EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated 6:55 AM 7-29 to reflect that Loveland Schools will return to full in-person learning in August.
Loveland, Ohio – Below is the face covering and mask requirements for the current school year in Loveland schools. This policy was adopted by the Board of Education on June 3, 2021.
There will be no remote learning opportunities for teachers or students as all school buildings will return to full capacity in-person classes in August. The District announced on May 7 that, “Due to a lack of interest from our families, Loveland City School District will not be offering the Remote Academy for the 2021-2022 school year. We look forward to welcoming back all of our students for five-day per week in-person learning in the fall!”
Revised June 3, 2021
8450.01 – USE OF FACE COVERINGS/MASKS
The Loveland Board of Education is committed to providing students, staff, and visitors with a safe and healthy environment.
On May 12, 2021, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine lifted the State’s COVID – 19 mask requirements, including the requirement of face coverings inside public buildings, effective June 2, 2021 Furthermore, he declared that local school districts will make their own determinations on Covid-19 mitigation efforts, including the wearing of masks and/or face shields.
As of the adoption date, June 3, 2021, of this updated policy, unless required by additional mandates, the decision to wear face coverings/masks on school buses, in school buildings, or at other school events, will be left to adult individuals and parents/guardians of K-12 students. The Loveland City Schools will continue to follow COVID-19 mitigation protocols to maintain a healthy environment for students, staff, and visitors and will continue to provide recommendations for personal protection from the spread of infectious diseases.¶
In order to maintain a healthy environment, the Board will follow any mandates set forth by the Ohio Governor, Ohio State Health Department, Hamilton County Health Department, and Ohio Department of Education, (“Directing Entities”) as it relates to protecting the health of students, staff and visitors. When any of these Directing Entities requires staff, students, and visitors to wear face coverings/masks while attending school, reporting to work at a school, or visiting a school, the District’s Administration will follow and enforce such directives.
During this past year, I took on the challenge of teaching a remote section of first grade for Loveland Schools. To date, this has been the most difficult work situation that I have faced as a teacher during my twenty-three-year career. I started the school year with 38 first graders. Just that hurdle alone made this an imposing task from the start. I remember thinking to myself, “How will I ever be able to deliver meaningful instruction to that many six and seven-year-olds? How will I establish a relationship with each one of them? What if I let my students down?”
My remote teaching team and I immediately had to dig in and make this work for our students. I quickly figured out how to manage thirty-plus students on Zoom calls during the day and created a daily schedule. I did my best to find helpful answers to parent questions and concerns, even though I often didn’t have the answers because so much of what we were doing was new to us all. As the first few weeks turned into the first month of remote learning, I found my way and admitted to my parents that I may not have all the answers about all the new challenges of this unique school year, but what I do know about is the development of six and seven-year-olds. So I asked for their trust. And the rest, as they say, is history.
After many afternoons and nights of stress and reinventing my practices to meet the needs of the situation, I pulled up my bootstraps and really dug into the school year. I had a job to do and my students deserved and needed my very best. I became the technology and wifi expert at my home, I figured out routines such as bi-weekly supply pick-ups; monthly drive-ups at my home for treats, crafts, and encouragement; and I came up with a working schedule that would not overwhelm our district’s young remote learners – or their parents or caretakers, with whom I recognized the need to partner with more than ever. As the year progressed, I had many students transition back to in-person school and from late winter to the end of the school year, I had eighteen students.
I can say with confidence that my students had a wonderful and meaningful learning experience this school year. My parents, students and I worked hard to create a caring and respectful online learning environment. On any given day on any given zoom call, my students and I could be found laughing and learning and being silly. We knew the names of each other’s pets, siblings, and other family members. We even knew what everyone had for lunch. Simply put, we were a learning community and, by extension, a family.
I invited my families to drive by my home in Loveland every month of this past school year so that we could say “hi” in person. I usually had a small treat for them, and I collected a lot of notes, cards, and flowers through the windows of their cars. Those drive-thrus proved to be one of the highlights of our school year together. A few even left me in tears afterward as I realized how awesome we all had made a difficult situation. To be honest, it was a great relief and extra rewarding to find that we could still have such a strong, supportive, and caring learning community in the midst of a pandemic while doing remote school from home. We celebrated birthdays, holidays, and milestones together such as the 50th and 100th days of school. During the Spring we celebrated being reunited with family members and friends as vaccines became available. And on a daily basis, we celebrated each other’s reading, writing, and goals scored over the weekend at soccer. And of course, lost teeth and new haircuts.
