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At its annual Academic Signing Day on May 6, Madeira High School (MHS) announced the 60 members of its Class of 2025 who have been named Top Seniors – members of the class who will graduate with a 4.0 or above GPA.

The MHS Class of 2025 Top Seniors and their future plans are: Tommaso Caggioni (The Ohio State University), Owen          Dixon (The Ohio State University), Isaac Kuester (The Ohio State University), Samuel McClain (Indiana University/Bloomington), Kate Monnin (University of Cincinnati), Kalley Alexander (University of Cincinnati), Conner Andrews (Purdue University), Addyson Barnes (The Ohio State University), Braden Blackwelder (The Ohio State University), Olivia Bodley (The Ohio State University), Olivia Bowles (Miami University), Emmie Brewer (University of Alabama), Melina Busken (Brigham Young University- Provo), Natalie Cimpello (Florida State University), Anna Cornejo (George Washington University), Elizabeth Cuchra (University of Cincinnati), Sean Cummins (The Ohio State University), Autumn Daley (Aveda Fredric’s Institute), Sonia Davis (University of Louisville), Katie Dickess   (The Ohio State University), Sebastian Feldkamp (University of Cincinnati), Nathan Gemmel (Purdue University), Nina Gravlee (University of Virginia), Molly Grontkowski (University of Cincinnati), Ava Henry (The Ohio State University), Evan Huber (Ohio University), Emerson Huber (The Ohio State University), Kameron Huon (The Ohio State University), William Jenkins (Ohio University), Christian Jennings (University of Cincinnati), Nora Katz (Miami University), Daniel Konieczny (The Ohio State University), Samuel Kyser (University of Tennessee), Jon Miguel Lawrence (University of California-Davis), Catherine LeRoy (The Ohio State University), William Manning (University of Alabama), Katherine Manzi (DePaul University), Lauren Mast (Ithaca College), Kayla Matsudo (Taylor University), Vivian Momper (The Ohio State University), Abigail Naegeli (Miami University), Wesley Nelson (Fordham University), Ella Nugent (The Ohio State University), Evan O'Reilly (The Ohio State University), Alene Otto (Miami University), Sasha Pinyayev (Ohio University), Lance Pollard (University Cincinnati), Emma Prus (The Ohio State University), Selah Reiber (Morehead State University), Cobi Ripberger (University of Cincinnati), Addison Rockwell (University of Kentucky), Eve Schilling (Miami University), Gianna Schueler (Franciscan University of Steubenville), Andrew Seremetis (Miami University), Leah Shults (Miami University), Morgan Starr  (University of Alabama), William Unger (Xavier University), Leo Vahue (The Ohio State University), Anna Wagner (Ohio University), Corinne Westbrook (West Liberty University).

Proposed changes in the Ohio state budget are raising serious concerns for the future of public education across the state, including right here in Madeira. Recent versions of the House and Governor’s budget proposals dramatically shift funding priorities toward private and charter schools—while limiting how public school districts like Madeira can responsibly manage taxpayer-approved local funds.

Under the current House budget proposal that they literally spent 7 days developing, a never-before-seen cap would limit public school districts to holding no more than 30% of their annual budget in cash reserves. For Madeira, which follows a conservative, long-term financial strategy, this would mean being forced to return over $7.2 million in voter-approved funds—jeopardizing financial planning, increasing the frequency of school levies, and reducing the district’s ability to respond to emergencies or plan for facility improvements.

“There’s no cap on private or charter schools who receive public dollars,” said Superintendent Kenji Matsudo. “This unfairly targets public districts and penalizes communities that plan ahead.”

What This Means for Madeira Taxpayers and Students:

·       Loss of Financial Stability: Madeira would be forced to spend down savings and lose the ability to weather
        economic uncertainty.

·       More Frequent Levies: Without reserves, the district would need to ask voters for new funding every 1–2 years.

·       Undermining Voter Voice: Voter-approved levies from the past would effectively be reversed.

