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Mason Middle School was well represented at the recent Ohio Music Educators Association Solo and Ensemble Festival.

Students are evaluated by professional adjudicators at the competitive event and awarded a rating ranging from I to V, with I being the highest score.

More than 100 Mason students performed 96 “events” at the festival, with 74 of those events receiving a superior rating.  All Mason events received one of the top three ratings, according to the school.

“We are so proud of the over 100 students from MMS that worked so hard to prepare for this event,” said Kyle Young, band director.

Participating students include:

7^th Grade

Rachel Albers, Rishi Ambani, Natalie Anderson, Akash Bakshi, Nathan Banks, Josh Bitner, Avery Brookbank, Katy Byerly, Brandon Cahal, Caroline Carr, Gabe Carr, Aubrie Chiu, Tyler Chumney, Allison Ciepichal, Joe Cooper, Steve Davis, Sritej Devineni, Thomas Doerflein, Ally Dreyer, Karli Farrell, Clarence Gao, Marcel Goodwin, Katie Griffiths, Rachel Hardin, Ali Hendricks, Jessica Huang, Beth Ellen Johnson, Jocelyn Kang, Elijah Kelly, Tanvi Keole, Mary Clare Kunkel, Will Lance, Josh Lange, Alicia Liew, Abigail Lisk, Jacob Langbein, Audrey Lund, Katie Lyons, Peyton Marion, Corinn Marakovits, Abby Martin, Satoshi Matsutani, Olivia McBurrows, Brendan McHugh, Gabe Menelik, Emily Miller, Makayla Miller, Max Mitchell, Jenna Montes, Logan Nawrocki, Sarah Nickell, Akhil Pallerla, Krupa Patel, Ben  Peck, David Potts, Mitch Puma, Kathy Qian, Astha Rastogi, Kathy Ren, Nikki Richardson, Maddy Ring, Samantha Segerman, Alexander Shearer, KC Shen, Aditya Singh, Ben Smith, Josh Suguitan, Dennis Sweeney, Evan Urbanowicz, Sam Varner, Josephine Waller, Emily Wang, Drew Weaver, Jordan Woodward and Shirley Yang.

8^th Grade

Nicole Baah, Toni Bizzarro, Kara Blumberg, Nina Bredemeier, Jake Broekema, Allison Bruns, Alex Chung, Josh Damge, Michael Darby, Jessie  Dibb, Kaitlynn Dirr, Lenox Emmert, James Enouen, Andrew Gao, Drew Grisham, Max  Harper, Olivia Headley, Tyler Henry, Chris Hessler, Emily Kearney, Pamela Knesel, Frances Kraimer, Jeffrey Li, Nick  Marino, Emily Miller, Dennison Min, Jordyn Mitchell, Danielle Morey, Shreya Nalluri, Andrew Neal, Ally Peebles, Brandon Reffitt, Alejandro Rivera, Tim Romer, Zach Rudy, Vivek Saini, Anthony Scoburgh, Lauren Shropshire, Michael  Shu, Lexi Suttner, George  Valcarcel, Madelyn Wilkinson, Megan Wolff, Austin Woodruff, Ryan Worley and Kevin Yang.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: arts, kyle young, mason middle school, music, ohio music educator's association, omea, solo and ensemble festival

Kindergarteners (l to r) Audrey Timler , Aly Johnson, and Abby Fudge read a book together during Literacy Week at King of Kings preschool in Mason on Monday, April 23, 2012. The Enquirer/Leigh Taylor

Children at King of Kings Preschool in Mason are celebrating Literacy Week this week.  The week’s theme is “Lasso a Good Book,” with many of the students wearing Western-style attire.  Students gather each morning to listen to a story and sing songs together.  The Enquirer’s Leigh Taylor lassoed these photos on Monday.  Click on each image to see a larger resolution version.

Posted in: Schools |

Tags: Tags: king of kings preschool, lasso a good book, literacy week, photos

Michael D. Clark reports:

Continuing a trend of recent years Mason school officials Tuesday announced another round of job cuts totaling about $1.6 million for next school year.

The Mason school board unanimously approved the elimination of 39.5 positions next school year, including 17 teaching jobs with some job losses brought on by a consolidation of schools.

The latest round of budget reductions in Mason schools, which has an annual operating budget of $100 million, brings to $6 million in reductions since the 2010-2011 school year.

