Michael Corey ’01
Avishar Barua ‘05
Jessica Anderson ‘00
Ryan Vesler ‘01
Comfort OwusuAnsah ‘98
Historic Winter Sports Season p/31
Where he discovered the recipe for success.
If you live in Central Ohio, you likely know about Avishar Barua. In fact, much of the country knows about him and his path-breaking creations.
Avishar is executive chef and owner of two Columbus restaurants. Joya’s is named for his mother and was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” Agni, named after the Hindu god of fire, was hailed as one of 2024’s Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit and one of 2025’s Restaurants of the Year by USA Today.
Charting his own path
After graduating from Ohio State with degrees in psychology and biology, Avishar tried his hand at cooking and found his passion. He was admitted to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, but chose instead to attend Columbus State Community College’s culinary program, largely because it is immersive. “I just wanted to get my hands in as fast as possible,” he says.
The required apprenticeships took him to New York, where he worked at some of the nation’s most acclaimed restaurants. He returned to Columbus in 2017 to help launch Middle West Spirits’ Service Bar.
Building a cutting-edge culinary business in the heart of Ohio
“In the Midwest, people seem to be inherently giving and kind, and I felt like I was losing kind of that experience,” Avishar says, talking about his decision to return to his hometown. His ambition: to bring adventuresome cuisine to Columbus.
“In my mind, it was super risky,” he explains, “because many people feel Columbus isn’t ready for this.” Despite the fears, he struck out on his own and appreciates how welcoming the city has been to him.
He finds inspiration – for his cuisine and his risk-taking – from his parents, who emigrated from Bangladesh. “My parents came to America, and they put me at Academy,” he says. “That’s a pretty big decision for two people that came from a village, who don’t even speak the language of the country.”
Avishar started at Academy in kindergarten and singles out two aspects of his experience that set him up well: “the highest level of education” and lasting connections, including best friends he met in third and sixth grades.
He calls out English teacher Pat Hogan, whose heavy editing of his stories for the school paper has helped him in talking with the media. And he credits a ninth grade trip to China with broadening his perspective. “It was really eye-opening. We got to see our exchange student friends and experience life on their side of the world,” he says.
He sees both Academy and Columbus adapting and growing. “It’s really cool to see that all these things are happening,” Avishar says. “I like to say, in Columbus, we can make a change if we work together.” n
Michael Corey serves as executive director of Franklin County’s Human Service Chamber, a coalition of 200+ area nonprofits. As a student and alumnus, he has received numerous awards from Columbus Academy including the Williams Cup (now known as the Hamill Award) as a senior and the Young Alumni Award in 2020.
I’d love to hear about what your life was like growing up and coming to Academy.
My parents were very, very intentional about where they would send me to kindergarten. They took trips with me to all the different schools – parochial, public and private. As my mom just reminded me, because our older son is starting at Academy in the fall as a kindergartner, as soon as they walked out of Academy they knew that’s where they wanted me to go.
Can you tell me about the Human Service Chamber and what prompted you to join it?
I knew I wanted to do something hyper local in government or nonprofits. I had never heard of the Human Service Chamber before, but I loved the idea of serving as one voice with and for the nonprofit community.
The Chamber grew from 48 organizations when I started to about 80 when the pandemic began, and then we started adding 30 to 40 members a year. The needs in our community are going up, and resources to meet those needs are going down. So how do we help the nonprofit sector navigate that paradox? There’s a lot that we can do as a group.
Does your Columbus Academy experience influence your current work?
I’ve never been around a higher concentration of talent than I was at Academy. I have very much felt like the runt of the litter as so many classmates do extraordinary things. The range of things people have done with their passions just never ceases to astonish me.
It’s difficult for me to single out teachers, coaches and staff, but Pat Hogan stands out, John Exline ’64 both as a teacher and a coach, Sue Henthorn, Arjumand Haque and MaryEve Corrigan who found a way to make experiential, substantive learning so meaningful for us, and that’s really hard to do.
I benefited so much from the leadership opportunities that Academy afforded and nurtured and took seriously. I loved journalism and student government. I loved being captain of a sports team. I loved being in the band. And I loved just being one of the crowd. Academy allowed me to cultivate those pieces with really talented, diverse people from all walks of life and perspectives. All of that informs me to this day.n
Where he learned to cultivate community.
Michael
Corey ’01
Where he found his purpose in caring for others.
Nick Jones ’01
The Children’s Hunger Alliance, Directions for Youth & Families, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus, Nationwide Children’s Hospital… there’s a thread running through Nick Jones’ remarkable career. It’s about improving lives, communities and opportunities for young people.
Today, as vice president for community wellness at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, he is clear and passionate about his work to help families find good jobs, housing and high-quality education. The result? “We have conducted studies that have shown a reduction in emergency department utilization and crime in the communities that we’ve invested in,” says Nick.
Nationwide Children’s is among the earliest prominent health systems to create and sustain lasting community partnerships. “When we speak to other children’s hospitals and hospital systems across the country, they are amazed at the scale and scope of work that we do,” Nick says. “We want to ensure that the great care we provide within the walls can continue back into our kids and families, homes and communities.”
Lifting communities doesn’t happen overnight, and he attributes some of his ability to focus on the long term to his experiences at Columbus Academy.
