District Newsletter: 05/29/2026

Congratulations Bexley High School Class of 2026!

Gray skies marked the morning, but after intermittent downpours, Bexley High School’s 104th commencement ceremony went forward outdoors on Carlton Smith Field on Sunday, May 24. A total of 160 graduates filed into the stadium and paraded across the field together in their bright Bexley Blue caps and gowns.

Five graduating seniors – Naomi Baker, Charlotte Holzhall, Lucy Robinson, Curie Sarkar, and Cyrus Turner – each delivered keynote addresses to their fellow graduates. Student Council president and graduating senior Lily Howes served as the emcee and welcomed everyone to open the event.

Lucy Robinson, who opened the graduate addresses, talked of storytelling: “What is storytelling? For me, storytelling has always been an escape. I could step into a character on stage or write a story and be immersed in a world much greater than ours. But, most importantly, I use storytelling to connect with others. Without storytelling, moments tend to disappear. With our authentic stories, moments gain permanence, and through these personal exchanges, that’s how we create connection… So, no matter what you do or where you go after this moment, I urge you all to strive for the connection that has been fostered in us here for the last 13 years.”

Naomi Baker spoke about gratitude: “A common phrase in the Baker House is to appreciate what you’ve been given and take it a step further. And Class of 2026, I urge you to do the same. We have been given a remarkable education, and it is important we do not waste it… We have one of the most exceptional K-12 districts with outstanding teachers and administrators, and our fortress of a community has guided us these last 18 years with unwavering love and support. We owe it to them, and more importantly, ourselves to use it and take it a step further. Your step does not have to lead you to the White House, but it does have to be meaningful to you.”

Curie Sarkar referenced the Korean concept In-yeon, representative of destiny: “Every day, we meet new people, people who, by In-yeon, we were always destined to meet and although I’ve most likely gotten on at least some of your guys’ nerves over the past decade, or vice versa, I am thankful that our fates have intertwined, and we’ve become the people we are today, together… In August, when I tell my peers at college about Bexley, I’m not going to talk about how I dislike that people drive golf carts here, or about the one snow day I never got years ago. I’m going to talk about all the memories that I was able to create here. I’ll mention how during my time at Bexley, whether it was on a sports team, in my choir, theater, or in BexLeo, I’ve always managed to find welcoming, loving, and kind people.”

Charlotte Holzhall, a top Bexley swimmer and three-year state qualifier, spoke of her own courage as a young child learning to swim: “Growing up, needing to have courage to do the hard thing has been a recurring theme, but it became easier because of the community I gained… These are so many examples of how my classmates use their own courage to better the world around them, even when it may be scary, and it makes me proud to be from Bexley – a school of teachers and administrators that value student voices, opinions, and ideas so much. The reason leadership and courage have become easier is because of the school community we all have been blessed with.”

Cyrus Turner, a member of the Vocal Ensemble, which sings The Road Home each year during commencement, shared: “We, the Class of 2026, have the potential to make an impact, and I can’t wait to see our lives unfold. So as Vocal Ensemble performs The Road Home following this speech, I want you to think about the song’s lyrics. Bexley will forever be a part of the foundation of who we are, the friendships formed and lessons learned at this high school are interwoven with the community of Bexley as a whole. Lean on that community. Let it be that rock. The Road Home only puts to words the message we have been taught for the entirety of our education here. There is no such beauty as where you belong. And at Bexley, you belong.”

Celebrating Bexley 5th Graders!

Montrose Elementary Ceremony Recognizes 58 Rising 5th Graders

May 28, Montrose Gymnasium

Maryland Elementary Ceremony Recognizes 57 Rising 5th Graders

May 28, Maryland Gymnasium

Cassingham Elementary Ceremony Recognizes 82 Rising 5th Graders

May 29, Schottenstein Theatre

Middle School Recognizes Rising 8th Graders

Dozens of Bexley Middle School 8th graders were recognized during an all-school event in the high school gymnasium this week, with numerous family members in attendance.

Student superlatives were given to many 8th-grade students, six of this school year’s Students of the Month were recognized, and 102 students were inducted into the school’s 96th Laurel Honor Society.

The annual recognition also honors six students as recipients of memorial awards.

The Tim Stowe Athletic Award is in memory of the late Tim Stowe, a Bexley student who passed away from leukemia in high school. The award recognizes leadership, sportsmanship, and teamwork and was presented to Mckenna Foster and William Gockstetter.

The Justin Haas Citizenship Award was presented to Eleanor Dokko and Marius Door. The award, which recognizes kindness, volunteerism, respect, and dedication to learning, is in memory of Justin Haas, a Bexley student who died unexpectedly at the beginning of his freshman year.

The Laura Gardner Joy of Music Award was presented to Ewan Almos and Kate Grischkan. The award, which was presented by Bexley Middle School math teacher Billy Gardner, recognizes creativity, talent, and enthusiasm. The award is in honor of Mr. Gardner’s late sister Laura, who also was a Bexley alum.

Bexley Schools Treasurer and Staff Again Are Recognized by Auditor of State for Financial Excellence

Bexley Schools Treasurer/CFO Kyle Smith and his staff once again earned state awards for their business operations and management of the school district’s finances. Bexley Schools have consistently received recognition from the Auditor of State for the past several years.

