Bellefontaine grads encouraged to persevere

Bellefontaine grads encouraged to persevere
Posted on 05/21/2022
Seniors toss their tassels.

The 2022 Bellefontaine High School graduates celebrated their many successes at Friday night's commencement at AcuSport Stadium.

The 195 grads were recognized for some impressive academic accomplishments.

26 students finished with a grade point average over 4.0.

This year’s senior class was awarded nearly $1.25 million in scholarships.

The keynote speaker was 2006 BHS grad Dak Notestine.

Mr. Notestine shared his story of perseverance as a college football player at Ohio University.

He went from a walk-on to a team captain during his 4 seasons as a defensive lineman.

Following his playing career, Notestine served as the strength and conditioning coach at Ohio University from 2011 to 2020.

He was promoted to director of strength and conditioning in 2014.

Currently, Notestine is the director of performance at Black Sheep Performance near Cincinnati where he trains elite athletes like Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and soccer standout Rose Lavelle.

Dak also works as a consultant to various strength programs across the country.

During Notestine’s time in Athens, he met Burrow.

Notestine trained high school athletes as a “side hustle” to earn extra money.

He used Burrow’s comeback story in pro football as an example of overcoming obstacles.

The Bengals quarterback suffered a serious knee injury in 2020, but diligently trained with Notestine to return last fall.

Burrow then led Cincinnati to the Super Bowl in February.

Notestine also detailed his struggles of being a walk-on at OU.

He eventually earned a scholarship and became a starter.

Dak advised the grads to believe in themselves and urged them to find their true passion in life.

This year’s valedictorian is Milah Hunt, daughter of Jason and Janna Hunt.

Hunt had a 4.6875 grade point average.

She took a record 22 college-level courses at BHS.

Milah will study biomedical engineering and minor in Spanish at Ohio State University.

The salutatorian is Morgan Burden, daughter of Suzy and Ron Black and Shawn Burden.

Burden maintained a 4.5977 grade point average and took 20 college-level courses.

She will study pharmaceutical science at Ohio State University.

The remaining top ten grads are Sarah Fulmer, Makayla Young, Sam Moreland, Cadence Latimer, Chloe Lloyd, Caitlyn Neill, Laney Mitchell, and Grant Lotts.

Neill also earned her associate’s degree from Clark State.

Three grads who enlisted were spotlighted as well.

They include Devin Berg (Marines), Hayden Overly (Army), and Alex Pulfer (Air Force).

This year’s BHS Distinguished Alumni are Pat Ellis (Class of ’70), Keith Krieger (Class of ’71), and Randy Marker (Class of ’75).

BHS Principal Dr. Pam Noeth emceed the commencement.

She said, “I’m so proud of this class. I compare them to our spirit rock outside. This class came in when we got our spirit rock. The students are just kind of a rock. They are steady and have a true love for one another.”

You can see the entire ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS0EBVwCQa0

Photos: Seniors toss their tassels.

Guest speaker Dak Notestine

Valedictorian Milah Hunt

Salutatorian Morgan Burden

The Top Ten Grads

Other photos from the ceremony

Seniors toss their tassels.

Guest speaker Dak Notestine

Valedictorian Milah Hunt

Salutatorian Morgan Burden

The Top Ten Grads

Grads enter the stadium.

Graduation National Anthem

Senior choir members perform.

Grads get their diplomas.

Grads get their diplomas.

Grads get their diplomas.

Grads get their diplomas.

Dr. Pam Noeth

Brad Hall
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