“There’s no substitution for hard work. That has really been ingrained in me since my time at Academy and then through undergrad and business and law school,” he says. “The issues that we’re trying to address are big, and sometimes they feel intractable. It’s just putting your nose down and putting the work in.”
A current parent and Alumni Board member, Nick was a strong athlete at Academy playing basketball, football and golf. His Junior Speech earned him the Vanderbilt Cup for his class’s best speech. “I talked about my personal experiences growing up in a multiracial household in an urban area and going to a school like Columbus Academy,” he says. “After that speech, the support I got from teachers and parents was memorable.”
Another lasting lesson from his school days is “the value of community and the support network that you build. My best friends to this day I’ve known since third grade at Academy,” he says. “That’s irreplaceable, and I’m excited now to see my son be a student there and build his friendships.”
Here again, his focus broadens to others: “Columbus Academy is the best educational opportunity there is. How can we ensure that every kid who has the ability is able to take advantage of it? And if there are barriers to gaining that access, what can we do as a community to support folks being engaged?”n
Andrea Helf Reid joined Columbus Academy in the fifth grade. Today, as vice president of Franklin Art Glass Studios, she credits her time and experiences at CA for making an indelible mark on her professional and personal life.
Can you tell me about some of your Academy teachers who made a lasting impact on you?
The late Vicki Ross was my fifth grade homeroom teacher, and she really took me under her wing. My first year at Academy was the first year of coeducation at the school and making the adjustment from a public school to only having five girls in the entire grade felt overwhelming at times, but Vicki found a way to make that transition smooth for me. She saw through my trepidation and took the time to not only support and encourage me but push me academically as well. Vicki was one of those special teachers who knew how to draw out the best in her students because she really cared.
While Vicki Ross was one of the first CA teachers I felt really went above and beyond, she was far from the last. I credit my amazing art teachers, Cindy Wilson and Scott Neal, for playing an integral role in developing my passion for studio craft. Mr. Neal’s art class was the first time I used things like saws, drills and various other hand tools to make art, and I was immediately hooked on it. It was Cindy Wilson who recognized that the upper school arts offerings were missing the studio crafts. Every year she created advanced craft classes for myself and a few other students so that we had the opportunity to continue to grow and develop as artists.
Your family founded Franklin Art Glass Studios in 1924. As the fourth generation involved in the business, what has your professional journey been like?
My parents were always very supportive in letting me find my own path. I occasionally worked at Franklin during the summers in high school, but they never assumed or expected me to join the business. My senior project is what made me realize this was my calling. It was Cindy who put the idea of creating a stained glass window for the school into my head and, as always, she encouraged me to think big. What started as a small project became a multi-panel piece that remains installed above the senior lounge.
After graduation from Academy, I went to Wittenberg University because they offered a program where I could create and tailor a major to my love of glass and studio craft as well as incorporate the business classes I would need to run Franklin. Currently, my role as
vice president is predominantly managerial, but I am lucky in that I still have a hand in the creative side of the business because that is the part that I love the most.
Can you tell us about your company’s local partnerships?
Over the years, Franklin has created notable works for many Columbus-based companies such as Wendy’s, White Castle, The Limited, Max & Erma’s, Bob Evans and Victoria’s Secret to name a few. We have been very fortunate to rise up through the support of Columbus. Last year, we were asked to create an exhibit at the Franklin Park Conservatory for the first time. It was Franklin’s 100th anniversary and the perfect time to create not only a retrospective exhibit but one that also looked at the future of our craft. We were able to showcase some of our notable past works and stylings while stretching our imagination to envision what stained glass could be in the future.
Why did you decide to send your children to Academy?
I had an amazing experience at CA filled with teachers who are still in my life and genuinely interested in my career, and my husband and I wanted the same for our kids. As they approached preschool age, we didn’t need to debate about where to send them. Our twins are now in the fourth grade, and we couldn’t be happier with the way they are developing.n
Where his story began.
Ryan Vesler ’01
Talking with Ryan Vesler is a wild ride.
We ping from his teachers at Academy to his love for bowling to how he evaluates risk vs. reward at HOMAGE, the thriving business he founded and leads.
“I’m all over the place in terms of my ideas,” Ryan says. “But then I also can also hyper focus on the one that’s the most important. I think Academy really helped develop that skill set.”
Nonstop ideation, combined with strategic thinking, is surely at the root of much of HOMAGE’s success over the past 18 years. His LinkedIn profile title – “HOMAGE Founder & Sweatpants Connoisseur” – nods to how he integrates his business and sense of humor.
Ryan’s Columbus Academy classmates had a front-row seat to his humor as well as his passion and depth. “He wore a duct tape tuxedo to prom,” recalls Michael Corey ’01, who calls his friend “quirky, unique, brilliant, funny and innovative.”
The company Ryan started at the age of 24 is flourishing. Its “Pay HOMAGE” collection, which started in 2024, features images of barrier-breaking moments. Two examples: last December’s 50th anniversary of Archie Griffin’s first Heisman Trophy win and the 50th anniversary of Billie Jean King’s singles victory in the U.S. Open last August. Ryan has made recent headlines for new partnerships with the National Football League, Disney, “The Simpsons” and the Kelce brothers’ “New Heights” podcast in addition to attracting high-profile investors like Jason Kelce and actor Ryan Reynolds.