As I look back on our school year, I can safely say that we all had a wonderful school experience. Somewhere in between bad wifi connections and reminding them to “unmute,” all of our wrinkles and rough spots were smoothed over. My hope for my remote students is that when they look back on being a kid many years from now, that some of our memories will be there for them and spark joy. Maybe they will remember our renditions of the Gingerbread Man through reader’s theater. Or maybe the puppet shows put on with their siblings as they retold a story via video. Or maybe it was the simple joy of buddy-reading with a friend in a Zoom breakout room. I know for me, when I look back on this school year, I will remember the faces that greeted me each day with a smile during this pandemic and the trust they had in me all along.
To My Stay at Homies: Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for believing in yourselves. Thank you for always having a smile on your face even when you didn’t want to be on a Zoom Call. Thank you for letting me into your home each day. Thank you for sharing your funny stories and jokes with me. Thank you for finding humor in something each and every day. Thank you for laughing at how silly Frog and Toad were with me. Thank you for always asking how I was doing. Thank you for being my anchor during a tough and sometimes sad time. Thank you for being you.
I love all of you and I can’t wait for more hugs and to see you at LPS in August.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland City School District is asking for help in guiding the future of Loveland City Schools.
The District Board of Education is accepting applications for the Planning Commission.
The community-based Planning Commission is a research and advisory resource for the school district, made up of local stakeholders. The Commission assists the Board by researching and evaluating issues and topics, then reporting its findings and recommendations to the Board.
The Planning Commission was created to give community members a voice in issues that affect the district, such as finances, facilities, student experience, and community engagement, according to a release by the District.
Members of the Planning Commission are residents of the Loveland City School District, appointed by the Board, who are reflective of the diversity of the community.
Loveland High School Awards, Honors, and Scholarships
Academic Top 10
The Academic Top 10 Senior students at Loveland High School were determined by weighted cumulative grade point average as earned through 3rd quarter of the 2020-21 school year.
Class Rank
1 Valedictorian
Joanna Reese
Georgia Institute of Technology
2 Salutatorian
Teri Clark
McGill University
2 Salutatorian
Diana Clark
University of South Carolina
4
Sophia Stokes
The Ohio State University
5
Karina Hollenkamp
Miami University
6
Tess Broermann
The Ohio State University
7
Ansley Richards
Georgia Institute of Technology
8
Katy Einberger
University of Cincinnati
9
Lauren Hentz
The Ohio State University
10
Zachary Bebout
University of Kentucky
Principal and Faculty Awards
Citizenship, Service, and Spirit Awards
The recipients of the Citizenship, Service and Spirit Awards are selected by the high school faculty. The Citizenship Award recognizes a student for his/her respectful and responsible behavior on campus and in the school community. This student maintains positive relationships with both peers and adults alike. The Service Award recognizes a student for his/her dedication to serving the needs of our school community. This student utilizes his/her talents, passions and expertise to make a difference on campus and in the community. This is a young person who truly takes pride in helping make a better world for others. The Spirit Award recognizes a student for his/her pride in all things Loveland Tigers. This student is involved in spirited support of school and extracurricular activities that affect the student body. A positive and upbeat attitude and a love of LHS is evident.
Citizenship Award: Meghan Tibb.
Service Award: Teri Clark.
Spirit Award: Maggie Nance.
Principal’s Awards
The recipients of the Principal’s Awards exemplify respect, responsibility, integrity and pride in actions that make LHS a better place. They are motivated to support students and faculty in building a school community that fills a need. They are role models and leaders of the Tiger Family.
Outstanding Senior: Joseph Koehne.
Outstanding Senior: Bea Aldrich.
Principal’s Awards: Claire Beseler, Maya Jepson, and Emily Reardon.
Outstanding Senior Achievement
Faculty members in each academic area have selected senior students who have performed with a high degree of excellence in a particular area throughout their high school career. The students have been active participants in the classroom and have gone “in depth” into the subject for which they will receive the award. Students receiving this high recognition have been selected by an evaluation of all facets of their performance.
Family and Consumer Science Department Award: Grace Riehle.
Art Department Award: Lilliane Rohling.
Language Arts Department Award: Aaron Krabacher.
Mathematics Department Award: Zachary Bebout.
Music Department Award: Bea Aldrich.
Social Studies Department Award: Katy Einberger.
Teaching Professions Academy Award: Caroline Florea.
World Languages Department Award: Diana Clark.
World Languages Department Award: Teri Clark.
Perseverance Award: Mark Conroy.
National Merit Scholarship Program Awards
Commended Students and National Merit Finalists
Based upon CollegeBoard PSAT results, students are commended in recognition of their outstanding academic promise. Commended Students and Finalists are named on the basis of a nationally applied Selection Index score that may vary from year to year.
Commended Students for the Class of 2021: Daniel Amburgey, Jackson Crane, Ansley Richards, Calvin Spencer, and Meghan Tibbs.
National Merit Finalist: Bea Aldrich.
National Honor Society Scholarship
NHS Scholarship recipients were chosen from nearly 10,000 applicants and will receive a scholarship toward higher education. Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, service, leadership, and character.
