BHS grads encouraged to adapt and help others

The 2025 Bellefontaine High School graduates celebrated their many successes at Friday night's commencement at AcuSport Stadium.

The 209 grads were recognized for some impressive academic accomplishments.

This year’s senior class was awarded over $2.1 million in scholarships.

Sixteen seniors had a 4.0 or higher grade point average.

The keynote speaker was 2007 BHS grad Dr. Timothy Smith.

Dr. Smith, who's an award-winning NASA engineer, stressed four principles during his speech.

First, he said not everything will go according to plan in life.

Smith encouraged the grads to adapt.

He said, "You'll face setbacks. These moments don't define you; they lead to opportunities for you."

Secondly, Smith stated that no one succeeds alone.

He credited his parents, teachers, coaches, and colleagues for his career success.

He added, "Ask for help when you need it.

"When you're in a position to help someone else, do it."

Smith then urged the graduates to challenge themselves by being around people who push them.

"Surround yourself with bright and successful people. This competition makes us better."

Finally, Dr. Smith fondly remembered his alma mater and hometown.

He said, "Be proud of where you come from. The revitalization in downtown Bellefontaine proves the pride in our community."

Smith is the principal investigator for three separate NASA research projects. In this role, he has led research that directly resulted in over a dozen research licenses, four commercial licenses, and contributed to numerous collaborative agreements with industry. He leads both high-temperature alloy development and characterization efforts within the High Temperature and Smart Alloys Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

Tim has earned numerous awards throughout his career, both within NASA and by outside organizations. He received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal in 2020, the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 2022, and the NASA Group Achievement Award in 2023.

This year’s valedictorian is Nolan Core, son of Cliff and Sara Core.

Core had a 4.688 grade point average.

He will study biochemistry with a pre-med focus at Ohio Wesleyan University.

The salutatorian is Claire Grandstaff, daughter of Ryan and Natalie Grandstaff.

Grandstaff maintained a 4.391 grade point average.

She will study psychology at Miami University.

The remaining top ten grads are Madison Christman, Mia DeLong, Hunter Kerns, Quinn Slagle, Taylor Banta, Ryan Alexander, Graham Lotts, and Kylie Adams.

Nolan Core and Naomi Washburn earned their associate’s degrees at Clark State.

Savannah Sheeley earned her associate’s degree at The Ohio State University.

Kaydin Lenhart, Nevaeh Lafollette, Trent Marcinko, and Brayden Swearengin were spotlighted for enlisting in the military.

This year’s BHS Distinguished Alumni are Dr. Timothy Smith (Class of ’07), Ben Stahler (Class of ’78), and Christina Burt (Class of ’93).

BHS Principal Cliff Core emceed the commencement.

He said, “This class has everything. There are academic and athletic all stars. There are individuals who serve and help in our community. This class supports one another and has such a bright future."

Here’s a list of the 2025 BHS grads:

Jai Renee'V. Abhyankar

Elias Richard Abrego

Kylie Shaylyn Adams

Ryan Lee Alexander

Hayden Matthew Alinson

Elyncia Grace Allen

Miranda Lee Armentrout

Michael AKU Bader

Catrina LeeAnne Bailey

Anthony Michael Ball

Hailie Michelle Ball

Taylor Lane Banta

Maysan Ranee Barnett

Natalie Elise Baum

Rhiana Nicole Beair

Isaac Ellsworth Bender

Tiffany Lynn Boop

Legend Leigh Boswell

Brody Quade Boy

Colin Carl George Bright

Kendall Gracin Bright

Laila Amira Butler

Ava Kynnidi Campbell

Emma Rose Campbell

Aiden Jarek Carr

Blair Annslee Carroll

Lukas Alexander Carteaux

Alexander Michael Cavanaugh

Emma Grace Childs

Madison Kaye Christman

Ayden Michael Shea Clary

Mason Raymond Cook

Nolan Robert Core

Katlyn Nicole Corral

Harmony Jade Costello

Hailey Nichole Coyer

Carissa Nicole Cozad

Alexander Jackson Crabill

Kenneth Parker Crowden

Maddox Wayde Curtis

Epiphany James Darner

Adriana Ann Deleon

Mia Kay DeLong

Myles Parker DeLong

Raychael Ann DeLong

Samantha Edna-Marie Devore

Sierra Autumn Jade Dieringer

Aliyah Shane Magtira Divina

Andie Brynn Eicher

Haylei Jade Elkins

Sebastian Andres Estepa Abache

Mariana Margarita Estrada

Conor Edward Evans

Reese Michael Fanaff

Courtney Renee Fehr

Gabrial Irick Ferguson

Josiah Matthew Finch

Michiah LaTrell Flagler

Simon Wendel Eugene Flagler

Lucy Anne Flood

Ashton Dameko Foreman

Sophie Alexis Fosnot

Kaidi Lynn Freeman

Donavin Fulmer

Jenacey Mikayla Garcia

Sophia Rae Garrett

Connor Allen George

Payton Lee Gilbert

Tyson Javarr Gorham

Claire Ava Grandstaff

Gavin Ace Green

Aubrey Breanne Grow

Gaven Drake Gudger

Bravyn Wade Harrington

Bryce Earick Harris

Promyse Avadawn Havens

Angel Marie Hayman

Marvin Nicholas James Heberling

Jaylen Luther Henry

Jordan Dean Henderson Hensley

Fredy Arturo Rafael Hernandez

Addison Marie Herring

Landen Lee Hinkle

Kaden Mitchell Hobart

Skyler Michael Hodge

Johnathan William Gwen Hoffman

Shelby Shyann Hoffman

Kandas Rose Holycross

Gabrielle Suzanne Hoon

Haley Mae Horn

Lilly Elizabeth Hudson

Valerie Janes Huffman

Carter Scott Hunt

Cooper Scott Hunt

Jonathan Frederick Hunter

Alexzander Robert Impson

Luke Evan Reid Johnson

Martin Arthur Johnson, II

Tory LeMont Johnson, Jr.

Nollie Kaylyn Jones

Haylie Marie Jordan

Taylor Bessann McClain Judd

Hunter James Kerns

Cale David Kline

Courtney Marie Knight

Jeffrey Paul Knotts

Octavia Ann Kropf

Carter Scott Kuhn

Karter Lee Kuhn

Nevaeh Rylynn Lafollette

Skyler Daniel Lamb

Kaydin Ann Marie Lenhart

Luke Gregory LeVan

Karla Michelle May Lopez

Graham Elliott Lotts

Jacob Allen Lynch

Phoenix James Lyons

Marialaura Machado Araujo

Ricky Eugene Mattox

Faith Ann Manbevers

Steven Luke Maples

Trent Michael-Dale Marcinko

Kristopher Alexzander Martin-Dunn

Zavier Logan May

Drew Ulliana Lynn McComas

Claire Elise McDaniel

Todd Joseph Meek

Blaine Robert Mitchell

Dezarae Amanda Renee Mitchell

Jace Riddick Mitchell

Sarah Elizabeth Morris

Avery Blair Mullins

Tra'Veeon Shawn Michael Mundy

Anna Belle Myers

Kathryn Marie Myers

Xavier Isaiah Napper

Luis Alberto Navarrete

Cassie Marie Neeley

Ahyleace Marie Neer

Camryn Elizabeth Neill

Chase Avery Nelson

Kailyn Marie Newman

Mikayla Jade Nolan

Foster Joseph Noreiga

Hannah Marie Nye

Gabriel Scott Pack

Paula Alejandra Paredes Reinoso

Cearah Elizabeth Parks

Carson Lee Payne

Rory Kale Pierce

Garrett Andrew Prater

Alexandria Rose Priest

Kassondra Hope Prine

Anthony Queen

Rylie Adyson Reames

Ava Illene Reeves

Michelle Ann Roberts

Zane Richard Dale Roberts

Angel Gabriel Rosa Morales

Jailden Anabelle Ruiz

Jacob Scott Salyer

Chloe Michelle Sargent

Tatyanna Kimberlynn Sayles

Brianne Victoria Sechrest

Owen Thomas Sellars

Savannah Ava Sheeley

Cameron Scott Shirk

Nathanael Ryan Shultz

Jayden Allene Nicole Sims

Xavier Daniel Sims

Brandon Robert Allen Skaggs

Quinn James Slagle

Jailynn Renee' Slayback

Jude Michael Slonecker

Carter Douglas Smith

Jeffrey Adam Smith

Jeffrey Thor Smith

Kyle James Smith

Caden Matthew Snapp

Robert Aiden Spain

Xavier Lee Spain

Tavien Javon St. Clair

Reagan Bess Standley

Luke Patrick Steiner

Madison Grace Steinhelfer

Aeriana Renee Steranko

Sheldon Michael Stewart

Nekailah Kelise Stiggers

Danjae Jean Arlise Suber-Blalark

Brayden Michael Swearengin

Bryce Allen Tarasiewicz

Jayden Lee Samuel Temple

Lorena DeeAnn Christine Thomas

Tobias Matthew Thornburg

Elaina Brooke Ullom

Nasir Xavier Scott Valmore

Alexsis Marie VanSchoyck

Samuel Allen Varian

Carissa Michelle Wade

Naomi Paige Washburn

Madison Alexis White

Sabian Jodhan White

Katelynn Ann Wireman

Haylee Marie Yelton

Alexis Lee Yoder

Liam Gavin Yoder

Airiana Marie Young

Miabelle Zoe Zayas Colon

Quinlan Kathryn Zedeker

You can see the entire ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/live/5fBCitXl_UY

Photos: Seniors toss their caps.

Guest speaker Dr. Timothy Smith

Valedictorian Nolan Core

Salutatorian Claire Grandstaff

The Top Ten Grads

Other photos from the ceremony