“Convocation is one of those rare moments when we’re all in the same place,” stated senior Ian Chang during the August 22 all-school gathering in the Senior Quad. His fellow Student Council Co-President Allison Frickel added: “Together we create a community that makes Academy so special.”
The morning gathering started with Head of School Melissa Soderberg welcoming all students, faculty and staff to the formal beginning of Columbus Academy’s 115th school year.
“I’m specifically sending a warm welcome to the 160 new students among us and eight new faculty and staff,” Soderberg stated. “We hope you come to love your time here with us. We are going to do everything within our power to help you feel like you belong here.”
Classes began on August 18 with 1,164 students representing 55 different zip codes in and around Central Ohio.
New faculty and staff members included Kelly Cheresnick (Kindergarten), Dan Ginis (Director of Major and Planned Gifts), Brad Hilgert (US Spanish), Sylvie Kademian (MS Science), Kelley Skahan (MS Math), Christopher Swartz (Second Grade Associate), Aaron Wagner (US Math) and Hannah White (LS Speech Therapist).
During the ceremony, two faculty members were recognized for reaching their 20th year of service to the school: Director of Special Programs Alyssa King and STEM/Innovation Lead and Makerspace Coordinator Todd Martin.
Also, Amy Seymore (MS Language Arts & Director of Junior Speeches) was announced as the new Sumner F. Dennett Master Chair in English, and Dr. Sumona Ghosh Lester ’99 (US Science) was named as the new Dedger and Rose Jones Master Chair in Science.
A highlight of the morning was a surprise gift for John Exline ’64, who is retiring next June at the conclusion of his 58th year teaching history and economics at Columbus Academy. With the help of alumna Jay Whitney, custom clothier at Threadwell Clothiers in New Albany, a sport coat in school colors customized with photos of Exline in the lining was presented to him as students and colleagues gave him a standing ovation for his incredible dedication and service to Academy.
Convocation concluded with the pairing of Senior-Kindergarten Buddies. This popular tradition involves the kindergartners walking out of the ceremony hand-in-hand with their senior buddies on the way to the playground to begin their new and lasting friendship.