Summer 2013
Class of 2013 Commences
into Next Phase of Life
Supportive family and friends gathered at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein
Center on June 6, as graduating senior Jameson Brown welcomed everyone to
Bedford High School’s 128th commencement ceremony.
BHS Principal Samuel J. Vawters addressed the audience by delivering a list of interesting facts about
individuals from the Class of 2013. He pointed out that for #1 ranked student, Maria Alilovic, English
is her third language, Spanish is her second language and Serbo-Croatian is her native and primary
language. “Maria graduated a year early, with the hope of allowing her
mother, who was battling breast cancer, to see her little girl graduate,” Mr.
Vawters said. Superintendent Sherman C. Micsak and he were wearing pink
wrist bands that evening in honor of breast cancer, to which Maria’s mother
lost her battle five months before her daughter graduated, he explained.
BHS Teacher of the Year, Tricia Seuffert,
talked about the lessons that can be taken
from several books the graduates may be
(Class Motto) familiar with, such as Rainbow Fish, You are
Special, Wizard of Oz, and A Raisin in the
Sun. “Your life is its own story,” the language arts teacher concluded. “The chapters are the milestones
in your life, the pages written by you. As you turn each page, it is blank. It is up to you to continue
your story, to leave behind a legacy just as you have done at Bedford High School.”
“2+0+1=3, and that is the
only class that adds up!”
Class President Patrick Wallace presented the Class Gift to Superintendent Micsak of a flat screen
television to be used to display morning announcements in the building, along with protective panels
for the new and existing flat screens.
Mr. Micsak thanked the students for their gift and reinforced to them that their years at Bedford High
have given them the skills and knowledge to make the right choices. “Regardless of what path you
take, take what you have learned in high school and use it to the best of your ability,” he said.
Senior Speaker Darion Freeman addressed his classmates, advising them to “Enjoy these precious years of youth that we still have. Don’t waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re behind,
sometimes you’re ahead. The race is long, but in the end—it is only with yourself.”
Maria Alilovic told her classmates that no path is the “correct” or “incorrect” route to take
through life. “In reality, it is only our mindset and perception that shapes each of our individual
paths in life. Ultimately, we can only strive to be happy with ourselves,” she said. “We must
hold fast to those who have supported us until this point: our family, friends, colleagues, and
those who are no longer with us. Hopefully, this will grant us some degree of success.”
Board of Education President Debora J. Kozak said that even though over time the students
were likely to forget many of the details of their school years, they should at least commit a
feeling of this day’s pride to memory. “You have just completed one of your first major milestones. It is
a prerequisite for many more opportunities. It will open doors, be a foundation of confidence and selfassurance for you and, as I’m sure all of your parents will appreciate, help you become self-supporting.”
Following the awarding of diplomas, Patrick Wallace directed his classmates to move their tassels
from the right side of their mortarboards to the left, making them “official” graduates of Bedford
High School.
From top to
bottom:
Jameson Brown
opens Commencement
ceremonies,
with Assistant
Superintendent
Linda O’Neill
and Superintendent Sherm Micsak looking on.
Maria Alilovic and Pa’Rice
Anderson
The A Cappella Choir, under the
direction of Gary Kaplan
John Mohnasky
Dareon Freeman
Head of the Class, 2013
Five students graduated at the top of the Class of 2013. All were members
of the National Honor Society and graduated Summa Cum Laude, receiving
Academic Honors Diplomas. Listed here are some of their high school
activities, future plans, local scholarships, and what they had to say about
their Bedford High School experiences. Congratulations to these top grads,
and the best of luck for a happy and successful future.
Maria Alilovic
Maria graduated a year early, at the
age of 16, with a 4.28 grade point
average. She received a full academic
scholarship to attend Case Western
Reserve University in the fall to study
Art Education.
“Bedford High School has prepared
me for college by offering a rigorous
AP and Honors academic track.
Furthermore, many of my teachers
introduced to me the need for
assiduous behavior and studying skills.
They also instilled new interests in me
in their respective areas. I especially
am grateful to my AP and visual arts
teachers, who have developed and
inspired me to confidently proceed
towards a higher education.”
