With stroke of pen, CNE seniors sign on for next journey
By Dick Maloney
Bradley Richardson and Matthew Bunting both have their sights set on vast blue horizons. One, his sights clearly in the clouds – and beyond; the other has an affinity for the wide open seas.
They are among the 45 Clermont Northeastern High School seniors who signed their academic letters-of-intent in ceremonies in the high school gymnasium May 16. The sixth annual event recognizes those in the graduating class who have made a decision about their futures, and provides an incentive for underclass students to begin that planning.
Representatives from the selected colleges are invited to attend, congratulate the students and share gifts with them. As a student’s name is called, they walk to a table in front of a CNE banner, sign their letter, greet the college official (in some cases, a faculty member who is an alumnus of that school, or pretends to be, if only for the day), and then pick up tokens of the event – novelty glasses with framed in the shape of 2023, and bags of candy.
Intervention specialist Jill Stegemann is one of the organizers of the signing ceremony, which is modeled after a national initiative, Reach Higher. She emphasized that the event was all privately funded through donations – no taxpayer money was used. The school has added its own touches to the Reach Higher template.
This year, building off its brand initials, the district has started a program, “What’s Your CNE?” – CNE standing for career, next school or enlistment in the military.
“We're recognizing anybody who's going to continue their education and training,” Stegemann said. “A lot of times these signings are just for athletes or just for scholarship recipients, and we recognize anybody who was born to continue their education and training.”
Most of the college-bound students are staying fairly close to home – 16 to the University of Cincinnati (whose representative Dildora Davronkulova brought Tshirts and yard signs for the future Bearcats), four to Northern Kentucky University, three to Ohio University, for example. Richardson is one of two headed south. He will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, to major in aerospace engineering, with a goal of working for NASA, SpaceX or even running his own company.
“I can also study abroad in multiple different countries, including Italy and Australia, where their air forces and their military have gotten stronger,” Richardson said. “Their engineering programs are good as well. And I have a friend that is a freshman right there. He's probably actually finished his freshman year by now, but that's kind of the overall decision as to why I decided to go. And it's only 50 miles from Cape Canaveral, where NASA and SpaceX launch.”
Richardson said he began thinking about this career path in 2021, with Embry-Riddle becoming a possibility a few months ago.
“Originally, I was planning to go into the Air Force, but that didn't work out. But like now I'm just excited to see where the future takes me now,” Richardson said. he was also a member of CNE’s marching band, in the percussion session, and played for the Rocket baseball team. He recognized the significance of the day.
It means a lot because it shows that like I've succeeded enough in high school to where now I can further my education and start my career,” Richardson said.
Liam McIntyre is the other CNE senior who signed with a school in Florida – Full Sail University in Winter Park.
Bunting will report to the United States Navy June 21, which will be 50 weeks after he made his decision.
“It was July 2, 2022, so that was actually last year during the summer. And I honestly just thought that was the right thing to do. And that kind of gave me the best opportunity to do something and help out other people,” he said.
“I kind of like to swim a lot and it’s the best job out there.”
He admits to being nervous about the future, and has made no commitment beyond his initial hitch.
“If I like it enough, I'll probably stay at and then if not, I will probably just go out after four years,” he said.
To Bunting, the ceremony meant “that me and my friends and other students will go out in like the real world and actually do something for the greater good.”
High school counselor Amy Comisar told students gathered in the gym stands to find motivation from the seniors on the floor.
“We also challenge you, the members of the classes of 2024, 2025and 2026, to take an active role in your current education. Strive to do your best, challenge yourself, explore career and education options for your future, and most importantly, ask questions and seek guidance from your family, teachers, principals, counselors and friends,” she said,
“You have a bright future ahead of you, and we are here to help you navigate the steps to take your life where you want to go.”
Whether Cincinnati, Florida, the open seas or somewhere in between.
These Clermont Northeastern High School seniors participated in the academic signing day May 16:
United States Army – Ivy Stephan.
Aveda Institute – Reese Bowen.
Bowling Green State University – Ava Fuchs, Kendyll Young.
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College – Megan Lawhorn.
University of Cincinnati – Taylor Beasley, Molly Brown, Bryana Captain, Lexi Chambers, Mackenzie Donovan, Tiffany Drewry, Zoey Eichenlaub, Zach Hopkins, Lydia Huff, Ethan Irwin, Aiden Mazur, Jake Mott, Paige Murphy, Shelby Ruehl, Jeremiah Tackett, Oscar Vernier.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Bradley Richardson.
Full Sail University – Liam McIntyre.
Galen College or Nursing – Ashley Caudill, Jasmine King.
Great Oaks Career X – Johnny Pollock.
United States Marine Corps – Adeline Combs.
Morehead State University – Noah Bunting.
Mount St. Joseph University – Anna Best.
United States Navy – Matthew Bunting.
Northern Kentucky University – Charles Frey. Kaylee Neal, Bryce Pillman, Elizabeth Smith.
Ohio University – Genevieve Clevenger, David Mancini, Davis Tengler.
Ohio Northern University – C.J. Boothby.
Shawnee State University – Zoe Moore.
Transylvania University – Madelyn Giley.
University of Toledo – Cailley Romohr.
Wilmington College – Brookyln Tarvin, Sean Wilson.
Wright State University – Haley Eifert.
Xavier University – Lilly Braden.