Whitehall-Yearling High School
Classes of 1958 to Present
Whitehall City Schools
* Tell Parents about this Free Clothing & School Supplies for WCS-enrolled Students *
Spread the word about this wonderful opportunity for our K-7 & future WYHS Rams!
Whitehall City School District Joins Verizon Innovative Learning, Bringing Internet Access, Devices, and Technology Coaches to Local Schools
In partnership with Digital Promise, Verizon Innovative Learning will welcome two schools in Whitehall City School District for the 2024-25 school year
WHITEHALL, Ohio – Today, Whitehall City School District joins Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative which addresses barriers to digital inclusion. In partnership with Digital Promise, the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program works side-by-side with schools and districts to provide free technology devices, access to the internet, and innovative STEM learning programs, giving students in under-resourced schools the technology, education, and opportunity they deserve. Being part of the program will keep students connected, helping to facilitate learning wherever it’s taking place.
In addition to reliable access for every student and teacher, Verizon Innovative Learning Schools also equips each school with a technology coach and provides robust professional development support for teachers to effectively integrate technology into the classroom.
Rosemore Middle School and Whitehall-Yearling High School are among the 34 new schools joining the 11th cohort of Verizon Innovative Learning Schools, bringing the program to 626 middle and high schools nationwide.
In addition to free Chromebooks with accompanying Verizon data plans for every student and teacher beginning in fall 2024, participating schools will be assigned a full-time coach to train teachers in effectively integrating technology into their lessons.
"When we first joined Digital Promise, I had a chance to see the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program firsthand in California, I knew right away that this was a program that I wanted to bring to the staff and students in Whitehall. I am so excited and grateful to Verizon for having the vision to address the digital divide in communities like ours and I'm overjoyed that our middle and high schools will be a part of Cohort 11. The resources, professional development, and coaching are going to be a great addition to our academic program and will allow us to continue to take our district to new heights!" -
Dr. Sharee Wells, Superintendent Whitehall City Schools
“Our high school is beyond excited to receive this incredible opportunity. Technology integration has been an area that we desire to greatly improve upon. Through our partnership with Verizon and Digital Promise, we will be able to better equip our students with the skills needed for post-secondary education and/or the workforce. The resources that will be able to obtain through coaching, 24-7 access to connectivity, and enhanced devices will provide us with a competitive advantage that we would not otherwise have.” - Dr Maria Boyarko, Whitehall Yearling High School Principal
“Each and every day, I ask my students to dream big so they can achieve big in school and in life! This program is an opportunity of a lifetime for our Rams! With the teacher coaching, professional development opportunities, technology provided to staff and students, and innovative learning experiences our students will have additional support to ensure that they are competitive with their peers; not only in Whitehall but also across the globe. I truly appreciate the forging of an awesome partnership with Whitehall City Schools, Verizon, and Digital Promise. We are DREAMING BIG!” - Dr. Rochelle Rankin, Rosemore Middle School
“So many students across the nation lack the access to technology and resources they need to be successful in today’s digital world," said Krista Bistline, Director at Verizon. “On behalf of Verizon, we are excited to help enable students in Whitehall City Schools to develop the skills, knowledge, and capabilities for a more promising future."
Verizon Innovative Learning is driving academic improvements.* In fact, 82 percent of teachers reported that Verizon Innovative Learning enhanced their ability to differentiate instruction and 77 percent said the program enhanced student engagement.*
These efforts to support digital inclusion are part of Citizen Verizon, Verizon’s responsible business plan to move the world forward for all. Learn more about the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program and how to apply at verizon.digitalpromise.org.
Whitehall City Schools will have an official announcement event on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Whitehall Yearling High School Library. All media and community members are welcome to attend.
About Verizon Innovative Learning
Verizon Innovative Learning, Verizon’s award-winning education initiative, is celebrating over a decade of commitment to addressing barriers to digital inclusion for students and teachers. Since 2012, the program has committed $1 billion in market value to support digital equity, reaching over 7 million students. Verizon Innovative Learning provides free technology, internet access and emerging technology-infused learning programs to students in under-resourced communities—enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to build an innovative workforce of the future. In 2021, Verizon launched Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen online education portal that provides free access to immersive extended reality (XR) educational experiences to all educators, including K–12 teachers, nationwide. A key program under Citizen Verizon, the company’s responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement, Verizon Innovative Learning is helping to drive the company’s commitment to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training by 2030. Learn more at citizenverizon.com.
