The “Gold Key” painting by Loveland Junior Ronan Wolfer
Loveland, Ohio – Congratulations to the following LHS Art Students for their record amount of awards in the 2025 Scholastic Art Awards. All Gold Key Awarded artwork will now be judged at the National level.
Receiving Gold Key Awards: Piper Schaeffer (Portfolio), Ronan Wolfer, David Lorek, Bella Rogers, Jackson Manly, and Andrew Sichak.
Receiving Silver Key Awards: Andrew Sichak (Portfolio), David Lorek, Harrison Hentz, Sohani Gauniyal, Madeline Spencer, Jackson Manly, Logan Shiverski, and Ronan Wolfer.
Receiving Honorable Mention: Cameran Cook, Chase Dahlke, Brooke Freytag, Harrison Hentz, Luke Jacobs, David Lorek, Jackson Manly, Cass McKnight, Brooke Morris, Bella Rogers, Norah Schmidt, Logan Shiverski, Andrew Sichak, Madeline Spencer, and Ronan Wolfer.
The annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running recognition initiative for creative students (grades 7-12) and the largest source of scholarships for young artists and writers. The Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) is producing the Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana on their urban campus in historic Over-the-Rhine.
The Exhibition Opening is Friday, February 7th from 5PM until – 8PM. The Exhibit is open to the public and continues thru February 16th, 9AM until 9PM at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson Street in Cincinnati.
Lynn Oury and preschooler Olivia Smith in 2008 (Photo provided by Jen Miller)
“That pic of Olivia and Lynn. That’s what a lasting legacy looks like. Her time spent with so many young children through her teaching life. So sweet. So pure.”
– Jennifer Miller, Olivia’s mother.
Loveland, Ohio – The 2025 Loveland Valentine Lady started her journey in Genoa, a small rural town in northwest Ohio. Lynn Oury said that it is very much like Loveland. However, Lynn emphatically adds, “I am home! Loveland truly has that ‘rural-ness’ that very much reminds me of my hometown. And it keeps getting better.”
She met her husband Neal through college friends who grew up in Loveland and they were married in 1983. Lynn got her undergraduate degree from Morehead State University and her masters degree at Xavier University.
“Those are my grandparents on my dad’s side; grandma was 1st generation American, from Poland. I am the one in the back making the peace sign.” (Photo provided by Lynn Oury)
Lynn has a son Nick, who is 40, and a daughter Catherine, is who is 37. Lynn and Neal live in a house that Neal built in the Clermont side of the city.
Lynn Oury at her home built by husband Neal in the Clermont County side of Loveland. (Photo provided by Lynn Oury)
Lynn taught school for 36 years; 22 years in Loveland. While in the Loveland Schools, she was a preschool intervention specialist at the Loveland Early Childhood Center (LECC) and retired in June 2022. This year Lynn started to substitute teach at LECC; getting her “teaching fix” and visiting with her teacher and staff friends.”
(Photo provided by Jennifer Miller)
Lynn told Loveland Magazine that she has many fond teaching memories. “From the children to families and coworkers. Perhaps to see the progress a child made supported by myself and a dedicated, hard-workingteam including teaching assistants, speech pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, school psychologists and counselors and parents … it really does take a village.”
Oliver who is eight-years-old and former student, now a first-grader told Loveland Magazine, “Miss Lynn is a great teacher who is nice.”
Lynn was asked what were her fondest early impressions of Loveland, and she replied, “I am home. Loveland truly has that rural-ness that very much reminds me of my hometown. And it keeps getting better.”
Lynn and Neal Oury in Historic Downtown Loveland (Photo provided by Lynn Oury)
Her “now” fondest thing about Loveland is the vibrancy in Downtown with its numerous restaurants and shops; to the Bike Trail and Little Miami River. She also mentioned the parks with great playgrounds and picnic areas to for families and, “Our beloved Loveland Farmer’s Market and Loveland Paddle Sports.” she added that she enjoys the events created by The Little Miami Chamber Alliance and the City of Loveland. “Too many to name; Loveland really does have it all.”
Lynn was on the Loveland Beautification Committee for over 15 years, with “great people”. She volunteers to help with events created by The Little Miami Chamber Alliance.
(Photo provided by Lynn Oury)
“I am currently on the Core Team of The Loveland Learning Garden; watering, weeding, and harvesting produce.” Lynn said that in 2024 they took over 1,000 pounds of produce to The Loveland LIFE Food Pantry. They also lead nature related education classes for students at the Loveland Primary and Elementary schools.
“I can’t think of a better person for this year’s Valentine Lady,” said Loveland first-grade teacher, Jennifer Miller. “I had the privilege of working with Lynn for many years at the Loveland Early Childhood Center. She was also my daughter’s preschool teacher and the preschool teacher of many of my Kindergarten and First Grade Students. When I think about Lynn I automatically think of her huge heart and smile. I can’t wait for her to visit my classroom leading up to Valentine’s Day in February.”
