The past school year was very challenging for staff and students. Withrow’s staff took the opportunity to create new and different ways to engage students in learning, and Withrow’s students created new experiences for student activities. Below is a pictorial review of life at Withrow from April through October this year. Enjoy.
April 2021
What: Credit Recovery Bootcamp
Where: Withrow Small gym (April 16 & 17) Senior wing (April 17)
Because of COVID-19 and the challenges of remote learning, Seniors who were credit deficient worked on Edgenuity to earn the credits they needed for graduation.
What: Taking Care of Business Senior Appreciation Week
Where: Gym, track, and auditorium
While students who were credit deficient worked on getting caught up, we had a celebration for those kids who had been “taking care of business” even during a pandemic. On the 15th we did staff vs student dodgeball in the gym followed by ice cream. On the 16th we had a taco bar lunch for eligible seniors. On the 17th we had awards and goodie bags for the students.
What: Prom Fashion Show
Where: Withrow Auditorium
Nine girls and nine boys were outfitted by local vendors for this season’s prom looks. They did a fashion show for the juniors and seniors in the auditorium. The girls were dressed by David’s Bridal. The boys were dressed by Crowned King Apparel.
What: Credit Recovery Bootcamp Part 2
When: April 27-29, 8:00am-10:37am
Who: Seniors who have credit recovery that is incomplete
What: Senior Lock-In
When: April 30, 8pm-7am (Saturday)
Where: Withrow Gym
May 2021
What: Quarterly Biology Breakfast
Where: Room 1223
For 10th-12th science students who have a C or better in science class. Students are able to enjoy a brunch of pancakes, fruit, eggs, and sausage.
What: MD Units Learn about Cicadas!!!
Where: MD Students learn about Cicadas in the classroom and outdoors around Withrow’s Campus.
What: Senior Appreciation Week
-Staff vs student volleyball and basketball games in the gym.
-Senior Awards Day in the auditorium
-Senior Field Day–Luau on the field. We had inflatable games and bouncy houses as well as life connect four, tic-tac-toes, checkers, and yahtzee. We grilled out hamburgers and hotdogs with green beans, mac-n-cheese, and chips for sides.
What: MD and AU Classrooms 1st Annual Field Day
MD and AU Classrooms Participated in the 1st Annual Field Day (Working on Social and Communication Skills)
What: Senior Bridgewalk
Where: Withrow Bridge and Campus
What: Senior Prom
Where: Withrow – Tent on the Field
What: Sunday Senior Brunch
Where: The tent on the field
Seniors came back on the Sunday after Prom with their dates or a parent for a catered brunch to cap-off prom weekend.
What: Graduation Rehearsal – Class of 2021
Where: UC’s Fifth Third Arena
What: Graduation – Withrow Class of 2021
Where: UC’s Fifth Third Arena
What: Class of 2021 Scholarship Recipients
Ryan Moore and Anton Fant, left photo, and Mwetaminwa Mteula, right photo receive Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation Certificate of Achievement
Aleny Moreno – Accepted to UC Engineering Program where she will study Computer Engineering. Aleny received scholarships for her 1st year at UC and was a Book scholarship recipient
Refugee Connect Scholarship
Ida Mteultwa, left photo, and Mwetaminwa Mteulwa, right photo, received Refugee Connect Scholarships
Withrow Cook Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Mwetaminwa Mteulwa
Anton Fant
Withrow Leadership Scholarship Award Recipients
Destiney Giles-Latimer
Zakiyah Willis
Ariyana Blunt
Jobs for Cincinnati Grads (JCG) Award Recipient
Aryiana Blunt won first place in the State of Ohio in Decision-making for The Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates competition.
June 2021
What: Summer Scholars Enrichment Program
Where: Withrow University High School
August 2021
What: Botany Classroom Garden
Where: Outside room 1223 by the front and side of the building
The outdoor garden will be used to grow produce year round for students to use to make lunch on a weekly basis. As the project continues, we want to have enough produce to sell at the farmers market. Students will be responsible for maintaining keep track of what is planted and what was sold.
September 2021
What: Microhabitats around the bridge
We are working to clean out under the bridge. Once it is cleaned out we want to establish microhabitats to attract pollinators. These gardens will contain species Native to Ohio. We are working with UC’s Dr. Barry Kew to design these green spaces. Our first presentation with the grad students is Thursday, October 14th in the Withrow Auditorium.