Activities: Cleveland Museum of
Art Ambassador, University Bound
Scholars, Future Educators of America,
Academic Coaching Intern
Awards/Honors: Merit Award,
President’s Award for Outstanding
Academic Excellence, State
Department of Education Award of
Merit/College Preparatory, Outstanding
Art Department Award
Scholarships: Bedford Association
of Administrative and Supervisory
Personnel (BAASP), Bedford Chamber
of Commerce, Bedford City Schools
Foundation, College Now
John Mohnasky
John will study finance at Mount
Vernon Nazarene University. “Bedford
High School helped me learn to study
and prepare for tests, something I’ll
definitely have to do in college. Bedford
also taught me to work with people and
showed me how important it is to be a
leader.”
Activities: Varsity Baseball (Captain),
University Bound Scholars, Blood
Drive, Football
Awards/Honors: American Legion
Award, Phi Beta Kappa Award, President’s Award for Outstanding Academic
Excellence, Principal’s Academic
Excellence Award (Fourth Year)
Scholarships: Bedford Chamber of
Commerce, Bedford Rotary Foundation,
Oakwood Village, Ohio PTA Memorial,
C. Michael Robinson Memorial, Yvonne
Nichols Sims, Bedford City Schools
Chris Valley Memorial
Simone Scott
Simone will attend Miami University
(Ohio) with a major in business and
a minor in theatre/performing arts.
“Bedford High School has helped me in
so many ways, with supportive teachers
helping me, taking challenging AP
and Honors courses that have helped
me prepare for college, and learning
from life experiences. I learned how to
organize and study better, as well as
budgeting my time more wisely.”
Activities: Marching Band, University
Bound Scholars, Student Senate, Thearts
Musical Production
Awards/Honors: Principal’s Academic
Excellence Award (Fourth Year),
President’s Award for Outstanding
Academic Excellence, State Department
of Education Award of Merit-College
Preparatory, Thespian Award
Scholarships: Bedford City Schools
Foundation, Bedford Academic Boosters,
Bedford PTA Council, Oakwood
Village, Ohio PTA Memorial
Ashleigh Brown
Ashleigh will attend Cuyahoga
Community College to study to be
a radiologic technologist. “My main
priority was always my school work,
but my time at BHS also taught me
how important it is to have fun. With
the help of my French teacher, Mrs.
DuBois, and my friends, I learned to
open up and engage in more social
activities. This lesson will help to mold
my future.”
Activities: French Club, University
Bound Scholars, Morning Announcements, Pop Culture Literature Club
Top 10 Grads of the Bedford High School Class of 2013:
2
Front: Treston Woodley. Back, l-r: Jennifer Worthy, John Mohnasky, Simone Scott, Kylie Parker, Charles
Bluford, Evon Gaston, Maria Alilovic, Khanesha Waller & Ashleigh Brown
Awards/Honors: Principal’s Academic
Excellence Award (Fourth Year),
President’s Award for Outstanding
Academic Excellence, State Department
of Education Award of Merit-College
Preparatory, Outstanding World
Language Award-French IV
Evon Gaston
Evon will attend Howard
University in Washington, DC,
to study chemistry. “My time at
Bedford High School prepared
me for a variety of situations.
I appreciated the leadership
experience I gained from
being a leader in the band.
Also, my science classes,
particularly honors chemistry
and biotechnology, helped
me to explore future careers
and allowed me to realize the
passion I have for science.”
Activities: Marching Band,
Wind Ensemble, A Cappella
Choir, University Bound
Scholars
Awards/Honors: Principal’s
Academic Excellence Award
(Fourth Year), President’s
Award for Outstanding
Academic Excellence, State
Department of Education
Award of Merit-College
Preparatory, Military Award for
Scholastic Excellence
Scholarships: Howard
University Capstone
Scholarship, College Now
Heskett Middle School’s 20122013 Top Academic Achievers
Heskett Middle School’s highest honor,
the prestigious Dale D. Heskett Award,
was presented to Kathryn Kennedy at
the end of the 2012-2013 school year.
Named in honor of Bedford Schools’
superintendent from 1950 to 1964,
the Dale D. Heskett Award is given in
recognition of outstanding scholarship
and leadership.
Left to right: Jared Weingart, Michael Presby, Lauren
Morgan and Kathryn Kennedy.
Three other students were recognized as Heskett’s STAR award winners for exhibiting
outstanding Scholarship, Talent, Achievement, and Responsibility. This year’s STAR
recipients are Lauren Morgan, Michael Presby and Jared Weingart.
Bedford Schools
Chosen as “Top
Workplace”
For the second consecutive
year, Bedford City School District was named by the Plain
Dealer as one of Northeast
Ohio’s Top Workplaces—The
Best Employers in the Region.
