The Grapevine by Martin McConnell
by Martin McConnell
Independence resident Jordan Kohut won the D3 National Championship as a member of the Trine softball team. Jordan was a freshman at Trine this season. She went to Independence High School as a freshman before transferring to St Joseph Academy her sophomore year.
She is 19 years old. She primarily plays third base and has been playing travel softball for 10 years. The championship series was played in Marshall, Texas this year.
Independence residents Jacob and Nicole Corcoran committed to a lifetime of love and prosperity on June 3 at their wedding.
Brian Hunter Vollman of Independence has been named to the president’s list at West Virginia University for the spring semester. Brian is a 2021 graduate of Independence High School and the son of Brian and Jessica Vollman.
Independence resident Bruno Moreal graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a major in finance, from Miami University’s Farmer School of Business. He will be working for CIBC US in Chicago as a Private banking analyst.
Ava Moreal, 2022 graduate of Independence High School, made the Dean’s list fall and spring semesters at the University of Tennessee. Ava is studying business on a pre-law track. She’s also a member of the Tri Delta sorority.
The Independence Police Department held its annual “Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics” event on June 20, according to city Communications Director Alla Lora. The team of 10 officers, along with K-9 Argo, raised well over $1,000.
“The team raised $1,672 and plans to participate again next year,” Lora said. “The [two mile] run started on Brecksville Road at Daisy Avenue and went south to INDY Gifts just north of Hillside Road. The Torch Run is a relay and many Ohio law enforcement agencies participated.”
Independence High School senior Natalie George recently played in the Ohio Varsity All-Star Classic for softball. Along with Keely Sears and Macey McGhee in the Ohio Varsity Underclassman Showcase, the Blue Devils were well represented at the annual event.
George, Independence’s only senior softball player, went 3-for-3 during this year’s game, according to school officials. The game concluded her high school career.
The following Independence natives graduated from the University of Mount Union in May: Hannah Botzman graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Emma Morrow graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education. Elisa Zumack graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations.
James Mathies was named to The University of Alabama presidents list for fall semester 2022.
The following students have been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2023 semester at the University of Mount Union: Hannah Morrow and Reese Vilcheck.
Nolan Michaels was named to the Spring 2023 dean’s list at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg.
The following Independence High School alumni graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in May: Hayley Biondi graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education: Early Childhood Education. Bonnie Malue graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts: Sport Management.
Miami University awarded degrees to the following Independence students during spring commencement of 2023: Alexis Misconish, Amy Ksiazka, Brooke Scott, Bruno Moreal, Emma Somrak, Emma Wensink and Sophia Zegarra.
The following IHS alumni have been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2023 semester at Baldwin Wallace University: Ricky Dilworth, David Jedrzejek and Bonnie Malue.
Hayley Mucci of Independence has been named to Ohio University’s 2023 spring provost’s list.
The following Independence natives have been named to Ohio University’s spring 2023 president’s list: Hannah Fleming and Kana Wisniewski.
Independence residents Ben Firrell, Adam Liebal, Sam Mason, Liv Michota, Abby Myers and Sophia Tokich have been named to Ohio University’s 2023 spring dean’s list.
John Carroll University students Anna Balicki and Tyler Sagi have been named to the spring 2023 College of Arts and Sciences dean’s list.
Elek McDonald, a resident of Independence, made the 2023 spring dean’s list at DeSales University. ∞