HCEF was established as a non-profit arm of the Hamilton County Educational Service Center (HCESC) in 2006. The HCEF Scholarship Program helps to address the growing national shortage of Special Education teachers and related service personnel. This factor, as well as the fact that HCESC is one of the largest employers of Special Education personnel in Southwest Ohio, drove the decision to provide scholarships for K-12 teachers. “Celebrate Excellence,” the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, supports the scholarship program through sponsorships and donations. The inaugural scholarship was presented in 2008 in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College of Education, Criminal Justice and Health Services. U.C. has since awarded four scholarships to K-12 educators employed by a public school district in Hamilton County who are pursuing a Masters Degree in a Special Education related field. Xavier University College of Social Sciences, Health and Education became the second partner and has since awarded two scholarships to their graduate program.

Each scholarship award is equal to one semester of tuition.  This year’s keynote speaker Krista Ramsey is a columnist and editorial board member at the Cincinnati Enquirer. Her areas of special interest are education, families, health, religion, and women and children’s issues. A former high school teacher, Krista covered education for the Enquirer for a decade and wrote a weekly education column. “The goals I try never to lose sight of are treating the people and topics I cover with dignity and respect, while inviting Enquirer readers to think about the world in a more humane way.”

“Krista is highly admired for her candid and thoughtful commentaries on youth, education and families,” comments Muse. “We are thrilled she will address our “Celebrate Excellence” audience this year, and know she will equally inspire, motivate and praise our honorees.” Each “educator of the year” is selected by their own public school district. In past years, those honored have represented a wide variety of certified education professionals who touch students in unique and significant ways – from administrators and counselors to school nurses and band directors, as well as classroom teachers. This year, the participating public school districts are Cincinnati Public, Deer Park, Finneytown, Forest Hills, Great Oaks, HCESC, Indian Hill, Lockland, Loveland, Mason, Mt. Healthy, North College Hill, Northwest, Norwood, Oak Hills, Princeton, Reading, Southwest, St. Bernard-Elmwood, Sycamore, Three Rivers, Winton Woods and Wyoming.

The educator of the year from the Oak Hills Local School District is Susan Lawrence, art teacher at Delhi Middle School.

Learn more about HCEF and the Scholarship Program by visiting the website, where a video is also posted about the “Celebrate Excellence” event.

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About Hamilton County ESC
Founded as an Educational Service Center nearly a century ago, Hamilton County ESC’s heritage has been providing quality services in the areas of special education and professional development, to the public school districts in the vicinity. Today, HCESC is leading innovation by bringing together educational best practices and leading-edge knowledge, to serve more than 150,000 students and 10,000 educators in southwest Ohio. With a staff of 500+ professionals, HCESC’s expertise extends beyond education, with quality services for a variety of community service organizations. To learn more, please visit www.hcesc.org.

“We are so proud of our students for embracing Math-A-Thon and raising critical funds for St. Jude,” said Mrs. Budde, coordinator of the event. “Every dollar raised will help support the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children in communities worldwide.”

Math-A-Thon allows students to build and practice essential math skills while they raise funds for kids battling cancer at St. Jude. The program works in the following way: Teachers serve as volunteer coordinators for Math-A-Thon at their school. Participating students solve math problems in a printed or online Funbook. Students ask family and friends for donations in support of their participation in the Math-A-Thon. All donations are sent to St. Jude, where no child is ever turned away because of the family’s inability to pay.

Pictured:
Kaili Diggins
Levi Rist
Chris Perry
Olivia Swagler
Mark Freeman
Marin Smyth
Rylee Nerlinger
Matthew McRoberts
Bailey Wallace
Alexis Williams
Andrew Kraus
Tyler Schutte
Molly Loschiavo
Cassidy Calla
Gracie Hodapp
John Flynn
Christian Kolianos
Tyler Daley
Anthony Calcara
Allie Ohmer
Abigail Cole
Colby Misch
Connor Littleman
Bella Livingston
Molly Powell

Top fundraisers:
Andrew Kraus ($250)

Molly Loschiavo ($154)
Tyler Schutte ($145)

Ovation is comprised of 62 fourth and fifth grade students. This is the fiftheenth year that Ovation has performed the National Anthem for the Cincinnati Reds. Over 800 Oakdale family and community members came out to see the Cincinnati Reds play the Houston Astros at the annual Oakdale Night at the Reds event.   