Whether it’s popular culture, vintage sports T-shirts or NFL jackets, the core of HOMAGE’s work is true to the company’s founding ideals: authenticity, storytelling and bringing people together. Ryan sees it when two customers – strangers – pass in an airport wearing the same HOMAGE shirt for their favorite team. He saw it in the company’s first store in the Short North when a father and son talked about their shared love for basketball legend Larry Bird.
In nodding to the solid foundation Academy gave him, Ryan talks about several teachers and coaches, starting when he began at the school in fifth grade. “The teachers were world class,” he says. One of the ways the school has helped him succeed, he says, is in the ability to articulate a point of view – essential when talking to a vendor or a creditor.
What’s next for Ryan and HOMAGE? One thing is certain: Columbus is home and a great place to be an entrepreneur, he says. “Everybody here knows everybody, so if you need an introduction, you can get it. People are really generous with their time here. They want to help you.”n
Where he learned the power of service.
Michael Stinziano ’98
“Memories: moving, moving, moving…” That’s the opening of Michael Stinziano’s senior page in the 1998 yearbook. It’s also how he starts our discussion.
Where he discovered the recipe for success.
Michael’s Columbus Academy story begins in the third grade when he was, as he says, “voluntold” he’d be attending the school. Fast forward to ninth grade: he was an active student, valuing his caring teachers and playing soccer, golf, baseball and basketball. Before his sophomore year, however, his family moved to the suburbs of Chicago – uprooting Michael, who was determined to find his way back.
“There was a groove that I had established, both in terms of relationships with friends and the academic components,” he explains. “While I did the same things when I went to Illinois, it just wasn’t the same camaraderie, the same level of commitment and relationship with the teachers.”
With his parents’ support, Michael was back at Academy by Thanksgiving, living with family friends and in his aunt’s basement. “I got a little disrupted, but that was okay. It made me appreciate and really value the opportunity when I came back. I needed to do my best with each of those opportunities,” he says.
With those Columbus Academy opportunities – and after earning advanced degrees in public administration and law – Michael has devoted himself to a life of public service. His leadership roles include: director of the Franklin County Board of Elections, three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives (2011-16), Columbus City Council member (2016-19) and Franklin County auditor, a position he’s held since 2019 and was reelected to in 2022.
The son of an elected official, Michael attributes part of his drive for service to Columbus Academy, particularly “the willingness to take on tough challenges,” he says. “I try to be creative, try to find solutions and seek out challenges, probably more because of that foundation.”
Today, Michael’s two children are in the fourth and fifth grades at Academy. “Now as a parent, I’m not sure I would let my birds fly from the nest like my parents did, but I really appreciate it. Academy set me up for success,” he explains. “The sense of community was important. The opportunity of the academics was important.”
After years of work on behalf of Columbus and the state, Michael is bullish on the region’s future and what it will hold for his children and others. “I’m really excited to see what comes… there’s going to continue to be that growth – that opportunity – and it’s going to be such a special place.”n
As auditor, one of Michael’s duties is county chief dog licensurer, and 90% of licensure fees go to the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center.
24 MORE EMERGING ALUMNI
Andrea Myers ’97
Andrea is a multidisciplinary artist who is represented by six galleries in three different countries, including Hammond Harkins in Columbus. Andrea recently returned from Japan where she was one of five American artists selected by the National Endowment for the Arts to participate in the 2024-2025 U.S.-Japan Creative Artist Fellowship Program. She received a $25,000 fellowship award, and her work was showcased at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
We know we have just scratched the surface of Columbus Academy alumni who are making a name for themselves in Central Ohio. Take a look at the following list and then let us know who we missed! Send your suggestions to info@columbusacademy.org so we can share a follow-up with more local alumni who deserve to be recognized.
Tristan Rhee ’17
Tristan launched an app with Ohio State’s All-American safety Caleb Downs called Launchpoint, a tech platform that matches college athletes with brands and local businesses for NIL deals. Fellow Academy grads Grant Berliner ’17, Nick Stringer ’17, Paul Hansen ’19 and Jacob Rhee ’19 are also involved with the startup. If anyone would like to advertise with Ohio State athletes like Caleb, reach out to Tristan at tristan@launchpointhq.com.
Rachel Carpenter ’01, P’32 ’36
Rachel – who has spent 20 years in re-engineering, strategy, digital innovation and management –currently leads the Transformation Technology Program for Citi’s consumer bank, which includes retail banking, mortgage, personal lending, branded cards and cobrand/private label cards serving 35 million clients in North America. Citi is investing roughly $3 billion per year in this program focused on modernizing the bank’s tech infrastructure and addressing risk management, data quality and internal controls to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.