Miller currently has a boy in her first-grade class named Oliver who was in Lynn Oury’s pre-school class during her last year of teaching, he told Miller last week, “Miss Lynn is a great teacher who is nice.”
Lynn is also a member of the Loveland Women’s Club. “Through these experiences, I have met amazing, caring, and fun people.”
“I was very surprised when I found out I was this year’s Loveland Valentine Lady. Surprised, honored, and humbled. I found out at our December Loveland Women’s Club Holiday Luncheon,” Lynn said.
Lynn was asked what were the things are she was really looking forward to as 2025 unfolds as a Valentine Lady. “I love reading to children and sharing my most favorite books. I also look forward to promoting all the wonderfulness of Loveland.”
Among her duties as Valentine Lady are being an ambassador for the Chamber’s Valentine Program, visits to area businesses, nursing homes, and schools. Lynn will return to the Loveland schools to visit classrooms and hand-stamp the student’s personalize cards with Loveland’s unique Valentine cachet, which will be modeled after this year’s winning card design.
The Oury’s hand-built teardrop camper (Photo provided by Lynn Oury)
Lynn and Neal are campers; hitting the campsites with the teardrop camper he built, as well as his restored 1963 Luxor camper. She added, “I enjoy watercolor painting, playing with our two grandchildren, and yoga. I also enjoy playing golf.”
The Valentine Program began in 1972 and now includes a variety of Valentine community activities, including a nationally-known cachet stamping and postmark program.
Lynn will be formally introduced to the community as well as an unveiling of a new Valentine card design winner at a public event in January. Lynn will be the guest of honor at the annual Valentine Breakfast in February.
Loveland, Ohio – Preschool registration is now open for next school year. Families with students who will be 3-5 years old in the fall can register online now through January 13. Space is limited. Find details on our website by following this link.
Ron began his career in education at Loveland City Schools as a teacher and coach. Ron eventually went on to become an Elementary School Principal, High School Principal and Superintendent.
Official Obituary
Ronald Glenn DeWitt of Loveland, Ohio, passed away Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the age of 91.
Ron’s life began on September 29, 1933. He is the son of the late Norville and Ethel (Williams) DeWitt. Ron was a graduate of Deer Park High School (class of 1951) and a graduate of Miami University (class of 1955). Ron was a participant in high school sports including basketball and football, participated in choir, and was also a member of the Tune Toppers, a big band playing music of the swing era.
Ron was a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving his country from 1955 – 1957. Beginning with flight training at Moultrie, Georgia, he then graduated from Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas with Class 57-C learning to fly the T-33. While at Webb Air Force Base, Ron was a member of the Webb Carolers, an award-winning singing group originating at the base. He went on to Perin Air Force Base, Sherman, Texas, to advanced training in the F-86D. He was then assigned to the 41st FIS, stationed in Guam, as a F-86D Sabre pilot.
Ron was the beloved husband of 67 years, to Betty A. DeWitt, married on June 8, 1957, and devoted father of Ronald G. DeWitt, Jr.
Following his service in the U.S. Air Force in 1957, Ron began his career in education at Loveland City Schools as a teacher and coach. Ron eventually went on to become an Elementary School Principal, High School Principal and Superintendent. Ron’s leadership, dedication to education, and support has affected many teachers and children over the years. This will have a lifetime influence for many years to come. A hundred years from now it will not matter what building you were in or the position you held. But the world may be different because you touched the life of a child. Thank you, Mr. DeWitt.
Family and friends will be received on Monday, December 2 from 6-8 PM in the Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Ave., Loveland, where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 3 at 10:30 AM. Entombment Rest Haven Memorial Park.
Loveland, Ohio – Payton Brown, Caitlyn Ferrer, and Macy Steiner are ready to take on Team CoUREage 6.0 and make it the best year yet! After last year’s Team CoUREage 5.0’s amazing successes, the young women are ready to help put an end to blood cancer.
Caitlyn is very immersed in science and math and would love to make this part of her career once this year is over. Payton and Macy are also very interested in helping the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) once Team CoUREage 6.0 is over as well.
Team CoUREage is a campaign run by high schoolers to help fund LLS research. The campaign has been run for six years, and any donation given to this year’s campaign will be given to crucial blood cancer research as well as anyone currently affected with blood cancer.
This year’s LLS campaign has many diverting events planned in Loveland and Loveland High School such as give-back nights, bake sales, auctions, and much more. All are welcome to attend.
As of right now, before the campaign has launched, Payton, Caitlyn, and Macy have networked locally and have helped prepare current members of the team for the campaign’s launching. Once the 7-week campaign has launched, they will reach out to any local businesses for more fundraising opportunities.
If you are interested in taking action now to help Team CoUREage 6.0, you can use your Kroger rewards account to do so. Kroger will give a portion of their profit off your bill to LLS. If you’re using a desktop computer: go to kroger.com, log in, and scroll down to community rewards. Type: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Soc. Team CoUREage 6.0 or enter AQ467 to add the team to your rewards. If you’re using the mobile Kroger app: open the app, log in, click on the top right three lines, scroll down to rewards, click on community rewards, and then find the Team CoUREage 6.0 organization.
