Author: Tanner Atha

The Business Professionals of America (BPA) students in Business Academy 1 and 2 classes have been busy working on business-related individual as well as team events and competing with others across Region 15 (Hilliard and Dublin to Zenia to Sidney, Ohio). This is the largest BPA region in Ohio.

We are extremely proud of our students’ accomplishments. The Small Business Management Team from Business Academy 2 (Brody VanDyke – senior from Hilliard Darby, Oliver Conley – senior from Hilliard Davidson and Anthony Sullivan – senior from Hilliard Davidson) placed first in the region and then took 3rd place at the state level on March 9, presenting their contest in front of a panel of business professionals. This qualifies the team to compete nationally in Anaheim, California at the end of April. These young men have worked hard and represented Hilliard and the HUB well. So proud of them. Congratulations!

Dallas Hyslop, sophomore from Hilliard Bradley, also competed at the State level after he placed first in Region 15 in the event of Personal Financial Management.

Aiden Terek (junior from Hilliard Davidson) placed second in the Individual Presentation Management event.

Zak Armor (junior from Hilliard Davidson) also competed in Business Law and Ethics as well as Fundamental Accounting.

These students have all stepped out of their comfort zones and shown many characteristics of leadership, developed confidence, connected with peers and adults, have been allowed to pursue their business-related interests and strengths, participated in experiential learning opportunities, and been able to be innovators using critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. These skills have proved very valuable as they showcase them against others throughout the state of Ohio.

All Business Academy 2 students are participating in job shadowing and internship experiences this semester. This is their first step into the adult business world as they learn networking, confidence, reliability, and responsibility skills as well as new occupational skills that they will pursue as they further their formal education.

Mrs. Ley’s 3rd-grade class at Beacon Elementary recently read an article in Scholastic News titled “Speaking Up for Our School,” which led to a conversation about how the students in the class can be change makers at Beacon. Students generated a list of 8-10 needs for change at Beacon, and one idea rose to the top. The students agreed that the fence surrounding our playground is not safe, and they would like to help make a change for our school community. The students also shared their idea with IDS, Kara Ripp, who has already done great things for change at Beacon and wanted her to partner with them in their mission. The group did research on their concern, did interviews with teachers in the school, and created a plan to improve the fence.  They then presented their work to Central Office Administrators, voicing their concerns and asking how they could partner with Beacon to be change-makers at their school. The students put a lot of hard work and time into their excellent presentation!

After a 2 year hiatus, Hoffman Trails brought back the Spelling Bee. Over 50 students in fourth and fifth grade participated. These students got a list of words in December to practice so they could prepare for the Spelling Bee. We are so proud that these students were determined and brave enough to get in front of an audience of third, fourth, and fifth-grade peers, staff members, and family members. Varshini, a fifth grader, won the Bee by correctly spelling the word parathas. There were lots of cheers and applause for her victory.

Adriane Hamalian, a 2006 graduate of Darby High School, said she wouldn’t be where she is today without the encouragement of a few Hilliard staff. 

“Sometimes all it takes is one person that believes in you for you to see your own potential,” she said. 

Upon graduating, she earned her associate degree in 2013, then her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2021. She currently works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Riverside for Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a certified lactation counselor. She is also currently enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and hopes to one day provide mental health services to at-risk youth and women in the very community that gave her her start. 

Adriane resides in Hilliard with her three children, a daughter who is a freshman at Darby High School and twin boys that attend Washington Elementary. She has enjoyed reconnecting with many of the teachers and coaches that helped her reach success. 

She said, “It’s been really special to watch my kids grow up in the same community that I did and I can’t wait to see how they will change the world!”

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Senior Davidson engineers had a very successful gathering on Tuesday, March 7, when they aimed to imitate the famous television show, “Shark Tank.” They had 11 project teams who presented to adults around the community who were invited to be the “sharks.” Each project team chose an innovation for which they had passion, and they put in hard work for these throughout the entire year. This event served as the students’ capstone, given they reached out to all the adults and then received professional criticism on their innovations.

“My group learned from engineers at Ford and Honda, along with other outstanding adults, about how to enhance our anti-texting and driving innovation. As a class, we have grown so much through his opportunity and are thankful for all the help we have received, as we are the future of innovation in this country.” – Davidson senior Cole Carter