Calendar of Events
5/21:High School Senior Awards Assembly, 7 p.m. (HHS) 5/29: Medina County Career Center Awards Assembly
5/30: HHS Graduation Practice, 9 a.m.
6/2: Highland Commencement, 4 p.m. (EJ Thomas Hall, Akron)
6/5: Last Day for Students; End of 4th Grading Period
6/6: Staff Day

Latest News:

Ready to Play at Collegiate Level
Highland seniors Joe Simonis, Paige Springhetti and Caleb Ernshaw have each accepted scholarships to play sports on the collegiate level. Simonis, (left) and Ernshaw will attend and play football at Baldwin Wallace, a Division III school. Both three-year lettermen in football, Simonis, a kicker, was named to 1st Team All-District and 1st Team All-Suburban League and All-County, while Ernshaw, a middle linebacker, was also named to All-Suburban League. Simonis also lettered in soccer two years and Ernshaw was a four-year letterman in track. Ernshaw plans to major in pre-dentistry and is the son of Scott and Elizabeth Ernshaw of Sharon Township. Simonis will major in international business and is the son of Randy and Jen Simonis of Hinckley. Paige (center) will attend Ohio Wesleyan University, also a D-III school, where she will run track. A four-year letterman and sprinter, Paige was the recipient of the Coaches Award for Leadership, was named All-League for four years, as well as All-District. She is undecided on her major at this time. She is the daughter of Juli and Bob Springhetti of Granger.
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Important Notice:
Caps & Gowns will be distributed at HHS on May 21. (If your student still owes school fees, their cap/gown will be withheld until payment is received in full. Please check the balance of your student's fees by clicking on the Parent Portal tab from the HHS website and going to the Pay For It Tab).
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Kluk Headed to Findlay University
Highland senior Adam Kluk has accepted an athletic scholarship to Findlay University, where he plans to wrestle for the Division II school. A four-time state wrestling qualifier and three-time state placer, Kluk, a pillar of the Highland wrestling program, was named All-Suburban League, All-Gazette and was recently named a Plain Dealer Wrestling All-Star. In addition, he won the Bill Dies Memorial Tournament, the North Canton Holiday Tournament, Sectionals and Districts and placed 3rd in Division I. He placed 5th at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman. Also a three-year letterman in football, Kluk plans to major in business or accounting. Pictured with Adam are his parents, Brian and Lora Kluk of Sharon Township, and his brother Austin, a freshman at Highland High School. Congratulations!
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Several Perform with AYS
Several Highland High School students performed during a concert on May 5 at Barberton High School with the Akron Youth Symphony. Pictured from left are Andrew Tatman, senior, tuba; Mason Rorapaugh, senior, trumpet; Alexis Trout, senior, French horn; Julieanne Moore, junior, French horn; Victoria von Harten, sophomore, violin. Akron Youth Symphony (AYS) is the Akron Youth Orchestras’ flagship ensemble and one of Ohio’s oldest youth orchestras. It presents three concerts each year at multiple venues and provides talented young musicians with an unforgettable, professional musical experience in their formative adolescent years. The orchestra celebrated its 50th anniversary by traveling to New York City and performing a concert in Carnegie Hall. AYS members also have the chance to participate in a Chamber Music program coached by Akron Symphony Orchestra musicians. This provides students with the unique experience of performing more intimate music on a smaller scale. Members may compete in an annual Concerto Competition, apply for scholarships for college and summer music festivals, and collaborate with area youth orchestras within and beyond Ohio.

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Destination: Highland High School
One of the best high schools in the nation

Highland High School has been named one of “America’s Best High Schools” by Newsweek in its 2013 ranking, released on May 6, 2013.  (This news is not affiliated with the US News and World Report of last week). Newsweek highlights the best 2,000 public high schools in the nation that have proven to be the most effective in turning out college-ready graduates. Highland High School is the only Medina County school and one of only 77 schools in Ohio to make the list.  