These cuts now total 108 school jobs eliminated in the last two school years.

Mason Schools Superintendent Gail Kist-Kline said it was with “great sadness” that she proposed the latest down-sizing.

The cuts in the last two school years have been largely among non-teaching personnel. Teaching jobs have been reduced by 37 positions or 5 percent of all cuts – the lowest percentage of reductions among the various types of school jobs eliminated, she said.

“By making the tough decisions now,” Kist-Kline told the board “we have tried to protect those that are closest to our students.”

The consolidation of Mason Heights Elementary into Western Row Elementary and Mason Early Education Center next school year will also save $700,000 during the 2012-2013 school year, said officials.

And, said Kist-Kline, the $6 million in total reductions during the last two school years has helped to keep Mason from asking residents for any new school tax hike for the rest of 2012.

Posted in: Schools |

Tags: Tags: budget, gail kist-kline, jobs, mason early education center, mason heights elementary, mason school board, mason schools, reductions, teachers, western row elementary

Mason Mayor David Nichols recently took time to read to third grade students at Mason Heights Elementary. Photo provided

Mason’s mayor recently took some time to connect with the city’s youngest residents.

Mayor David Nichols read the book “Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor” to third grade students at Mason Heights Elementary.

“Mayor Nichols was outstanding with the kids – he did great special voices for the characters in the book, and we all loved having him at Mason Heights,” said Eric Messer, school principal.

Nichols spoke to students about the importance of reading and answered a few questions about his job as mayor.  When asked about the best part of his job, the mayor replied, “Helping people.  Always help people when you can.”

Posted in: Schools |

Tags: Tags: books, david nichols, mason, mason heights elementary, mayor, read, students

Mason Middle School announced its April Students of the Month.

One boy and girl from each team are honored monthly for showing good character.  Honored students are treated to a breakfast with their teachers, parents and school staff by the Mason Kiwanis Club.

This month’s standout students are: Diana Aguilar, Sneha Ameya, Natalie Anderson, Jennifer Asher, Jake Bradley, Sarah Brossart, Thomas Burt, Matt Busch, Madison Giessler, McKenzie Goudy, Christopher Hessler, Lauren Hester, Michael Jones

Jocelyn Kang, Elijah Kelly, Emily Kienzler, Sara Kinkaid, Claire Kohler, Ashley Kramer, Heather Lang, Jacob Langbein, Sophie Lebowitz, Kimmia Lyon, Andrew MacLean, Logan McCormick, Brendan McHugh, Maddie Paraskos, Brianna Porter,

Josh Rennekamp, Billy Rook, Matthew Russell, Jason Satterthwaite, Katarina Schneiderman, Sydney Sinchek, Evan Smith, Corey Sullivan, Michael Thamann, Sriharsha Voleti and Spencer Walsh.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: april, mason kiwanis club, mason middle school, students of the month

The William Mason High School Marching Band, shown here performing at the Bands of America Grand National Finals in November, has been named the recipient of the 2011 Sudler Shield. Photo provided

The Mason Marching Band has been awarded the prestigious Sudler Shield award for outstanding band programs.

The international award, administered by the John Phillip Sousa Foundation, recognizes high school and youth marching bands worldwide that demonstrate excellence in musical performance, execution, choreography and show design.

“This international award is the highest honor a marching band program can receive,” said Mason band director Robert Bass.

• Photos: Mason Marching Band performances

The band will be formally recognized at an awards ceremony and concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22 at Mason High School.

Sudler Shield Chairman W. Dale Warren, of the University of Arkansas, will serve as special guest conductor and presenter of the award.  Members of the marching band and the Mason Wind Symphony Orchestra will perform.

The award is the latest accolade for the esteemed band, which finished tenth in the nation and was the top-placing Ohio band at the Bands of America Grand National finals held last fall in Indianapolis. 

Before that, the band placed top in their class at the Mid-States Band Association championship and was one of two bands selected to participate in The Best of the Midwest concert at New York City’s Carnegie Hall last year.

Mason’s Wind Symphony Orchestra received the Sudler Flag of Honor in 2008, becoming the first Ohio band to win the award.  Mason is now just one of 14 bands across the world and the only Ohio band to boast the honor of having received both the Sudler Flag and Shield, according to Bass.

