have been many times I’ve emailed my teachers late at night, last-minute, asking for help on an assignment or asking them to fix my grades — and sure enough, they take time out of their day or night and help me out. I feel truly blessed to have had them as my teachers throughout high school and I will miss them dearly.

With the help of my teachers and Mr. Smith, I plan on furthering my education at Kent State University in the fall. I am going in undecided and am going to see where life takes me and I am very excited for this next adventure in my life. From the beginning of high school to about the middle of my senior year, I was so determined to go into college knowing exactly what I wanted to study and have this perfect 10-year plan planned out. Over the past six months, I have started to realize that it’s okay to not be sure what you want to study or where you see yourself in 10 years; it’s okay to just let life take you where you’re supposed to go. I have had nothing but support in everything I do from my teachers and from my amazing parents. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for letting me truly find myself and helping me every step of the way — and thanks to Yellow Springs for shaping me into the young woman I am today.

Greta Kremer Parents/guardians:

Kimberly Kremer; Michael Kremer I am grateful for my family, my friends, and the Bahá’í community for their love and support, and for teaching me to be compassionate.

I am grateful for my teachers.

I am grateful for the YSHS office and custodial staff for their commitment and hard work.

I am grateful for the opportunities I had to travel with my school through EF. I am grateful for those who have donated their time to provide students with extracurriculars.

I am grateful for everyone who supported me in my endeavors to learn music.

I am grateful to those in the community who support the students of Yellow Springs.

I am grateful for YSKP, YSTC, and everyone who supported me in my theatrical activities — you’ve inspired me to pursue theatre at Otterbein University next year.

When I look back on my time in Yellow Springs, these are the things I want to remember.

Elly Kumbusky Parents/guardians: Phil

Kumbusky; Rhonda Kumbusky

I’ve never lived in Yellow Springs, but I will always consider this town my home. This community has truly shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I will always be grateful. They say it takes a village O u r

Greene County Career Center Greene County Public Health

to raise a child, and this village has raised some amazing kids, especially in the class of 2018. I have too many memories to even think straight, but they’re ones I will always cherish. Whether it be distant memories from the Children’s Center, to the playground at Mills Lawn, running all around town during an intense game of “Fugitive,” and to the beginning and end of senior year, I can honestly say that my classmates are something special. I’ve been lucky enough to have grown up with many of them for most of my life, and I’ve seen them all, and myself, become great leaders, friends, and humans in general.

The past 12 years here have been a roller coaster of different emotions. I’ve definitely hit some bumps, but I always manage to find my way back on track with the help of my family, friends and teachers. My parents’ decision to send me to Mills Lawn in kindergarten was the best decision they could have made for me. This school district has given me the opportunity to be myself and become the best version of me. Big shout out to Phil and Rhonda for that one. Love y’all.

The teachers here are unlike any others. They truly care about the students and want them to succeed in life, not just in their classrooms. I honestly believe that my friends and classmates are going to change the world, and I’m so excited to see what they all end up doing with their lives after graduation.

They’ve become my family, and I’m so proud of every single one of them.

After graduation, I plan on attending Kent State University, where I will major in early childhood education. I can only hope I’ll one day be as good of a teacher as some of my former teachers and have as big of an impact on my students’ lives as mine had on me.

Many people believe that Yellow Springs is like a bubble.

They say we don’t know what the real world is like, and maybe that is the case. Maybe it is a bubble, but it was a pretty great bubble to grow up in, and I’m sad my bubble is about to pop as I face the “real world” — but I am excited to see what my future holds.

Kady Lafferty Parents/guardians:

Tiffany Leslie I was born in Springfield, and I have never lived anywhere else. Although I’ve never lived in the village, I’ve experienced things here that I wouldn’t have in another community. I started coming to Yellow Springs schools in the second grade, and now I’m finishing up my senior year.

I believe that I would be a totally different person if I had gone to a different school. I am more open-minded to different environments and different people. I played softball all four years of high school. Being on the team has given me an opportunity to build relationships with people I wouldn’t normally talk to. I’ve enjoyed the fact that I’ve created so many friendships with different kinds of people.

I want to thank Ms. Holly for being a teacher I felt comfortable with. She was supportive and I had a good time in her class.

I’ve already started going to Clark State, so my plan is to finish taking my general education classes. After, I would like to transfer to another school to study forensics.

Jakob LaraWoodburn Parents/guardians: Eliza

Woodburn

Objectively speaking, I’ve had a great schooling experience here in the Springs. I began my high school career like many people do: going against the grain. I wanted to be in a punk

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James A. Tetz, D.M.D

Todd McManus, O.D. Nipper’s Corner

A Special Section of the YE llow Spr ings Ne ws | May 31, 2018

Yellow Springs High School CL A SS OF 2 0 1 8 rock band, I dyed my hair for the first (and last) time and I hated school more than just about anything else in the whole world.

Looking back, that was all quite silly, but ultimately necessarily for my growth process.

I really have come a long way over the years and I’ve had the opportunity to grow from every mistake I’ve ever made.

I think that’s one of the more special things about growing up in YS. Going forward, I will be attending Bowling Green State University in the fall of 2018. I plan to major in political science and make a career for myself in Washington D.C. Overall, I see Yellow Springs trying to be an innovative community. We have so many things that other towns and cities don’t have, such as free thinkers, a rich culture and a peaceful community. Out of anywhere in the Midwest, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up.

Thank you.

Kelsie Lemons Parents/guardians:

Ashley Lemons I have lived in Yellow Springs since I was in eighth grade. I grew up in Pickerington, Ohio until I was in seventh grade. I love living in Yellow Springs, and even though it wasn’t my whole life, I feel like I grew up here. I have been given a lot of opportunities to be who I really am because of living in Yellow Springs. I played volleyball starting in my fourth-grade year, and I have loved playing every year since. My YS team has been like a second family to me. I will be playing volleyball in college.

