Class of 2022 Top Ten Highlights

Brandon Burke

Class Rank: 1

National Merit Commended Student

Parents: Andrew and Christy Burke
Plans to attend: University of Notre Dame
Majoring in: Mechanical Engineering
Grade school: Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School
Favorite thing in high school: My favorite part of my Badin experience is the friendly community and atmosphere at school every day.
Favorite class at Badin: AP Calculus
Favorite Badin teacher: Mr. Keating. He is always excited to see the students and always interacts with students in a genuine, positive way.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Eagle Scout; PCY Swimming National Team Member; Badin Swim State Qualifier 2020, 2021, 2022 and GCL co-ed first team 2020, 2021, 2022; National Merit Commended Student; NHS treasurer; Ambassador

Leo Hoppa

Class Rank: 1

National Merit Commended Student

Parents: Laura and Jason Hoppa
Plans to attend: The Ohio State University
Majoring in: Biomedical Engineering
Grade school: Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary
Career goals after college: I would like to earn a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering
Favorite thing in high school: I've really enjoyed the extra-curricular activities that I've been allowed to participate in. I love meeting new people through sports and having something to work towards after school every day. I enjoy discovering new challenges to work through, and sports provide a lot of those. I enjoy feeling accomplished after working hard both in and out of school.
Favorite class at Badin: AP Bio
Favorite Badin teacher: My favorite teacher was Mrs. Breetz because she really enjoys the content she teaches and her enthusiasm for it rubs off on the class. She also did a lot more than teach biology when I took her class. Activities like Motivational Monday really helped me in the rest of my classes and outside of school.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Cross Country, Swim Team, Indoor and Outdoor track, Volleyball, Scholar Leader Academy, National Honor Society, National Merit Commended Student, Ohio State University Honda Scholarship Nominee
Scholarships received: University of Alabama Out-of-State Presidential Scholarship, University of Dayton Scholarships, Ohio State University Maximus Scholarship, University of Cincinnati Merit scholarship, GE Star Award, OSU Honda Partnership Scholarship, Jean and William Wolf Memorial Scholarship
Colleges applied to: Ohio State University, University of Dayton, University of Cincinnati, and University of Alabama
How has COVID-19 and the closure of school affected you? Online school was really rough and made school very hard, and it made me appreciate being in person. Other than that, COVID has not affected my school experience.
Other interesting information: My favorite color is grey and my biggest fear is losing a limb. My second biggest fear is the ocean.

Ryan Joesting

Class Rank: 1

Parents: Emily and Rich Joesting
Plans to attend: The University of Alabama
Majoring in: Aerospace Engineering
Grade school: Fairfield City School District
Career goals after college: I want to launch my own business, most likely in the aerospace industry.
Favorite thing in high school: Joining the cross country team junior and senior year.
Favorite class at Badin: AP Calculus
Favorite Badin teacher: Mr. Merz because although I was frustrated at times, he pushed me to break my own barriers and learn quicker than I ever thought possible. His fast pace accelerated my learning and taught me a new understanding of the learning process.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Captain of Varsity Lacrosse (Fairfield), AP Scholar, 4x Merit Service Award, Student Ambassador Officer, Honor Roll
Scholarships received: University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship, University of Alabama Engineering Scholarship, University of Louisville Regional Scholarship, Equitable Excellence Foundation Scholarship, Ohio State University Merit Scholarship
Colleges applied to: University of Alabama, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, University of Louisville, Ohio State University, Purdue University
How has COVID-19 and the closure of school affected you? The second half of my sophomore year was virtual, and I do not remember anything I learned because it was incredibly ineffective. Junior year was unpleasant because most sporting events and school activities were either cancelled or limited, so school was just plain boring. There was a lack of school spirit. COVID has not positively affected my schooling.
Other interesting information: I've played piano for ten years, can juggle, and have a dog named Ringo after Ringo Starr of the Beatles.

