Principal Spinnati takes medical leave

New Richmond High School principal Diana Spinnati announced Friday that she will be taking approximately six weeks medical leave for treatment of "serious medical issues."

Jim Smith, a former principal of Grant Vocational and Bethel High School as well as superintendent of Bethel Schools, has been named as interim principal according to New Richmond superintendent of schools Adam Bird.

Ms. Spinnati informed New Richmond High School students and their families of her medical leave in a letter sent home with students.

The letter follows:

Many students and parents are wondering why I have been absent several days over the past few weeks. I hope this letter will help clarify these issues and inform you as to the path for the future.

I have encountered some serious medical issues over the past several weeks. Unfortunately in order to address these issues, I must take approximately six weeks off. My hope is to return by spring break.

Mr. Bird has worked hard to ensure that what we have at New Richmond High School continues without interruption. We are happy to introduce Mr. Jim Smith as interim principal. Mr. Smith is the former superintendent of Bethel schools. He has also been a principal at Grant Vocational School as well as Bethel High School. We are pleased to have Mr. Smith and are confident the students will notice no interruptions in the educational process at the high school.

In closing I would like to thank the students, parents, and staff for their concern and well wishes. I can assure you in the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger – “I’ll be baaack”

Thank you,

Diana Spinnati

Former board member Ralph Campbell dies at age of 78; services Saturday

Former New Richmond Board of Education member Ralph Campbell died Tuesday January 24, 2012 at the age of 78.


Visitation, E.C. Nurre Funeral Home, 177 W. Main Street, Amelia on Friday from 5-8p.m. OES services at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1177 W. Ohio Pike, Amelia on Saturday January 28 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Jackson, KY.

"We are so thankful for his service to our students, schools, and community," said New Richmond superintendent of schools Adam Bird. "Mr. Campbell served the NR community 8 years as a faithful representative to the school district. On behalf of the NR Board of Education, I would like to send our condolences to his family."

"Mr. Campbell and his wife Joyce have also given many thousands of dollars in scholarships to NRHS students in memory of their son, Kevin Allen Campbell," Bird added.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, 200 W. Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 (Please indicate in memory of Kevin Allen Campbell Memorial Scholarship Fund).

Watch the 2012 Hall of Fame inductions

Joe Hawkins, Amy McMillian, Jamie McCart and Todd Wells were inducted into the New Richmond Sports Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan. 21. Click on the photo below to watch the inductions.


Right click here and select Save Target As to download the video

Monroe Elementary Awards Breakfast

Monroe Elementary held its 2nd quarter awards breakfast Friday, Jan. 20 with principal Mark Bailey honoring top students in grades 3-6.

Click on the photo below to watch the awards breakfast


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Bill Wildey retires after 29 years

After 29 years of keeping New Richmond Exempted Village School District parking lots free of ice, grassy areas neatly mowed and the building infrastructure in top shape, Bill Wildey is retiring.

The head of the district maintenance department's last working day was Wednesday, Jan. 18 when he was honored by central office and maintenance department personnel.

Bill Wildey rings the ceremonial school bell presented to him on his last day at work by NREVSD superintendent Adam Bird. Pictured to Bird’s right are district treasurer Teresa Napier and treasurer office employee Sondra Marshall.

New Richmond Elementary honor rolls

NEW RICHMOND ELEMENTARY
SECOND QUARTER HONOR ROLLS

MERIT HONOR ROLLS

3RD GRADE
Ronja Frigard, Cecilia Gilpin, Brady Jenkins and Jena Simpson.

4TH GRADE
Lynsey Kennedy, Allison Longnecker, Dakota Morris, Ruthie Richardson, Ella Calhoun, Lily Jones and Hannah Schultz.

5TH GRADE
Kaitlyn Lambert, Archer Maguire, Rachel Gastrich, Cade Heflin, Jacob Noble.

6TH GRADE
Malika Burnham, Austin Ewing, Jordyn Torrens, Kamree Nally, Elizabeth Shinkle, Lane Dees and Emerson White.

HONOR ROLLS
3RD GRADE
Caleb Adams, Kaia Bodley, Dakota Feldkamp, Madison Horton, Garrett Klein, Abigail Maness, Seth Mattingly, Jackson Miller, Kadin Pollard, Matthew Schmidt, Ethan Daniel, Cole Deavers, Riley Hawkins, Ethan Hayes, Madison Mills, Tyler Noble, Jaira Stamper, Zoey Arview, Lucky Berry, Kaylee Corbin, Dallas Duncan, Matthew Heinzman, Jacob Longnecker, Kelly Murphy, Caitlin rowan, Alden Story, Hope Wooten, Chris Kidd, Elleah Senters, and Lillian Bruner.