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* Ram Alumni: Please Volunteer to read at Whitehall Elementary Schools on March 1 *
Support Whitehall Schools' new reading-improvement intiiative: #WhitehallReads. Now's your chance to visit your elementry school alma mater by volunteering to read at our Whitehall's elementary schools on March 1. The deadline to submit the form is February 28th. If interested, please complete the form link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVHC6KC7SdkuXCeEc5hFc2TnAABj8NGufC1lb30UY6EG7a4Q/viewform
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|* WYAA Presents $30,000 Check for the WCS expanded 2023 Pre-K Program *
Over 58 WYHS alumni & friends, the City of Whitehall, Whitehall VFW & Massey's Pizza donated $30,000 from July 1 - July 30 at their board meeting on Thursday, August 10, 2023. .jpg)
L-R: Darryl Hammock,1990; Zach Wright, 1979; Jeff Lees, 1988; Board President Mike Adkins, 1987; WCS Treasurer, Missy Griffith; WYAA Chair Joyce Hildenbrand Turnbull, 1969, Jayne Lawson Shannon, 1972; Dassan Jefferson, 2015, & WCS Superintendent, Sharee Wells
* Congratulations to Children's Author, Carol Fish Doeringer, 1972 *
Carol just published a children's book, If you Wake a Skunk. This book is for 5-8 year-olds. To support of WYAA's Pre-K campaign, Carol is donating her autographed books to all of Whitehall's elemenary schools! Go to amazon.com to purchase.
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Whitehall-Yearling High School Principals & School Years
1) 1955 to 1965-66: Austin Peel. 2) 1966-67 to 1972-73: Robert Strahm. 3.) 1973-75: James Janek. 4) 1975-76 to 1979-80: Ed Houston. 5) 1980 to 81: Roger Dumare. 6) 1981-82 to 1988-89: John Peters. 7) 1989-90 to 1993-94: Stephen House. 8) 1994-95 to 1997-98: Robert Wallace. 9) 1998-99 to 2001-02: Mindy Farry. 10) 2002-03 to 2003-04: Glenn Hunter. 11) 2004-05 to 2008-09: Dondra Maney. 12) 2009-10 to 12-2015: Carl Svagerko. 13) 2016 to 2019: Paul Smathers. 14) 2019 to 2020: Chrystal Johnson (Acting). 15) 2020 to 2021: William (Bill) Warfield. 16) 2022 to 2022: Henry Lee. 17) 2022 to Present: Dr. Maria Boyarko
Congratulations to the WYHS CLASS OF 2023
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Thanks to Mike Mazzi, 1977 WYAA Board Member, who presented our gift bags.
Thanks to Jodie Martin-Oiler, 1966, for preparting 230 WYAA Gift Bags for our Graduates.
THANKS to Jodie Martin-Oiler, 1966, for preparing WYAA's "Ram Pride" beverage glasses to present to the Class of 2021. This is WYAA's 4th year of welcoming our new WYHS alumni with these glasses.
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Obituary for Brian D. Hamler
Brian Dale Hamler, 62, finished his ninth inning, after losing his battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, on Tuesday, June 29th, 2021. He received wonderful care at both Grant Hospital and The OSU Wexner Medical Center. The family would like to thank all the exceptional nurses and doctors for their outstanding care.
Brian was an avid sports fan with a major love of baseball. He loved his Cincinnati Reds, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, and, of course, his Whitehall Rams. Later in life, he learned to love the sport of archery where his son, Blake, excelled.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education from Capital University in 1981. While attending Capital, Brian was a standout pitcher on the Crusader baseball team. Upon graduation, he became a regular substitute teacher for Hilliard City Schools, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, and Whitehall City Schools. In 1982, he was hired full-time by Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools to teach elementary physical education.
In 1985, Brian met his future wife, Wendy, and they married two years later. Wendy played softball for Whitehall-Yearling High School and Whitehall's summer rec program. Their combined talents brought them together on multiple co-ed softball teams where they destroyed the competition all over central Ohio. This inspired Brian to begin his baseball coaching career at Gahanna Lincoln High School and eventually became the head varsity coach for the New Albany Eagles baseball team.