An NHS Scholarship is awarded to: Alexander Laman and Hannah Laman.
Great Oaks Pathway Graduates
The Great Oaks Pathway is awarded to seniors who have successfully completed multiple Project Lead the Way courses offered at Loveland High School. These courses are a part of the Engineering Pathway offered in partnership with Great Oaks Career Campuses.
The students completing the Great Oaks Pathway are: Colin Blackburn and Alexander Eicher,
Trevor Fleming, Kai Reinhold, Jacob Sealschott, and Lance Thomas.
Loveland City Schools District Awards
Board of Education Student Representatives
Student Representatives to the Loveland Board of Education are chosen from the junior and senior classes by the Board Members and serve a one year term. The students attend Board of Education meetings and give a monthly Board report. Their presence provides student input to the Board and allows these students to improve the educational process for all Loveland students.
The Student Representative for this year was Anna Colletto.
Book and University Awards
University of Notre Dame Club of Greater Cincinnati Book Award
This award has been established to honor students who excel in academics, community service, and leadership. Students who receive this award show a strong commitment to making a positive difference in their communities.
The recipient of the University of Notre Dame Book Club Award is: Trevor Fleming.
Simon Lazarus, Jr. Human Relations Award
This award has been established to honor students in recognition of their community service. They exhibit compassion and social responsibility through personal involvement and performing acts of kindness without expecting anything in return.
The recipient of the Simon Lazarus, Jr. Human Relations Award is: Hannah Laman.
Scholarships
Loveland Education Association Scholarship
The Loveland Education Association Scholarship is given annually to a graduating senior who best exemplifies those qualities held in high esteem by the teachers of Loveland City Schools. Each teacher in the school district contributes annually to this fund. This year the fund allows for the awarding of two $1500 scholarships.
A $1500 LEA Scholarship is awarded to: Caroline Florea and Leah Smith.
Loveland Woman’s Club – Viola Phillips Scholarship
Viola Phillips was Loveland’s first woman mayor. She was dedicated to the total spirit of Loveland. Viola was especially interested in community service and the quality of life for all residents. The Loveland Woman’s Club wishes to perpetuate her memory by awarding this scholarship to a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding service to others.
The $1000 Viola Phillips Scholarship is awarded to: Anna Colletto.
Woman’s Club of Loveland Scholarship
The Loveland Woman’s Club has been an active organization in Loveland since 1912. For decades, they have provided scholarships to deserving young women and young men residing in the Loveland area.
A $1000 Woman’s Club of Loveland Scholarship is awarded to: Leah Smith.
Loveland Schools Foundation – Smith/Shannon Scholarship
The Smith/Shannon Scholarship is funded through a grant from Michael Shannon, M.D., class of 1967. Dr. Shannon, a Neurosurgeon who lives and maintains his medical practice in Zanesville, Ohio, is a founder and ex-officio board member of the Loveland Schools Foundation. Special mentors influence many of us at some time during our lives. One of Dr. Shannon’s mentors was Virgil Smith, a custodian at Loveland High School, and supervisor of the young part time employee at the school, Mike Shannon. A special bond developed between employer and employee and Dr. Shannon credits Mr. Smith with teaching him the discipline and work ethic that helped him excel throughout the rigors and demands of medical school and his profession.
A $1000 Smith/Shannon Scholarship is awarded to: Kali Egan, Averee Martin, and Leah Smith.
Loveland Schools Foundation – Robert and Pauline Verkamp Williams Scholarship
This scholarship is made possible through the generous commitment to education by the Bryan Williams Family in memory of his parents Robert and Pauline Verkamp Williams. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Loveland High School who will be attending an institution of higher learning at an accredited university or college.
A $1000 Verkamp Williams Scholarship is awarded to: Teri Clark.
Loveland Youth Soccer Association Scholarship
The LYSA Scholarship is awarded annually to two graduating high school seniors from the Loveland area who played, refereed and/or volunteered for Loveland Youth Soccer Association (including Loveland Storm Football Club). The recipients are determined by essays describing how LYSA has positively influenced their lives.
A $500 Loveland Youth Soccer Association Scholarship is awarded to: Kees Ciric and Leah Smith.
Loveland Youth Football and Cheerleading Scholarship
The Loveland Youth Football and Cheerleading Scholarships are awarded to one senior football player and one senior cheer organization member, each pursuing higher education. Academic achievement and community involvement are considered.
A $1000 Loveland Youth Football and Cheerleading Scholarship is awarded to: Kaitlyn Breese and Zach DeWitt.
Loveland Youth Baseball Association Scholarship
The Loveland Youth Baseball Association Scholarship is awarded to a deserving student who has participated in LYBO as a player and/or umpire.
