SHS ALUMNI NEWS
Creating Alumni Connections + Building Alumni Relationships
#foreveramustang
In This Issue - Summer, 2019
SHS Earns Top 10% State Ranking in Annual US News List of Best High Schools
Two Individuals Selected for This Year's Class of SHS Distinguished Alumni
Congratulations to the Class of 2019! SHS Commencement + Top 5%
"We Are Strongsville" Video Series
Nominations for Strongsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Strongsville Alumni Golf Challenge - Saturday, August 24
Dr. Mark Smithberger, SHS Principal, Named OASSA Principal of the Year
SHS Grad Lindsay Pritchard ('15) Named Top ROTC Cadet in US
SCS Nationally Recognized as “Best Community for Music Education” for 6th Straight Year
Limited Edition 'The 'Ville' T-Shirt Available
Mustang Student-Athletes Ready to Compete at the Next Level
Save the Date - Team Strongsville Community Tailgate (Friday, September 13)
Strongsville City Schools Operating Levy Passes
SCS Treasurer's Office Earns Meritorious Budget Award for Third Straight Year
Send Us Your Alumni Update!
SHS EARNS TOP 10% STATE RANKING IN ANNUAL US NEWS LIST OF BEST HIGH SCHOOLS
Strongsville High School has been named a 2019 U.S. News “Best High School” and earned the #73 spot in rankings of Ohio high schools. In the previous two years, Strongsville High School ranked #95 in 2018 and #115 in 2017 in this annual list. Strongsville High School also ranks #2,075 nationally.
U.S. News ranked 17,245 public high schools across the United States. There were 736 Ohio schools which earned a place on the list of ranked institutions. The rankings compile and review school-specific data on enrollment, college readiness, student ethnicity, location, school type, and results of state assessments and Advanced Placement tests.
See the U.S. News ranking of Strongsville High School HERE.
Two Individuals Selected for This Year's Class of SHS Distinguished Alumni
Congratulations to this year’s class of Strongsville High School Distinguished Alumni - Mrs. Jane (Yanacsek) Swiger and Mr. Paul Sidoti. Both were honored at a recent Strongsville Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.
Mrs. Jane (Yanacsek) Swiger (SHS Class of 1970) - A retired Strongsville City Schools teacher, Mrs. Swiger has been a part of Strongsville schools for 44 years. Currently, she works as a classroom aide at Strongsville Middle School. A true ambassador for Strongsville and our school district, Mrs. Swiger has been a positive influence on many students and throughout our community.
Mr. Paul Sidoti (SHS Class of 1989) - Mr. Sidoti has toured since December 2007 as lead guitarist/vocalist for Grammy award winning and multi platinum selling artist Taylor Swift. A well-respected musician locally, nationally, and internationally, he has performed throughout the world, and appeared on numerous television variety and awards shows.
SHS Distinguished Alumni - Class of 2019
Mr. Paul Sidoti (SHS Class of 1989) & Mrs. Jane (Yanacsek) Swiger (Class of 1970)
Congratulations to the Class of 2019! SHS Commencement + Top 5%
Congratulations to the Class of 2019! Strongsville celebrated its 121st Commencement during the first weekend in June honoring the many achievements of this class. Student Council President Saksha Krishnan, Phi Beta Kappa recipient Benjamin Blickle, and Senior Class President Lindsey Homa, all presented speeches to the graduates. This year’s entire ceremony can be viewed on the Strongsville City Schools channel on YouTube - click HERE.
This year’s Top 5% of the Class of 2019:
Mohammed Abusway - Columbia University (Operations Research)
Anna Barrett - New York University (Acting/Musical Theater)
Madeline Blakley - Carnegie Mellon University (Psychology & Biological Science)
Connor Bowman - College of William & Mary (Computer Science)
Rama Coimbatore – Purdue University (Engineering)
Christopher Cosma – The Ohio State University (Computer Science)
Adam Deloof – Virginia Tech (Computer Science)
Skylar Haberman – University of Akron (Biomedical Engineering)
Erin Horvath – Miami University (Biomedical Engineering)
Shrina Jasani – The Ohio State University (Biomedical Science)
Jake Jeske - University of Dayton (Chemical Engineering)
Melanie Klaben – Butler University (International Business & Mgmt. Information Systems)
Saksha Krishnan - The Ohio State University (Neuroscience)
Kristen Lemr - Case Western Reserve University (Nursing)
Saaya Morton – Emory University (Public Health)
Atia Najjar - Cleveland State University (Philosophy)
Lauren Novak - University of Akron (Mechanical Engineering)
Riley Ogrean – The Ohio State University (Molecular Genetics)
Matthew Pfeiler – The Ohio State University (Accounting)
Lauren Sapienza – University of Dayton (Biology)
Raghav Shah - The Ohio State University (Neuroscience)
Erin Sievers - Ashland University (Psychology)
Cole Ventresca - Undecided (Undecided)
Joseph Wyler – The Ohio State University (Civil Engineering)
SHS Class of 2019 - Top 5%
"WE ARE STRONGSVILLE" VIDEO SERIES
This past school year we began sharing a series of "We Are Strongsville" videos, focusing on what it means to be a part of our District. The videos feature teachers and students. Next year we will continue the series and also add alumni and community members. We hope you enjoy these videos - here is a LINK - maybe you will see a teacher or two that you recognize!
Nominations for Strongsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Strongsville Alumni Golf Challenge - Saturday, August 24
Don't miss the Strongsville Alumni Golf Challenge being held at Cossett Creek (4900 Center Rd. / Brunswick) on Saturday, August 24th at 8:00am. It's a two-person scramble format with prizes and food included in the registration fee - $85 per golfer. This year's Alumni Golf Challenge will benefit the Special Olympics. Call Bill Matthesen (440.219.7386) or Mike Cappy (216.276.8556) for additional details. Registration closes on August 10th.