The school district was among
100 companies, nonprofits
and government agencies
ranked the highest in keeping
their employees happy with
respect, trust and challenges.
BHS 2013 graduate Charles Bluford did a science
internship two years in a row for the Cleveland
Clinic’s Office of Civic Education Initiatives
Summer Internship Program. In 2012,
he worked with a mentor from the
Clinic on a research project called
t-PA Effects on Blood Clots During
Strokes Through Physical Therapy
Analysis. In 2011, he worked on a
project called Blood Loss Management
in Patients Undergoing Arthroplasty.
Charles earned a 3.8 GPA, has
received over $30,000.00 in
scholarships, and will attend
Notre Dame College in the
fall to study Biomedical
Engineering.
Bedford Rotary Honors Outstanding Students
Outstanding Bedford High School Career and Technical Education students were honored at the Bedford Rotary Club’s 55th Annual Recognition Banquet in May
at the Birchwood Party Center in Walton Hills. Pictured in the front row are student award winners (l-r): Johnathon Sullivan, Devonna Leslie, Ryan Akers, Treston
Woodley, Sierra Williams, Tyshawna Turner, Alisha Smith, Aleithia Bell, Victor Day, Cortez Holloway; not pictured: Courtney Banks and Jeremy Ivcic
Back row (teachers and sponsors): Buddy Bell, Maple Hts. teacher; Michelle Steward, Hukill Chemical; John Whittaker, Non-Ferrous Heat Treating; Hazana
Rivers, Oswald Companies; Chris Bulanda, Berwyn Technologies; Laurie Delgado, UH Bedford Medical Center; Mary Huber, Rotarian; Melissa Jacot, Maple
Hts. teacher; and Mark Rigby, Penske Automotive Group.
3
Future Directions
A majority of the members of the Bedford High School Class of 2013
are planning to further their education after high school graduation.
The following information was obtained from a survey that each student
completed prior to graduation. (Information for some students was
provided by Bedford High School staff members.) As of press time, here
are the short-term plans of Bedford High Schools’ newest group of alumni.
Ashland University
Taylor Jordan Banks
Darion Edward Moore-Dow
Patrick James Wallace
Baldwin Wallace
University
Maurice Chad Crews
Bowling Green State
University
Destiny Ariel Griffin
Case Western Reserve
University
Maria Alilovic
Antwand Dialo Hill
Timothy Christopher
Hinton McCoy
Reginald Lee McCree
Nasya Akeyla Smith
Isaiah Westley Talley
Natalie Renee Waple
Hondros College
of Nursing
Vonlila Lynette Rose
Bria Nicole Young
Hone Barber College
Central State University
Merritt Everett Jr.
Javonte Me Shoun McCoy
Clark Atlanta
University (Ga.)
Howard University
Eric Walter Lee
Evon Teresa Gaston
Tuskegee University
Moorehouse College
(Atlanta, Ga.)
Alijah Uneek Heath
Mount Vernon
Nazarene University
John Patrick Mohnasky
North Dakota College
at Bottineau
Antonio Deyshon Boyd
Deon Rashad Carter
Michael RayShawn Carl
Hatcher
De’Andre Rashawn Norris
Notre Dame College
Bryant Everett-Trey Jamison
Cleveland Institute
of Art
Kent State University
Ohio Dominican
University
Demetrius Lamonte Cook
Brianna Joi Young
Cleveland Institute
of Medical-Dental
Assistants
Stalyce-Joi Johnson-Bey
Cleveland State
University
Imon Giavonni Bates
La’Metria Carlton
Patience Rose Chappell
Kara Lynn Constant
Ashley Shante’ Hamilton
Zhane’ Charmaine Isom
India Tajee Jackson
Princeton Riley Meredith
Winston Travis Moore
De’Vaughn James Snowden
Emahni Lorenza Williams
Brianne Marie Worthy
Columbus Culinary
Institute
Christopher Ray’Shawn
Merriman
Delaware State
University
Nya Simone Johnson
Eastern Michigan
University
Tatyana Azjere Thaxton
Heidelberg University
Avery Edward Eursher
Kent State University
(Twinsburg Branch)
Andrae D’Shaun Gilmore
Lakeland Community
College
Christopher George
Carter Jr.
Kyle Vincent Carroll
Peterson
Lincoln Memorial
University (Harrogate,
Tenn.)