The $1000 Loveland Youth Baseball Scholarship is awarded to: Joey Kapszukiewicz.
Loveland Youth Basketball Association Scholarship
The Loveland Youth Basketball Association Scholarship is awarded for participation in the LYBA program. Loveland Youth Basketball honors scholarship and encourages an athlete to be well rounded in their school and in community activities. LYBA hopes that through athletics our recipient has benefited by learning lifelong lessons on and off the court.
Seth Mitchell was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and lived in that area until he was 11 years old. As a child, Seth participated in sports and school activities and loved water sports such as skiing and tubing. As a young boy, Seth wanted to be a pilot. Seth had a huge collection of planes. He even had them hanging from the ceiling in his room. Seth was usually seen with some sort of plane or helicopter on his shirts. When Seth and his family moved to Loveland, he continued his dream of flying by taking his first “solo” flight at the Waynesville airfield. Seth flew in a glider plane for his 12t h birthday. The instructor let Seth take the controls as the glider sailed through the air. He was hooked! At Loveland Middle School, Seth got his first taste of organized football. Seth graduated from Loveland High School where he played football, pole vaulted for the track team, was a member of Student Council and was elected Class President for 1997. Seth called Loveland home because that is where he developed lifelong friendships and the skills, talent and character traits that guided his life. One turning point in Seth’s life was getting involved with Student Venture, the high school ministry of the Campus Crusade for Christ. Seth found his spiritual compass and developed leadership skills that would serve him well in future endeavors.
After high school, Seth enrolled at Virginia Tech and in the ROTC program. Seth was a member of Echo Company. He earned an ROTC scholarship after his freshman year and became the Executive Officer of Golf Company during his senior year. He was a member of the German Club, Ring Design Committee and member at large for the Class of 2001. After graduation, Seth entered the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. Upon graduating from OCS, 2nd Lt.Mitchell was assigned to Camp Lejeune, NC. While at Camp Lejeune, hes erved tours in Okinawa, Haiti and Iraq as part of an infantry unit. Seth was promoted to 1s t Lt. and on November 1s t 2005, he achieved the rank of Captain. Growing up he had dreamed of becoming a pilot but did not qualify for the military aviation program due to his eyesight. After corrective eye surgery, and while stationed at Camp Lejeune, Captain Mitchell achieved his private pilot license. Due to his determination, Captain Mitchell beat long odds and was awarded a Marine Aviation training spot after four years in the Marine Corps. Captain Mitchell began flight training in Pensacola, Florida, earning his wings in May 2007. He later qualified to fly the AH-1 Super Cobra Helicopter. Captain Mitchell had achieved and was living his dream of serving his country as a Marine aviator. Captain Mitchell loved to fly and did so during his second tour in Iraq in 2008. In very typical fashion, Captain Mitchell volunteered to report early to duty in Afghanistan to assist a unit short on manpower. Captain Seth Mitchell, 30, was killed October 26, 2009, when two helicopters collided while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Captain Mitchell was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3r d Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Pendleton, California. The “Let Us Never Forget” Seth Mitchell Scholarship is awarded to the applicant who most embodies the spirit of Seth Mitchell.
The $3500 “Let Us Never Forget” Seth Mitchell Scholarship is awarded to: Maddie Schamel.
Loveland Schools Foundation – Captain Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarship
A 1997 graduate of Loveland High School, Captain David Seth Mitchell embodied the ideals of loyalty, friendship and selflessness. After graduation Seth attended Virginia Tech and ultimately attained his dream of becoming a pilot in the United States Marine Corps. He died serving his country in Afghanistan in October, 2009. Many of his classmates and friends in Loveland have established this scholarship in his memory. It goes to a graduating senior who embodies the same qualities as Seth, those of service and determination.
A $3500 Captain Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarship is awarded to: Teri Clark.
Loveland Schools Foundation – Libby Walker Scholarship
Elizabeth “Libby” Walker was a graduate of Loveland High School who believed in the value of education and ethical business practices. Libby and her husband, Karl, owned and operated multiple, successful businesses based in Loveland, Ohio. This award is presented in Libby’s memory with the hope that the recipient can use the funds to realize their own success in the business world. This scholarship is awarded to a female student with a business oriented career path.
A $1000 Libby Walker Scholarship is awarded to: Ellie Egan.
Loveland Schools Foundation – Stefan P. Talley Scholarship
Stefan Talley was described by many as a big teddy bear. He never met a person he didn’t like and always had a smile on his face. He loved sports, especially football, and played for Loveland. He can be described as an inspirational and loving person that touched so many lives of so many people. By establishing this scholarship, his memory, his hopes and his dreams will be kept alive. Stefan attended the University of Cincinnati where he majored in and appreciated history. He enjoyed life, traveling, and learning new things. He also auditioned for the hit television show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, where he made it on the show and became a winner! Stefan was taken early from us as a result of cancer. Stefan was such an inspiration and had an amazing and positive impact on his friends, classmates and those who knew him.
