DOWNTOWN Gala for Literacy raises $351,000 for Queen City Book Bank programs
The Queen City Book Bank hosted its annual Gala for Literacy: One for the Books fundraiser in late February at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. More than 350 guests helped set a record by netting $351,000 for QCBB’s literacy programs. The biggest surprise came during Fund the Mission when the QCBB announced an anonymous donor would match all gifts through the end of February up to $150,000.
Throughout the evening, guests bid on rare bourbon, designer handbags and unique experiences and enjoyed raffle prizes including: Tiffany & Co. jewelry, YETI, Tory Burch, Cincinnati Reds Diamond Seats and more. The evening celebrated the students, teachers, volunteers and supporters who work together to make the QCBB programs a success.
Highlights of the night included appearances by two QCBB board members: New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Loren Long and inspiring guest speaker Rayshun Holt. Holt eloquently reminded the audience that the ability to read can alter the future trajectory of a child’s life story and our community.
Recognition was given to special guests who are ongoing champions of QCBB’s mission, including corporate partner Great American Insurance Group. Six surprise awards were made to those dedicated to serving throughout the year: Kim Kemen (Educator of the Year), Payton’s Lemonade Stand (Adopt-A-Book/Adopt-A-Future Award), Scott Brown (Community Builder Award), Arin Gentry (Literacy Champion), John and Susan Frank (Extra Mile Award), and QCBB’s group of Thursday “Vivacious Volunteers” – Fran Acito, Kelly Attiyah, Kathy Aug, Maureen Born, Nancy Braun, Debbie Cappel, Susan Cranley, Katie Droder, Mary Anne Hengehold, Susie Kushman and Maureen Niehaus (Volunteer of the Year).
Queen City Book Bank CEO Michelle Otten Guenther said, “It is hard to believe the Queen City Book Bank moved to our new home just over two years ago. The evolution and growth of our programs has been remarkable because of the exceptional involvement of our neighbors. So many people from all different walks of life come through our doors every day and each of them has a story to share, motivating us to do more. Without the guidance and the time and talents of so many, we could not accomplish all we have.”
The event concluded with a video of students and supporters sharing that, “Pig things are happening at the Queen City Book Bank!” Each year, the Queen City Book Bank has a new slogan that references their mascot “Wiggles,” the book-loving piglet.
Otten Guenther said, “This is by far my favorite night because we get to see and celebrate the people who make what we do possible. The honorees this year are a testament to the goodness that resides in our community. Working together, we are creating a more literate community where everyone has equal opportunity to achieve their goals.”
QCBB thanks event sponsors, guests and volunteers for making the Gala for Literacy possible. Special thanks to presenting sponsors: the Cappel/Gillis Family, Rob and Carrie Gould and Friends of the QCBB. Other event sponsors include: Anchor Fluid Power, Axia Women’s Health, Larry Blundred – Ollie Otter Adventures, Busam Automotive Group, the Ellis Family, Ken and Cathy Feldmann, Fifth Third Bank, the Gerth Family, Great American Insurance Group, Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, HCM Wealth Advisors, Carol Hofmeyer and Family, Johnson Investment Counsel, KMK Law, Dan and Carrie Little, Andrew and Kim McDermott, Katy Meinhardt, Messer, Michael and Abigail Murray, the Otten Family, The Purposed Family, John & CeAnn Raterman, Scripps Howard Fund, Seton High School, TiER1 Performance, Warm Construction, Jay and Kathy Wertz, Wimberg Landscaping and the Zaring Family Foundation. In-kind sponsors include: Abby Girl Sweets Cupcakery, The Cobb Group, DSW Diamonds, Float Away Events, G3 Marketing, Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, Heart of Gold Memorial Fund, M. Hopple & Co. and Prestige AV and Creative Services.
Save the date for next year’s Gala for Literacy on Thursday, Feb. 20. For more information on how you can give the gift of literacy to adults and children in the Greater Cincinnati area, visit www.queencitybookbank.org.
Kim McDermott, Queen City Book Bank hhh
Student researchers present work at annual colloquium
The Summit Country Day School community celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Schiff Family Science Research Institute on Wednesday at an annual colloquium where students presented their work.
This year, 10 seniors presented research posters and scientific talks about their work. The colloquium is the capstone experience in a curriculum that teaches students how to work in a research setting and gives them exposure to real-life settings with regional science and engineering professionals. The institute is led by Indian Hill resident and biochemist Dr. Jessica Sakash Replogle.
“Guiding 10 groups of students through the Schiff Family Science Research Institute has been a remarkable experience,” Dr. Replogle said. “It never gets old seeing the growth, in knowledge, skill and confidence, of my students as they journey through the program and come to see themselves as real scientists with the power to impact their field,” The Summit’s student science researchers are: Tarek Hasan, Hyde Park, explored the realm of computer music. Through the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, he worked with Dr. Mara Helmuth, the director of the university’s Center for Computer Music, and Kieran McAuliffe, a graduate student, to create a program for machine improvisation.
Cole Hiller, Morrow, studied reducing fall risk in people aged 65 and older. His summer research was in a mechanical engineering lab at Miami University where he was mentored by Dr. James Chagdes, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
Iris Katz, Madeira, experimented with a protein in a structural biology lab. She spent her summer research time in the Kovall Lab at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine’s Department of Molecular Biology with Dr. Ellie K. Gagliani, a professor at Xavier University.