Dawud Abdul Omega Jon
Fisher-Grace
U.S. Navy
South University
Chantel Monique Gates
Simone Renee Scott
Imahd Amir Lentuor
Atiya Iman Collins
Tatiana Ciera Conner
Juanita Bianca Davenport
Chelsea Paige Davis
Melanie Marie Ellis
Jake Lloyd Hager
Christian Harvey Hunter
Janell Elaine Jermon
Aleila Tatiana McCaleb
Miles James McDaniel
Taylor Nicole Murphy
Kylie Charmayne Parker
Brinae Cristina Robinson
Amber Mae Scarbrough
Ashley Nicole Wagner
Devon Micheal Walsh
Taylor Malcolm Lee
Williams
Diamond Monique
Wright
Tri-C
Amber Marie Mishler
Miami University (Ohio)
Aaron Joseph Beidleman
Charles Lamale Bluford
Hannah Marie Schwab
Jennifer Dianne Worthy
Cleveland Electrical
JATC
U.S. Army
Carl Shacquille Jeffrey
LaShay DominiqueNonandy Adams
Marcus LaMar Allen
Taelr Marie Anderson
Kiara Marie Baker
Alaina Marie Barnes
Amanda Marie Barnes
Ashleigh Nicole Brown
Myia Ronnesha Bryant
Raquel Cisneros Cabrera
Tyler Maurice Clark
Artavia Simone Cole
Javel Jaleo Collins
Alicia Jordan Curry
Victor Martin Day
Katriece Monie-Lynn EllisWilliams
Davasia Darquita LittleFloyd
Saterra Chavonne Gaulden
Amanda Ann Harmon
Patrick Allen Hewston
Breana Nichole Howard
Smith
Louis Andre Hunt IV
Atiya Molil Lynette Jackson
Khadijah Jackson
Christopher Markeith
Jackson-Washburn
Neshee Lyteece King
Shiadra Nikole King
Ke’Andra Michelle Lampley
Ke’Von John Lampley
Arnasia Sydney Langhorn
Sharnae Nicole Lewis
Quinten Dishon Lindsey
Devin Leland Muldrow
Marcel Deon Nowden
Dai’Jona Chavon Partee
Wesson Harris Rhoden
Lexus Sarah Scott
Alisha Deanna Smith
Amber Lynette Smith
Taylor Monique Smith
Airrion Damario Stroud
Elijah Joseph Taffe
Jonathan Dexter Toney
Paris Charice Tufts
James Frederick Turner III
Destiny Starr Walker
Khaniesha Annette Waller
Ciara Lynne Williams
Sierra La Shon Williams
Janee Antoinette Willis
Cole Alexander
Witherspoon
Juanita Latisha Octavia
Portay Wright
Johnson C. Smith
University (Charlotte,
NC)
D’ebony Monai Price
4
Hiram College
Tiffin University
Donel Anthony Clayton
Ohio State University
Brenden Develle Johnson
Ohio Technical College
Luis Antonio Romero
Ohio University
Dareon Michael Freeman
Michael Christopher
Mathews
Yasmeen Aliyah
Muhammad
Tierra Daminique Willis
Treston Christopher
Woodley
Paul Mitchell The
School-Atlanta
Ayana Marse Seats
Rochester Institute of
Technology (N.Y.)
Devonna Alezandria Leslie
Slippery Rock
University (Pa.)
Ronnie Romelo Marcus
Haywood
Tennessee State
University (Nashville,
Tenn.)