Dr. Kyle Alexander ’02, P’29 ’32
Owner/Doctor of Chiropractic at Alexander Chiropractic
Sarah Milks Bethel ’98, P’33
VP, Global Supply Chain, Paula’s Choice Skincare
Columbus Academy’s 2023 Commencement Speaker
Dr. Ben Bring ’03, P’32 ’34*
Physician at OhioHealth and Medical Director for Columbus
Marathon & Arnold Sports Festival
Team Doctor for CA’s Athletic Programs
Dean Bring ’01
VP of Development at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Jen Burton ’95
Owner/Partner at Seventh Son Brewing
Ed Carter ’96*
Partner at Jones Day
Blythe Coons ’97*
Executive Communication Coach, Articulation
Leadership Columbus Class of 2025
Dan Crane ’02, P’34 ’37
Senior Vice President, Crane Group
Stephanie (Preston) Domas ’05
Chief Information Security Officer for Canonical Columbus Academy 2024 Young Alumni Award Recipient
Lynanne Gutierrez ’05
President & CEO at Groundwork Ohio
Columbus Academy 2024 Service Day Speaker
Lindsey Halsey ’02*
AVP of State Product Management at GM Financial
Ali Haque ’01*
Partner at BakerHostetler
Jeff Hobday ’07
Senior Assistant Attorney General at Ohio Attorney General Office
Kelly Hondros ’06, P’38*
VP at Hondros Family of Companies, Owner of Verdant Creations, Purpose Leaf and Motive CBD
Larkin Kuplic ’06
Executive Director & Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Mandy Mallott ’03*
Director, Ohio State Early Investor Network
Columbus Business First 40 Under 40
Columbus Academy Swim Coach and Alumni Board President
Jeff May ’10
Owner of Axon Training (Franklinton) and Fitness Loft (German Village)
Joe Mayer ’04
Principal and Senior Designer at DesignGroup
Columbus Business First 40 Under 40
Carly Miller ’98
Chief Advancement Officer, Cristo Rey Columbus High School
Anil Patel ’06*
Associate General Counsel at UnitedHealth Group
Rick Ricart ’98
President of Ricart Automotive
Lee Solomon ’14*
Attorney at BakerHostetler
Chad Underwood ’04
Co-Owner at Modo Yoga Columbus
Katie Walker ’02*
Merchant at Victoria’s Secret
Hannah Wexner ’14
Founder at BlockTrain, Rapid 5 Board Member
Ryan Wheeler ’10*
Associate at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
* Columbus Academy Alumni Board Member
Tristan Rhee (left) and Caleb Downs
2019 Young Alumni Award recipient Rachel Carpenter
THRIVE
CAMPUSHIGHLIGHTS In the News 28
Columbus Academy Honors Hamlar and Cicetti
Columbus Academy alumni, friends and over 60 members of this year’s senior class gathered to honor 2024 Distinguished Alumnus David Hamlar Jr. MD DDS ’73 and Alumni Service Award recipient Lloyd Cicetti at the school’s annual Holiday Luncheon on December 20.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is our school’s highest honor and is given to an alumnus/a in recognition of outstanding achievement in community or profession and loyalty to Columbus Academy. This year’s recipient has an exemplary career intertwining dentistry, medical training, reconstructive surgery, public health and military service. David currently is a team physician for the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and medical consultant for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves.
In his introduction, faculty member John Exline ’64 stated that David was the first African-American student in Academy’s Middle School when he entered the fifth grade in 1965.
“John, thank you for being one of my wing men all these years,” David said to his former teacher during his acceptance speech. “Your friendship, your guidance, has meant the world to me and to all of us. For those who do not know it, on the heels of our 50th reunion, our Class of 1973 is coming together to support an endowment fund for tuition assistance in honor of John. Our gifts will ensure that a
Columbus Academy education is within reach for smart, talented and deserving students whose presence and engagement in the school enrich the entire Academy community.”
The Alumni Service Award honors faculty and staff members who have made lasting contributions to the school through their service and leadership.
“The children made it special,” stated Lloyd while sharing the top five reasons why Columbus Academy is a special place for him. “My students were bright, engaging, creative and considerate of one another. They really made my job easy as an art teacher.”
Lloyd retired in 2023 following a 49-year career, including the last 32 teaching art in our Lower School. He was joined at the ceremony by his wife Barbara and their three children who all graduated from Academy: Michael ’01, David ’03 and Robert ’07
The event began with a toast by Head of School Melissa Soderberg to the members of the school’s Legacy Society “for playing the long game, for reinvesting in a place and people, for paying back and paying it forward. We are thankful for your sense of appreciation, loyalty and responsibility. We want everyone to know that there’s a piece of you, always, with the school.”
In addition to mingling with fellow alumni and former faculty members, attendees enjoyed encore deliveries of junior speeches by Lynn Yoon and Chaz Moore
Lloyd Cicetti (left) and David Hamlar Jr. MD DDS ’73
Retired kindergarten teacher Marilyn Turnock with her former students (now seniors, from left) Molly FitzPatrick, Dante Rajaie, Kouros Rajaie, Joey Gurwin and Katie Jauchius
Chris Bolognese Receives Presidential Award
Columbus Academy math and computer science teacher Chris Bolognese was selected as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), announced by President Joe Biden on January 13, 2025. This is the highest award K-12 math and science teachers can receive from the United States government, and Chris was one of 336 teachers and mentors nationwide – and one of just six in Ohio – to earn this prestigious honor.
According to a press release from the White House, the Presidential Award for Excellence honors the “vital role that America’s teachers and mentors play in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, including scientists, engineers, explorers and innovators.” To be considered for this award, nominees complete a “rigorous application process to demonstrate deep content knowledge and an ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments.” Nominations are then assessed by a panel of distinguished mathematicians, scientists and educators at the state and national levels before recommending awardees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.
Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities,
and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. Awardees also join an active network of outstanding educators from throughout the nation.
Chris joined the upper school faculty at Academy in 2015 and previously served as our PreK-12 mathematics department chair. He also currently serves as a national mentor to new teachers’ circles which number over 130 across the nation. Chris was the 2016 Central Ohio High School Math Teacher of the Year and the 2017 State High School Math Teacher of the Year from the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics. In 2021, he was a state finalist for the PAEMST. He also was editorial panel chair for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ national journal and is the co-founder and facilitator of the Columbus Math Teachers’ Circle, an organization for mathematics teachers to engage in rich mathematics as a form of professional development.
Maria Miller Begins Role as Academy’s Assistant Head of School for Development
Maria Miller became Columbus Academy’s assistant head of school for development in late February. She was already a part of the Academy community, as her daughter Ceci Reitter ’24 attended from grades 4-12 before matriculating to Columbia University last fall.
“The moment Maria came to campus her energy, intelligence, love of the school and dogged fundraising skills were evident,” stated Head of School Melissa Soderberg. “We are so excited to have her lead our industrious team, rooted in the relationships of the community, and increase excitement about supporting this wonderful school. We knew when Erich Hunker ’81 left last spring we would need to bring someone to campus with a similar love and commitment to Columbus Academy. We have found that, and more, in Maria.”
Maria has managed a frontline fundraising team as associate vice president for leadership and planned giving at Oberlin College and Conservatory for over three years. Her prior 12 years of leading development teams also included serving as executive director for planned giving at Brandeis University, director of development for planned giving at The Ohio State University Foundation’s Office of Estate and Gift Planning and director of
Maria Miller P’24
In bowling, our boys placed 25th at sectionals led by senior Craig Edson finishing 55th with a three-game score of 505 (188-167150). Craig and junior Emma Matros were selected for the All-CBL second team while seniors Phinn Boninsegna-Mullins and Morgan Liebtag joined juniors Marc Daneault and Sophie Forbes as honorable mentions. According to head coach Gerardina Garita, Emma and Morgan led our girls with each over a 105 average score per game.
Our girls basketball squad won seven of 10 games after Lee Sims became head coach mid-season and finished with an 8-12 record, including a 42-26 victory against Worthington Christian on senior night. All-CBL honors were earned by sophomores Kendall Owens (first team) and Kyndal Singleton (second team) while junior Caroline Morris was an honorable mention. Kendall and Kyndal also garnered all-district honorable mentions.
Playing a JV schedule this past winter, our ice hockey program recorded four wins, two ties and eight losses. Following a 3-1 victory against Gahanna in the CBJ Cup, the Vikings fell to Cincinnati St. Xavier 7-3 in the semifinals. They were led by Katie VanDyne and Jake Schlonsky – both four-year letterwinners and team captains – as well as fellow senior Sydney Lesh in goal and first-year head coach Derrick Henderson
Kudos as well to our eighth grade girls basketball team for winning back-to-back CBL titles, three middle school wrestlers for earning league medals and our fifth grade boys basketball squad for claiming the Division 3 COBA championship during the winter sports season.
Academy Choirs and Orchestra Combine for Impressive Concert
Columbus Academy students in upper school choir and orchestra performed “Postcard From Norway” for their late-winter concert. Led by orchestra director Nathan Greenwood and choir director Ryan Jenkins, these two groups performed separately before combining for a piece that transported the audience to Norway. To watch a professional livestream recording of the concert from the First Community Church in Dublin, visit columbusacademy.org/videos.
Students Excel in Art, Writing and Music Competitions
Last fall, junior Bella Lee was struggling for inspiration in art class. She had been studying Renaissance-era portraits and wanted a piece to fit into her portfolio’s theme of “imagination”… the result was an homage to art teacher David Block – who has been sharing his love of art at Columbus Academy since 1974 – created with oil paint on a canvas board.
“This painting started as a lighthearted joke to get past my artist’s block,” Bella stated, “but it quickly became a way for me to express my appreciation for Mr. Block. The painting took me about two to three weeks to make. Mr. Block loved it, though of course he gave me some feedback on finishing touches.”
Academy musicians and singers combine for off-campus concert
Bella also was one of 12 upper-schoolers who were recognized in the 2025 Scholastic Art Awards regional competition.
• Jacob Brentlinger: 2 Gold Keys, Silver Key & Honorable Mention in Photography
• Craig Edson: Gold Key & Silver Key in Photography
• Margaret Kurtz: Gold Key in Photography
• Bebe Smith: Gold Key in Painting
• Angela Zhang: Gold Key in Painting
• Jon Proctor: Gold Key & Honorable Mention in Photography
• Bella Lee: Silver Key & 2 Honorable Mentions in Painting
• Abby Xiao: Silver Key in Ceramics
• Lynn Yoon: Silver Key in Photography
• Katie Zaki: Silver Key in Sculpture & Honorable Mention in Fashion
• Kate Cartwright: Honorable Mention in Ceramics
• Marceline Ordonez: Honorable Mention in Ceramics
In addition, seven students earned recognition in the 2025 Scholastic Writing Awards.
