2008-2009 Year in Review

Lakewood High School is committed to excellence, and we are proud of our students, many of whom received special recognition for their outstanding efforts and achievements this year:

Several LHS seniors were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship program: 

1. Semifinalists named in September:  Thealexa Becker, Matthew Huffman, Peter Malonis, Rebecca McKinsey, Christopher Murrett, and Daniel Pizzo. 
2. Commended Scholars named in September:  Nicole Furtado, Benjamin Gallovic, Alec Jokubaitis,  and Julia Millman.
3. Finalists named in January:  Thealexa Becker, Matthew Huffman, Christopher Murrett, Peter Malonis, and Daniel Pizzo.

National Merit corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship

1. Over 270 companies and businesses finance National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who meet their specific criteria.  Matthew Huffman was awarded the National Merit Fifth-Third Scholarship.

National Merit college-sponsored Merit Scholarship

1. About 200 colleges and universities underwrite college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships in each annual competition.  These scholarships are reserved for Finalists who plan to attend a particular college or university.  Peter Malonis was awarded the National Merit University of Chicago Scholarship. 

~Congratulations to all of these students who distinguished themselves among a national pool of candidates.~

1. The Ohio Department of Education recently announced that Christopher Murrett has been awarded one of the 2009-2010 Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships. This program, which is federally funded and state administered, recognizes exceptionally able high school seniors who show promise of continued excellence in postsecondary education. 108 graduating high school seniors from the state of Ohio were chosen based upon demonstrated academic achievement in high school.
2. The American Legion Post 451 selected juniors Kaitlin Stevelak  and Greg Culley to represent LHS this summer at Buckeye Boys and Girls State, a program of leadership through governance. 
3. Junior Mary Beth Donahoe was selected to represent LHS at the 2008-09 “Look Up To Cleveland” program, which is dedicated to preparing students for constructive and responsible leadership in community affairs.
4. Senior Thealexa Becker  received Honorable Mention by the Plain Dealer Senior Standout program, which highlights the regions most promising high school scholars. 
5. Through the generous donations of several college alumni associations, book awards are presented to outstanding English language/literature high school juniors.  Erin Carney receivedthe Smith College Book Award and Sarah McKinsey received the Wellesley Book Award.  The English Department also honored senior Sarah Jawhari with the Creative Writing Award and junior Greg Culley with the John Mitchell Book Award.
6. Senior Christopher Murrett was selected to receive the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa award for outstanding scholarship.
7. For excellence in science, the following juniors were recognized:  Sarah Watkins received the Bausch and Lomb award, Zachary Urbach received the Cleveland Technical Society award and Erin Carney  received the Colorado School of Mines award.
8. The Rensselaer Award was given to junior Ino Gjermeni for excellence in math.
9. The Frederick Douglass/Susan B. Anthony Humanities and Social Sciences Award was given to junior Sarah Speice for excellence in social studies.
10. Juniors Megan Saunders and Michael Yee received the West Point Leadership Award
11. Junior Greg Culley attended the Summer Leadership Seminar at the US Military Academy at West Point.
12. Sophomore Nicole Dashiell was selected as the LHS HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) representative.

 Congratulations to these students and to all students who worked to achieve their best this year.  Have a wonderful summer!

This website is intended to be a service to you—please do not hesitate to offer suggestions to improve it. I look forward to working with you and your student(s) over these next few years.

ProProfs.com Educational FREEway by Professionals & Professors: a free and open online resource with quality educational aids for students and self-learners.

Reading: "SAVING THE SMART KIDS" by John Cloud, et al. Time, September 27, 2004. The concept of grade skipping (acceleration) among gifted students and the importance of giving challenging work to high-ability children.

Note: Direct link to article is accessible in Ohio public libraries. Outside the library, use your library card to retrieve articles in Ohio Web Library. Cut and paste the article title into the search box.