I have also played softball since sophomore year; they were also like another family to me.

I have been given the opportunity to make true friends here, which I don’t think I would have been able to do in a larger school. I am going to be able to pursue my dreams and attend my dream college at Ohio Wesleyan University. I am going to be double majoring in international business and Spanish and studying abroad in Spain.

I also hope to combine interior design with my major to travel the world and design buildings, restaurants, hotels and more.

In 10 years, I hope to be graduated from college and be traveling around the world designing buildings.

Yasmine Longshaw Parents/guardians: Trish

Longshaw; Chauncey Longshaw

Fisher Lewis Parents/guardians: Amy

Lewis; Ron Lewis

Growing up in Yellow Springs I was given a lot of opportunities that I would not have had growing up anywhere else. This small town has given me the freedom to be myself. I can honestly say that all of my teachers looked out for me and found a way to help me be successful. Great teachers like Ms. Holly, Ms. Chick, Ms. Morrison, Ms. Lutz, and Mr. Lowery are a few that I would like to mention. Experiences like Egyptian night at Mills Lawn to playing soccer my freshman year at the Columbus Crew stadium are ones that I could not have found anywhere else.

I really want to thank Coach Van Ausdal and his family for everything they do for the YSHS soccer team. Coach Ben works really works hard to make soccer season a great experience for everyone. I’ll really miss the summer YS soccer tournament and home games where you could look up into the stands and see not just the parents but town people who just came out to support the team. That sense of community is one I’ll miss. I was really lucky that I got to play high school soccer with both of my brothers too.

In the fall I will be attending Ohio Northern University where I will be majoring in biology and business with the hope of being a veterinarian. I’ll also be playing soccer for the university. In 10 years I see myself as a new vet traveling to farms and becoming part of a community like Yellow Springs.

My time here in Yellow Springs has been great — from the supportive community to the welcoming schools. I didn’t always live here in Yellow Springs, but I have always attended the schools. The knowledge, relationships and opportunities that are formed in the village are truly amazing.

I would like to thank my parents, who made the decision to place me in such a wonderful school and pushed me to finish; my friends, whom I have grown to love and support, as they do me; my teachers, who pushed me everyday to my full ability and never gave up on me; and the community of Yellow Springs, which wants to see every student here do well and do everything in its power to help.

I want to thank all of them for showing me what the true value of education really is. I’m confident that I can take all of the skills I have learned here and carry them out for the rest of my life. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity of attending Yellow Springs High School along with being a part of this loving community. There will always be a place in my heart for this place and I can’t wait to see what the future classes will take away.

Ayanna Madison Parents/guardians:

Shelsea Madison; Chris Madison

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ReMax Ultimate, Craig Mesure

My time in Yellow Springs has been short, but no one can say it was uneventful. I have made lifetime friendships. In a time where we often blame a school system for our children’s failings, I’d like to celebrate teachers and administration. I have not had the opportunity to have every teacher, so I will speak on the teachers I have had the pleasure to encounter.

Language arts classes can easily fall into a boring rut of reading, then answering questions. This cycle will repeat until you graduate. Ms. Lutz-Warren and Ms. Nickell couldn’t be further from the status quo.

Genuine, original, intellectual thought is valued above all else.

They will never allow you to become complacent with your current understanding of literature, of the world and of each other.

My background knowledge in science was lacking, to say the least. My middle school education was administered through the ever-biased voice of Bob Jones. I knew nothing; I didn’t even know that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. Coming to YS was a jump, to say the least. Ms. Eguaroje and Mr. Lowery made a point to recognize I was behind — not because of poor scholarship, but due to gaps in my education. Between them and a little bit of Khan Academy, I passed my classes and got credit for my APs. That was a certifiable miracle.

History and contemporary issues is always a tricky subject to create well structured discourse. Mr. Lydy and Mr. Day are quite possibly the Jedi masters of such classroom discourse.

The lesson plans are both comprehensive and well-researched.

Both teachers go above and beyond the call of duty in order to make old, dead white men more interesting. Just when I thought I had exhausted American history — I’ve taken it three times due to PBL and AP — I learn something more.

Learning a foreign language is hard. Teaching it to a class of 30 snotty high schoolers who have developed apathy for anything that smells like an education is near impossible. Señor Sidner rises to that challenge. He was thrown into a new school and had to live up to the legacy of the phenomenal Kathy Burkland.

He has proved his resilience, determination and love for his students time and time again.

Not only did he aid me in my quest to learn Spanish, but his approach to language has allowed me to excel in learning two more.

Last, but not least, is Mr. Smith. He is a guidance coun-

selor who has provided for more guidance than his job requires.

I have never met anyone more dedicated to making higher education available to everyone.

Need a recommendation? He will write pages. Didn’t get into your top college? He will file appeals.

Missing a half credit? He will research the best option based on your needed course rigor and financial ability. If you just need to talk, he’s equally skilled at making you feel heard.

In the fall I will be studying psychology and linguistics at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. I will also have the pleasure of running the 400 and high jump for the Black Squirrels. I intend to become an OB/GYN and eventually coach a high school track team.

Haley Mapes Parents/guardians: Kristl

Mapes; Micah Mapes

My experience growing up in Yellow Springs was pretty good.

I wouldn’t have wanted to go anywhere else. I came here in fourth grade from Centerville schools and it was quite the change — but it was an awesome change for me. The teachers here really care and want you to do your best. You end up knowing every single person you’ve gone to school with and it kinda feels like a family. This is a very warm and accepting place. If anything, I would change the drama in the school, which is honestly just because it’s so small and we all know each other.

My plan for the next year is to take a year off, make money, then go to a community college. I eventually want to travel and try many new things.