• Stephanie Liu: Gold Key for Short Story & Honorable Mention for Poem
• Ella Tang: Gold Key for Poem
• Angela Zhang: Gold Key for Poem & Silver Key for Personal Essay/Memoir
• Abby Xiao: Gold Key for Flash Fiction, Gold Key for Personal Essay/Memoir & Honorable Mention for Poem
• Jackson Amato: Honorable Mention for Poem
• Margaret Kurtz: Honorable Mention for Poem
• Lynn Yoon: Honorable Mention for Personal Essay/Memoir
Also, two upper-schoolers had works accepted into the 28th Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition.
• Ella Farrell: Artistic Merit Award & SiO2 Clay Award from Collett Clays Corporation
• Abby Xiao: Artistic Merit Award
Congratulations as well to all of our OMEA award-winners from band, choir and orchestra. This year, the three music groups combined for 26 Superior and 14 Excellent ratings including an overall Superior for orchestra and 11 individuals awarded in the most difficult category of Class A.
“Hungry Window” by senior Jacob Brentlinger went on to earn a National Gold Medal
Renaissance version of David Block painted by junior Bella Lee
Alumni Weekend 2024
To honor their 50th reunion, members of the Class of 1974 joined varsity football team captains at midfield for the coin toss prior to the Vikings’ 42-0 shutout of archrival Bexley
Ricardo Murph ‘74 and Kevin Dubenion ‘78
Dr. Ben Bring ‘03 and Amy Marotta Lester ‘04 pose with their induction plaques following the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony
Noelle Boltz ‘20, David Block, Mackenzie Smith ‘20 and Mabry Nichols ‘20
Cindy Wilson, MaryEve Corrigan, Scott Neal, Silvia Chaves, David Block, Betsy David, Susan Carter and Larry Booth at Brunch & Coffee with CA Legends
Aden Weiser ‘19, Aylah Mendenhall ‘19, Kaitlyn Heintzelman ‘19 and Joel Davis
Overlooking the quad while local band McGuffey Lane performs during the all-alumni tailgate
60th reunion for the Class of 1964
35th reunion for the Class of 1989
40th reunion for the Class of 1984
30th reunion for the Class of 1994
25th reunion for the Class of 1999
20th reunion for the Class of 2004
50TH REUNION SPARKS ONGOING CONNECTIONS FOR CLASS OF 1974
Alumni Weekend 2024 welcomed back Columbus Academy graduates from classes ending in 4s and 9s along with a special celebration for the Class of 1974’s 50th reunion. A total of 117 alumni and 200 people overall visited campus over the course of October 4-5.
For the Class of 1974, 18 of its members returned to campus and began their celebration early on Friday evening with drinks and hors d’oeuvres in our upper school library. They were then escorted down to Hondros Field to take part in the pregame coin toss in advance of our varsity football team’s game against archrival Bexley before returning to the quad for an all-alumni tailgate where a special performance by local music group McGuffey Lane served as background music to a night of catching up with Academy graduates and faculty members.
Saturday morning’s Golden Viking Breakfast for alumni celebrating 50 or more years since commencement was hosted by Head of School Melissa Soderberg, who joined the group to share about the Academy experience for our current students, faculty and staff. A tour of campus – led by John Exline ’64 and his daughter Elizabeth Sinclair that included stops in the Morris Hall Art Gallery, fieldhouse and Schoedinger Theatre – helped alumni reconnect and see spaces that are memorable and, in some cases, brand new.
All of this has since sparked a renewed sense of connection among members of the Class of 1974, as many of them have made it a point to continue with mini-reunions around Ohio and across the country.
During our varsity boys basketball team’s historic run to this year’s state championship game, Matt Fisher ‘74, Lew Lewis ‘74 and Bill Wirthman’74 attended each postseason game all the way through the state finals in Dayton in addition to joining Board of Trustees Vice-President Bill Porter ‘74 for Academy’s regular-season matchup at Bishop Ready in February.
Also, while on tour with his New York City-based ambient country trio, SUSS, Bob Holmes ‘74 visited with classmates Jim Case ‘74, JR Herbert ‘74, Bill Wirthman ‘74 and Fred Hanover ‘74, who enjoyed to March show at Old First Presbyterian Church in Columbus. Many of Bob’s other classmates have also made it a point to attend a concert and spend time with him while in town, including Geoff Geupel ‘74 and John Matson ‘74 at the historic Texas Theatre in Dallas.
Jim Case ‘74, JR Herbert ‘74, Bob Holmes ‘74, Bill Wirthman ‘74 and Fred Hanover ‘74 at the SUSS concert at Old First Presbyterain Church in Columbus
Bill Porter ‘74, Matt Fisher ‘74, Bill Wirthman ‘74 and Lew Lewis ‘74 pose in the stands at a varsity boys basketball game
CLASS NOTES Alumni Updates & Happenings 39
THE 60s
John Exline ’64, who just finished his 48th year coaching boys basketball this winter and is closing out his 57th year as a faculty member at Academy, earned the 400th win of his career on December 20, 2024, following our junior varsity team’s 44-42 victory over Worthington Christian.
THE 70s —
Jonathan Sehring ‘74, partner at Sideshow Pictures, and his team won an Academy Award for Best Animated Film for “Flow,” an animated film that explores themes of friendship and connection.