Kaiden Thomas

Class Rank: 1

Parents: Michael and Sandi Thomas
Plans to attend: University of Cincinnati
Majoring in: Mechanical Engineering
Grade school: Fairfield Crossroads Middle School
Career goals after college: I hope to hone my skills in math and physics in order to become an engineer.
Favorite thing in high school: Attending and Leading Kairos
Favorite class at Badin: AP Biology with Mrs. Breetz
Favorite Badin teacher: Mrs. Breetz was my favorite teacher because she knew how to make biology interesting while also making sure to get to the heart of all of her students. I never knew what to expect walking into her class, but I knew it’d be a rewarding experience.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Cross Country Captain, Indoor Track, Track and Field, Service Leadership Board, Kairos Leader, Sophomore Retreat Leader, Freshman Retreat Leader.
Scholarships received: I received scholarships from the University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, The Ohio State University, the University of Alabama, Purdue University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, the Hamilton Community Foundation and Rotary Club of Fairfield.
Colleges applied to: I applied to the University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, The Ohio State University, University of Alabama, Purdue University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
How has COVID-19 and the closure of school affected you? Although COVID was a very difficult time because I couldn’t experience school as I was used to, I learned how to properly schedule my own time which will be a valuable skill to last the rest of my life.

Molly Anthony

Class Rank: 5

Parents: Dennis and Susan Anthony
Plans to attend: Concord University
Majoring in: Special Education
*Molly will be playing soccer for the Concord University Mountain Lions, a NCAA Division II school, and a member of the Mountain East Conference.
Grade school: Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary
Career goals after college: Become a special education teacher
Favorite thing in high school: My favorite part of my Badin experience was probably the soccer program- it was so much fun to be apart of and it allowed me to meet many of my best friends.
Favorite class at Badin: Chemistry II
Favorite Badin teacher: Mrs. Breetz, she takes time out of her class every week to help us grow our attitudes of gratitude through her Motivational Mondays, she makes class interesting, and she cares a lot about her students.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Activities: 4-year Badin Varsity Girl's Soccer player (GCL champions 2018 & 2021, District Champions 2020 & 2021, Regional Runner-Up 2021, Player of the Week October 2020), 4- year Badin Varsity Track & Field member (GCL second team 2018 & 2021, Regional Qualifier 2021, Voted 2021 4x400 Greater Cincinnati DII Second Team), United For Education Club, National Honors Society, Ambassador Program, club soccer.
Academic Awards: Aubrey Rose Scholarship, Terry & Betty Malone Memorial Scholarship, Academic All-Ohio (for soccer), Honor National Community Service Award
Scholarships received: Concord University: Presidential Scholarship Walsh University: Merit Scholarship Ball State University: Merit Scholarship University of Dayton: Merit Scholarship Bowing Green State University: Merit Scholarship Ohio University: Merit Scholarship Northern Kentucky University: Merit Scholarship
Colleges applied to: Concord University, Walsh University, Ball State University, University of Dayton, Bowling Green State University, Ohio University, Northern Kentucky University

Ellie Black

Class Rank: 5

Parents: Katie Griesser and Bob Black
Plans to attend: The Ohio State University
Majoring in: Biology
Grade school: St. Peter in Chains
Career goals after college: I am unsure of what I want to do in the future but I'm thinking of doing something in the medical or veterinary fields.
Favorite thing in high school: My favorite memories are spending before and after school at my friends' lockers talking to each other about everything.
Favorite class at Badin: CCP Physiology 1 and 2 with Mrs. Breetz
Favorite Badin teacher: Mrs. Breetz is my favorite Badin teacher because she is so inclusive of all of her students and is so positive and light-hearted. Her teaching style encourages each student to learn because of how engaging she is and I am so grateful for her.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: I am a member of the National Honors Society, a varsity swimmer for all four years, part of Magnified Giving, volunteer partner with the Butler County Success Program outside of school. I received the William L. Matthews Scholarship and the Ann Beer Memorial Scholarship.
Scholarships received: Xavier University Trustee Merit Scholarship, Butler University Academic Scholarship, Indiana University Deans Scholarship, University of Louisville NSP Merit Scholarship, University of Kentucky Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship, Ohio State University Provost Scholarship, University of Dayton Trustee Merit Scholarship and Commitment to Catholic Education Award
Colleges applied to: Butler University, Colby College, Indiana University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Dayton, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Xavier University
How has COVID-19 and the closure of school affected you? While I was still able to work efficiently towards my academic goals during COVID, I have learned increasingly how valuable time spent with my friends and family is and I cherish it even more now.
Other interesting information: I have 10 pets, including guinea pigs named Darwin and Todd.