Joshua Nehemiah Landon
Pa’Rice Shraudea
Anderson
U.S. Air Force
Destinee Reane Gatheright
Destini Simone Lynch
Eric Joseph Whitfield
Therin Tyrone Calhoun
Demarckus Tavon Campbell
Alexis Joi-Laverne Cutner
Alea Terrelle Jones
Mikhale Reginald Leggett
Shahzelle De’ville Miller
U.S. Military:
Branch Unkown
Daniel Cody Migone
Khalil Raynell Spencer
University of Akron
Danielle Renee Adams
Tashyra Ijaree Adams
Carley Christina Browning
D Jada Lariel Brooks
Shakory Janae Dorsey
Justice Cheyenne Grimes
Adriann Chard’e Guy
Christian Julian Howse
Brittany Mone’t Johnson
Morghan Taylor Manning
Jh’aonya Mairiel Stennies
Kyla Danielle Winfrey
University of Cincinnati
Brandi Aliyah Pearl Dean
University of Kentucky
Domonique Lamar
Williams
University of
Northwestern Ohio
Jaquan Everett Elem
Cortez Deon Holloway
Terrance Da Von Murdock
Michael Mareno StevensMcKenzie
Mylo Rozelle Stidham
University of Toledo
Auryon Deangelique
Freeman
Auriel Marie Burnett
Richon Hinton
Christian James Mixon
La’Trell Thais O’Sullivan
Jayla Marie Palmer
Raymone Letroy Wells
Ursuline College
Ashley Marie Rowell
Wittenberg University
Katia Diane McArthur
Jalisa Trenace Owens
Youngstown State
University
Cashmere Luevonia Banks
Apprenticeship
Eric Jay Venson
Business, Trade or
Technical School
Johnetta Lauren Baddger
Donovan Desante
Blackmon
Nahja Marcheyell Ester
Eugene Nathaniel Lawson
Ezera Marie Linton
2-year College
(Undetermined)
Ryan Alexander Akers
Andre Giorgio Billups
Amber Mariah Boyce
Nautica Minjon Johnson
Amanda Marie Love
Arian Michelle Martin
Gabrielle Moriah Miah
Alexander John Moschella
Petra Lanell Thompson
Jermere Caprice White
Joshua Harvey Yusko
4-year College
(Undetermined)
Ashley Brianna Brown
Channzel DeVon Butler
Kelli De’Shawn Cleveland
Jonathan Andrew Collins
Reginald Vann Easler
Jessica Nicole Hibbitt
Ashley Shaylen Lockhart
Zarria Imon’e Neal
Loleisha Angelica Sanders
Erica Caprice Shields
Tyshawna Antoinette Turner
Alex Jae Von Withers
Enter Workforce
Erik Duane Bowen Jr.
Donovan Lee Brown
Jameason Patton Brown
London Andre Buchanan
Aaron Marcus Calhoun
Michael Louis Churak
Derek Michael Clark
Michelle Renee Clark
William Joseph Cooper
JaJuan Dushaun Fitzgerald
Jonathan Ryan Foster
De’Vaughn Jerard Gibson
Curtis La Shawn Goggins II
Eriq Marcel Hammond
Satnam Khaihra Jr.
Branden Walter Lacey
Alyson Nicole McCrary
Tiffany Nicole Pleasant
Destiny Lynn Reed
Nicholas J. Reed
Jarell Cor’ee Anthony Scott
Steven Lamar R.W. Stewart Jr.
Giovante Dejohn Toney
Amber Marie Wilcox
Local Scholarships Aid Students in Continuing Educational Pursuits
The Bedford Board of Education, administration, faculty and staff offer congratulations to the
following Class of 2013 local scholarship recipients. The generosity of the various community
and school organizations and individuals who fund these scholarships is much appreciated.
Bedford Academic
Boosters
Parice Anderson
Brandi Dean
Simone Scott
Khaniesha Waller
Bedford Assn. of
Administrative &
Supervisory Personnel
(B.A.A.S.P.)
Maria Alilovic
Bedford Band &
Orchestra Parents
• Susan Balogh
Memorial
Carley Browning
• Warren C. Miller
Memorial
Kylie Parker
• Dona Laing
Memorial
Amber Mishler
• Joseph R. Allie
Carley Browning
• Continuance of
Music Cherry Locke
& Robert Mitchell
Memorial
Amber Mishler
Bedford Chamber
of Commerce
Maria Alilovic
John Mohnasky
Bedford Education
Association
Amber Mishler
Chantel Gates
Bedford Heights City
Charles Bluford
Kara Constant
Ashley Rowell
Amber Scarbrough
Tierra Willis
Bedford City Schools
Foundation
Maria Alilovic
Dareon Freeman
Simone Scott
Brandi Dean
Christian Hunter
Kyle Peterson
Hannah Schwab
Steven Stewart
Bedford Rotary
Foundation
Kelli Cleveland
John Mohnasky
Patrick Wallace
Ben Venue
Laboratories Math &
Science
Fuhrmeyer
Memorial Art
Ashley Rowell
Glendale PTA Nora
C. Beach Excellence
in Leadership
Jennifer Worthy
JeShaune Jackson
Taylor Williams
Christopher Koger
Memorial
Bria Young
Oakwood Village
Carley Browning
Harvey & Delores
Brown
Bedford Fire Fighters
Local 1783 Terry
Tench Memorial
Paul C. Deevers
Memorial
Ohio Assn. of Public
School Employees
Local 136 (Oapse)
• Chris Valley
Memorial
John Mohnasky
Bedford Council
of PTA
Simone Scott
• Grant T. & Kathryn
R. Noble
Kara Constant
Bedford Lions Club
• Joseph Kerekes
Dareon Freeman
• Bert Zahn
Amber Mishler
• Helen Paulson
Kelli Cleveland
Darion Moore-Dow
Jacqueline Bowman
Lametria Carlton
Charles S. & Virginia
A. Bright Memorial
Christian Howse
Alijah Heath
Christian Hunter
11 will
enter the
military
(4%)
12 are
undecided
or their
plans are
unknown (5%)
Christian Hunter
Charles Bluford
French Bartlett Ladies
Auxiliary of the VFW Ohio PTA MemorialChristian Hunter
Academic
John Mohnasky
Friends of the
Simone Scott
Southeast Library
Raquel Cisneros-Cabrera Ohio PTA MemorialTechnical
Patrick Hewston
Amber Scarbrough
24 will enter
the workforce
(10%)
?