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Re/Max Victory, Chris & Rick Kristensen & Shelly Blackman

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Reichley Insurance Agency

8 Yellow Springs High School

Tony Marinelli Parents/guardians: Bill

Holster; Jamie Holster

My experience at Yellow Springs high school is a mixture of pure hatred and some reasonable amount of respect. There are very little things that I found meaningful and valuable — a lot of it I saw as a waste of time and useless. The little things had a big impact on my life and future overall. Those little things were creating relationships with some of the teachers who really tried to help me blossom — but also allowed me to be myself — and all of the mentoring from my basketball coaches who helped me learn how to love the sport.

When it comes to how YS schools are good, I honestly don’t believe that, but I do believe they have some of the right advisors. I would change the learning of PBL and go back to standardized learning. I also feel the disciplinary system should change because I feel that it targets certain groups of students. My future plans are to attend either Sinclair or Clark State and try to play basketball. I will study history as my major and one day hope to teach history at the high school or college level. In 10 years, I hope to have a house.

That’s it.

Chase Meddock Parents/guardians:

Jessica Meddock; Roger Meddock Since I moved to Yellow Springs, I found a family that I could be open with. My fellow

CLA SS OF 2018 A Special Section of the Y ellow Spr ings News | May 31, 2018

students have helped to shape me into the person I am, helping me and pushing me to better myself. Once I knew I never had to hide anymore, I learned to be a part of this wonderful community. Keeping things to myself became a thing of the past; I could be open with the people around me. Everyone in this family I’ve found is always doing something, but always happy to make plans. Bloody good adventures come out of those plans every time.

Life is such an open path here; any direction you want to go, you find support and opportunity. Until I became a member of this family, I never knew how it felt to be part of a community, to be loved by friends and neighbors. Nothing ever felt better, and I can say that experience will guide me in how I treat others for the rest of my life. This place brought me the happiness I needed to become the man I’m glad to be.

So long to the high school — and welcome to being a proper villager.

students, to play in different recitals around town and to play in the Yellow Springs Chamber Orchestra and the Springfield Youth Symphony.

In high school I also was a part of NFTY, where I was able to be the president of my Temple Youth Group and a leader in my region. I also got to meet other Jews my age. Both of these activities taught me a lot.

Lastly, in my high school career I had to deal with the school administration a lot.

Freshman year I sustained a severe concussion that kept me out of school almost all of my freshman year and some of my sophomore. The administration worked with me to complete my freshman year without having to get held back. The school hadn’t really dealt with something like that before, so they worked a lot with my mom to learn and get through the difficulty. The administration did try their best to get me through those years, but it never would have happened without my mom. She took me to the doctors, she dealt with the school and she supported me throughout the whole ordeal. I am thankful that I went to Yellow Springs High School, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t. Now next year I will be attending University of Dayton for mechanical engineering.

are and our views on issues.

I’d like to thank Tamara Morrison, MacKenzie Reynolds, Dave Smith and Beth Lutz for their amazing teaching, guidance and help over the years. They value intellectual discussion and genuinely promote deeper learning in their classrooms. I’d also like to give a shout out to YS Open Discussion because I had never before seen grown adults fight like children over issues none of them genuinely care about or fully understand. It is a source of entertainment I will value long after I leave the village.

My plans are to attend Boston University in the fall, to major in biological anthropology, on a pre-med track, and minor in French, the end goal being to become an orthopedic surgeon.

ways and will always make me laugh; Ms. Eguaroje, who would always ask how her Buddy was doing; and Mr. Comstock, who would always check up on me.

• For my mom and dad, and the amount of ice cream they’ve bought me.

• For my friends, for brimming my life full of love and laughter.

• For School Forest, and all the experiences it’s given me (stay burly).

• For Grant Crawford.

• For the Greene County Public Library, and all the wonderful people who work there.

• For the quiet village streets at night • For how much the people in this town have cared for me (whether indirectly or directly) • For the Glen — because how can you not be grateful for a 1.563 mile nature preserve right on our doorstep!?

• For Mr. Hurwitz, who is rad.

• And livin’ la vida loca.

Next year, I’ll be attending Earlham College, where I only have a vague idea of what I want to do; but thanks to Yellow Springs and all the people who have shaped me, I have a strong foundation to further my life on.

Lucas Mulhall Parents/guardians:

Jacoline Mulhall; Kevin Mulhall

Skyler Miller Parents/guardians:

Adriane Miller; Mike Miller Whenever I go to a Jewish youth convention, I talk to people about the community I live in. They all gasp when they hear I have one of the largest classes in my school and I’m graduating with 60-ish students, and when I say my town has a population of under 4,000. I have lived here since I was 4 and I’ve been at Yellow Springs schools since kindergarten, so this is all I know.

This town has helped shape me into the leader that I am.

Since the school is so small, it has given me many opportunities to step up as a leader in my community. While I have lived here my two main activities were cello and NFTY, or North American Federation of Temple Youth, my Jewish Youth Group.

I played cello with Shirley Mullins and it was one of the greatest experiences I’ve had. I got to play trios with her and her other

Erin Mooneyham Parents/guardians: Kate

Mooneyham; Joe Mooneyham

Unlike many if my peers I have not gone to YS schools since a very young age. I moved here in seventh grade, from Union Beach, N.J. Living here has been very different, and I like that about this village. It has given me a new perspective. Yellow Springs is a bubble and living and working alongside people who have spent their whole lives in that bubble has allowed me to understand how their views have been shaped by that.

Understanding this has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of how where we grow up and who we are around affect who we O u r

Sam & Eddie’s Open Books

Every Friday in Mrs. Lutz’s class, we spend 10 minutes at the beginning of class to write a list of things we are grateful for and share it. This list is for my life in the village.

I’m grateful: • For YSKP and Lorrie Sparrow-Knapp, who have both helped me explore my life artistically.