What: Student Senate
Where: Withrow University High School, grades 7-12
Students in grades 7-12 had to get student recommendations, campaign, and give speeches prior to the student body casting their ballots. We have 4 members from each grade level, as well as an executive body made of the president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary (all seniors). We meet on the first and third Monday of the month after school. Some of the agenda items students want to focus on: school spirit, increasing the number of clubs and activities in the building, more school dances, better attendance for sporting events. Students want to design t-shirts for each grade level. These can be worn on Fridays.
October 2021
What: Girls to Women Club
Where: Room 1223
Girls to Women is a girl’s empowerment and leadership group. We work to support and raise each other up as students continue to navigate a global pandemic. We work on leadership and communication skills so students are more prepared to be successful as they begin their lives after graduation. Guest speakers from the community will come in to talk to the girls about being women in the workforce. Some of the activities the girls want to focus on: easier access to feminine hygiene products in the bathrooms, how to mentor younger girls in our building and get them focused on their education, and skills needed to be future entrepreneurs.
What: AP Physics Projectile Lab
Because of Ms. Burns’ ingenuity, students are using Just Excel to analyze data from their Nerf Projectile Lab. Additionally, physics students will participate in a culminating project of designing and building generators. Ms. Burns goes over and above to make science fun!
What: Homecoming Parade 2021
Where: Madison to Dana Ave
Homecoming Parade to kick off Homecoming weekend. We left via Kendall ave and marched down Madison ave through to Dana Ave. This is the student senate float.
What: Homecoming Dance–Neon Nighties
Where: School Gym
150 juniors and seniors attended the homecoming dance to finish off homecoming weekend.
What: Lunchtime Sewing Club
Lunch time sewing club. Students are learning to sew dresses and shirts out of pillowcases for children in Haiti. This project is teaching measurement skills, perseverance, problem solving, and service to others.
What: Classroom Math – Golf is for Everyone
Mr. Jon Camp and his wife Mrs. DeeAnn Camp are teaching students at Withrow the game of golf. Dr. Webb’s classroom has been transformed into a mini golf training facility. Students are learning integers in math and using golf to master the concept. It’s a great way to make the math meaning, get some movement in to fuel the brain and practice golf.
What: Withrow String Orchestra
The orchestra program is designed to assist any student with the desire to study one of the orchestral string instruments. This includes the Violin, Viola, Cello, and the Double Bass. Students do not need prior experience just a strong desire with determination to practice and focus. In addition the students who study strings are usually among the top ranked students in our school in which they participate in many activities. All of the students in the senior string class receives private instruction via grant money from the Ben Carlson Berne Foundation which helps provide positive one-on-one or ensemble lessons with our students.
What: High School of Business – DECA Club (Distributive Education Clubs of America)
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. It is encouraged that every Withrow student who takes a business course should participate in DECA.
DECA sponsors business-topic competitions at various levels. Schools have the opportunity to advance to district, then state and the ultimate at nationals. The DECA Competitive Events directly contribute to every student being college and career ready when they graduate from high school.
District Competition Representatives
Savion Cornett Hubbard – 11th Grade
Subasna Tamang – 11th Grade
Paula Nieves Reyes – 12th Grade
Kamya Thomas – 11th Grade
Tyler Crawford – 11th Grade
State/National Competition Representatives
Tyler Crawford went on to compete at the state level and placed 12th. In addition, three students won a national bronze certification for running a real vending machine in our lunchroom – Paula Nieves, Tyler Crawford and Savion Cornett Hubbard.
This year, DECA students are using the fall semester for community service such as providing speakers for Hispanic Heritage Month and to compete in the Stock Market Games. Withrow’s top team is currently ranked 17th out of 537 teams in the Central Region. Kudos to Leshawn Huckleby, Evan Browner and Nathaniel Tomas Sapp.
The 21-22 academic competitions will begin in December. Stay tuned!
What: English Second Language Learners (ESL)
Xavier University- Muskie Tigers – Xavier university students come 2 times a week after school and do homework tutoring and as well as special events for those ESL students who participate.