Ashley Waggoner

Class Rank: 7

Parents: Brad and Paula Waggoner
Plans to attend: The University of Alabama
Majoring in: Biology
Grade school: St. Joseph Consolidated
Career goals after college: Dentist
Favorite thing in high school: All of the service events I have been lucky enough to participate in! Especially Shantytown, which continued to offer a new perspective for me every year I attended.
Favorite class at Badin: Chemistry
Favorite Badin teacher: Mrs. Halverson because she teaches me so many important lessons and is always a friendly face to see in the hallways. She constantly makes everyone feel included and is always down to chat about anything and everything.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Captain of Cross Country team, VP of Youth Philanthropy Committee, VP of National Honor Society, TAP Healthcare, Unified for Education Club, Magnified Giving, received the Brown Book Award
Scholarships received: University of Tennessee Volunteer Scholarship; University of Kentucky Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship; University of Central Florida Knights Achievement for Non-Florida Residents Scholarship; Ohio State Maximus Scholarship; University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship and the UA Leadership and Achievement Scholarship; Butler Rural Electric Cooperative R. Fred Woodruff Scholarship
Colleges applied to: University of Alabama; University of Kentucky; University of Tennessee (Knoxville); Ohio State; University of Central Florida; Vanderbilt University; Duke University; University of Notre Dame

Katie Hiernaux

Class Rank: 8

Parents: Richard and Christine Hiernaux
Plans to attend: University of Cincinnati
Majoring in: Nutrition and Dietetics
Grade school: Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary
Career goals after college: I want to be a registered dietician/nutritionist
Favorite thing in high school: My favorite part of Badin has been the enthusiasm for our sports teams and competitive events like Spirit Olympics and Powder Puff football. Sometimes we get a little too into these competitions and that's exactly what I love about it. There's no better feeing than beating a rival (or the underclassmen) when the school spirit is just overflowing.
Favorite class at Badin: My favorite Badin class was probably Freshman religion with Mrs. Long
Favorite Badin teacher: My favorite Badin teacher has got to be Mrs. Heinrich. She is such an OG (OG is a slang term for someone who's incredibly exceptional, authentic, or “old-school.”) for staying at Badin for so long and for teaching teenagers how to use chemicals and fire. She also is such a wise woman and cares just as much about our mental health as she does our success.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards:
Activities: Volleyball, Track and Field, Ambassador Officer, Secretary of NHS, Kairos Core Team retreat leader, Magnified Giving, Unified for Uganda, International Club, Writer for Badin Banner, History Club, Wrestling team manager
Awards:
Raisin Canes Scholar Athlete Nominee, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Academic Excellence Award, First Honors
Scholarships received: BGSU University Academic Freshman Scholarship, BGSU Honors Experience Study Abroad Scholarship, Duquesne University Academic Scholarship, FGCU Blue and Green Scholars Award, WVU Scholarship of Distinction, EKU Out of State Scholarship
Colleges applied to: Bowling Green State University, Eastern Kentucky University, West Virginia University, Duquesne University, Florida Gulf Coast University, and the University of Cincinnati
How has COVID-19 and the closure of school affected you? When I first came back to in person schooling after online schooling for months, it was weird and a little sad. There were so many small changes to the way that we did things such as eating lunch in the cafeteria with three people, not having a salad bar, or even not being able to go to your locker after every class. These small changes made me nostalgic for the way Badin was before the pandemic and just life in general. Above all though, I'm glad we got to come back in person my junior year because I really missed seeing my friends everyday and the school atmosphere that Badin offers. COVID really teaches you not to take your time in high school for granted.
Other interesting information: On Fridays I like to get the fish sandwich on rye bread which is possibly the most underrated meal on the menu.

