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PRICE HILL PRESS

Your Community Press newspaper serving Price Hill and Covedale

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2016

BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS

Oak Hills’ top graduates grateful for support Kurt Backscheider kbackscheider@communitypress.com

GREEN TWP. – Although they put in a great deal of the work, Candice Sheehan, Kristina Flanigan and Natalie Lloyd all realize their success was also made possible by the supportive people surrounding them. The newly minted Oak Hills High School graduates earned the top three spots in their class. Sheehan and Flanigan tied at the top, both finishing ranked first in the class of 2016, while Lloyd ranked second in the class of more than 660 students. Oak Hills does not name a valedictorian and salutatorian, but it does keep track of class ranks. This year’s class of Highlanders received their diplomas during a ceremony at the Cintas Center May 22. Sheehan said having a support network of dedicated teachers, coaches, family and friends to cheer her on and encourage her to do her best made the most difference in her high school experience. The daughter of Heather and Kenneth Sheehan of Green Township, she said she’ll attend Duke University this fall to study biology and mathematics before going on to earn graduate degrees in marine biology.

Balancing school work with athletics and other extracurricular activities, “while attempting to maintain sleep levels necessary for basic human functions,” was her biggest challenge in high school, she said. Sheehan was a member of the school’s varsity swim team, ran track and was the first violinist in Oak Hills’ various orchestras. She said she was also a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, the math club, the science club and volunteered as a Green Teen at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens. Her advice to next year’s senior class is to remain focused throughout their final year of high school. “Try something new, give back to your community and don’t give up,” Sheehan said. “The end may be in sight, but do not succumb to the enticing grasp of ‘senioritis.’” Flanigan, the daughter of Suzanne and Ryan Flanigan of Delhi Township, said her supportive parents and teachers enhanced her high school experience. “Always having someone to go to for help or to go in early to get work done made a huge difference,” she said. Like Sheehan, Flanigan said her biggest chalSee OAK HILLS, Page 2A

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Oak Hills High School graduates, from left: Candice Sheehan, Kristina Flanigan and Natalie Lloyd earned the top spots in Oak Hills’ class of 2016. Sheehan and Flanigan tied to rank first in the class and Lloyd ranked second.

Seton’s top two students poised for the next step Kurt Backscheider kbackscheider@communitypress.com

PRICE HILL – Seton High School seniors Abby Nutter and Anna Lindle had to learn how to balance academics with busy, extracurricular-filled schedules, but their hard work and dedication proved worthwhile. The pair is graduating at the top of Seton’s class of 2016. Nutter is this year’s valedictorian and Lindle is the salutatorian. Nutter, daughter of Linda and Michael Nutter of Cleves, said she was involved in many extracurricular activities during her high school career, including the varsity dance team, Student Council, the Campus Ministry/Community Service Club and the Student Ambassador program. She also served as a tutor for the Literacy Network, a Ronald McDonald House volunteer and a parish school of religion tutor at St. Dominic Church. “While being a member of the Seton varsity dance team was one of the greatest experiences of my life, learning how to balance the major time commitment that dance requires with a fairly rigorous course load was a major challenge for me,” she said. Fortunately, Nutter said Seton has been the perfect

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THANKS TO CHRISTY SCHUTTE

Seton High School seniors Abby Nutter, left, and Anna Lindle are the top two students in Seton’s class of 2016. Nutter is this year’s valedictorian and Lindle is the salutatorian.

community in which she could thrive and learn. “The genuine excitement and love each student possesses for our school has made attending school enjoyable,” she said. “There is no bond stronger than that of the Seton sisterhood and it is this community that has helped me make the most of my high school experience.” Her advice to next year’s

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seniors is to find time to be involved in the activities that create lasting memories. “I would tell seniors that, at the end of the day, you are going to remember the times in cheering sections at rivalry games more than the ‘A’ you got on a paper,” she said. “Don’t sacrifice senior year memories because you absolutely can make time for both school and fun.”

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Nutter will attend the Ohio State University this fall, where she said she’ll major in biochemistry on the pre-health track and minor in Spanish. She said it’s her hope to attend medical school and become a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology. Lindle, daughter of Denise and Douglas Lindle of Miami Heights, said her extracurricular involvement at Seton included Saints for Life, two mission trips, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, the Seton-Elder Performing Arts Series, Student Council, Mentor Group, vocal ensemble and choir groups and the Student Ambassador program. She was also a member of Campus Ministry, the Spanish Club and Seton Scholars. She said time management has been one of the biggest challenges in high school. “I am involved in many extracurricular activities through Seton, my church and my community. Along with all of these activities I have to find time for my academics, family and growing in my relationship with the Lord,” Lindle said. “With senior project, learning to manage my time became all the more vital.” She said she believes high school is an important time of self-discovery and growth,

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which is why she made it a point to balance her time. “In order to provide myself with the most opportunities for growth throughout my high school career, I tried to devote my time to a variety of experiences that would allow me to become more aware of the world around me and God’s plan for me in it,” she said. Senior year flies by, so she said her advice to the incoming senior class is to not take for granted the many “lasts” they’ll experience. “While senior year is incredibly stressful, don’t miss out on the opportunities to love your classmates and teachers. Say hello to the freshman who hasn’t found her niche around the school. Be a leader for the lost,” Lindle said. “Tell your teachers how much they have meant to you over the past four years. And lastly, in the words of Blessed Mother Teresa, always remember, ‘We can do no great things, only small things with great love.’” Lindle will attend Marian University and said she’ll double major in Spanish and sociology, with a minor in pastoral leadership. She’s been selected for the university’s San Damiano Scholars Program. Seton’s class of 2016 will graduate June 2, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral downtown.