McKinley Kramer, Anderson Township, conducted a case study and literature review to determine available ADHD treatment to pediatric 22Q Deletion patients. Her mentor was Dr. Replogle.
Ethan Lam, Anderson Township, studied anti-cancer peptide design using artificial intelligence. He was mentored by Dr. Somchai Chutipongtanate at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine.
Haley Potter, Milford, studies nitrogen- doped graphene oxide microelectrodes for improved electrocatalytic conversion of purine oxidation. She worked in the Ashley Ross lab at the University of Cincinnati’s Chemistry Department with a fourth year graduate student who is working toward his Ph.D in chemistry as well as many other postdoctorate, grad students and undergraduate students.
Sofia Ramirez, Loveland, studied the impact of early exposure to pollutants on learning and developmental behavior. She worked alongside undergraduates in the neuroscience lab of Dr. Christine Curran at the Northern Kentucky University Biology Department.
Lorenzo Rose, Oakley, explored whether nutraceuticals are an effective migraine therapy. He collaborated with a neurologist, Dr. Marielle Samaha, from The Headache Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Maddie Sumnar, Hyde Park, studies increasing human papillomavirus vaccine rates in children and adolescents by introducing pediatrician-led interventions in a simulated environment. She worked with Dr. Catherine DeFoor from St. Elizabeth’s Pediatrics.
Teresa Tarnowski, Morrow, searched for novel, viable treatments for children and adolescents with sleep disorders. She worked with Dr. Thomas Dye, a
neurologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Find out more details about the Schiff Family Science Research Institute and read student blogs at www. summitcds.org/sri.
The newest addition to Nisbet Park’s outdoor dining area has been installed, as part of the ongoing revitalization of the park.
Eight metal picnic tables with attached benches were installed by Loveland Public Works along the Little Miami Scenic Trail. This is in addition to four tables installed in 2023, creating a large outdoor dining patio. The area is ADAcompliant and has been constructed to protect the park’s existing trees.
To build the dining area, the City of Loveland was awarded a $35,000 grant from the Hamilton County Board of Health and a $27,845 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ NatureWorks Program. The upgrades are part of the city’s master plan for Nisbet Park. Tentative plans for 2024 are to build more walking paths, improve landscaping and continue to seek grant funding for other components of the plan, including a new amphitheater.
“Little projects are all part of the big picture. Our goal is to offer amenities for all ages and abilities in Nisbet Park,” said Loveland City Manager David Kennedy.
Nisbet Park runs through the heart of historic downtown Loveland and is located just off the Little Miami Scenic Trail. According to a 2022 study by the Friends of the Little Miami State Park, the stretch of the trail where Nisbet Park is located averages 124,000 trail users a year – not to mention regular park visitors.
Krista Rose, City of Loveland
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Madeira’s National Honor Society inducts new members
Madeira High School recently inducted new student members into the Olive M. Gregory Chapter of the National Honor Society. The 58 MHS juniors and seniors pledged to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, promote leadership and develop character in the students of the district’s secondary schools.
Founded in 1921, the National Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize high school students who have demonstrated excellence in the organization’s four pillars: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character.
To be eligible, a student must be in grades 11 or 12, have a 3.7 G.P.A. or higher, and excel in the society’s four pillars. Selection for members is by a faculty council. Members must attend monthly meetings, pay dues and attend one or more chapter service projects a year. They are also required to complete 10 hours of community service a year, in addition to the 40 hours total required by the district for graduation.
Madeira’s NHS holds a Salvation Army Christmas Drive, which helps 19 families with their Christmas wish lists, then purchases and wraps the gifts. They sponsor a winter dance in early February as well as a father-daughter dance in the spring. The students also clean up the Tess Blackwelder Butterfly Garden located at Madeira Elementary School every May.
New inductees into the MHS Honor Society are Corbett Alexander, Connor Andrews, Emma Aumann, Addy Barnes, Braden Blackwelder, Olivia Bodley, Olivia Bowles, Madeline Brewer, Melina Busken, Tommaso Caggioni, Natalie Cimpello, Anna Cornejo, Ella Cuchra, Sean Cummins, Sonia Davis, Katie Dickess, Owen Dixon, Sebastian Feldkamp, Nate Gemmel, Nina Gravlee, Molly Grontkowski, Alexa Hacker, Julia Hamstra, Edward Hartung, Ava Henry, Owen Hilgeman, Emerson Huber, Will Jenkins, Nora Katz, Evelyn Kerrey, Daniel Konieczny, Isaac Kuester, Sam Kyser, Michael Lauterbach, Jon Miguel Lawrence, Cate LeRoy, Lauren Mast, Kayla Matsudo, Sammy McClain, Vivian Momper, Abby Naegeli, Wesly Nelson, Ella Nugent, Evan O’Reily, Emma Prus, Cobi Ripberger, Addie Rockwell, Andrew Sampson, Jeffrey Schwallie, Kayleen Semple, Leah Shults, Morgan Starr, Sophia Suever, Will Unger, Leo Vahue, Corrinne Westbrook, Julia Winget and Nora Winterrowd.
Student members vote annually on an honorary faculty member that they feel also exhibits the four pillars of the NHS, and this year selected MHS English teacher Lindsay Schmidt. NHS advisers are Laura Edwards and Jennifer Jordan.
Diane Nichols, Madeira City Schools