John Postlewaite ‘77 retired after 42 years as owner of Posty’s DriveThru in Johnstown. “Thanks to the many classmates and teachers who stopped by over the years to reconnect.”
At halftime of the Army-Navy football game in Landover, Maryland, faculty members Tim Morford ’79 and Dan Olexio – who were guests of Dr. Barron Hall ‘85 – met up with all four Academy alumni currently attending United States service academies.
THE 80s —
Bob Eckhart ‘87 visited campus in March to discuss his time as a Fulbright Scholar, which has taken him around the world, with our Middle School Chinese class and Global Scholars students. He is currently a Fulbright Scholar at the Pedagogical State University of Chisinau in Moldova. Last November, Bob hosted an author visit at the Bexley Public Library with Maurice Clarett, with whom he co-authored the book “One and Done: How My Life Started When My Football Career Ended.”
Stern ‘88, founder of the content creation firm ArrowHeart Media, contributed an opinion article to Entrepreneur magazine about his experience interviewing former President Jimmy Carter in the late 1990s as a “rookie journalist” covering a trip he took to Colorado to help “at-risk youth experience the transformative power of the outdoors.”
Edward
John Exline ‘64 poses with his 400th win ball alongside Director of Athletics Jason Singleton
Edward Stern ‘88 (right) interviewing former President Jimmy Carter as a rookie journalist in the late 1990s
Jonathan Sehring ‘74 (far right) with “Flow” filmmaker Ryan Werner and movie producer Gints Gilbalodis prior to the Oscars
Bob Eckhart ‘87 visiting with Global Scholars students at Columbus Academy
Faculty members Tim Morford ‘79 and Dan Olexio with Mikey Jauchius ’24, Greyson Thomas ’24, Parker Knapp ’24 and Luke Nester ’21 at the Army-Navy game
Ryan Wheeler ‘10 named to Mahogany Columbus magazine’s 2025 Class of Extraordinary Lawyers and Financial Professionals
THRIVE | Class Notes
Elizabeth (Vaziri) Van Koevering ‘11 is enjoying her work as an editor with HarperCollins Publishers in London. A January article on thebookseller.com mentions and quotes Elizabeth regarding her having acquired “UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Witt Phillips at St Martin’s Press” for publication of “Wild Reverance” by Rebecca Ross.
Ellie Levine ‘16 conducted a Theatre for Young Audiences Workshop with upper-schoolers in the class of Academy’s Director of Theatre Arts Whitney Eads in February.
Kareena Arora ’18, Shaan Arora ’20 and Arman Arora ’23 were all included in an article about their family published as the cover story of the February issue of Stroll magazine in New Albany. According to the article, Kareena is a cardiology researcher at Tufts in Boston while she prepares for medical school. Shaan, a 2024 graduate of Tulane University, works as an investment banking analyst at Fifth Third Securities. Arman, the youngest, decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps and is a sophomore at Tulane.
The first publication of “China, Russia and the United States in Low Earth Orbit” written by Camille Reeves ‘19, a space policy researcher for the nonprofit global policy think tank RAND Corporation, went live in March.
As the principal investigator of a computer vision program at MIT, Janelle Ghanem ‘17 was named one of Miami University’s “18 of the Last 9” Honorees for 2024, an awards program modeled after the well-known “30 Under 30” concept and in recognition of the school’s charter year in 1809. Janelle contributes to cutting-edge projects in sensor command and control, NASA deployments, is a mentor on the MIT-DAF AI Accelerator program and helps coordinate volunteer events as a Columbus tech hub ambassador.
Since graduating from Tulane University two years ago, Maddie Tuckerman ’19 has worked for WRSTBND, a New Orleans-based technology company that specializes in access control, credentialing and other services for sports events, music festivals and conferences. “I have had many incredible opportunities including working for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix and most recently attending and working at the NFL Honors Award Show during Super Bowl week” Maddie stated. “Engaging in the sports and entertainment industry has always been a passion of mine, and being on-site was an unforgettable experience and one of the aspects of my job that I enjoy the most.”
Maddie Tuckerman ‘19 on the red carpet at the NFL Honors Award Show during Super Bowl LIX week in New Orleans
The Arora family – (from left) Arman ’23, Monika, Samir, Kareena ’18 and Shaan ’20 – on the cover of a New Albany magazine
Janelle Ghanem ‘17
Elizabeth (Vaziri) Van Koevering ‘11
THRIVE | Class Notes
THE 20s
Ashton Cofer ‘20, co-founder of the social media app Fizz, is listed among entrepreneurial leaders from across the globe as a keynote speaker for AAE Speakers, a full-service speakers bureau and talent agency for event professionals.
Leading up to the 2025 Boston Marathon in April, Livy Seline ‘20 was featured in a Boston.com article about her competing in honor of Lu Lingzi, a Boston University graduate student who was killed in the terrorist attack at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Livy was inspired to run following her time at Bates College, where during her senior year the deadliest shooting in Maine history took place in Lewiston. “The loss of innocent lives reminds us of the need to stand against senseless violence, protect our communities and remain united in uncertain times.”
In her final collegiate event, Chloe Gouhin ‘21 made the All-America Second Team by placing eighth in sabre for Columbia University at the 2025 NCAA Championships.