Kylie Spade

Class Rank: 9

Parents: Joe and Katie Spade
Plans to attend: University of Toledo
Majoring in: Engineering
Grade school: St. Joseph Consolidated School
Favorite thing in high school: Making so many friends, whether through sports teams or being in the same classes for four years, I have made meaningful connections with a lot of people and I hope to keep many of those bonds into college and adulthood.
Favorite class at Badin: CCP Anatomy and Physiology
Favorite Badin teacher: Mrs. Breetz, because she makes her class fun and interesting and her positive attitude and outlook on life have influenced the way I view the world.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Scholar Leader Academy
National Honors Society
Badin High School Volleyball 2018-2020
Borderline Club Volleyball 2016-2021
Badin High School Cross Country 2019-2022
Badin High School Claybusters 2017-2022
Badin High School Swim Team 2018-2022
Badin High School Dive Team 2020-2022
New London Hills Swim Club Swim Team 2018-2021
New London Hills Swim Club Dive Team 2018-2021
First Honors Honor Roll freshman, sophomore, and junior years
Scholarships received: University Freshman Scholarship (Bowling Green State University), Academic Scholarship (Butler University), CSU Merit Award (Cleveland State University), Academic Achievement Award (Kent State University), Founders Scholars Program (Kent State University, Redhawk Excellence Scholarship (Miami University, OHIO Admission Promise Award (Ohio University), OHIO Excellence Scholarship (Ohio University), OHIO Russ Vision Scholarship (Ohio University), OHIO Tradition Scholarship (Ohio University, Branch Rickey Scholarship (Ohio Wesleyan University), Maximus Scholarship (Ohio State University), College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Excellence Scholarship (University of Cincinnati), Trustees Merit Scholarship (University of Dayton), Green and Gold Scholarship (Wright State University), Trustee Scholarship (Xavier University), Toledo Excellence Scholarship (University of Toledo), Rocket Scholars Day Scholarship (University of Toledo)
Colleges applied to: Bowling Green State University, Butler University, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Miami University-Oxford, Ohio University, Ohio Wesleyan University, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Louisville, Wright State University, Xavier University, University of Toledo, Vanderbilt University

Case Trokhan

Class Rank: 10

National Merit Finalist

Parents: Cynamon and Darren Trokhan
Plans to attend: University of Cincinnati
*Case has been pre-admitted to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine through the Connections Dual Admissions BS/MD Program.
Majoring in: Medical Science
Grade school: St Joseph Consolidated School
Career goals after college: I want to be a doctor, possibly a pediatric surgeon but I am not fully committed to a specialty.
Favorite thing in high school: I have really enjoyed all of the friends that I have made at Badin.
Favorite class at Badin: CCP Physiology
Favorite Badin teacher: Mrs. Breetz - I have taken 4 of her classes and I absolutely love her teaching style. She finds ways to make event the most mundane of topics interesting, she is always available for her students if they need help, and her classroom is always a positive environment.
Dr. O'Hara - I only took Dr. O's class sophomore year but I loved the time I spent there. I have never been an English person but the way that Dr. O'Hara taught the different topics were engaging and interesting. He gave me an appreciation for English that I had not previously had and all of the conversations he had with our class were interesting.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Badin Swim Team - all 4 years, Captain 12th grade, State qualifier 10, 11, 12th grades
Student Council Class Representative - all 4 years
Badin Ambassador - all 4 years
National Merit Finalist
Outside of Badin I am the president of the Youth Philanthropy Committee with the Hamilton Community Foundation, I have reached the local, regional and National levels for a YMCA swim team, I am on the Admin board and am a volunteer for HOPEfull Pastures Therapeutic Farm.
Scholarships received: University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Scholarship, University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, Bellarmine University, Case Western Reserve University
Colleges applied to: Case Western Reserve University, Northwestern University, Princeton University, University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, Baylor University, University of Chicago
How has COVID-19 and the closure of school affected you? COVID and the subsequent virtual schooling gave me an appreciation for my friends and teachers that I may not have had before. It taught me to work on my own as we were not able to be in the classroom and gave me a different perspective on basic things we took for granted that were suddenly taken away.

Military Recognition

Katie Fischer

Parents: John Fischer and Mindy Fischer
Future Plans: US Air Force
Specializing in: I am going to be working in RF Transmission Systems
Grade school: St. Peter in Chains
Favorite thing in high school: Senior Kairos
Favorite class at Badin: Physio with Mrs. DeRosa
Favorite Badin teacher: Mrs. DeRosa was my favorite Badin teacher because of her occasional motivational Monday videos, bingo games and creative class projects.
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Student Ambassador
How has COVID-19 and the closure of school affected you? Covid allowed me to stop taking simple things for granted, such as being a classroom with all of my friends every day. Badin has a friendly learning environment that I wasn’t able to have during online schooling. However, Covid gave me time to think about my future plans and made me realize joining the Air Force was the right decision for me.
Other interesting information: I enjoy boxing, working out and running.

Will Poehner

Parents: Bill and Karla Poehner
Future Plans: Joining the US Army
Specializing in: Special Forces Chinook Crew Chief
Grade school: Sacred Heart School
Favorite thing in high school: Playing Football
Favorite class at Badin: Psychology
Extra-curricular Activities & Awards: Football, Wrestling, Honors Diploma