Diploma Presenter

Graduation was more than a month ago and yet, in some ways, part of it still feels like yesterday.  I loved being at the Schott for graduation with all of the students being shown up on the big screen so family members could easily see.  I loved the excitement of students lined up in the hallways under the arena anxious to get moving and celebrate the accomplishments after a trying year.  I loved hearing one of my students, Ella Brown, sing the National Anthem and watching as another one of my students, Brady Cloyd, was among those inducted into the Hall of Fame.  I loved seeing all of the families and groups of students gathered together outside after the ceremony ended hugging, laughing, and celebrating.  But, most of all, my favorite part of graduation was the hug I got to give to students just seconds before I handed them their diploma.

Kilbourne has lots of cool traditions and allowing seniors to have the option of who they want to have hand them their diploma has to be my favorite one of all.  I love the fact that students will be able to look back years from now and say x is who gave me my diploma because in so many districts that isn't the case.  To me, it is the ultimate recognition of how important the student/ staff relationship is to our school and district.

Each year that I have been asked to hand someone their diploma I am deeply touched and honored.  This means so much to me because my students mean so much to me.  And this year, the Class of 2021, I was able to hand out more diplomas than I ever had in the past.  But, for me, it wasn't about the number it is about who each of these people and how much they mean to me.

Pictured above from left to right: Alex Estrada-Ibanez, Aerial Davis, Courtney Earhart, Ella Bally, Blair Andrews, Emily Cline, Zach Bailey, Emma Blanton, Joseph De La Torre, Paveli Diaz Avalos, and Andrew Bickell.  (I also was able to present diplomas to Kaiden Bevelander, Twan Bentley, and Jorge Carbajal who weren't able to make it for the photo.)

So let me take a moment to tell you about these students... they are STRONG, COURAGEOUS, and CARING!  Those three words represent each of these individuals.  Over the last four years, they have faced their own battles, accomplished great moments, chased after their dreams, and worked really hard.  I have asked them to help me and not one ever turned me down when I needed their help... even though it was supposed to be me helping them.  ;-)  They spoke to groups, they encouraged other students, their shared insights with administrators, and, quite simply, they made a difference.  They are talented in all different aspects - some love sports, others are gifted at music, many are incredible students, they are extraordinary artisits, they are passionate about their futures and what path they will take to get there, and they are remarkable encouragers and friends.

Alex, Aerial, Courtney, Ella, Blair, Emily, Zach, Emma, Joseph, Paveli, Andrew, Kaiden, Twan and Jorge ~ Thank you all for allowing me to have the honor of presenting you with your diploma.  Thank you for the positive impact you have had on my life and on WKHS as a whole.  I am so fortunate that I had the chance to get to know you and I cannot wait to see all that you accomplish in the future!  Congratulations!  Love, Miss Abbott

OSU Info

So many WKHS students look at OSU as one of their college options.  And as a result I thought that you might want to know the following updates that OSU recently sent to us as counselors...

OSU Campus Visits:

Prospective students can once again visit our campus for a campus tour. Registration for the month of June will start May 24; July dates will open in early June. We are continuing to require masks be worn inside, and students can bring one guest. To register and view our visit guidelines, go to campusvisit.osu.edu.

Our virtual programming for prospective students will continue as we bring back in-person campus tours. 

OSU Test Optional Information:

Many of you have asked about our applicant pool as it pertains to whether or not students elected to submit a test score.

Summary
 

	Use tests	Do not use tests
Applicants	47.2%	52.8%
Admits	57.5%	42.5%
Acceptance fee paid	61.4%	38.6%

Ohio residents account for only 37% of admitted students but for 65% of students who have paid the acceptance fee. Ohio residents also, more than other populations, asked for their ACT and SAT test scores to be considered as part of the application process. Resultantly, the percentage of admitted students who submitted test scores who also paid the acceptance fee is higher than might be expected.

Because of continued inconsistency in testing availability, Ohio State has extended the test optional pilot for students applying in autumn 2022. We’ll be providing additional guidance to students this summer on submitting scores for 2022.