·       Staff & Program Risks: Rising costs without flexibility could impact staffing, student services, and facilities.

At the same time, Governor DeWine’s proposal redirects nearly $500 million in state funds to private and charter school vouchers—despite public schools educating 80% of Ohio’s children. Madeira would lose nearly $800,000 in state funding over four years, continuing a long-standing trend of shifting the financial burden to local taxpayers. “They are expecting us to tax ourselves even more while simultaneously telling us how to manage the resources we voted for,” said Matsudo.

The district’s financial model, based on transparent planning and community trust, has helped Madeira maintain excellence without frequent tax increases. This proposal would unravel that model—putting students, staff, and taxpayers at risk.

How You Can Help:
Madeira City Schools encourages families and residents to speak out. Contact your legislators and express your support for fair, equitable school funding and for preserving local control of public education finances.

- Senator Louis Blessing III: lblessing@ohiosenate.gov | (614) 466-8068

- Representative Rachel Baker: rachel.baker@ohiohouse.gov | (614) 644-6886

- Governor Mike DeWine: https://governor.ohio.gov/contact

Bottom Line:
This proposed legislation doesn’t reduce taxes—it shifts costs to local communities and threatens the stability of the public schools that Ohio families rely on. Madeira City Schools will continue to advocate for responsible, student-centered funding policies and protect the long-term investments our residents have made in their schools.

Additional Information: 

State Budget Update

Background & Governor’s Budget Proposal

Madeira High School (MHS) junior Evan Cissell recently joined a unique group of students nationwide when he achieved a perfect composite score of 36 on the American College Testing (ACT) test.

The ACT evaluates what students have learned in high school to determine their academic readiness for college. Their composite score is the average of correct answers to 75 English questions, 60 mathematics questions, and 40 each of reading and science questions. Nearly 1.4 million students took the ACT last year, with an average composite score of 21 out of 36. A perfect score of 36 is rare, with only 0.25% attaining it.

Evan received the perfect score the first time he took the test in December. When he finished the test he said he felt pretty confident he scored a 33-35, but wasn't expecting a perfect score. 

He is the upcoming vice president for National Honor Society, an active member of the Latin Club, a member of the Spikeball Club, and a varsity baseball and golf player. “Madeira does a fantastic job of preparing students for the ACT by practicing different sections,” Evan stated. “Additionally, the sense of community at the high school creates a great environment for learning in all subjects.”

Evan isn’t sure where he’s going to attend college yet, but plans to study something involved with STEM. He is also hoping to possibly continue to play baseball into college.

 

Madeira High School senior Ella Cuchra has had two paintings selected for the top 300 artworks in the state for “The Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition.” One of her paintings was also selected as the top 25 works of art and was given the Governor’s Award of Excellence. Ella is the first Madeira High School student to receive the prestigious Governor’s Award of Excellence.

The Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition, now in its fifty-fifth year, is dedicated to the educational and artistic advancement of talented young students in the state of Ohio. This exhibition is a valuable incentive for teenagers; encouraging an appreciation for the arts throughout Ohio and reflecting the fine quality of art instruction and talent that exist in our state.

A total of 6,756 art entries were submitted by approximately 2,500 Ohio high school students. Selections from each of the fourteen regions were made by a panel of judges - approximately 2,500   moved to the state judging. State jurors then select 300 artworks for the actual exhibition. From those 300 entries, only 25 are selected to receive the Governor's Award of Excellence. Scholarships are offered to seniors by over 30 universities and colleges of art by institutions that offer them.

Ella’s paintings will be on display in the Rhodes State Office Tower, 30 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215, from April 14 - May 15. There will be an awards ceremony and celebration at Davidson Theatre, Verne Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, 77 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 on May 4. For more about the state exhibition please see https://www.govart.org.

After graduation, Ella plans to attend DAAP and major in Communication Design.

 

Ella Cuchra and her winning designs. The Governor’s Award of Excellence was given to the painting on the left.