• For the Bahá’í community, for instilling in me a desire for service to humanity and kindness to others, and for all that I especially blame my neighbors Linden and Roi. • For bikes.

• For that pink redbud tree outside my window.

• That I’ve been so lucky to have grown up with such a fantastic set of teachers which made school bearable. There are so many wonderful things to say about all my teachers that I’ve had the opportunity to be taught by. But I’m especially grateful for a couple: Mr Smith, who made me appreciate the whimsical things in the world and who nurtured my love for photography; Ms. Lutz, for her motherly attitude and kindness; Ms. Holly and Ms. Simon, who are both very rad in their own special

Elijah Naziri Parents/guardians:

Micah Naziri; Shanté Naziri Elijah Naziri: a quirky yet fashionable young youth, a young man whose bizarre form of eloquence was matched by none.

He attended Yellow Springs Schools™ from the second quarter of sixth grade, and has been attending that district periodically, and has lived in town at a more periodic rate than that.

I’ve grown accustomed to a certain kind of lifestyle. That young human bean never really frequented the streets of Yellow Springs™ until his senior year, and left his house even less.

Elijah made many friends over the past two years, and over the years preceding that had shoehorned himself between a few cliques, and never really felt like he belonged during this period of his life. His experience in cross country and theatre had

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Soin Medical Center TCN Behavioral Health Services

Tom’s Market

A Special Section of the YE llow Spr ings Ne ws | May 31, 2018

Yellow Springs High School CL A SS OF 2 0 1 8 brought him closer to some of his friends, and through these had found something which may only be distantly likened to talent: “singing?” His senior year, he met many a friend, and: “joined a band?”

He had many a person to thank, each an inspiration to him in some way, shape and/ or form: his parents, for putting up with his crap for the past 17 years; Chelle Palassis and Suzanne Ellis, for being both inspirations and incredible human beings; his teachers, specifically Ms. Pettiford, Ms. Lutz, Ms. Eguaroje, Ms. Morrison and Mr. Smith for being not only some of the best teachers he’s ever had, but some of the greatest people he’s ever met; Mr. Gudgel, for being one of the most considerate men he’d ever met; Lorrie Sparrow-Knapp, for helping him learn to sing and all that jazz; and all of his friends, regardless of how long he hasn’t known them. Thanks, y’all.

and enter the rest of my life, I would like to thank all of Yellow Springs for all of the memories, lessons, and opportunities that the village has given me.

Evalynn Orme

Elle Peifer Parents/guardians:

Jeannamarie Cox; John Peifer

Effie Palassis Parents/guardians:

Chelle Palassis; Christopher Palassis

Michael Olesko Parents/guardians: Carol

Fang; Brian Olesko

My name is Michael Olesko and I am a senior at YSHS. My mom is from Singapore and my dad is from New York. They decided that Yellow Springs was the perfect place for me to blossom — and I am so happy they chose here to live.

Yellow Springs taught me to be loving and tolerant of everybody. I enjoy living here, with the chill atmosphere and the close proximity to everything. I have spent my whole life going to school in Yellow Springs. From the Children’s Center in the summer to Mills Lawn School to finally the middle and high schools, I feel like the schools have taught me a lot and have matured me.

After graduating, I plan to major in nursing and attend the Wright State College of Nursing.

I hope to one day become a nurse practitioner.

Growing up in Yellow Springs was crucial to who I am today.

As a child, being able to roam freely through the town with friends gave me a sense of security and independence. Eating wild sorrel and watercress, running barefoot, climbing trees and riding bikes are all pleasant memories that will always stay with me from my time here.

Members of the community have also greatly influenced my life. I would like to thank Mr. Zopf for teaching me math in elementary school, but also inspiring me so much beyond that. I would also like to thank Chris and Doug for talking with me and providing love in a very emotionally trying time of my life, and helping me to be more confident in social situations.

Suzanne Ellis is the best fake mom and one of the greatest influences in my life and I admire her so much. Ali Thomas is also so cool and has been so nice to me, and has always treated me as an equal, even when I was little. Mama T was a wonderful figure in my life and I love her.

Lorrie Sparrow-Knapp has been one of my greatest inspirations and changed my life in so many ways. All of my teachers through the years have given me so much love and support, especially Mr. Smith and Ms. Lutz.

As I go out into the world

I am incredibly lucky to have grown up in Yellow Springs.

This town has never made me feel anything but welcomed. I have attended Yellow Springs schools all my life.

As I started to make a list of teachers I would like to thank, I realized that there were far too many. Every teacher in this community has helped shape who I am as a person, inside and outside of the classroom. I would like to thank each and every one of you. I feel unbelievably prepared to enter the next chapter of my life thanks to the help of my parents, my sister, Emma, grandparents, teachers, coaches and friends.

Next year I will be attending Ohio Wesleyan University. I will be double majoring in sociology and business, and a minor in women’s and gender studies.

Wherever my life takes me, I know that Yellow Springs will always be the place I call home.

Eric Romohr Parents/guardians: Gary

Romohr; Liz Romohr

Gracie Price Parents/guardians: Jamie

Price; Mindy Harney

I have been at Yellow Springs

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Town Drug

schools since first grade. I lived right outside of town at the Funky Bean Farm until freshman year. Still, Yellow Springs has always been my community.

My parents owned a coffee shop in town on Dayton Street, where I spent a lot of my grade school years. Mr. May and Ms. Amin were really wonderful grade school teachers. I enjoyed the countries project with Ms. Pettiford.

Overall, school really isn’t my thing; however, I recognize that, if I have to go, I would rather go to Yellow Springs High School.

I know my teachers. If I went to another school, I would not have any connection with my teachers, and not as much with my class. It would be weird to walk down the hallway every day and see people that I didn’t know, which is the experience a friend of mine has in Kettering.