Bedford High School
PTSA
Auriel Burnett
Donel Clayton
Shakory Dorsey
Christian Howse
John Mohnasky
Winston Moore
Hannah Schwab
Simone Scott
Nasya Smith
Steven Stewart
Khaniesha Waller
Out of the 246 graduates
in the class of 2013:
Undecided or Plans
Unknown
Christopher Michael
Incarnato
Megan Cheyanne Hinton
Quinshaya Lesha Jackson
Timia Marchae Larkin
Sharae Laverne Rosetta
McCullough
William Clifton Otis Nizer
Alise Robinson
Jerell Brandon Lee Safford
Stephanie Marie Schuster
Briandra Noel Stevenson
Elizabeth Ann Svagerko
Kattie Joy Marie Whittaker
Bedford Heights
Chamber of
Commerce
Ernest F. Petrilli
Memorial
199 will go
on to higher
education
(81%)
Victor Day
C. Michael Robinson
Memorial
John Mohnasky
Joseph C. Searcy
Memorial
Tierra Willis
Yvonne Nichols Sims
Dareon Freeman
Princeton Meredith
John Mohnasky
Patrick Wallace
Khaniesha Waller
Taylor Williams
Treston Woodley
Jennifer Worthy
Walton Hills Men’s
Club
Victor Day
Walton Hills
Women’s Club
Victor Day
5
Mentoring Network
Impacting Students in Bedford
Bedford Schools see the value of a good mentor in a child’s life and
have instituted several mentoring programs over the last five years.
Heskett Middle School has a program called UbUr3 (You Be Yourself,
with a focus on Respect, Responsibility and positive Relationships). The
Bedford High School football team has had a character development
program for the last two years, and one was recently started for the
basketball team. Additionally, the Kids Hope program was implemented
at Central Primary School and the Homework Club started at Columbus
Intermediate School.
In an attempt to raise funds and provide more mentors to students,
The Mentoring Network was founded in April 2012. Co-founder and
President Keith Tousley said he knows first-hand the value of mentoring,
as he grew up without a father and was mentored as a youth.
“The Mentoring Network was established to recruit mentors to positively
impact the life of youth,” said Tousley. “Mentors are important role
models and help to instill character, confidence and leadership. By
working within the setting of the local schools, we will be better able
to help children and young adults to discover their full potential.”
Funds raised by the Mentoring Network have been used to hire a
full-time Campus Life Instructor to teach character classes at BHS
and Heskett, and the UbUr3 Program has become a more structured
program. With the addition of several mentors and an expanded
curriculum, nearly 50 Heskett male students were tutored on a weekly
basis this school year by 16 adult males and 21 students from the
BHS football and basketball teams. The Network wants to expand this
program next year to include female students and mentors, as well as
bringing programs to other schools, but it needs more money to do so.
The organization’s base funding came from donations from the school
district and from the City of Bedford. Since those funds are nearly
depleted, members of the organization are seeking additional donations
and exploring other avenues of funding. If you are interested in making
a donation, becoming a mentor, or for more information about The
Mentoring Network, email Tousley at [email protected], or
call Beth Russell at 440-439-4520. For more detailed information
about the Mentoring Network, see “Mentoring Program….”
article at www.bedford.k12.oh.us, under District News.
Zofka Appointed
Athletic Coordinator
for Bedford Schools
The Bedford Board of Education has approved
Mark Zofka for the position of Coordinator of
Athletics at Bedford High School and Heskett
Middle School for the 2013-2014 school year.
