Anthony Wayne students recently underwent state testing – and Superintendent Kevin Herman is confident they will perform well. But student success goes beyond test scores, he told the Anthony Wayne Board of Education during its April 13 meeting.
To illustrate that success, Herman welcomed student athletes, musicians and other groups to speak to the board.
Athletics
During the meeting, Athletic Director John Snyder shared that 196 high school and 118 junior high athletes participated in athletics this winter. That’s 41 percent of all 7-12 students. Of those, 47 percent are female and 53 percent male.
Leah Pike made school history as the first female student-athlete to earn a spot on the AW All-Ohio wall, after she earned First Team All-Ohio in women’s basketball. She is also on the wall for volleyball. She and her twin sister, Mallory, are heading to Ball State University, where they will play collegiate basketball.
In addition, the dance team earned the OASSA state championship, and the cheer team earned the America’s Cheerleading Cup national championship and the OASSA state championship for game day build. The girls basketball team and girls swim and dive team both earned Northern Lakes League (NLL) championships. The boys swim and dive team ended the season as NLL runner-up and Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSSA) state championship qualifiers. The gymnastics team were district runner-up and OHSSA state championship qualifiers.
Band
After a performance by the Symphonic Winds’ Brass Choir, Band Director Roy Young gave an update on the program, which has 456 students in grades 5-12 who are in band, including 161 in the high school, 120 in the junior high, and 175 in the middle school.
The 150-member Marching Generals perform in numerous parades throughout the community and will perform at Disney World this year. In total, band performances are held at least 60 times a year.
In 2026, 16 junior high and 10 high school students were chosen for the Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) District 1 Honors Band. Since 2009, 16 students have been selected for OMEA All State Ensembles. Evey Bringolf played with the All-State Band in Columbus.The band participated in 83 solo and ensemble adjudicated events, earning 58 superior ratings and 22 excellent ratings.
Showing a photo of five graduates who are now members of The Ohio State University Marching Band, Young said the best part of his job is seeing his students move on to take their band experiences to the next level.
DECA
Becky Stutz, the Anthony Wayne-Penta teacher who is advisor for the student career tech organization DECA, shared how 18 students will be headed to Atlanta for DECA’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC) next week. Billy Dean, Alex Bischoff, Arjun Jayaraman, Aradhya Mutumula, AJ Rea ,Garrett Smith, Maddock Hires, Miley Denman, Lydia Fabian, Ellison Lopez, Sophia Huhn, Madeline Johnson, Dalia Shordt, Brady Wells, Brady Zare, Josie Phillips and Ava Wepler will compete with students from around the country. Stutz, a 1987 graduate who was involved in DECA during her high school years, has taught business and led DECA programs for 33 years and will retire next month.
Purple Star Generals
Christine Young, who serves as a liaison for military families in the district, shares how April is the month of the military child – a time to recognize and honor the role that the children of military members play.
“When a service member serves, the entire family serves. Our students carry that reality with them, and we are better for having them in our schools,” she said. “As conflicts arise around the world, many of our families face the reality of deployment, extended time apart and the uncertainty that comes with it. These moments are not just experienced by the service member – they are felt deeply at home, in our classrooms and throughout our community.”
The district supports 97 students who have a parent or guardian currently serving, along with 37 students who have siblings in the military. Another 247 have a parent who is a veteran, and four students have experienced the loss of a loved one in the line of duty.
“These are not just numbers – they are stories of resilience, sacrifice and unwavering dedication,” Young said.
To support these students, each of the district’s buildings has a Purple Star Liaison, who provides support for the students through programs that encourage understanding, empathy and belonging. Young asked the community – including neighbors and local business members – to support military families.
The community is welcome to attend a military signing ceremony on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium, as seniors who plan to serve in the military after graduation are recognized.
“Let’s come together to ensure these young men and women see just how proud we are of their decision and how deeply our community stands behind them,” she said.
Ray Greene named treasurer
After nearly 20 years as district treasurer, Kerri Johnson announced her retirement effective July 31. Ray Greene, who has served as assistant treasurer since August 2022, was named treasurer during the meeting. As assistant, Greene helped manage the district’s financial operations, budgeting and fiscal planning.
“Ray has been an integral member of our financial team and has earned the trust and respect of staff, administrators, and the Board of Education,” Herman said. “His experience, professionalism, and dedication to fiscal responsibility make him exceptionally well prepared to lead the district’s financial operations into the future.”
Greene came to the district with a resume that includes teaching high school students in advanced economics, business law, marketing, accounting and web design; assistant baseball coach for NCAA Division I and II universities; a masters of education in educational technology and an MBA in general management.
The board thanked Johnson for her years of service and leadership. During her tenure, the district earned multiple Auditor of State Awards, recognizing the district’s commitment to accurate financial reporting, sound internal controls, and responsible management of public funds.
During the meeting, the board also:
-Authorized the treasurer to advertise for bids for the junior high kitchen and HVAC improvement project, with monies from the Food Service Fund.
-Approved the newly created job of behavior specialist. While the district contracts with the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West to have an individual in that role two days a week, Herman said having a full-time specialist who is part of staff will be beneficial.
-Accepted the resignations of Whitehouse cafeteria/playground aide Nita Haas and high school science teacher Corbin Genson, and the retirements of high school teacher Lisa Ernsthausen and food service secretary Brenda Cohrs.
-Approved the hiring of Wendy Jacoby, junior high cook, and John Hursh, junior high physical education teacher.
