The Grapevine

by Martin McConnell

Independence Primary School recently raised almost $1,900 for Cornerstone of Hope, a grief counseling center on Brecksville Road in Independence. According to a letter from Cornerstone of Hope, the funds will be going to its summer bereavement camps for youth, which help grieving children and teenagers by helping them gather with others who have been in similar situations.

Independence High School senior Reece Wright received an “Honorable Mention” award in the regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Her piece, “Climate Grief,” explores her feelings, and much of her generation’s feelings, on Earth’s ever-changing climate.

“Climate grief is about the six stages of grief that I have gone through in my environmental science studies,” Wright said in a press release. “It is about how the world can still be healed from pollution and heightened carbon emissions. At the end of grief comes meaning, and I’ve found my meaning in helping to heal the Earth.”

This is not the first award Wright has claimed in the competition, as she received top honors with a “Gold Key” award last year.

The following Independence High School alumni have been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester at Baldwin Wallace University: Hayley Biondi, majoring in early childhood education; Ricky Dilworth, majoring in pre-allied health/pre-physical therapy; CeCelia Leone, majoring in digital marketing; Bonnie Malue, majoring in sport management; Maria McCollum, majoring in public health; Pj Oschmann, majoring in software engineering; and Paul Priebe, studying to be a cybersecurity analyst.

Hannah Morrow, of Independence, has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester at the University of Mount Union.

Nolan Michaels, from Independence, was named to Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg’s Fall 2022 Dean’s List.

The following students graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in December: Maggie George, a graduate of Independence High School, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Education. CeCelia Leone, a graduate of Independence High School, graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts: Digital Marketing.

Brian Hunter Vollman of Independence, Ohio has been named to the President’s List at West Virginia University for the Fall 2022 semester. Outstanding undergraduate academic achievement is recognized by awarding President’s List status to students who obtain a 4.0 GPA in a semester. Vollman is a sophomore majoring in sports and media adventure. He is a graduate of Independence High School and the son of Brian and Jessica Vollman, of Independence.

Brooke Scott, of Independence, was named to Miami University’s President’s List for the fall 2022 semester. She is earning a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication, Fashion.

Independence native Noelle Tagliarini has earned a Master of Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University. ∞