Luke Nester ‘21, a senior on the U.S. Naval Academy’s men’s cross country team, placed third overall at 23:31.5 and helped the Midshipmen to their fourth straight Patriot League Championship last November. At season’s end, Luke was selected to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic Region Team and All-Academic Team, in addition to being named Patriot League All-Academic.
Evie Gee ‘22, a junior on the women’s lacrosse team at Radford University, put together an impressive stretch of five goals in three games earlier this spring for the Highlanders.
Ella Morris ‘22, a junior on the field hockey team at DePauw University, was voted third team All-North Coast Athletic Conference and received a Player-of-the-Week nod during the fall season in which she scored three goals, including two game-winners, and tallied a pair of assists as a defender for the Tigers.
Carter Warstler ‘20 was awarded third team All-North Coast Athletic Conference honors last fall as a kick return specialist for The College of Wooster football team. He averaged 29.5 yards per return, including a 90-yard touchdown on the season-opening kickoff against Wilmington College.
Regan Cornelius ‘21 helped Northwestern University’s field hockey team win the NCAA Division I field hockey national championship in November, as she tallied an assist in 30 minutes of play during a 5-0 shutout of Saint Joseph’s University. Regan assisted on the Wildcats’ fifth goal which set a new NCAA record for most scores in a single half. Since joining Northwestern in 2021, Regan has won two national championships (2021, 2024) and appeared in the finals each of the last four seasons.
Regan Cornelius ‘21 celebrates after winning the 2024 NCAA Division I field hockey national title with Northwestern University
Ryan Panley ‘22, who studies economics and mathematics at William & Mary College, will serve as a summer intern with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors’ Division of Financial Stability.
Kevin Reeves ‘22 and Sophie Spolter ‘22 were photographed courtside following a Bates College women’s basketball game in December which preceeded a Bowdoin College men’s game in the same arena. This past season, Kevin averaged over seven points and five rebounds per game for Bowdoin, while Sophie posted eight points and five rebounds per outing for Bates.
Zach White ‘22, a junior on the men’s lacrosse team at University Utah, scored his second hat trick of the season in the Utes’ 11-9 win over Bellarmine in April.
Kevin Reeves ‘22 and Sophie Spolter ‘22
Livy Seline ‘20
Zach White ‘22
Chloe Gouhin ‘21
As the starting center for Kenyon College’s men’s basketball team, Charlie Heywood ‘23 averaged 5.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game this past winter. At the conclusion of his sophomore season, Charlie was the recipient of the program’s Darryl Shankle Teammate Award for being an inspirational and supportive teammate with unfailing dedication to Kenyon basketball.
Maren Lawrence ‘23, a sophomore on the field hockey team at Kenyon College, was awarded second team All-North Coast Athletic Conference honors, as well as All-Academic and Scholar of Distrinction by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association following a 12-goal and two-assist campaign in 2024.
Charlie Tuckerman ‘23 accepted an offer to join Bank of America as a 2026 investment banking summer analyst in its New York City office.
At the Great Columbus Tennis Association Awards Ceremony last fall, girls tennis alumnae Yasemin Bilgin ’24 and Arya Chabria ’24 were recognized as the 2024 Junior Female Players of the Year after winning the 2023 Division II doubles state championship. Both graduates now play collegiately, Yasemin for Case Western Reserve University and Arya for Stonehill College.
The University of Cincinnati chess team featuring Joseph Daiber ‘24 won a national championship by beating an Ohio State University squad that included fellow Columbus Academy alumnus Yuvraj Tammina ‘23 in the finals of the recent 2025 Pan-American Collegiate Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina. Another CA graduate, Chris Shen ‘22, also competed at the event on Harvard University’s team.
Following an 8-4 win again Fairfield, Army Club Lacrosse goalie Parker Knapp ‘24 was named game MVP for making 10 saves.
Ceci Reitter ‘24, a freshman at Columbia University, contributed a research article, “Bildungsroman in Antiquity? Reexamining Apuleius’s The Golden Ass,” to the Studies in Late Antiquity Journal published by the University of California Press.
As a forward on the men’s ice hockey team at George Washington University, Eric Schuster ‘24 recorded his first collegiate point on an assist in the Revolutionaries’ 7-3 win over Princeton University in mid-November.
Grace Gordon (far left), a teacher in Academy’s Explorer program, and Director of Enrollment Management Adriana Matzke (far right) happened to run into retired faculty members MaryEve Corrigan and Elaine Boaz while attending Granville’s Candlelight Walking Tour in December. MaryEve requested that the school share the sad news that her husband Dick died unexpectedly in November following a neuro event and subsequent fall. They had almost 53 beautiful years together.
In Memoriam
We are saddened to share this list of our alumni whom we recently learned have passed.
George “Buddy” W. Byers Jr. ‘47
Fritz W. Ziegler ‘48
Stanley H. Katz ‘50
Tyler Hockman ‘93
De’Leon Johnson ‘98
Individual obituaries can be found in our alumni newsletters, which are archived at columbusacademy.org/alumni-news.
Simon Sadiković ’20
Eric Schuster ‘24
Patti Zettler ‘98
Andrea Helf Reid ‘99
Nick Jones ‘01
Michael Stinziano ‘98
Ted Lin ‘00