Zofka has been a high school teacher and
athletic coach for 25 years.
“When I look at the Bedford athletic teams,
I see so much promise,” Zofka said. “I firmly
believe that we are on the cusp of greatness.
When this position became available, I saw it
as an opportunity to lead and serve our coaches and athletes toward achieving success. I
envision Bedford Athletics being a positive
focal point in the Bedford community.”
Zofka has taught business education at BHS
for the last 15 years and has coached football, baseball, and cross country at BHS and
wrestling at Heskett. He has also been the
Head Baseball Coach for Cuyahoga Community College for six years and last year was
inducted into the Northeast Baseball Coaches
Association Hall of Fame.
Before coming to Bedford, Zofka had experience as a high school athletic administrator
at both Holy Name High School and the
Buckeye Local School District in Medina. He
has a Master of Education in Sports Management from Cleveland State University and was
inducted into the CSU Hall of Fame in 2002.
He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from CSU and a Teaching
Certification in Business Education from John
Carroll University.
6
Mentoring Network President Keith Tousley (2nd from left) with BHS Football players who served as UBUR 3 mentors Reggie McCree, Antwand
Hill, Christian Hunter & Johnathon Collins, after their Commencement at the Wolstein Center. On their hats, 80M:1H is a motto for the Bearcat
Football Team and means 80 Men, 1 Heart.
Felice Willis Named
2013 Shipley Award Winner
Felice Willis, Director of Secondary
Education, was recently recognized
by the Bedford Board of Education as
the 2013 recipient of the Woodrow W.
Shipley Award. She has been with the
district since 2002, serving as Gifted
Education Supervisor before being
appointed to her current position in
2006. In this position, she guides the
direction of curriculum and instruction
for grades 7-12. She also serves as
the district’s Director of Career and
Technical Education.
Among her accomplishments at
Bedford, Willis developed a Freshman
Academy and an intervention “small
school” to transition ninth graders
into the high school. She founded
University Bound Scholars (UBS) to
provide support and encouragement
to high-achieving students in their
college search and application process.
She spent her last two spring breaks
taking groups of UBS students on bus
tours to several Ivy League and other
prestigious colleges and universities.
She authored and was awarded
multiple Martha Holden Jennings
grants, as well as ARRA technology
grants, totaling over $650,000.
Willis holds a Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education from Edinboro
University, a Master of Education
in Curriculum and Instruction from
Cleveland State University, a Principal
Licensure from Youngstown State
University; and last year she earned
her Superintendent Licensure from
Cleveland State University, earning a
4.0 grade point average.
“Receiving this award is very special to
me for two reasons,” Willis said. “First
and foremost, it is a vote of confidence
from my peers, who I greatly respect.
Secondly, the characteristics associated
On the Move
The Bedford Board of Education has
appointed new principals to Central
Primary School and Columbus
Intermediate School and has named
three administrators to new posts.
• Monique R. Winston, Special
Education Supervisor for the
Bedford School District, will be the
new principal of Central Primary
School. She replaces Terry Lipford,
who recently retired.
• Iwanda S. Huggins, principal of
Columbus Intermediate School,
will fill Winston’s vacancy as
Special Education Supervisor.
• Kimberly D. Sterlekar, Assistant
Principal at Bedford High School,
will fill Huggins’ vacancy at
Columbus.
Monique R.
Winston
• Michelle Radford, a Unit Principal
at Ravenna High School, was hired
to fill Sterlekar’s vacancy.
• Karla Robinson, a Carylwood sixth
grade teacher, was named Bedford
High School Dean of Students,
a position for a teacher who is
working on a licensure to become
a school administrator. She fills
a vacancy left by BHS Assistant
Principal Sherrie Brown, who
recently retired.
Much luck to these individuals in
their new roles. For more information
about each of these administrators
and their qualifications, see the
article “Bedford Board Appoints…”
at www.bedford.k12.oh.us, under
District News.
Iwanda S. Huggins Kimberly D.
Sterlekar
Michelle Radford
Karla Robinson
President of the Bedford Board of Education
Debi Kozak, left, presents the 2013 Woodrow W.
Shipley Award to Felice Willis at May 23 school
board meeting.
with Mr. Shipley are all guiding
principles I try to practice every day.
People who knew Mr. Shipley spoke
so highly of him, and to receive an
award based on exhibiting some of his
qualities is a true honor.”