4TH GRADE
Hunter Arlinghaus, Andrew Baldrick, Erika Carter, paige Corbett, Chris Dizon, Hailey Leist,Jasi Stamper, Richard Admas, Wyatt Carey, Leasia Matthis, Audrey Powers, Emily Reid, McKenna Riehle, Alex Senter, Antonia Wills, Randy Hammons, Jasmine Jacobs, Kelly Naylor, Ian Vaske and Brandon Cole

5TH GRADE
Alissa Brumbaugh, Hunter Cook, Heidi Gilbert, Sean Hoagland, Heather Huff, Abigail Jones, Emily Kingm, Alexandra Olson, Bronte Reinert, Cecilia Schwalbe, Vincent Bingham, Twyla Blair, Gavin Clark, Griffin Delisle, Brody Hawkins, Maggie McDaniel, Courtney O'Connor, Aaron Prescott, TJ Ashcraft, Logan Campbell, Derick Henderson, Skyler Hounshell.

6TH GRADE
Kathryn Elam, Kohle Herrin, Mary Murphy, Sydney Payne, Blayke Murphy, Ethan Sells, Aubree Story, David Woolum, Morgan Abercrombie, Chloe Closterman, Andria Cochran, Donald Gilson, Alexis Gragg, Shane Jones, Emily Kidd, Madison Malicoat, Melissa Royce, Sarah Schwalbe, Anthony Stamm, Thane Witzak and Kacee Edwards.

Monroe Elementary honor rolls

Monroe Elementary School
Second Quarter Awards 2011-2012
4th Grade Merit Honor Roll

Jason Ackerman, Abigail Allen, Garret Corbin, Lilli Fields, Seth Fischesser, Owen Gibbs, Jonah Hanrahan, Anna Houck, Austin Houston, Emily Justice, Claudia Kennedy, Jacob Kunz, Logan Kunz, Ellie Mansfield, Jetta McCart, Samantha Pratt, Katie Rufft, Ashley Sarbell, Brandon Savage, Allison Verdin, Lydia Victor, Kailey Wehrmeyer, Lilly Wildey, Danielle Williams, Mitchell Williamson.

5th Grade Merit Honor Roll
Holly Chandler, Sophia Deardorff, Tyler Heskamp, Lindsey Hoffman, Sebastian Johnson, Matthew Laub, Carmen McDonald, Jordan McKinley, McKenzie Miller, Sawyer Scheu.

6th Grade Merit Honor Roll
Elise Bezold, Josie Blome, Nicholas Edmondson, Aaron Ellis, Jacob Heskamp, Jazmyn Hinkston, Kiae Marshall, Kara O’Toole, Trinite Patterson, Kaleigh Pratt, Faith Schuster, Rainy Stripplehoff, Nicholas Swisher.

4th Grade Honor Roll
Emily Ball, Gabby Ball, Mario Battista, Nathan Blakley, Angel Calvert, Hailey Carnahan, Drew Coorey, Elizabeth Courtier, Aaryn Craig, Jarrett Donley, Maverick Ellington, Trenton Evans, Alexis Fiscus, Alexis Gould, Lexie Hebling, Nate Howard, Alyssa Jones, Taylor Jones, Chase Kiser, Isabella Lara, Austin Marck, Caleb McConnell, Katherine Moore, Destiny Morel, Jacob Reams, Sebastian Reissig, Bella Sanchez, Wyatt Seal, Brittany Seng, Hope Schuster, Kori Sebastian, Hannah Strunk, Nathan Taylor, Joe Vance, Lexy Vogt, Autumn Waddell, Corydon Ward, T. J. Williams, Chris Willis.

5th Grade Honor Roll
Taylor Bayless, Brandon Benzing, Olivia Brashear, Tyler Bullock, Sierra Deitsch, Matt Elliott, Cierra Fluhart, Gage Goodeart, Cody Harrison, Julie Harrison, Alex Heflin, Ian Herrmann, Hailey Jowers, Jody Lytle, Melanie Matheney, Mary Moran, Hailey Penny, Sierra Pelcha, Casey Riffle, Trista Smith, Alyssa Stiles.

6th Grade Honor Roll
Mackenzie Adams, Jaden Atkins, Andrew Bach, Natalie Barcheski, Julien Battista, Kaitlyn Blice, Hallie Bolton, Nivek Boostedt, Haylie Clemmons, Adam Durham, Lane Flamm, T. J. Gelter, Christopher Isaacs, Scott Lindsey, Shelby Miller, Michael Nichols, Haily Olson, James Seal, Evan Taylor, Maria Trimble.

4th Grade Principal’s Award
Jason Ackerman, Abigail Allen, Emily Ball, Nathan Blakely, Garret Corbin, Aaryn Craig, Trenton Evans, Seth Fischesser, Owen Gibbs, Alexis Gould, Jonah Hanrahan, Lexie Helbling, Anna Houck, Chase Kiser, Jacob Kunz, Logan Kunz, Isabella Lara, Ellie Mansfield, Jetta McCart, Caleb McConnell, Katherine Moore, Destiny Morel, Samantha Pratt, Katie Rufft, Joe Vance, Allison Verdin, Lydia Victor, Lexy Vogt, Autumn Waddell, Lilly Wildey.