Dr. Mark Smithberger, SHS Principal, Named OASSA Principal of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. Smithberger, SHS Principal, for being named the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) 2019 Principal of the Year!
SHS Grad Lindsay Pritchard ('15) Named Top ROTC Cadet in US
Lindsay Pritchard (SHS Class of 2015), graduated last month from Methodist University, ranking among the top 10 percent of cadets in the nation as a Distinguished Military Graduate.
She was selected by The Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association as one of two graduates (from a pool of 6,000 college seniors nationwide) to receive the Pallas Athene Award. The award is given annually to the top two outstanding female senior Army ROTC Cadets in the country.
Lindsay graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 grade point average — and was a member of Methodist University’s varsity cross country and track and field teams. She was also named the university’s Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for three consecutive years. #foreveramustang
Click HERE for the newspaper article detailing Lindsay’s accomplishments at Methodist University. (photo courtesy of Melissa Sue Gerrits, The Fayetteville Observer)
SCS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS “BEST COMMUNITY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION” FOR 6TH STRAIGHT YEAR
Strongsville City Schools has been honored with the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the sixth straight year our District has earned this distinction. Strongsville is one of 623 school districts nationwide to be recognized by NAMM, and one of just 14 school districts in Northeast Ohio to receive this prestigious award in 2019. Congratulations to all of our students, teachers, parents, and community members who support our District’s music programs!
Limited Edition 'The 'Ville' T-Shirt Available
'Where I’m From,' local retailer at SouthPark Mall, has created another limited edition of their popular “The ‘Ville” shirt. The t-shirt is available NOW at SouthPark Mall in Strongsville. All proceeds from “The ‘Ville” t-shirt sales will be donated to the Strongsville Education Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to raising and disbursing funds to support and foster creativity, innovation and outstanding achievement for the students, the teachers and the community served by the Strongsville City Schools.
Mustang Student-Athletes Ready to Compete at the Next Level
Congratulations to the following Strongsville High School student-athletes who have recently signed national letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level:
Moe Abusway (Track & Field) - Columbia University
Sam Fillar (Volleyball) - Ohio Wesleyan University
Jalen Garner (Basketball) - Wright State University (Lake Campus)
April Gaukin (Soccer) - Notre Dame College
Taylor Griffin (Football) - University of Akron
Ryan Hartman (Baseball) - Ohio Northern University
Bob James (Baseball) - Hiram College
Nolan Kellogg (Soccer) - Baldwin Wallace University
Maxwell Kennedy (Soccer) - Bluffton University
Kevin Lawler (Football) - John Carroll University
Jonathan Major (Lacrosse) - Lindenwood University
Zach Massa (Lacrosse) - Ohio Northern University
Paige Meyers (Tennis) - Wittenberg University
Richie Roskoph (Lacrosse) - Baldwin Wallace University
Erin Sievers (Track & Field) - Ashland University
Gina Upholzer (Tennis) - Baldwin Wallace University
Kayla Wypasek (Soccer) - Northern Kentucky University
We are proud of your accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom and know that you will continue to positively represent SHS at the next level - CONGRATULATIONS!
Save the Date - Team Strongsville Community Tailgate (Friday, September 13)
Don’t miss the first football game of the season and celebrate with all of Strongsville during the 7th Annual Team Strongsville Tailgate on Friday, September 13th. Music, food, and fun begin at 5pm in the parking lot next to Pat Catan Stadium. The Mustangs then kick off their first home game of the season at 7:00pm against Brecksville-Broadview Hts.
Strongsville City Schools Operating Levy Passes
The Strongsville City Schools Operating Levy (Issue 4) was approved last month by Strongsville voters. Issue 4 passed with 53% (6,446) voting for the levy. Updated technology and textbooks, extracurricular activities, safety measures, transportation, and maintaining student opportunities are some of the ways these operating funds will be used to benefit our students and schools throughout our District. Issue 4 is a 5.9 mill, five year limited operating levy which will provide approximately $9.3 million annually for District operating expenses and ensure financial stability for the District through the 2026-2027 school year.
“Thank you to the Strongsville community, and to the many volunteers who supported Issue 4 going door-to-door, speaking at community events, placing yard signs throughout the community, and endorsing Issue 4 by sharing the positive story of Strongsville City Schools. We appreciate our community recognizing the importance of Issue 4 and approving this operating levy. We have, and will continue to work diligently in making sure our District is utilizing taxpayer dollars in a financially prudent manner. Our students deserve the very best education and the passage of Issue 4 ensures that we can continue to provide opportunities, technology, transportation, and other services that our students, parents and community deserves,” said Dr. Cameron Ryba, Superintendent of Strongsville Schools.
“I am proud of how the community came together and supported this levy. Passage of this levy will allow us to provide the very best education for our students. We will continue to ensure that every dollar is used to deliver exceptional educational value,” said Mr. Carl Naso, Strongsville Board of Education President.
SCS TREASURER’S OFFICE EARNS MERITORIOUS BUDGET AWARD FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
Strongsville City Schools has earned the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2018-19 budget year. It is the third straight year Strongsville has earned this recognition. Last year, Strongsville was one of only four school districts in the entire state to earn this recognition. This annual award is presented by the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) and recognizes the District’s commitment to sound fiscal management and budgetary policies.
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Strongsville High School
Email: shsalumninews@scsmustangs.org
Website: http://www.strongnet.org/Page/419
Location: 20025 Lunn Road, Strongsville, OH, United States
Phone: 440.572.7100
Facebook: www.facebook.com/strongsvillecs
Twitter: @StrongsvilleHS