Brian furthered his education at The Ohio State University where he earned his Master of Arts degree in Educational Policy and Leadership in 1998. He was quickly hired on at Hawthorne Elementary in the Westerville City School District as their assistant principal. However, his heart remained in Whitehall. After just one short year at Hawthorne, Brian came back home and was named the Principal of Beechwood Elementary.
After serving as Beechwood's principal through 2006, he was then promoted to Associate Superintendent and Director of Administrative Services at Whitehall City Schools. Always trying to improve himself professionally, Brian found an opportunity with South-Western City Schools. He was hired as their Director of Personnel where he was in charge of recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and professional development for the 5th largest school district in the state of Ohio.
During this time, Whitehall was always in Brian's heart. He came back home for the second time to become the district's eighth superintendent in July of 2013. Whitehall City Schools, under Brian's leadership, accomplished many things such as opening the new Kae Avenue Early Literacy Campus, helping to pass the bond and permanent improvement levy in 2018, and initiating a new school-based health center with Heart of Ohio Family Health. Through the passing of the levy in 2018, students saw major improvements in the facilities at WCS such as a new wing for Rosemore Middle School, a new IT/Business Pathway at WYHS called Yearling U, a new synthetic turf football and soccer field, and improved HVAC components for Kae Avenue North.
Throughout his entire career and everything he accomplished, being the Superintendent for Whitehall City Schools was the ultimate achievement and goal for someone who loved their community so much. His belief in the goodness of the community of Whitehall never once waivered. He always had a positive vision for what Whitehall could strive for and loved everything that Whitehall is currently.
Ever the inspirational leader, Brian has countless family members, friends, colleagues, and supporters that were so touched by his kindness, his love, and his counsel.
Brian is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Brittany; his parents Irvin "Butch" and Mary Hamler; his sisters Diana Tedder and Cheryl Strait. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Wendy; his son, Blake; his brothers, Rick and Randy; his sister-in-law, Shari (Zach) Wright; his brothers-in-law, Bobby and Rayme (Heather) Benjamin; his father and mother-in-law, Bob and Janice Benjamin; and his many nieces and nephews.
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WYAA purchased "Congratulations Class of 2020" yard signs! They were delivered to every home & apartment by WCS school buses on Friday, May 8.
Special Thanks to all the Ram Alumni, Parents & Friends who donated to WYAA's Yard Sign Fund-Raiser
Ram Alumni: 2004: Ashley Lyons & Jessica Afaghi Watson. 2002: Amanda Akers, Emily Eader, Eric Gagle, Justin Geminder, Nikki Lewis, Becky Marsh & Katie Wolford. 2001: Ariel Bukowski, Cathy Clifford Walker, Danielle Eschelbach, Jamie Oxley, Allison Walker & Rob Wild. 2000: Mary Jo Scott-Stace. 1997: Tina Radivojevic & Kelly Chanak. 1995: Nikki Young & KyraThorpe. 1991: Cindi Cudd Brown. 1980: Leslie La Corte. 1976: Kathy Cox 1973: Wendy Cudak. 1971: Sharon Robbins Dean & Alyson Stocksdale. 1970: Cheryl Brobst Hefner & Linda Buettner. 1969: Joyce Hildenbrand Turnbull & Teresa Pickens Thomas & Vicki Wears Koscho. 1966: Jodie Martin-Oiler. 1965: Cheryl Welsch Parsons
Special Thanks: to Dan Miller, 1973 who helped coordinate the delivery of the yard signs. And, Jodie Martin-Oiler for preparing our WYAA Ram Pride glasses to present to our graduates. MIke Sweeney for his generous donation!
Parents: Shirley Yarbrough: Tasha (2002) & Shannon (2004) Pam Jones Dolby: LaDonna Dolby (2000) Mary Ardrey: Jenna Mayse (2004) & Jason Mayse (1998)
Friends: Sarah Nelson Bratt: Scott Wright (2020) & Judy Petticord. Pictured below: Susan Starr Smith, Beth Dempsey (1989), Doneta Thorpe (1977), Hope Fuller, Keith Spillman (1967) & Mark Riffle (1973).