5th Grade Principal’s Award
Taylor Bayless, Olivia Brashear, Holly Chandler, Jon Davidson, Sierra Deitsch, Kaylee Donahue, Gage Goodheart, Cody Harrison, Julie Harrison, Alex Heflin, Lindsey Hoffman, Sebastian Johnson, Matthew Laub, Melanie Matheney, Carmen McDonald, Jordan McKinley, McKenzie Miller, Mary Moran, Allison Neiderhelman, Sierra Pelcha, Hailey Penny, Faith Powers, Casey Riffle, Sawyer Scheu, Ben Spires, Alyssa Stiles, Brennan Verkamp.

6th Grade Principal’s Award
Mackenzie Adams, Jaden Atkins, Julien Battista, Elise Bezold, Josie Blome, Hallie Bolton, Haylie Clemmons, Zach Deardorff, Nate Dillow, Aaron Ellis, Lane Flamm, Jazmyn Hinkston, Christopher Isaacs, Bryce Lavely, Kiae Marshall, Michael Nichols, Kara O’Toole, Trinitie Patterson, Kaleigh Pratt, Faith Schuster, Rainy Stripplehoff, Nicholas Swisher, Shayla Underwood.

4th Grade Perfect Attendance
Jason Ackerman, Andrew Coorey, Lizzy Courtier, Christopher Crosby, Serena Cummins, Maverick Ellington, Lilliana Fields, Seth Fischesser, Owen Gibbs, Jonah Hanrahan, Lexie Helbling, Anna Houck, Taylor Jones, Chase Kiser, Jacob Kunz, Amy Lewis, Jetta McCart, Destiny Morel, Ashley Sarbell, Brandon Savage, Hope Schuster, Brittany Seng, Allison Verdin, Alexis Vogt, Autumn Waddell, Corydon Ward, Kailey Wehrmeyer, Lilly Wildey, Danielle Williams, T. J. Williams, Chris Willis.

5th Grade Perfect Attendance
Jadlyn Barth, Olivia Brashear, Christopher Brunk, Holly Chandler, Sierra Deitsch, Trent Felts, Cierra Fluhart, Gage Goodheart, Brian Hamilton, Sara arris, Tyler Heskamp, R. J. Lara, Jody Lytle, Carmen McDonald, Jordan McKinley, Mckenzie Miller, Abigail Morgan, Allison Niederhelman, Hailey Penny, Sawyer Scheu, Ben Spires, Joshua Vandergriff, Brennan Verkamp.

6th Grade Perfect Attendance
Lydia Anderson, Jaden Atkins, Josie Blome, Hallie Bolton, Nivek Boostedt, Hailey Clemons, Peyton Daugherty, Aaron Ellis, Lane Flamm, Jacob Heskamp, Scott Lindsey, Kiae Marshall, Shelby Miller, Michael Nichols, Haily Olson, Kara O’Toole, Kaleigh Pratt, Elexis Sanchez, Rainey Strippelhoff, Nicholas Swisher, Maria Trimble, Logan Waddell.

Walriven to head school board

Kevin Walriven was elected president of the Board of Education of the New Richmond Exempted Village School District at the board’s Jan. 11 re-organizational meeting.

David Hawkins, who along with incoming board member Kim Hayden took the oath of office from Clermont County Municipal Court Judge James A. Shriver, will serve as vice-president for the 2012 school year.
Newly elected New Richmond school board members Kim Hayden and David Hawkins take their oath of office from Clermont County Municipal Court Judge James A. Shriver.

The Board established meeting dates for 2012 which will be held on the third Monday of each month with the exception of February when the meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 due to the Presidents Day holiday, June when the meeting will be held on Thursday, June 28 to close out the books for the fiscal year, and July when the meeting will be moved to the second Monday (July 9) to accommodate scheduled vacations for school administrators.

Committee appointments for 2012 will be Ben Bird and Walriven on the Finance and Audit Committee; Fred Heflin and Walriven on the Facilities Committee; Hayden and Hawkins on the Policy Committee; Hayden and Ben Bird on the Curriculum Committee; and Hawkins and Heflin on the Personnel Committee.

Hawkins will serve as the Legislative Liaison Board member with Walriven as the alternate; Hayden will be the Student Achievement Liaison; and Heflin will serve as the Grant Career Center board member.

Monroe students ‘go bananas’

New Richmond’s Monroe Elementary School collected 228 old cell phones for the Cincinnati Zoo’s Go Bananas Challenge.
Monroe Elementary third grade students (from left) Aaron Pike, Michael Ressig, Raven Lowery and Ray Lindsley are members of Monroe’s Art & Earth Club which initiated the cell phone collection.