The $1000 Stefan P. Talley Scholarship is awarded to: Maddie Schamel.
Little Miami River Chamber Alliance Scholarship
The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance Scholarship is given annually to a student who demonstrates a personal commitment to community, reflected in their activities and local service projects.
The $1000 Little Miami River Chamber Alliance Scholarship is awarded to: Maddie Schamel.
Chuck Schmidt Memorial Scholarship
The teachers and staff at LHS are pleased to offer a $1000 non-renewable scholarship in memory of our distinguished colleague Mr. Chuck Schmidt. Funds were raised through donations and various fundraising events.
A $1000 Chuck Schmidt Memoria lScholarship is awarded to: SarahLolli.
The DeWitt Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize a graduating senior who exhibits both academic excellence and extracurricular participation at LHS and/or in the community. The scholarship is a $500 non-renewable scholarship sponsored by Loveland Middle School staff, MINT PTA and LMS Student Council.
The $500 DeWitt Scholarship is awarded to: Kaitlyn Breese.
Ben Morrison Scholarship
The Ben Morrison Scholarship is sponsored by the Morrison Family in loving memory of Ben Morrison, LHS Class of 2020. It is awarded to a graduating senior football and lacrosse player.
A $1000 Ben Morrison Scholarship is awarded to: Weston Manske.
A $500 Ben Morrison Scholarship is awarded to: Reece Hatfield and Mason Moore.
Clermont Mercy Hospital Guild Scholarship
The Clermont Mercy Hospital Guild Scholarship is directed toward high school seniors seeking a career in the HealthCare field. The Guild awards $1000 scholarships each year to deserving students desiring to help others through a career in Health Care.
The $1000 Clermont Mercy Hospital Guild Scholarship is awarded to: Maddie Schamel.
Andrew and Marie McAuley Memorial Scholarship
The Andrew and Marie McAuley Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior member of the Loveland High School Chamber Orchestra. The scholarship is sponsored by Megan Pedicini, LHS Class of 2019, in memory of her maternal grandparents who dedicated their lives to hard work and the service of others. An orphan from age seven, Andrew was able to further his higher education through the synthesis of his own perseverance and the athletic and academic scholarships he was fortunate to receive at the generosity of others. Marie, whose father was a pianist before immigrating to the U.S., found great joy and meaning in the tones of the piano, and it is her genuine love for music that motivated Megan to engage in music of her own. Megan created this scholarship to recognize those students committed to excellence in both academics and music.
The$1000 Andrew and Marie McAuley Memorial Scholarship is awarded to: Teri Clark.
Loveland Music Boosters Scholarship
The Loveland Music Boosters takes great pride in awarding scholarships to deserving seniors. Presentation of these awards is made possible through the fundraising efforts of the students and members who have toiled diligently throughout the school year. The winners are selected based upon their school achievements in the past four years, demonstration of their learned skills, and consensus review by their principal instructors.
A $1000 Loveland Music Boosters Scholarship is awarded to: Bea Aldrich and Hannah Laman.
Loveland Stage Company Creative Arts Scholarship
The Loveland Stage Company Creative Arts Scholarship is awarded to a high school graduate who resides in the Loveland City School District, or attends Loveland High School, or is the offspring of a Loveland Stage Company member. The Loveland Stage Company wishes to encourage and support local young talent by awarding this scholarship to a senior planning to further their education in pursuit of a career in the Creative Arts. They must also have demonstrated the ability to succeed academically in college, by being in the top third of their graduating class.
The $1000 Loveland Stage Company Creative Arts Scholarship is awarded to: Anna Colletto.
Kovacs Family Foundation Drama Scholarship
The Kovacs Family Foundation Drama Scholarship is presented through the Loveland Music Boosters to a graduating senior who has participated in the Loveland High School Drama program.
A $1000 Kovacs Family Foundation Drama Scholarship is awarded to: Molly Clemons and Anna Colletto.
After Prom Scholarship
The After Prom Scholarship recipients were chosen from among seniors who shared their vision for the ideal After Prom either through essay or artwork.
A $1000 After Prom Scholarship is awarded to: Skyler Daumeyer and Lillianne Rohling.
A $500 After Prom Scholarship is awarded to: Bea Aldrich and Babs Dwyer.
A $250 After Prom Scholarship is awarded to: Ellie Egan.
LHS Ski & Snowboard Club Scholarship
The LHS Ski & Snowboard Club Scholarship recognizes and honors outstanding club members for their high scholastic achievements and active participation.
A $500 LHS Ski & Snowboard Scholarship is awarded to: Josh Witt.