The LLS campaign starts on January 23rd. Every money collection deadline is March 13th and the money collection finale is March 14th.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District has earned an overall 5-Star Rating on the Ohio School Report Card. According to Superintendent Mike Broadwater, a 5-Star Report Card means the district “significantly exceeds” state standards. Loveland has achieved the highest rating for three years in a row.
The District’s annual Quality Profile shown below is a companion to the State Report Card. Ohio School Report Cards are required by law to provide parents, caregivers, community members, educators and policymakers information about district and school performance. The Quality Profile is intended to highlight additional measures families and community members regard as important values, but are not part of the Ohio Department of Education’s report cards.
The Loveland District Report Card is issued by the Ohio Department of Education.
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Loveland Earns Five Stars in Every Category on Ohio School Report Card
Loveland City School District has earned a Five Star Overall Rating on the 2023-2024 Ohio School Report Card. Only ten public school districts in the Cincinnati region of Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont Counties earned an “Overall Rating” of Five Stars.
“Earning a Five-Star Ohio School Report Card is a sign that Loveland City School District delivers a great education to our students. Families should feel great knowing that they are sending their children to a fantastic school district,” Superintendent Mike Broadwater said.
The Ohio School Report Card has five component areas: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Graduation, and Early Literacy. Districts can earn up to five stars in each category but may earn an “Overall Rating” of five stars without fives in every category. Loveland is one of only 18 districts in Ohio to earn Five Stars across the board in each component area. This accomplishment puts Loveland City School District in the top 3% of Ohio’s more than 600 public school districts.
“Loveland is incredibly fortunate to have all the ingredients for a top-notch school district – students and staff who work hard every day, along with families and community members who offer us tremendous support. Our entire Loveland City School District community should be proud of this accomplishment,” Broadwater said.
Loveland earned an Overall Rating of 5 Stars on the 2022-23 Ohio School Report Card and earned 5 Stars in every category on the 2021-22 Ohio School Report Card.
Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School Spanish Teacher Lisa Brinkman has been selected for the 2025 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship. The Fellowship is a year-long opportunity for her to learn and grow as an educator and bring her learning back for the benefit of our students.
Lisa has been teaching Spanish at LHS for 20 years, is the chairperson of the World Language Department, and her two children attend Loveland Schools.
Outside of the school day, Lisa will dedicate time to webinars, online coursework, a two-day conference, and an international field study.
She is one of only 48 educators from across the country to be chosen for this prestigious opportunity.
More about NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship
Through the NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowship, public school educators develop the knowledge and skills to integrate global competency into their daily classroom instruction, advocate for global competency in their schools and districts, and help students to thrive in our increasingly interconnected world. Fellows transform their classrooms to give students a global perspective.
Over the course of a year, NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellows immerse themselves in:
Ongoing workshops and webinars with global competency and education
Fellows’ independent study followed by group reflection and discussion
Group mentoring
A two-day in-person conference
Completion of a capstone project incorporating one or more of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals into classroom instructions
A 10-day international field study to examine another country’s education system, culture, and historical context
Described by many fellows as “transformative,” the international field study experience guides fellows through thoughtful investigation of the historical and cultural contexts of the country visited while they also learn about its education system.
Fellows meet with policymakers, community and nonprofit leaders, educators, students, and school administrators. The NEA Foundation carefully selects field study destinations where fellows can forge fruitful relationships while deeply immersing themselves in a new environment. Previous field study destinations include Peru, China, Brazil, South Africa, and Costa Rica.
Fellows emerge from the Global Learning Fellowship with a deeper appreciation for cultural differences, stronger perspective taking skills, and firsthand experience of another culture’s approach to education. Their experiences throughout the fellowship reinforce the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in meeting the needs of students and communities.
Fellows also develop an informed understanding of what global competency looks like in the classroom, why it’s critical to incorporate it into their teaching practices, and how they can be advocates for global competency at their schools and districts. They establish meaningful relationships with fellows across the country, many maintained throughout their careers and lifetimes.
Since its inception in 2011, more than 500 public school educators have participated in the Global Learning Fellowship. Fellows have come from all 50 states, teaching every subject, at every grade level, and at all stages of their teaching careers. For many past fellows, participating in the field study was their first time traveling abroad. The Global Learning Fellowship has expanded the horizons of fellows, their students, and their communities.
Loveland, Ohio – National Merit Commended students from Loveland High School Class of 2025 are Harrison Hentz, Carter Lucas, Benjamin Tibbs, and Adam Yesso. National Merit Commended students are among the highest achievers in the country on the PSAT.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District received Five Stars in each category on the 2023-24 Ohio School Report Card. Only 18 school districts in Ohio received 5 Stars across the board, putting Loveland in the top 3% of Ohio public schools.
Districts and schools receive an overall rating of 1 to 5 stars in half-star increments. The overall rating is comprised of five rated components. The College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness Component is report only and does not contribute to the overall rating on the 2024 Ohio School Report Cards.