“This initiative is a project to save the gorillas,” noted Monroe visual art teacher Adrian Hawk who organized the effort through the school’s Monroe's Art & Earth Club. “The materials and metals that are used to make cell phones are mined in prime gorilla habitats and by recycling old cell phones instead of throwing them away, gorillas and their habitats are being preserved!”

Cell phones contain an ore called coltan, which is mined in endangered gorilla habitat in Africa.

2012 Hall of Fame inductees announced

New Richmond High School has announced the 2012 inductees for the Lions Sports Hall of Fame.
They are Joe Hawkins, a 1955 graduate who won 13 letters and went on to play college baseball at The Ohio State University; Todd Wells, a 1989 graduate who was named Southern Buckeye Conference American Division coach of the year nine times; Jamie McCart, a 2000 graduate and four-time all SBAAC selection in cross country; and Amy McMillin, a 1994 graduate who holds 5 school records in softball.

They will be inducted at the annual New Richmond Lions Sports Hall of Fame banquet Saturday, Jan. 21. Tickets for the 6 p.m. banquet are $15 and reservations can be made by contacting New Richmond Athletic Director Doug Foote (foote_d@nrschools.org) at 553-3191 ext 10003.

Joe Hawkins


During his time at New Richmond High School, from 1952-1955, Joe Hawkins earned 13 letters; four each in Baseball and Volleyball, three in basketball, and two in track. Joe was a four-year starter in baseball and was named team captain of the basketball team. At this time New Richmond High School was participating independently so there were no All-League Honors or League Championships to record. Despite not being associated with a league or conference, Joe is one of a very select few in the history of New Richmond Athletes to earn an athletic scholarship to a Division I school, The Ohio State University. Joe played baseball for the Buckeyes for three years. Returning to his hometown, Joe was a partner in the development of the New Richmond Youth Football League in 1969 and coached youth football for nine years. Joe also coached and served as an official representative of New Richmond Knothole Baseball from 1965-1978.



Todd Wells

Todd, a 1989 graduate of New Richmond High School, received a varsity letter in soccer and wrestling his freshman year. The next summer, an automobile accident ended Todd’s high school athletic career, though he remained active in Troubadours and Theater. Upon graduation Todd attended the University of Cincinnati and was the lead student-athletic trainer with Coach Bob Huggins and the Men’s Basketball Team for two years and for the Men’s Soccer team. After completing his studies at Cincinnati, he returned to his Alma Mater to begin his career. He was the Middle School Athletic Director from 1993-1997 and the NRHS Boys Tennis Coach from 1994-2006. Todd amassed an impressive overall record of 148-35. He was nine times the American Division Coach of the Year. His teams were American Division Champions seven times and Runner-ups 5 times. He coached the first doubles team in NR and Clermont County to qualify for the state tennis tournament. During those same years (1994-2007) Todd served in the role of Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) for the district, a program which he started. As the first ATC in Clermont County, in 1999 Todd and New Richmond High School were recognized by the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association as a Model Athletic Training Program.

Jamie McCart



Jamie McCart excelled at track and cross country while a student at New Richmond High School from 1996-2000. All four years he was the top runner on the Cross Country team and was voted First Team All SBC. In 1998 and 1999 Jamie was league champion and Runner of the Year. In 1999 he was the district champion and was voted Runner of the Year Division II All City. Jamie was a two time state qualifier in 1997 and 1999 and was 2 seconds away from qualifying in 1998. Three times, Jamie was named Most Valuable Distance Runner on the Track Team and was Most Valuable Track Man his Junior and Senior years. He earned First Team All SBC Honors his Junior year. His senior year, Jamie won District in the 1600m and 3200m.




Amy McMillin

Amy McMillin was a four year Varsity Softball player from 1991 to 1994 and started in 75 games. A first baseman her freshman and sophomore years, she moved to short stop her remaining two years. Amy’s four year batting average was .441. She holds season records of Most Runs Scored (37) and Most RBI’s (34) and maintains career records of Most Runs Scored (103), Most Hits (109), and Most RBI’s (109). Notable accomplishments include being named 1st Team All SBC (1991, 1993, 1994), Rookie of the Year (1991), MVP (1993, 1994), All City 2nd Team Shortstop (1994) and was the USSSA Greater Cincinnati Player of the Year in 1993. Amy earned a full athletic scholarship to Southern State Community College and was the Offensive Most Valuable Player in 1994 and 1995. Amy’s senior year team won the school’s first SBC league title posting a 13-1 league record and a 16-1 regular season record. Amy is one of the pioneers of softball at New Richmond Varsity Fast Pitch Softball. She helped start a tradition of winning at NRHS that continues today.