Dawn DeHart Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is in memory of Dawn DeHart, a LHS Class of 1983 graduate. Dawn was athletically involved at Loveland and Montana State University, setting many records in Track and Field that still stand today. She was also a member of the National Honor Society. Dawn was friendly, outgoing, and had a great work ethic. This award personifies the attributes of Dawn DeHart.
The $500 Dawn DeHart Memorial Scholarship is awarded to: Emily Reardon.
Loveland Athletic Boosters – Stanley L. McCoy Sr. Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of Stan McCoy, Sr. for his outstanding contribution to the Loveland City Schools and for his dedication to the children of Loveland. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. McCoy served as Assistant Superintendent, an LHS Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, teacher, football coach, mentor and friend. Mr. McCoy’s love, dedication and support to the athletes in Loveland will continue through this scholarship presented in his name. This scholarship is funded through donations to the Stanley L. McCoy, Sr. Scholarship Fund in conjunction with the Loveland Athletic Boosters.
A $1000 Stanley L. McCoy Sr. Scholarship is awarded to: Ellie Carr.
Loveland Athletic Boosters – Robert M. Williams Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of Robert M. Williams for his contribution within the Loveland community. Mr. Williams served the community in many capacities. But his love of people and his involvement for athletics for his children, grandchildren and friends will live on with this scholarship. Robert M. Williams always knew the score of life and was dedicated to the individuals within these sports and not always the scoreboard. The Robert M. Williams Scholarship is for all Senior Athletes and Senior Sport Managers within the Loveland High School Athletic Department. As a reflection of how “Bob” lived his life, the recipient should possess a strong moral character that is reflected by their leadership, school spirit and positive attitude toward their teammates and coaches.
A $1000 Robert M. Williams Scholarship is awarded to: Kaitlyn Breese and Weston Manske.
Loveland Athletic Boosters Scholarship
The Loveland Athletic Boosters awards scholarships to graduating student-athletes from Loveland High School. The recipients have competed at the varsity level for at least two years, have exhibited good sportsmanship and citizenship, and have shown the ability to succeed in the scholastic or technical area as indicated by grades, attitude and determination. This award is given to individuals who have shown the greatest improvement in his/her overall performance both in the classroom and on the field.
A $1000 Loveland Athletic Boosters Scholarship is awarded to:
Zachary Bebout, Erin Flanagan, Sam Cox, Zach DeWitt Babs Dwyer, Kali Egan Sarah McKenzie, Trevor Fleming, Joey Kapszukiewicz, Amy Keyser, Tyler Lake, Hanna Wenger, Abigail Miller and Alex Miller.
Athletic Department Awards
OHSAA Scholar Athlete Award
As part of the continuous quest to promote and encourage the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, the OHSAA Scholar Athlete Award is awarded to a senior student athlete with the highest GPA and who has received a minimum combined 4 varsity letters in at least 2 varsity sports. The recipient of this award is: Tess Broermann.
OHSAA Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award
The Ohio High School Athletic Association Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award is presented to high school student-athletes who promoted and displayed exemplary sportsmanship while participating in interscholastic athletics.
The recipients of this award are: Jenna Batsch and Helge Harris.
OHSAA/NFHS Award of Excellence
The National Federation of High Schools and the OHSAA have combined to sponsor an Award of Excellence to be presented to a senior athlete who exhibits qualities that embody exemplary sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.
The recipient of this award is: Jarod Mendoza.
Courageous Student Award
The Courageous Student Award is given to a student who has overcome adversity and displayed tremendous courage against overwhelming odds to get themselves back on the playing field of competition.
The recipient of this award is: Maggie Nance.
OHSAA State Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award
The Ohio High School Athletic Association State Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award is presented to an individual who continually exemplifies good sportsmanship, who is a positive role model for others, who reflects a high level of ethics and integrity, and who supports and demonstrates positive values.
Loveland, Ohio – This is the livestream link for the Class of 2021 Commencement Exercise to be held at the Cintas Center on the campus of Xavier University today May 22nd at 11 AM. https://cintascenter.com/livestream
Loveland, Ohio – A photo essay by Loveland Magazine photographer Alex Eicher of the romantic Loveland High School Prom held aboard a B&B Riverboat on a picturesque Ohio River cruise on Saturday, May 8th.
Loveland, Ohio – A final pool of three candidates for the next Loveland City School District superintendent was announced this week.
The community is invited to a Virtual Community Engagement Session on Tuesday, May 18 at 6 PM. Each of the candidates will speak individually. The Board would like community members to submit questions for the candidates in advance of the meeting. Submit questions here.
Information about access to the Virtual Community Engagement Session will be posted on the Loveland City Schools Board of Education webpage prior to the Tuesday, May 18 meeting.
NOTE: Redactions have been made to personal information that is not considered a public record under law, including home addresses, personal phone numbers, and personal email addresses.