It's fascinating data to look at and it is exciting to see the return of campus visits for those who want that in person, on campus experience.

Impressive Students

The end of the school year felt like a full-on sprint for me.  Between trying to get through the end of the school year with all students, helping make sure seniors would graduate, assisting with graduation planning and execution details, recommending summer school, and saying good-bye to Mrs. Gratz it was a wild end to the year.  Because of all of that, I took a break from posting, but before I truly pause for summer break, I still have a few posts that I wanted to share with you all.

Recognizing the impressive accomplishments of "my" students is always top of my mind as it makes me so proud of them and how hard they have worked.  Today is no exception!

Athletics are a huge part of many of our student's lives.  Even though their seasons ended earlier than they had wanted or hoped, we had many of our students receive post-season recognition.  Several of "my" students were among those honored.

Congratulations to:

- Marissa Dolciato: Women's Lacrosse - 1st Team All State, 1st Team All Region, 1st Team All OCC and OCC Player of the year

- Julie Barrie: Women's Lacrosse - 2nd team All OCC

- Mitchell Abahazie: Men's Lacrosse - 1st Team All Region, 1st Team All OCC, and Honorable Mention All State

- Andrew Bickell: Men's Lacrosse - 2nd Team All OCC

- Cole Archual: Baseball - 2nd Team All OCC and Honorable Mention All District

- Macain Eldridge: Baseball - OCC Scholar Athlete

- Morgan Beals: Softball - 2nd Team All League

- Sara Dale: Softball - Special Mention All League and Honorable Mention All District

It is possible that I missed someone and that truly wasn't my intent, but these are the ones I had been made aware of and I think it is amazing that the hard work and dedication to their sports resulted in 8 of my students receiving recognition for their contributions... especially with so many of them being seniors which makes the accomplishment even more meaningful.

And then outside of sports, I also want to recognize and celebrate:

- Brady Cloyd: WKHS Class of 2021 Hall of Fame inductee

I am so proud of all of you and impressed with your accomplishments!

Graduation Details

I have been working a lot on helping get everything ready for graduation tomorrow night at the Schottenstein Center and I am so excited for the graduating seniors!  After a quick trip to the Schott today we were able to get some additional details that I believe will be really helpful to senior students and parents.  I just posted them all on the counselor website so that people who don't get my blog will have access to them... so I'm going to copy it all directly here as well.

Parking map for the Schottenstein Center.  This map shows the area in blue if you have a handicap placard and green where most families will park.  Please remember that in the envelope students received at graduation rehearsal on Friday there is a red parking ticket.  You can use that for 1 car to park for free.  If you have more than 1 car, you will need to plan to pay $5 to park.

Entrance map.  Graduates will enter the building separate from families.  Seniors will be coming into the building from a door on the long-side of the building that is in between the Northeast Rotunda and the Team Shop where the bronze Brutus the Buckeye statue is located.  You can look for an OSU staff member at that entrance to allow you in the building at 6pm.  (Door is to the left of the Brutus Statue on the side of the building that you will be walking towards from the parking lot (North side).  All families have their tickets electronically and you will use the e-ticket to enter the building.  Families will enter through one of the 4 rotundas and your ticket specifies exactly which rotunda you will be allowed to enter through so double check before waiting in the line.

Parent guide to graduation at the Schott.  The Schottenstein Center has VERY specific guidelines and requirements for students and families.  Some things won't be a surprise - they want masks worn at all times, but others are more specifically detailed such as no purses or bags.  (Wristlets no larger than 5x8x1 are acceptable.)  You will want to read through the full details of all of their guidelines and expectations just to be sure you know what to do and expect.

The other big suggestion I have for you is to make plans for where to meet outside after the ceremony is over.  Seniors will exit directly outside... and that is a great place for lots of pictures with family/ friends, but you'll want to have a vicinity to try to find one another easier.  

It's going to be an exciting day...