As far as future plans go, I am planning to move to Denver, Colo., where my sister lives, and go to college next year. I would not have had the courage or the ability to make this decision without my teachers, friends or the community of Yellow Springs.

So, if I could choose one thing to say I learned in high school, it would be that, out of all people, friends, peers, teachers and strangers, the people who are always there to have your back and fight on your side are your family. They will yell at you and ground you and scold you, but at the end of the day, they’re on your side, no matter what.

Kids don’t realize how fast these four years go by; enjoy the time you have in high school.

Get good grades, for it makes everything so much easier later on. Developing yourself as your own person is also very important and will shape who you are for the rest of your life. Lastly, between you and God, thank your parents just for being your parents.

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Next year I will be attending the University of Cincinnati in exploratory studies. In 10 years, I hope to be done with my master’s degree and enjoying my career.

Jack Runyon Parents/guardians: Chad

Runyon; Jennifer Rosengarten

Growing up in Yellow Springs was great. You won’t get abducted and the people are kind, and my parents let me roam at a young age because of this. There are so many great people and I had so many great experiences. I have made friends that I have had my entire life, and will continue having when I am out of here. I have done pretty much everything a normal boy does, including bombing down Gaunt Park hill driving a wagon at age 9, roaming around under streets in the drain pipes, finding a jon boat in the tunnel under 68, building a minibike and riding it around — special thanks to Officer Meister for literally stopping me to ask if I had seen a dog, not because I was being obnoxious. Virtually anything you can imagine, and it’s been a blast. There are many things to appreciate, such as the Farmers Market and the Street Fair, riding around on my bike, walking to school in the morning, going to Gaunt Park pool in the summer and running around gathering things I found on the side of the road.

The people of this town are all very close, and it is nice to see.

Literally today, the ex-mayor came out to help Pops catch a swarm of bees from our hive that split up. You won’t get that anywhere else. I am glad to have grown up here and experienced the freedom of this town. Yeah, there are a ton of hippies and a lot of people who argue over the most arbitrary of things, but generally it’s a pretty damn good place. Yes, Yellow Springs can get a bit claustrophobic, especially for someone like me, and I am anxious to leave, but my memories from here will stick.

I am very lucky to have grown up here. I will be going to Miami

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Jaimie Wilke, Holistic Massage The Winds Cafe

Yellow Springs Board of Education

bk Yellow Springs High School University for mechanical engineering in the fall, because let’s face it, if I had a gap year no one would be able to find me at the end of it.

Also, I would like to say a few things, first to all you people who have called the police because I have made too much noise: There are way worse things I could be doing and the cops have better things to do. Let us relax a bit and stop complaining. Have a good one.

Thanks to the following: My parents, Chad Runyon and Jennifer Rosengarten (this goes without saying); Ms. Lutz and Mr. Lowry; Angela Brintlinger and Steven Conn, for everything over the course of my life; Mrs. Morrison, for putting up with me in calculus; Christy Lewis, for everything you’ve done; Mr. Smith, for teaching me about French, life and film photography; David Flowers, for teaching me welding; and my neighbors, for putting up with my loud cars and motorcycles and the occasional explosion — don’t worry, it’ll all be over soon, we are only about three months out. Thanks to our police force, specifically Officer Meister and Chief Carlson, and all the other people I didn’t mention because I can’t possibly remember them all at this point in time.

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to do with the rest of my life. I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for supporting me, and continuing to do so.

Eli Schell Parents/guardians: Jenny

Montgomery; Gregory Schell

In high school, I learned that I love the concept of design in all forms. All through childhood, I loved to design things. I grew up with a love of the outdoors and often I would use branches to build entire towns of huts and fences in the woods behind my house. I also have a love of building models. So my plan after high school is to go and start on a mechanical engineering degree at Wright State. I am choosing this because, in my opinion, engineering teaches you how to think and how to learn. I will then apply this knowledge to starting my own business in a design-based field. I haven’t really worked out my full plan, but that’s okay, because nothing in life is planned. Also I would like to shoutout my family, Greg, Jenny and Ava, and my brothas Chris, Eric and Donnie.

Within many of the school’s classes, such as French, English and art, I’ve held many meaningful and intellectual conversations between students and teachers alike. I especially want to note that I’ve had a stellar art education, not only through the high school, but also by living in YS. I’ve also been lucky enough to be able to go abroad with close friends and teachers through the school, which deepened my love for travel.

Living in a small town has its ups and downs. You can get a very strong sense of community from small villages because almost everyone knows everybody. That said, I don’t believe we have a very strong sense of community at the moment. I’ve noticed that we don’t let many people grow in this town; we remember everything and find it hard to forgive. Many town members like to believe that we’re a loving and giving village, yet at the moment we’re not listening to one another.

It’s quite often that people will enter a disagreement without an open mind, believing they have the only answer. No progress or understanding can be made when everyone thinks this way, so we’re left at a standstill.

While I’ll miss many of my friends, family and teachers, I’m excited to move to the next phase of my life. I’ll be attending Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT, this upcoming fall. I plan on majoring in studio art, only to move on to study medical illustration. In conclusion, I want to thank everyone who has helped me get to where I am today, especially my mom. I can’t wait to see what everybody does and where they go.

Travis Scarfpin Living in Yellow Springs has shaped me as a person. It’s taught me many life lessons, and has given me many fond memories. From planning a Police Jamboree, to walking around street fair, this village has left its mark on me.

I’m lucky to say that I’ve gone to Yellow Springs schools my entire life. I’ve had the pleasure of having teachers who are amazing at what they do throughout my education, from 1st to 12th grade. I’ve made many friends here, some that will last my entire life. This is the kind of town that I would want my kids to grow up in.

