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The Madeira Schools Foundation (MSF) recently named Vivian Momper as the newest recipient of the MSF Ruth Slagle Crawford Scholarship. The Foundation presents the award annually to a Madeira High School (MHS) graduate who is currently enrolled in college and pursuing a degree.

The $5,000 scholarship is named in honor of Madeira Class of 1925 alumnus Ruth Slagle Crawford. She established the scholarship in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Crawford - long-time teachers who placed great value in education. Scholarship applicants must be MHS graduates pursuing a degree at an accredited institution. They must also write an essay which demonstrates how they are succeeding in college through their personal drive and strong work.

Vivian graduated from Madeira in 2025 and attends The Ohio State University. She thanked the MSF saying, "I would like to thank the entire Madeira community for helping shape who I am today! I am so grateful for every opportunity I have come across so far, and I look forward to continuing my academics and professionalism with the help of this incredible Ruth Slagle Crawford scholarship from the Madeira Schools Foundation."

The Madeira Schools Foundation was founded in 1984 by a group of enthusiastic parents and community members who worked to make the high school’s outdoor track a reality. Today they hold an annual auction, a golf outing, and other events to raise funds that assist the Madeira City School District in achieving its goals for continued quality education. They have provided computer hardware and software, athletic facilities, new high school auditorium seats, a science lab building, sponsored the MHS Day of Service, an alumni fund and much more. Each year they also award upwards of $20,000 to graduating seniors for achievements they accomplished while at Madeira High School.

This is the thirteenth year the Madeira Schools Foundation has awarded the scholarship. For more please see MadeiraSchoolsFoundation.org.  

An idea, born 75 years ago in Madeira City Schools is alive and well, still performing a vital function today.  In a world that has seen rapid change since 1950, it’s actually still OK to stick with the things that work and provide value within an excellent school district.  That idea was, and is, the Madeira City Schools Planning Commission, and its uniqueness lies not only in its longevity but in the valuable contributions it makes to keep the district moving forward, on the cutting edge, and always working to improve.  The Madeira Planning Commission quietly and efficiently acts as a research arm of the Board of Education, studying and identifying needs that the school district should focus on, making recommendations to the Board while doing so independently in an environment of mutual respect.  This open relationship is perhaps the biggest factor in its vitality to the district, as more eyes and more perspectives can be shared with the school board through studies the board of education wants support or help with.  On November 27, 1950, the organization of the Planning Commission and its purposes remain the same today with a singular focus of helping our students, teachers, and school community to be the very best. 

The Planning Commission is a group of volunteer Madeira residents and teachers who routinely research, report, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on a variety of topics assigned by the Board of Education. The board is not obligated to implement the recommendations but many times it does. Members are assigned to groups best suited to their talents and interests, and committee chairmen are selected for each group that then produce a comprehensive report.  The Planning Commission’s early topics in the 1950’s were providing for the anticipated growth in enrollment, studying land available to build an elementary school, and consolidation with Indian Hill, Terrace Park, and Newtown.  More recent reports have ranged the gamut of topics over the years from student recognition, to facility needs, to energy conservation, to communication ... and everything in between. 

“The Planning Commission serves a vital role for our school district and in many ways helps to make us to be better,” said Ryan Lex, Madeira Board of Education President.  “Having served on the Planning Commission years ago, it allowed me to see all the various things that go into making a high-quality school district. The topics that are researched and the recommendations that are made are woven throughout the district goals each year.”    Research topics for the 2025-2026 school year are Specials and Elective Offerings in K-8, Capturing Student Voice (how students experience school life - academically, socially, and emotionally), and School to Home Communication Strategies. The Planning Commission also does an annual Salary & Benefits Study including a complete review of schools in the area.

The Madeira City Schools Planning Commission is in its 75^th year this year and has stood the test of time as an invaluable asset to the district as it brings in new ideas, perspectives, and directions that the Madeira City Schools Board of Education should consider.  “The Planning Commission is invaluable as a resource that is sincerely appreciated by the Board and administration,” said Superintendent Kenji Matsudo. “It’s a healthy idea that continues to work for us and makes us better.”

The Madeira High School’s Class of 1950 proved that school spirit never fades as they celebrated their 75th class reunion riding in decorated golf carts in the district’s annual Homecoming Parade.

During their years at Madeira High School (MHS) the Class of 1950 considered themselves a close knit group of classmates. Reunions were organized by class officers Jim ‘Deke’ Decatur and Bernice Brockhage, who were also good friends. “Our class was really close,” Decatur stated. “We never had trouble getting people to help and if we were late getting a reunion together people started calling asking about it.” After Bernie passed away Jim and a group of classmates kept organizing the annual gatherings. In between reunions, many would talk regularly on the phone or meet for lunch to reminisce their days at MHS on the basketball court, at school dances, and in school plays.

After their 60th MHS reunion the group decided they were getting on in years and needed to have a reunion every year. Affectionately known as “The Nifty Fifties,” the classmates have continued to keep in touch and gather once a year to share stories, laughter, and memories from their years at Madeira. Out of the 52 members in the graduating class, ten still carry their memories today. Five of those people gathered to celebrate their 75th reunion from Madeira High School at a luncheon in early September. Several weeks later they celebrated again when they rode in the MHS Homecoming parade wearing blue and gold. Jim Decatur brought along his 1950 letter sweater.

Being back at the high school where the alumni met all those years ago was a treat for the classmates – and for the people who waved to them as they rode down Miami Avenue to MHS. “We were always a close group,” Jim Decatur said of his alma mater. “It was a great place to go to school.”