To see a larger images,Right-Click to open in a new tab.
Brad Lovell is currently an education consultant with the Hamilton County Education Service Center and a member of the Lakota Local Schools Board.
Michael Broadwater is an Assistant Superintendent at Forest Hills School District.
Eugene Thomas, Ed. D is currently the Superintendent of Lowellville Local Schools in Lowellville, Ohio. Lowellville is a village in Mahoning County, Ohio, United States, in the “Steel Valley” area of the northeast part of the state, southeast of Youngstown. The village is an older, predominantly Italian-American, working-class community built along the banks of the Mahoning River, and centered on the once productive Sharon Steel works. The population was 1,155 at the 2010 census. Home of the Lowellville Rockets.
Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland High School “Strings” students had Historic Downtown tied around their little finger late last Wednesday afternoon for orchestra performances in the amphitheater in Nisbet park and in small groups near the town clock.
A true story by a Loveland resident presented by Loveland Magazine in collaboration with the Loveland Diversity Advisory Board. Contact them if you’ve a story to share.
The family in this story has chosen to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation against their children.
You may want to read Part I first or re-read it to remember the story we are telling.
Part I of II
As the years passed our family had more brushes with racism and the talks my husband and I had with our sons became, both by choice and necessity, more regular. As they grew from children into tweens and teens, we had to remind them that in the eyes of others they were no longer perceived to be cute, unthreatening little boys. For a Black child, that shift in perception can be the difference between life and death. While their Caucasian friends were in the habit of wearing the hoods of their sweatshirts over their heads when walking around town, their dad and I recognized the danger inherent in this scenario for boys of color. And that was just the beginning. Every news story became another talk we had to have.
Still, despite the increasing frequency of our family talks and growing awareness of society’s bigotry, one can never quite be prepared when racism rears its ugly head.
She wanted to go to the park. My daughter, only five, was not yet included in these family conversations. The innocence my sons were cruelly stripped of that final day of school was still intact in her, as evidenced by her bright eyes, sweet giggles, and the ambient toothy grin she had for everyone she met. Like so many moms that day, I tied her soft brown curls in a ponytail, gave her breakfast and got her dressed before setting out for our walk to the park, just around the corner from our house. It was an unremarkable walk, one we’d taken a thousand times.
Upon arrival we encountered several boys. They appeared to be aged 12 or 13, and like so many boys their age they were roughhousing, laughing, and hollering. I half-smiled and shook my head remembering how boys that age could be, before turning my attention back to my little girl.
The rowdiness didn’t bother us, but I winced as one spewed a series of obscenities, hoping my daughter’s attention was focused on the playground and not the words her young ears were hearing. A quick glance around showed no parents or elder siblings in attendance and so apparently, as tween boys are apt to do, they were in relishing their temporary emancipation, saying things they knew better than to say.
They’ll stop this behavior now that I’m here. Kids don’t act like this in front of adults, I deduced. I’ll just keep her on the far side of the park where she’s less likely to hear them.
“ Mommy!” I was jerked back into reality by my daughter’s excitement. “Can you help me get up there?” she asked, motioning to the play structure.
I had done it a thousand times. I’d fit my hands around her waist, giving her a boost. I’d watch as her small hands smoothly and confidently scaled the rungs. But before I could lift her I heard a mocking shout coming from the direction of the boys.
“Why are YOU calling HER that? She’s not YOUR mom,” he chortled.
Now is the part of the story where I let you, the reader, know that I am, in fact, Caucasian. My husband is Black and, thus, our childrens’ richly hued complexions do not match mine. And while there has been more than one instance where children (and the occasional adult) are curious about how one pale-skinned mother comes to have three darker-skinned children, the tone in this boy’s voice told me this was not childhood confusion.
This was antagonistic.
This was unmistakable cruelty.
My daughter let go of the play structure, whipping her head around to face me. Loose curls softly grazed her cheek. We locked eyes. On her face was an eerily familiar expression. It was one I’d seen years earlier and in many nightmares since. It was the same look my sons had given me on the last day of school.
That last day of school.
“Have a good summer, you N——s!”
The feeling came rushing back, the unadulterated terror where my stomach flips, my heart drops, my breath quickens, and I can feel the color draining from my face.
Oh, not again.
“Mommy?” my daughter looked at me, baffled.
“Stop calling her your mom!” The boy scoffed. “She can’t be your mom. She’s white!” The boy sneered at us, before glancing at his buddies with a snicker and a smile, seeking approval for what he must have thought were his superior skills of observation. One of his friends joined in on the cackling. The other stood silently, head down.
The old adage of “sticks and stones” isn’t always accurate. One look at my daughter’s collapsed expression told me these words, while not breaking her proverbial bones, threatened to break her spirit.
“Don’t you talk to my daughter that way,” I snapped. “I am her mother.”
