Keynote Speaker Ron Stokes told students that life is a gift, and with that gift comes responsibility.
The Westerville Kiwanis Club held its 56th annual Academic Varsity Awards Banquet on Wednesday evening, April 18, when the top 30 senior scholars from Westerville high schools were honored. The evening included a dinner and special recognition of 10 students from Westerville Central, 10 students from Westerville North, and 10 students from Westerville South High School. Guest speaker was Ron Stokes, President/CEO of Three Leaf Productions – a broadcaster and former basketball player at The Ohio State University. He told the honorees that successful people do things that others do not – they get things done. “We all have the choice to be great,” he advised. “Make the right choice.” He urged them to find a career they love and to ignore those who tell them they cannot do something they have put their mind to.
Each pupil received a copy of Seuss-isms – a Guide to Life for Those Just Starting Out and Those Already on their Way, from the Superintendent, Treasurer and Westerville City Schools Board of Education.
Westerville Central High School Honorees
Left to right: Westerville Central High School Principal Tom Lanier, Jason Brown, John Dixon, Nathan Forrest, Gabrielle Gates, Arianna Kellum, Jacob Kenneally, Jordan Klapper, Nikita Nair, Madison Seabury, Brianna Smith and Kiwanis President Larry Gwin.
Westerville North High School Honorees
Left to right: Westerville North High School Principal Kurt Yancey, Amanda Bentivegna, Sydney Broyles, Gabrielle Cochran, Reilly Cochran, Abigail Corbett, Christine Fite, Emily Garee, Rebecca Harris, Jordyn Kneice, Andrew Scherer and Kiwanis President Larry Gwin.
Westerville South High School Honorees
Left to right: Westerville South High School Principal Mike Starner, Joshua Coffey, Emma Davidson, Darby Holman, Alexis Howlett, Nathaniel Kinser, Carson Pfeiffer, Enrique Quimba, Kaleigh Rudge,
Olivia Smith, and Kiwanis President Larry Gwin. Not pictured: Vicky Ma.