The state Auditor’s Office awarded Bexley its Auditor of State Award for “excellence in financial reporting,” which is given for having a clean audit of their work.

Pictured, from left: Assistant Treasurer Missi Howlett; Treasurer/CFO Kyle Smith; Scott Brown, Central Ohio regional liaison for the Auditor of State; Jody Anderson, payroll manager; and Karen Armstrong, accounts payable specialist.

The award recognizes Ohio government entities that received a “clean” audit report. “Clean” audits show no findings for recovery or indication of any weaknesses or deficiencies in their record-keeping or financial processes; they also indicate that auditors found no financial or other concerns, such as public-records or banking issues.

Bexley Schools have received a clean audit opinion and the Ohio Auditor of State Award seven times since 2015, including for fiscal years 2020-2025 – the past six consecutive years. Just 10% of the state’s public entities receive the Ohio Auditor of State Award.

For the third consecutive year, the district also received the state Auditor’s “Highest Achievement” designation of four stars in relation to public records compliance. Using a star system, the state auditor grades government entities on whether their business practices support open and transparent government and follow the auditor’s seven best practices relating to the state’s Sunshine Law requirements.

Beyond the Classroom: Lessons in Civil Discourse

By Chad Hemmelgarn, Leader of Experiential Learning

Earlier this Spring, a few of our students along with the BHS Debate Club and their advisor, Drew Eberly, headed over to the New Albany Lecture Series to watch a debate between James Carville and Reince Priebus. It was a great opportunity for our students to see two high-profile political figures from opposite sides of the aisle sit down and actually talk to one another. Even though they disagree on much, they showed how to have a respectful conversation based on facts – a skill that is more important now than ever.

This trip was a perfect example of why we believe in experiential learning. While our students spend plenty of time reading and discussing big ideas in the classroom, there exists something special about getting out into the world to see those lessons in action. Moving beyond the four walls of a classroom helps students see how their studies apply to real life, turning a typical school day into a hands-on lesson in civic engagement and critical thinking.

These kinds of experiences are a big part of our District Strategic Plan. Our goal is to make sure Bexley students “Learn with Curiosity” and “Embrace Equity” by exposing them to different viewpoints and real-world challenges. By giving our students a front-row seat to national conversations, we are helping them build the confidence and innovation they need to navigate the world after graduation.

Bexley Sophomore Wins Civil Discourse & Debate Essay Contest 

Congratulations to sophomore Jonah Davis, who was the winner of Park National Bank’s April Essay Contest for the New Albany Community Foundation’s Student Lecture on Civil Discourse and Debate.

Jonah received $1,000 for his award-winning essay that was submitted after attending the New Albany Lecture Series with the high school debate club to watch the debate between James Carville and Reince Priebus.

Jonah wrote in his essay, “Although a large portion of the discussion revolved around disagreements between Democrats and Republicans, I really took away this smaller idea: the health of our national discourse depends entirely on our ability to tolerate dissent closer to home. If we cannot handle disagreement with our allies, we have no hope of negotiating with our opponents. By re-framing internal disagreement as a healthy democratic necessity, Carville and Priebus showed that the strength of our system lies not in our ability to reach a consensus, but in our willingness to stay at the table when we don’t.”

Pictured: Rochelle Young, representing the New Albany Community Foundation; Jonah Davis; and Park National Bank’s Zac McPherson.

BE A CHAMPION

5 Staff Members Recognized as Champions 

Five staff members were recognized for championing others. Congratulations to Maria Zeman, Paula Clemmons, Alex Winters, Katie Downing, and James Hubbard for modeling the mission and values of Bexley Schools!

Bexley Middle School world languages teacher Maria Zeman was recognized for Demonstrating Kindness for her exceptional efforts supporting and caring for a student during a difficult time.

Middle School math teacher Paula Clemmons was recognized for Responsibility and was recognized by a colleague whose position she helped support during an extended leave. Her nominator stated, “Mrs. Clemmons continued to deliver instruction at a high level while having to work with different co-teachers, check-in more frequently with students and communicate with families” during that time.

Athletic trainers Alex Winters and Katie Downing were recognized for their Empathy. Their nominator shared, “The empathy and care they demonstrate is felt by our athletes and coaches and it helps everyone feel a sense of ‘we will get through this,’ even during serious situations.”

Middle School paraprofessional James Hubbard was recognized for Empathy and was nominated by a colleague to honor his ability to build relationships with students he supports. His nominator said, “James does a great job of getting to know each student while truly understanding what they need to be successful.”

Pictured: Superintendent Dr. Jason Fine; Spanish teacher Lindsay Shankle; Maria Zeman; and French teacher Julie Aldrich.

Pictured: Jason Fine; Paula Clemmons; and Heath Goolsby, middle school intervention specialist.

Pictured: High School Counselor and Head Boys Basketball Coach David Leland; Alex Winters; Katie Downing; and Jason Fine.

Pictured: Jason Fine; James Hubband; and Jared Krempels, middle school intervention specialist.