Next fall I will be attending the University of Cincinnati, going into the exploratory program to find out what it is I want

Juno Shemano

Jorie Sieck

Parents/guardians:

Parents/guardians: Cindy

Wendy Clark As the skinny legend, Trixie Mattel, once said “Alright, public school, calm down.” While I think this quote is very amusing, all in all, my entire school experience was pretty good. I’ve created many genuine relationships with teachers, other students, and community members.

Sieck, Winston Sieck, and Louise Rasmussen

Eli Spar No response submitted.

Christopher ­Thompson Parents/guardians: Jay

Thompson; Meg Thompson

Haley Smith Parents/guardians:

Briony Blackburn; Abraham Blackburn I never really took the time to think about what my very last day of high school would be like. I’ve gone to Yellow Springs schools for 13 years and have made so many memories that I will never forget. Some of my favorite memories were made playing soccer with my best friends, because we had so much fun and I got closer to other people. Playing up top with Jasmine was so fun, even though I never scored.

My future plan so far is to go to Clark State for two years to get my general education classes out of the way, and then, hopefully, transfer to a university. I want to say “thank you” to all the people that have been with me, helped me and supported me, especially my teachers, Mr. Hatert and my family.

I moved to Yellow Springs the summer before I turned 4, so it feels like I’ve been here my whole life. I’ve made friends here that I expect to keep in touch with for the rest of my life.

The thing that I have always O u r

Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce

loved about living in the village is the sense of community. My parents let me run around with my friends pretty much all over the village, because they knew that wherever we were, there was always someone around who would help if we got into trouble.

I have enjoyed my time at Yellow Springs schools. I especially want to thank MacKenzie Reynolds, Beth Lutz, Dave Smith and Tamara Morrison for their general awesomeness as teachers and people. I also want to thank Coaches Jim, Shay, Jesi and Bubba for their softball coaching, which has helped me grow so much as a player. I will miss all of them and everyone on the team as well.

In the fall, I will be attending Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, where I will study computer science.

My experience in Yellow Springs is unlike that of a lot of my peers. I grew up in town, but went to school elsewhere.

Making friends in the community was different, because our relationship wasn’t the same as the ones they had with their classmates, or me with mine.

After moving away in 2010, the connections I’d made grew foggy and I developed throughout most of my teenage years separately from the kids who I had played with in my backyard.

My junior year, I transferred to YSHS. In the time between leaving and re-entering the community, a lot had changed! I had come out as transgender and changed my name, and so a lot of the people I used to know suddenly were confused, or had just forgotten me. Of course, I didn’t mind. Suddenly transferring to a new school district after years of growing up in a different one was really nerve-wracking, and it was nice to ease into it slowly.

Getting a fresh start in an environment where I was a stranger to most people, even though it was scary, felt refreshing! It takes time to remember how to fit into a community that you’ve only ever been a vague member of, but I think I’ve found a place de novo.

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Yellow Springs Chiropractic

Yellow Springs Community Children’s Center

A Special Section of the YE llow Spr in gs Ne ws | May 31, 2018

Yellow Springs High School CL A SS OF 2 0 1 8

My plans for the next couple of years are to attend the University of Cincinnati, living on campus, and to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. In 10 years, hopefully, I will have succeeded in that endeavor and hold a high-wage job that I enjoy in the field I am pursuing. I am also considering designing a product of my own that I can then manufacture, so perhaps I will be pursuing that as well.

Jonah Trillana

Noah Vandam

Parents/guardians:

Parents/guardians:

Audra Trillana; Emmanuel Trillana Life here can appear to move at a standstill. Especially for a young teen, it is easy to feel trapped in Yellow Springs. This last year, however, I have come to understand how privileged I am to grow up in this small town. We have something special, unlike any other place around here. Even when people attack each other on social media over political issues, we still all want what is best for the schools and community. Even when we gossip over the latest scandal for our own entertainment, making the victims feel completely exposed and uncomfortable, we still all think we are doing what is best for those who have been hurt. Even when we ridicule an amazing teacher and community member for allowing a student to bring in vulva donuts for her class, we celebrate our famous vagina tree.

Problems that I thought only plagued our town are the innate nature of small communities.

These are the types of problems that every community will have, and continue to have, and continue to discuss: To say we care about victims, while making a spectacle of their suffering. To say we care about vaginas, while making every effort to censor donut vaginas. To say we care about our community, while calling our neighbors horrendous things behind their backs. To say we care about our children, while making every excuse not to give them the care they deserve. Yet we are not like other communities, not because we lack the problems they have, but because we have an abundance of illegal marijuana usage rather than rampant alcoholism, a far better alternate drug for a community.

Marijuana is what makes Yellow Springs so special. Marijuana is why I am privileged to have grown up here.

Maria Brown; Devin Vandam I did not grow up in Yellow Springs; I moved here my freshman year from another school district. However, going to school here has helped me unleash my true academic potential that had not been realized in my middle school years on a level that I did not believe possible beforehand, and I would say that what’s good about YSHS is the teachers and staff. I would like to thank Ms. Haller for recognizing my potential in these very early on, and for pushing me to try my hardest to succeed in my freshman and sophomore years. Without her encouragement, my potential may not have been realized to the extent that it has. I would also like to thank Mr. Comstock for being supportive, and for keeping me from procrastinating during my study hall periods where I complete the majority of my assignments. Additionally, I would like to thank Ms. Lutz for allowing my frequent exhibitions of opinions in class and for the discussions for which have made my AP English class so interesting this year and for being supportive of me and for teaching me neat literary terms — such as “polysyndeton.” I thank Ms. Holly and Ms. Morrison for recognizing my talent in mathematics and helping me develop the skills that will be instrumental in college and my future career, and I thank the rest of the staff for making my experience at YSHS an overwhelmingly positive one. Finally, I would like to thank Paxton Willoughby for being a great friend throughout my entire time here.

