Clemmons earns top graduation medal at Badin High

 

Ryleigh Clemmons was awarded the Stephen T. Badin medal, the highest honor given to a Badin High School student, at the graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 27, at St. John the Evangelist Church in West Chester Township.

The medal is given to the senior who is voted by the faculty and staff as the most outstanding member of the graduating class in all aspects of his or her high school career.

Clemmons, a graduate of Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School, was the president of the senior class and played girls tennis for the Rams. The daughter of Mike and Eileen Watkins of Monroe and Anthony Clemmons of West Chester Township, she will attend the University of Kentucky and major in Human Health Sciences.

“Ryleigh was a standout member of a standout class,” said Brian Pendergest ’90, the president of Badin High School. “She did a great job as a student and as a leader, and the students certainly responded to her energy. Ryleigh has a great future ahead of her and we wish her nothing but the best.”

A total of 156 students were represented in Badin’s Class of 2022, the co-ed Catholic high school’s 56th graduating class since opening in the fall of 1966.

Four students earned the Archbishop McNicholas medal as the top students in the class. They were each the co-valedictorians.

• Brandon Burke is the son of Andrew and Christina Burke of Liberty Township and a graduate of Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School. He will attend the University of Notre Dame and major in Mechanical Engineering.
• Leo Hoppa is the son of Jason and Laura Hoppa of West Chester Township and a graduate of Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School. He will attend Ohio State University and major in Biomedical Engineering.
• Ryan Joesting is the son of Rich and Emily Joesting of Fairfield Township and a graduate of Fairfield Crossroads Middle School. He will attend the University of Alabama and major in Aerospace Engineering.
• Kaiden Thomas is the son of Michael and Sandi Thomas of Fairfield Township and a graduate of Fairfield Crossroads Middle School. He will attend the University of Cincinnati and major in Mechanical Engineering.

“This class did a tremendous job emerging from the pandemic and taking care of its business in all areas,” Pendergest said. “We’re looking forward to hearing about all of their successes as time goes on.”

Elizabeth “Liz” Feltner earned the Archbishop Leibold medal for outstanding contributions to the school and the community. Feltner, the president of Student Council and a member of the Service Leadership Board, is the daughter of Melissa Feltner of Fairfield and a graduate of St. Ann School. She will attend Morehead (Ky.) State University and major in Geology.

Jake Graf earned the Archbishop Alter medal for outstanding contributions to faith life at the school. Graf is the son of Michael and Melissa Graf of Hamilton and a graduate of Queen of Peace School. He will attend the University of Cincinnati and major in Computer Science.

Three members of the graduating class will become members of the United States Armed Services: Katie Fischer has joined the Air Force; Will Poehner has joined the Army; and Quentin Schutte has joined the Coast Guard.

Badin’s Baccalaureate ceremony, celebrated by Badin chaplain Father Ed Pratt, took place at St. Julie Billiart Church in Hamilton on Wednesday, May 25. The graduation keynote speaker was Badin’s retiring director of admissions, Dirk Q. Allen. The Class of 2022 earned more than $32 million in academic scholarship offers for college.