“Mom–”
“She’s not your mom! SHE”S NOT YOUR MOM! She’s white!”
Laughter. Jeers.
I walked toward the boys slowly, the soft earth yielding beneath my sandaled feet.
Imagine, for a moment, you are standing in my shoes.
What do you do in a situation like this? Do you unleash your wrath on someone else’s kids? Do you completely lose your composure in front of your daughter who is already visibly shaken? Or do you ignore such a blatant and dangerous transgression? And where did these kids learn this behavior anyway? Why would they think this sort of racially-charged rhetoric is acceptable? What emboldened them, still children, to speak this way around me, an adult? And of all places for this to happen, why did it have to be on a playground, a place of childhood innocence? A magical place meant to foster youthful wonder and unbridled imagination?
The questions rang in my ears while a whirlwind of emotions bubbled to the surface. Though seemingly intertwined, my feelings were in direct juxtaposition with each other. I felt sorrow, but also anger. Despair, but also rage.
“You know,” I began, measuring my words carefully, “I wish your moms were here so they could see how you’re behaving.”
I didn’t know what else to say. I still don’t. Would you?
I took my daughter’s small hand and led her out of the park, back to our house, back to the embrace of the four walls that felt comforting and familiar. The sun swelled in the sky, casting shadows as it fought to rise above the clouds.
As we walked, my daughter begged insistently for answers.
“Mommy, why are those boys saying you’re not my mommy?” The loose brown curls now stuck to her face, plastered in place by tears. “You are my mommy, right? You’re my mommy?”
Explaining a nuanced topic like racism to my school-aged sons felt like too soon and even then I felt guilty somehow. Like I hadn’t broached the subject enough and had somehow failed them. But my daughter was five. How do I explain this situation to a five year-old? And why should I have to? I resented those boys. I resented the situation. I resented everything that put me in the position of having to reassure a five year-old little girl that I am her mother, to explain why she and I look different, and to address how that will be an issue for her in the future.
If I have learned anything from the events involving my children it’s that everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, needs to be having conversations about race with their families. These talks, whether organic and casual in nature or full-fledged sitdown discussions, must happen regularly. Not only that, but the topic needs to be addressed in a manner that honors and celebrates our differences while still acknowledging our similarities. And because so much of racism is learned behavior, modeling acceptable treatment of others can’t start and end when the conversations do. It isn’t the sole responsibility of families of color to teach their kids about prejudice and racism; Eradicating hatred is a group effort that has to include everyone to be successful.
I have replayed that day in my mind a thousand times.
Fortunately, in the years since, my daughter’s memory of the incident has somewhat faded. I’m thankful that she doesn’t have to carry that burden around anymore, a veritable boulder on her tiny back.
But I carry it everyday.
I carry it when I see the news.
I carry it when I think of my own school experience. The cruel taunts of classmates calling me a “N—-rlover” leave me wondering what onslaught the teen years have in store for my own children.
I carry it when I see comments on social media that assert prejudice does not exist in Loveland, or does not exist in Loveland today, or does not exist with “my child.”
I carry it when I’m sitting on my porch watching my daughter play and from a yard within earshot I hear someone commenting on the election. Well I hope all those dumb Black people are happy now that they got what they wanted.
Racism is here, in Loveland, whether we want to admit it or not. It’s here today and everyday, and it’s all around us whether we want to admit it to others or to ourselves.
But what gives me hope is that once we acknowledge the issue, we can unburden ourselves of this unnecessary weight. By taking that first step, we can commit to doing better. We can do what is needed to learn and to grow, and we can do that learning and growing together. I hope that by sharing my family’s experiences others will be empowered to take that first step.
In Part I of this Diversity Story, we see that the trouble was only beginning.
Read our first installment of a true story by a Loveland resident presented by Loveland Magazine in collaboration with the Loveland Diversity Advisory Board
For engaging story times on diversity (including race) for young learners, join the Loveland Diversity Advisory Board and the Cincinnati Hamilton County Library the 2nd Monday of every month for Bedtime Book Talks.
Support for those feeling fearful, vulnerable, or uncomfortable upon reading these accounts:
Loveland, Ohio – Tonight’s scheduled Band concert will be in the high school auditorium instead of downtown Loveland, due to the weather.
Only parents of the students will be permitted to attend tonight in the LHS gym.
Due to weather, tonight’s concert has been moved to the high school auditorium. Times remain the same: concert band 6:00, symphonic band 7:00, and wind ensemble 8:00. See you tonight and May the Fourth be with you.
![[Photo Album] Alex Eicher captures Loveland High School’s romantic riverboat prom](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/alex-eicher-prom.jpg)
![[Photos] Loveland High School “Strings” ties up Historic Downtown](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/feature-strings-concert.jpg)