Pictured:

Kendyle Baldrick
Cheyenne Estes
Savannah Estes
Aiden Freese
Alexis Hess
Abigail Mattar
Makayla Pfaffinger
Jessica Rathbone
Mackenzie Schmidt
Kaitlyn Schulte
Rebecca Bauer
Samantha Bostic
Nolan Bradford
Abby Clinkenbeard
Mariah Finley
Sarah Klug
Josh Liedhegner
Topher Waples
Hailey Woodall
Phillip Acton
Grace Climer
Christina Garvin
Bailey Harrison
Alexis Kuntz
Alyssa McRoberts
Chloe Stolzman
Brooke Wirtz
Kyla Hensley
Libby Hodapp
Rebecca Jones
Kassidy Krekeler
Madison Roark
Sierra Dance
Alexis Evangelou
Bailey Garcia
Ryan Klug
Caitlyn Roll
Hailey Seifert
Neci Smyth
Krishyra McCalley
Sara Reid
Morgan Runyan
Sierra Sexton
Cameryn Swagler
Madison Finley
Sydney Haders
Kerri Houston
Samantha Latscha
Peyton Reitter
Mikaila Robinson
Ariel Salmon
Haylee Schulz
Erin Tedtman
Isabelle Wagner
Emma Walker
Madison Crider
Lauren Feldman
Ashley Martz
Aliya McCalley
McKenna Rederick
Madison Smith

“Clean and accurate record-keeping are the foundation for good government, and the taxpayers can take pride in your commitment to accountability,” said Dave Yost, Auditor of State.

Oak Hills Treasurer Ronda Johnson said, “We are honored to accept this award on behalf of the District. This recognition speaks to the great work of my staff and everyone across the District who shares our commitment to financial accountability.”

The award is given to those entities that file an annual CAFR and timely financial reports in accordance with GAAP, as well as receive a “clean” audit report.

OHLSD Treasurer, Ronda Johnson and Assistant Treasurer, Steve Bain

Those Oak Hills students attending the Chinese and American Youth Day Camp will be given first consideration for hosting a Chinese student.

The camp runs:
July 16-27
Rapid Run Middle School
Grades 6-11
$199 Registration Fee
For more information, contact the main office at your child’s school

Click here for registration form and housing packet.

Silver Ladle owner Tim Lambrinides, said “This concept is something that I have wanted to try for many years. The mold of the fast casual concept fits perfectly to what we wanted for our next concept with the ‘niche’ of soups and chili accompanied with fresh salads and sandwiches.”

Targeting the daytime professional, the restaurant offers several menu selections and catering options, thus a perfect fit for the downtown area. Their house made specialties include gluten free, heart healthy, and vegetarian choices. They also feature stuffed burgers, fresh salads and delicious sandwiches. Watch for two to three new locations to open in the next couple of years as the restaurant was designed to be a multiple-location concept.

“Silver Ladle’s fast casual concept does not slight the quality and concern for a healthy choice. You may have to rush through your day, but you don’t have to compromise your meal,” said Lambrinides.

Two other Oak Hills alums were also involved in the opening of the restaurant. Helmes Construction and Plumbing headed by Tim Helmes ’93 and Mike Helmes ‘95 did the build out for Silver Ladle. “I chose them for their experience and witnessed hard work. They are not only friends of mine but I trusted them in every aspect throughout the construction process. They did a great job and kept the project on schedule,” commented Lambrinides.

For more information visit www.silverladle.com or like them on Facebook.

Click here to view the video.

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Troop 44 meets on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at Diamond Oaks Vocational School on Harrison Avenue.  Membership is open to any male youth age 11-18, or any 10 ½ year old who has completed their Arrow of Light requirement in Cub Scouts.  Activities include monthly campouts, community service projects and the opportunity to experience hobbies, activities and skills they may never otherwise get exposure to.

Anyone interested in joining Troop 44 should contact Joe Wermes at 382-8361.

from left back row: Joe Wermes, Trey Wermes middle row: Justin Wermes, Ryan Leonard, Zack McRae, Ricky Brown, Connor Taylor front row: Ben Murray, Ronnie Wermes, Cameron Smith, Adam French, Patrick Walker not shown: Casey Cundiff