“This new ranking serves as confirmation to our families and our community that we are not only one of the best high schools in Ohio, but in the nation. Our student achievement, across the board, has never been higher in the history of the school district,” stated Superintendent Catherine Aukerman. “To be ranked among the ‘best of the best’ is truly an honor that everyone in the community should be proud of. While this is a tribute to our high school, it also acknowledges the work of our students and teachers in all grade levels who prepare our students to be successful in high school and beyond.”

“We have amazing students and staff here at Highland High School and our achievements speak for themselves,” noted Principal Dana Addis. “On a daily basis, many people interact with our students in a manner which effectively produces great days. Because of each of their efforts, our students can not only enjoy the experience of school, but can accomplish at such a high level.”  During the 2011-12 school year, 87 percent of Highland graduates were college bound. Additionally, Highland boasts an average SAT score of 1684, an average ACT score of 23.7 and an average score of 3.7 on Advanced Placement tests. To view the article in its entirety, please select the following link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/2013/americas-best-high-schools.html. Here, you will be able to explore the list, see the methodology behind the ranking and read about the top schools.

Congratulations to our students, staff and families for being part of this prestigious honor.
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Golf Scramble is June 2
The Highland Golf Scramble is set for Sunday, June 2 at Pine Hills Golf Course. Shotgun start at 1 p.m.; registration begins at noon. Cost is $100 and includes 18 holes with cart, lunch, steak dinner, Highland microfiber golf towel and beverages. This is a four-person scramble that will benefit the Highland golf program and is tax exempt. Space is limited to the first 25 teams. For more information and registration form, please download the attached flyer.  2013 Highland Golf Scramble
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Students Devour Competition En Route to Scholarship
Highland High School had two teams compete recently in the JA Titan Challenge at Akron University. One team consisted of Jacob Prokop, David Downey and Matt Svoboda. Another team consisted of Brennan Scott, Jordan Frederick and Nick Giachetti. The teams of three had to manage their own virtual business and react to changes in market conditions. The team of Scott, Frederick and Giachetti placed 1st out 21 competing teams. The students would like to thank their mentor, Jorge Alfaro, for assisting them during the qualifying round. Each student received a $400 scholarship to the school of their choice. Congratulations!
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HHS Ranked Among Top Schools
Highland High School has earned a Silver Medal and an impressive ranking of 75th in Ohio out of 892 high schools and 1377th out of 21,035 in the Nation in US News and World Reports' Best School Rankings. US News pulls data from college readiness and proficiency exams, such as Advanced Placement and Ohio Graduation Test examinations. Highland High School has increased its percentage of students who were exposed to AP  courses from 25% to 29%, while maintaining a high passage rate of 89%. Of the numerous Ohio schools ranked in 2013 among the U.S. News Best High Schools, 19 were awarded gold medals, 106 earned silver medals and 109 received bronze medals.
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Pries Headed to Wooster on Scholarship
Highland senior Jacob Pries has accepted an academic scholarship to the College of Wooster, where he plans to play baseball for the Division III school. Jacob signed his letter of intent on April 17 at the college. A three-year letterman in baseball, Jacob has pitched for the Hornets for the past four years and was named to All-Medina County and All-Suburban League teams. He is the son of Dave and Mishele Pries of Wadsworth. Congratulations!
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Highland Swimming Approved for 2013-14
Highland Swimming has been approved for interscholastic high school competition for the entire 2013-14 swim season. Meets are currently being scheduled with Suburban League and other high schools and will include Suburban League Championships and OHSAA State Tournament. For more information, please visit highlandswimming.org or contact Brian Skidmore at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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Outstanding Seniors Recognized
Kudos to Highland High School seniors Cassandra Wissel (attends MCCC), AnnMarie Kirchner and Austin Adams who were honored on April 19 at the annual Medina County Share Cluster Breakfast at Williams on the Lake in Medina. They were recognized as "Outstanding Seniors" acknowledging their positive efforts as Peer Leaders in the education and prevention programs in the Highland Local Schools.
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