As the sun broke through the lingering rain clouds, 94 Columbus City Schools students were named the "Best All-Around" by the Columbus Youth Foundation, a celebration held at Huntington Park which also featured lively music from East High School's band and complimentary dime-a-dogs, according to a recent Columbus City Schools report.
The accolade, which spans across various disciplines including sports, music, robotics, student government, and community service, was given to students who showcased qualities of leadership, integrity, and ambition Cary Cordell, Columbus Scioto Principal said these students "strive for excellence, do a great job, and our leaders in the buildings," according to the CCS report.
Among the recognized students were members of the CCS Superintendent's Student Ambassadors program, which provides students opportunities to engage with district leaders, share their experiences and contribute to their school's culture and climate; “It's really important to me to set a good example,” Superintendent Student Ambassador and South High School freshman Ebenezer Vasquez Fuentes told Columbus City Schools, “Even as a freshman, I want to show the students at my school that you can get a chance to be great.”
Mia Prewitt, Supervisor for Student Leadership and Engagement, expressed that this recognition serves as a confidence booster for the students, it is a way to affirm that they are on the right path and should continue to develop in their respective passions, the aim of the district is to nourish the whole student not just academically but in all aspects of life as these students exemplify the CCS Portrait of a Graduate, embodying adaptability, collaboration, civic engagement, and leadership capabilities, Dr. Amanda Mitskevich, principal at Wedgewood Middle School, also emphasized the district’s holistic approach to education: "We don’t just go in every day to teach something out of a book, we are working towards making well-rounded citizens," she stated in an interview with Columbus City Schools.
