On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center celebrated 322 seniors during the Class of 2025 Convocation Ceremony held at Bellefontaine High School.
Ohio Hi-Point’s Students of the Month led the procession, followed by the posting of the colors by the American Legion Post 173 of Bellefontaine. Jason Cobb, OHP Culinary Arts instructor, and Bryan Knurek, OHP English instructor, performed the national anthem.
Laila Lynch, a Graphic and Media Arts senior from Indian Lake High School, and Travis Brooks, a Welding and Fabrication senior from Riverside High School, served as masters of ceremonies.
Superintendent Dr. Rick Smith welcomed the graduates and families and recognized the teachers, families, and friends who supported the Class of 2025. He highlighted the rich history of Ohio Hi-Point and the impact OHP has had on the workforce development in the communities.
During the ceremony, the Class of 2025 honored the memory of Chloe Hodge, an Indian Lake student in the Health Careers Academy program, with a lavender rose – her favorite color –given to each graduate. Her seat was decorated in her honor and her family was in attendance.
Hayley Deitsch, a Health Careers Academy senior from Benjamin Logan High School; and Elias Abrego, an Engineering Academy senior from Bellefontaine High School, were the student speakers for the evening. Carson Instine, an HVAC-Electric senior from West Liberty-Salem sang the song, “Someday (Maggie’s)” by Zachary Lane Bryan.
During her speech, Deitsch said, “Everyone chose to come here for their own reasons and interests, and we should all be proud of ourselves for choosing what’s best for us. I’ll also always be grateful to the lab instructors for teaching us the gift of saving lives.”
Abrego also commented on the quality instruction, saying, “Our instructors didn’t just teach us, they believed in us. They pushed us to aim higher, to do things the right way, and to take pride in our work. They treated us like future professionals, because that’s exactly what we are now.”
He continued saying, “Now, we step into a world that needs what we’ve got—skills, drive, and a mindset that says, ‘Let me show you what I can do!’ We’re not just graduating with diplomas. We’re graduating with certificates, licenses, experience, and a head start in our careers.”
Abrego was also recognized as Ohio Hi-Point’s Top Senior Student. The Top Senior recognizes a senior who continually demonstrates strong character, grades, attendance, citizenships, and service while attending Ohio Hi-Point. Abrego will continue his education at Ohio Northern University majoring in mechanical engineering.
Lou Vito, president of WPKO/WBLL in Bellefontaine, announced the names of the 322 seniors as they received certificates of completion from the career-technical instructors.
Brooks and Lynch shared successes of the OHP Class of 2025. More than 350 students participated in Ohio Hi-Point’s Work-Based Learning program, logging over 94,000 hours and collectively earning an estimated $702,000. The class earned a 92% passage rate on career-technical final assessments and received more than 800 industry-recognized credentials. In addition, the class earned 371 college credits.
Fifty-eight seniors from the OHP Campus competed at the state level in their career-technical student organizations (CTSOs), including SkillsUSA, HOSA, and FCCLA.
Three students advanced to the national level: Autumn Durflinger (Culinary Arts, Benjamin Logan) will compete in the Culinary Arts Competition, and Keisha Anderson and Victoria Doyle (both Culinary Arts students from Urbana) will compete in the Parliamentary Procedure competition at the National FCCLA Leadership Conference in July.
Chelsea Jordan (Exercise Science, Upper Scioto Valley) earned Gold in Surgical Technology at the Ohio HOSA Leadership Conference.
The Class of 2025 was also recognized for choosing their “E” – employment, enrollment, or enlistment. Approximately 61 percent of the Class of 2025 is employed, helping to fill the immediate gap in the workforce. Around 35% of the class is enrolled, earning a record-breaking $1.4 million in scholarships.
Finally, 12 seniors enlisted in the military. Those enlisted in the Army National Guard are Aiden Fink (Construction, Benjamin Logan), Kendra Kern (Criminal Justice, Marysville), Tucker Thompson (Welding and Fabrication, Graham), Gavin Hamm (Automotive Academy, Benjamin Logan), Nikolas Leistritz (Engineering Academy, Triad), Kenneth Feasel (Automotive Academy, Ridgemont), and Caiden Richardson (Welding and Fabrication, Kenton). Students enlisted in the Army are Kayden Taylor (Criminal Justice, Indian Lake) and Nevaeh Lafollette (Diesel Technology, Bellefontaine). Trent Marcinko (Welding and Fabrication, Bellefontaine) enlisted in the Marine Corps. Kaydin Lenhart (Exercise Science, Bellefontaine) and Hayley Deitsch (Health Careers Academy, Benjamin Logan) enlisted in the Air Force.
Tonya Ramey, Ohio Hi-Point High School Director, closed the ceremony by saying, “Thank you for sharing your final two years of high school at Ohio Hi-Point. Thank you for filling our halls, classrooms and labs with your love and laughter!”
Ohio Hi-Point’s Convocation Ceremony was broadcasted on WPKO and PeakofOhioTV.com.