The one thing I would change here is the way PBL is approached. I appreciate the concept, but it cut into too much of the curriculum for some of the classes my sophomore year, which made it harder for me to keep up with the class material.

I like the idea of teaching the coursework first, then assigning a project based on a real-life application of that material, perhaps in place of exams.

Amani Wagner Parents/guardians:

Teresa Bondurant; Leontist Wagner Yellow Springs has raised me and I think they did pretty good.

I grew up in the Central Chapel AME Church. They are my second family who taught me how to speak in public and to be confident in all I do. They love me for who I am and taught me how to love others just as they are. My church has such amazing, wonderful people and I’m forever grateful for them.

School started with Mr. Millie, my loving pre-k teacher. She would throw us smiles left and right, and made us want to smile with her. I took my smile straight to kindergarten with Mrs. Brunsman and her loving spirit. She taught us how to be happy and not care what others think — just to sing with our own voices. Mills Lawn is where I met most of the friends I have today. We went through so much together, from trying our hardest to make the kindergarten play just perfect, to doing the “big kid plays” such as “Aladdin” or “MLS on Broadway.” I kept the smile going when middle school came around; I thought it was so hard and it was certainly different. But there the village was to catch me when I fell. My smile got broader when I went to high school because it could’ve been so much harder than what it was, but because I have so many friends and teachers doing a lot for me and lifting me up, it was such an amazing experience. I loved it, the people and the staff in it.

I found my “place” in the O u r

The Yellow Springs Community Foundation

sports that I did. They gave me an outlet for stress, gave me something to work for, and gave me so many more friends.

I managed to do four sports in high school: volleyball, soccer, basketball and track. Each coach taught me something new, gave me more and more strength and power. Big shout out to all of my coaches from when I was little to now! I am a proud Bulldog, and I know that the thing I will miss the most about school is sports.

I have to save my thank you(s) for last. I have to give all the glory to God for helping me make it because I know I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me. To my mother, who pulled “all nighters” with me. To my father, who makes sure I get myself together. To my brothers, Ameer, Ahmad and Aamil, for always helping me when I need it. To Brianna and Julie, who always gave me someone to look up to. To all of my friends, who never stop supporting me, loving me and hyping me up. To the family of my friends, for letting me be a part of your family. To all of my teachers, who always make sure I am on track and learning something new every day — and special thanks to Mrs. Morano, Ms. Blake, Mrs. Nickell, Mrs. Lutz, Ms.Lohmeyer, Gudge, Mr.Hatert, Mr. McCoy, Ms. Becky, Mr. Comstock, Mrs. Lowe, Ms. Willis, Kizzy and Sra. Burkland. You all have pushed me so hard and I know I will succeed because of it. I will always be a “Springs baby” and I’m so happy that all I knew was the village — but now I am ready to know more and explore outside of it. Love y’all.

Gage Ward Parents/guardians: Gina

Hayes; Mike Ward

I moved to Yellow Springs in December of 2008. I am happy I got the opportunity to grow up here for most of my childhood.

Mills Lawn was a great school.

I had already been to four elementary schools and MLS was by far the best. My first day in

the school building I cultivated friendships more meaningful than any I had ever experienced with anybody my age. My experiences growing into high school were mostly made meaningful

by Aidan Hackett and Ms. Lutz.

They both created a different framework for my life. Aidan made me care, made me want to excel, and made me want to be mindful. He changed my perspective on what life meant.

We always had something to be interested in, and that built some of the most important ideals for me going forward.

My passion morphed so many times throughout my life here, and a lot were very short lived.

I started playing guitar the summer before sophomore year, as a joke. Fast forward a couple of months, and I had been playing guitar very consistently. I genuinely enjoyed the feeling I got from playing music outside of school settings.

This started a whole new era of my life. I discovered a passion unlike any other that I’d ever had. Though I’ve had so many mentors to get me to where I am now, Dave Smith and Paul Comstock are the people I have to thank as I’m leaving high school.

Dave Smith: French teacher, guidance counselor, artist. This is a man who cares about everything he does. Through his class, I was drawn into the arts in a way I wouldn’t have been otherwise. He takes a normal French class and adds an element of artistic appreciation through his passion that I think is hard to come by in a person let alone a language class at my high school. French café was always my favorite part of the school year, and a time where students had a chance to do something artistic and meaningful while also saving up so much money for a great cause in Rwanda.

This taught me to truly care about playing music and other arts in a way nothing else had.

So much motivation came out of our conversations in lunch, a-lab etc. I truly wouldn’t be the same person if it wasn’t for Mr. Smith. He did so much for me, even when I wasn’t holding up academically he believed in me.

He’s a person with a truly huge heart in YSHS. I honestly can’t thank him enough.

Paul Comstock, the study hall monitor. I think people take Mr. Comstock for granted. To most he’s just the guy that moves you for being too loud when you don’t have a class, but he does so much more. He remembers so much about every student in his study halls and follows you up throughout high school, always keeping up with students’ lives academically and emotionally.

S p o n s o r s

Yellow Springs Library Association

bl

Yellow Springs Police Dept.

bm Yellow Springs High School He is always checking each person’s grades to see if everything is going alright in their classes.

He’ll walk up and ask how you’re doing and help you make a plan to fix it. He is there to talk any time of the school day, and gives the most fatherly advice out there. He has a wealth of experience to offer to help you make better decisions. He helped me get through high school in one piece, through conversations about anything with the word guitar in it, and through holding me accountable to my classes.

Mr. Comstock has a huge soul, and I cannot thank him enough.

In conclusion I have to say that these were not the only people with profound effects on my life. There are a lot of parts of the story that I’m leaving out to keep this clear and concise. But I can confidently say that Yellow Springs was a great place to grow up. I’ve never lived in another place for longer than 3 years, and I’ve lived here for 10. The people I’ve met and actually grown up with mean so much to me, and it wasn’t like that anywhere else.