To be eligible for the Sudler Shield, bands must submit a DVD of a performance from the current season, a resume or fact sheet about the program and the band director must have served as director for the past five years.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: marching band, mason high school, mason wind symphony orchestra, robert bass, sudler shield, william mason high school marching band

Mason Middle School’s Power of the Pen teams swept more than 40 Cincinnati area teams to win the regional Power of the Pen tournament held last month at Princeton Junior High School.

More than 100 students competed in the writing competition for seventh- and eighth-graders. Students are judged at three levels: district, regional and state.

In each round – there are three – students are given a prompt, which they do not know in advance, and 40 minutes to write. Winners receive trophies and medallions as well as education-based prizes, such as scholarships or publication.

“Our Comet Writers performed spectacularly, coming in first overall, something we have done every year (except one) since 2002,” said Melody Riggs, a language arts teacher and team coach.

Seventh grade team members include: Duncan MacKenzie, Jenna Montes, Anna Mumma, Sadie Phillips, and Jessica Sommerville.  Jenna, Sadie and Jessica will advance to the state tournament.

Eighth grade team members include: Gina Deaton, Lily Lu, Abbey Marshall, Katarina Schneiderman, and Radhika Upadhye.

The eighth grade team also placed first in its grade level.  Katarina, Lily and Radhika all qualified for the state tournament.  Radhika also received a “Best of the Best” award for her work.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: comets, mason, mason middle school, power of the pen, princeton junior high, regional

Incoming Summit freshman class. Photo provided

Two Mason teens are among 10 Summit Country Day students honored for receiving alumni scholarships.

Jacob Beardslee is the recipient of the Johnny Warrington Memorial Scholarship.  The scholarship is in memory of the Summit Country Day senior who died shortly before his graduation in 2005.

Margaret “Maggie” Fisk is the second student to be awarded the AJ Cohen Memorial Scholarship, which honors a Summit alumni who died in a house fire in 2000.  The four-year scholarship is awarded every four years.

Maggie will throw out the first pitch at the AJ Cohen Memorial Baseball tournament set for April 19 at the school.  An avid volleyball player, Maggie is editor of the St. Margaret student newspaper, where she is in the eighth grade, and volunteers for a local nursing home.

The two Mason students are also among 50 Summit students to receive merit- or endowed scholarships.  Students were selected on the basis of high academic achievement, test scores, character references, teacher recommendations, community service work and an individual interview and essay.

“These students are committed scholars who have shown dedication to high academic standards, community service and leadership,” said Rich Wilson, head of school. “As they move into our Upper School, they already are among Cincinnati’s highest achieving teens.”

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: aj cohen memorial baseball tournament, aj cohen memorial scholarship, jacob beardslee, johnny warrington memorial scholarship, maggie fisk, margaret fisk, scholarships, summit country day school

The Kiwanis Club of Mason recently honored Nicole Rojas as its March Student of the Month.

The Mason High School senior was nominated by her science teacher and National Honor Society advisor, Barb Shuba.

After being inducted into the honor society in the spring of her sophomore year, Rojas proposed a Lunch Buddy program in which society members eat lunch with one of the school’s special needs students once a week.

“This established a wonderful relationship between these students and created a very special experience for all children,” said Shuba.

The honors student plans to attend either the University of Michigan or The Ohio State University in the fall and major in engineering.

The Kiwanis Club presented Rojas with a certificate and $50 check.  She is the daughter of Tony and Barbara Rojas of Mason.

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: kiwanis club of mason, mason high school, national honor society, nicole rojas, student of the month

Seven Mason High School will represent the school at the annual Buckeye Boys and Girls State programs this summer.

Sponsored by the American Legion, the week-long summer programs help students develop leadership skills and learn about the government and civics.

Selected boys include: Michael Knight, Ryan Lyons, Gus Uecker and Sam Whipple.

Selected girls include: Molly Frankel, Rhea Malhotra and Tina Zhang.

Students were nominated by their social studies teachers and interviewed by representatives of American Legion Post 194 in Mason.

Boys State: (front row) Ryan Lyons, Sam Whipple (back row) Gus Uecker and Michal Knight

Girls State: (left to right) Rhea Malhotra, Molly Frankel, Rina Zhang

Posted in: Schools, Student achievements |

Tags: Tags: american legion, american legion post 194, buckeye boys state, buckeye girls state, gus uecker, mason, mason high school, michael knight, molly frankel, rhea malhotra, ryan lyons, sam whipple, tina zhang