The Shipley award is bestowed
annually to a school district teacher
or administrator for exhibiting
compassion, generosity, tolerance,
fair-mindedness, respect, leadership,
intelligence, community service, love
of children, and sense of humor-qualities exemplified by Woodrow
Shipley in his 30-year career with
the Bedford Schools, and later, as
a member of the Bedford Board
of Education. For more detailed
information, see “Shipley Award…”
article at www.bedford.k12.oh.us,
under District News.
Bedford Kids
“Eat Right at School”
The monthly menus for Central,
Glendale, Carylwood and Heskett have
been awarded the Cleveland Clinic’s
“Eat Right as School” seal of approval.
Registered dieticians from the Clinic
evaluated the schools’ menus against
their stringent guidelines. The Clinic’s
guidelines meet and exceed those set by
the USDA for school lunch programs for
levels of sugar, fat, fruits and vegetables,
fiber, calories and sodium. “With the new
Cleveland Clinic A+ Eat Right at School
endorsement, I hope our parents will feel
more confident that their children are
having healthy, wholesome and nutritious
meals every day at school,” said Nutrition
Services Supervisor Pat Bizer-Mahan.
The district offers breakfast and lunch
at all of its schools.
7
Bedford Schools Preparing to Adapt
to New State Educational Standards
• Students will be studying fewer topics
within each subject, but drilling deeper
into each to gain more understanding.
• Students will be carrying well-understood
key concepts from grade to grade to broaden and build on their knowledge.
Heskett –––––––– 440-439-4450
• Students will learn to relate key ideas from
math, science, language arts and social
studies to real-life situations.
• Teachers will be using more in-depth teaching methods and getting frequent measurements of how their students are doing.
“Standards are an initial step in helping us to
continue providing our young people with
a high-quality education that will prepare
them for success in college and career,” said
Bedford Superintendent Sherman C. Micsak.
“Most importantly, the hard work of our
dedicated teaching staff and the continued
support of parents and community members
will ensure that our children enjoy the bright
future we all want for them.”
Columbus –––––– 440-786-3322
Glendale ––––––– 440-439-4227
Bedford High–––– 440-439-4848
Administration
Superintendent –– 440-439-4777
Assistant
Superintendent––– 440-439-4377
Business
Manager–––––––– 440-439-4333
Treasurer–––––––– 440-439-4670
Departments
Athletics–––––––– 440-439-4588
Curriculum
& Instruction–––– 440-439-4412
Pupil Services ––– 440-439-4363
Transportation ––– 440-439-4234
Nutrition
Services –––––––– 440-439-4530
For a department or service
not listed above, please call
440-439-1500.
Debora J. Kozak, President
Merry Anne Hilty, Vice President
Barbara A. Patterson
Tim Tench
Phil Stevens
Bedford Board of Education
Sherman C. Micsak, Superintendent
Linda A. O’Neill, Assistant Superintendent
Janet M. Pavlic, C.P.A., Treasurer
Jerry Zgrabik, Business Manager
Administration
The Bedford City School District does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities
and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth
groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries
regarding the District’s non-discrimination policies: Richard Dillman,
Director of Pupil Services, 475 Northfield Rd., Bedford, OH 44146.
Your Schools is a publication for residents of the Bedford City School
District, including the communities of Bedford, Bedford Heights,
Oakwood, and Walton Hills. To request additional copies or for more
information; contact Beth A. Russell, Communications Coordinator, at
440-439-4520. No material may be reprinted without written consent
of the Bedford City School District. ©2013.
8
Teachers in the Bedford City Schools are analyzing the standards now so they can put them
into action by the fall of 2014. What does this
mean for the students?
Carylwood–––––– 440-439-4509
Central––––––––– 440-439-4225
Beth A. Russell, Editor
Education standards are set to help teachers
ensure that their students have the skills and
knowledge they need to be successful by providing clear goals for student learning. Standards do not tell teachers how to teach, but
they do help educators identify the knowledge
and skills their students should have so teachers can build the best lessons and environments for their classrooms.
Schools
Visit our website for updates and additional information,
including supply lists, bus routes and dress code: www.bedford.k12.oh.us
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/BedfordCitySchoolDistrict
Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BedfordCSD
The world our children will live in will be
much different than the one we have known.
That is why Ohio is updating the curriculum
standards that outline the knowledge and
skills students need to have in key subjects in
every grade. Ohio and 44 other states have
volunteered to adopt “Common Core State
Standards” in math and English languages arts.
Ohio also has written its own new standards in
science and social studies.
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