CLA SS OF 2018 A Special Section of the Y ellow Spr ings N ews | May 31, 2018

But as I got through third to sixth grade, my mood changed. I gained lots of friends, my studies were getting better and so was my self-esteem. When I got into the seventh and eighth grade, it got even better. I got involved in theater in eighth and bowling in 11th. Both activities changed my life — as a person, as a friend and as a member of the YS community.

Ten years from now, I think I see myself as a voice-over actress and book writer. I really hope that I will inspire others to dream big and achieve great things, no matter what they are. I would like to thank all my teachers and aides, especially Ms. Lutz, Ms. Connie, Ms. Demitria and Mrs. Chick, for inspiring me to work hard and be the best I can be. I would also like to thank my awesome theater director, Ms. Lorrie SparrowKnapp, and my bowling coach, Matt Cole. You both have taught me teamwork and how to be fair and to work with others.

But most importantly, I would like to thank my whole big family and friends for their love and support. I will certainly never forget my FRIEND SQUAD: Liam, Alex, Harper, Mark, Emanuel, Chris, Meriah and Jonah. Farewell, Yellow Springs. I shall return — someday!

Sierra Ward Parents/guardians:

Sharon Noeth-Miller; Paul Cobb We all live a novel called “The Book of Life.” As my final chapter of high school unfolds, I am filled with millions of emotions: happiness, sadness, excitement, worry — the list goes on and on. I could sit here all day and preach about it, but I’m not gonna do that. Instead, I am going to tell highlights of my story.

Growing up, I’ve lived in Dayton, but went to Yellow Springs schools through the open-enrollment plan. My sister Zoe and I are the only ones of our generation to go to a public school system. Kindergarten was a bit of a rocky start. I was shy and not really much of a talker; also, I was bigger and taller than all the other kids. Some would tease me about my height, while others would say to me that I should be with the other kids. I never listened to them. I just sat quietly and read — but behind that book, I would just shed quiet tears of loneliness.

Marya Weigand I have been nurtured by the Yellow Springs community for eighteen years of my life now.

Looking back, I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to The Riding Centre and meet some of my best friends and create many cherished memories, and still do so to this day. I am above and beyond grateful for my family, friends, and teachers for being so patient and caring for me during times of distress, and the community as a whole that has raised me from the start.

As for what my plan is after I graduate high school, I will be taking a gap year to work and

travel to figure out what is next in my life.

Thank you to Melinda and Dean Severtson, Kirk Weigand and Lauren Heaton, My Loving Siblings, Carolyn Bailey, David Smith, Elizabeth Lutz, Brandon Lowry, Dee Ann Holly, Paul Comstock, and honestly anyone who has made a positive difference in my life.

No response submitted.

Parents/guardians: Jodi

Green; Bill Wildenhaus

Ket White Parents/guardians: Doug

Snyder

Ever since I’ve been in America I have grown up in Yellow Springs. I started school when I was six years old at Antioch school elementary and went there from kindergarten through sixth grade. Antioch taught me how to ride a unicycle, make friends, and enjoy the outdoors.

Moving to the middle school was a big change for me since I went to Antioch. I had to adjust to grades, homework, and more subjects. Once I adjusted to middle school the transition to high school was not that difficult; however, with PBL we got more projects. I really enjoyed the sophomore Save the Planet project with English and chemistry. I am especially proud of our Save the Bees exhibit. I would like to thank Kathy Burkland, Ms. Lutz, and Ms. Reynolds.

I would also like to thank my family and friends.

Yellow Springs has a special spot in my heart and will always be my home. Next year I will be attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. I will be majoring in international business and be minoring in photography. In 10 years I hope to have a family and be spending lots of time traveling.

O u r

YS Psychological Center, Aïda Merhemic & Bob Barcus

Brielle Willis

Samuel Wildenhaus Growing up in Yellow Springs is a very pleasant and joyful way of growing up. A suggestion about Yellow Springs is that there are a lot of people that live here who get offended by the littlest things, and are also very judgmental; I think we should be more open-minded about things.

Yellow Springs schools are extremely good; if I ever have kids, I would definitely have them go to this school system.

They deal with each kid’s ability very well and often give suggestions on the kids’ future based on their abilities. Kids have a lot better social surrounding; due to the schools’ small sizes, everyone communicates with one another at some point. Kids have good communication with their teachers and are able to get help with what they need.

The only suggestion I can think of is the way we do PBL, or project-based learning. Everybody is talking about either doing PBL or just traditional school work. What I think we need to do is to just have a good balance on doing PBL and traditional school work, because I think we need to learn how to work in both areas.

My plan for the next couple of years is to be at Wright State University taking business classes. Honestly, I really don’t have a plan for the 10 years — all I can say is that I plan to have my life and career started.

Take it easy. Thank you, Mom and Dad; see ya home.

Paxton Willoughby Parents/guardians:

Emaleigh Willoughby; Todd Willoughby I came to Yellow Springs Schools in my freshman year of high school. From kindergarten through eighth grade I attended Pathway School of Discovery, a charter school in Dayton. After eighth grade, I had no clue where to go to high school. I live in Huber Heights and I knew if I signed up to go to Wayne, I would get lost in the mix of thousands of students. I remember saying to my mom, “I really care where I go to high school, because I know it will shape me into the person I become.” I am forever grateful I chose Yellow Springs schools because it did just that.

While attending YSHS, I not only met friends I will have (hopefully) for a lifetime, but I have met teachers that I truly will never forget. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Smith and Ms. Eguaroje.

They are two of the greatest people I have ever met and I consider them to be two of the biggest role models in my life.

S p o n s o r s

YSI/Xylem Brand

Young’s Jersey Dairy