Mrs. Gratz

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to work in the Counseling Department with colleagues who are not only incredible, commited professionals, but also friends.  Mrs. Gratz is one of the other school counselors and she has decided that she will be retiring at the end of the school year.  I am happy for her even though I am going to miss her very much.  I know that all of her current and past students feel the same way.  There is no doubt that Mrs. Gratz and her husband will be able to enjoy lots of long bicycle rides and traveling - activities that she loves.  And there is no question that her impact will continue on in the lives of all of those she has touched.  But it will be a huge transition for her personally and professionally just as it will be for the rest of our department.  So, for the handful of students/ parents who are not "mine" and still follow my blog, if you have Mrs. Gratz as your school counselor, I hope you will take time over the next week to send her an email or drop her a card to thank her for the incredible career she has had caring for students and families.  And, if you are one of my students/ families, know that you have benefited from Mrs. Gratz too because she has made me a better person and a better counselor during her time at WKHS.  So if you happen to see her in the halls or at graduation, please don't hesitate to congratulate her and wish her well in her retirement.

Summer Assignments

Are you planning to take Honors, AP or IB classes for next year?  If so, I want to remind you that many of those classes will have summer assignments.  AP/ IB teachers along with a few Honors level teachers have been working hard to prepare meaningful learning opportunities to help you get a jump start for their classes during the summer months.  Please pay close attention to the announcements each day because there will be meetings before/ after school for students to meet with the teachers for next year, to learn about the summer requirements and expectations, and to understand what you will need to do if you have questions or need support. 

It is also important that all students are aware that there is a drop deadline of July 15th for all Honors, AP and IB courses.  Prior to July 15th students can drop the classes without penalty.  After July 15th the summer assignments are still required and the grades for the summer work will be transferred into the new class that you will transferring into for next year instead of your intended class.  So, it is important not only that you know what you will need to do, but also to start working on the assignments - at least enough to make sure you feel confident that you are going to enjoy the course - so that you will know by July 15th if you feel you are going to need to change out of that class.

Goodbye Seniors

Today was the last day for the seniors in the Class of 2021.  I always feel like time goes too fast and that I am not ready to say goodbye to those who are graduating.  But I feel like this year it is striking me as more difficult than normal... I have been feeling way more emotional about saying goodbye to the seniors since last Friday and keep finding myself choking back emotion over the simplest of interactions.  Maybe that is because this year has been so different and I feel like we should get a do-over to be able to have more time together.  Maybe it is because I am out of practice after not getting to say goodbye during the school days to last year's seniors and so my mind has forgotten how difficult this can be.  But, if you want to know what I think the real story is, it is that I care a great deal about all of you and even though I am genuinely happy and excited for you as you leave WKHS behind and head off to all of the wonderful new adventures ahead of you, I am also sad because I will miss you.  I will miss talking to you, hearing about your lives, and watching you achieve your goals.  

You have proven yourselves to be a class who can overcome challenges, adapt to difficulties that adults have struggled to incorporate, and to practice compassion for one another.  And yes, of course, all of those characteristics apply to how you have reacted to COVID times, that isn't actually what I am talking about.  I am thinking about those challenges you have faced whether they were academic difficulties and your willingness to keep trying or the personal struggles such as dealing with bad breakups and big disappointments that fell short of your hopes.  I am thinking of those who have faced loss and grief that you didn't allow to derail you as well as those who have demonstrated strong resiliency to bounce back and shift focus such as when an injury sidelines you and cuts your season short.  And I am thinking about the compassion I saw in you as you helped one another understand school work that was challenging, the compassion to listen and encourage a friend who was having a bad day, and the empathy to care for those you know and those you didn't like through all of your efforts for the Adopt a Child campaign each year.

So yes, of course I am going to miss the seniors in the Class of 2021... how could I not when I think about what a powerful difference you have made not only to Kilbourne and the Worthington community, but also in my life.  Thank you for who you are and remember, I am always here and in your corner.

And seniors, one last reminder that although you are done with school, you are still required to be at WKHS on Friday morning at 10am for the Graduation Rehearsal.