Leading the Way - March 19, 2026

Leading Moments From Across the District

SAVE THE DATE

IH Big Pitch: Where Student Innovation Takes Center Stage

On Tuesday, March 24 from 6:00–8:00 p.m., the entire IH community is invited to watch as Indian Hill High School students step onto the stage to pitch bold ideas designed to make our school, our community, and the student experience even better.

Big Pitch challenges our Braves to identify real needs, develop innovative solutions, and present their ideas to a panel of respected community leaders and professionals. After weeks of preparation, collaboration, and refinement, the top student teams advance to the Big Pitch Finale, where they will present their concepts in front of a live audience and expert judges.

The stakes are real. Through the generous support of the Indian Hill Foundation, winning teams have received thousands of dollars in seed funding to turn their ideas into reality, many of which have already begun making a meaningful impact across Indian Hill.

Come support our Braves, hear incredible ideas, and witness firsthand how student leadership and entrepreneurial thinking are helping shape the future of Indian Hill. The event will take place in the Sue Harder Memorial Performings Arts Center!

Join us for the IH Big Pitch Finale on March 24th and see what happens when big ideas meet big opportunity. ALL are Welcome!

Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Incredible Educators

How do you know if a career is “the one” until you’re actually in the room? That’s exactly what our IH Experienceships are for. This week, we have students swapping their high school classes for primary school classrooms, not just to help out and shadow, but to see if this is their future. The goal isn’t just to say “yes” to a career; it’s about gaining clarity in a future path. Whether they realize “this is exactly where I belong,” or even if they decide that education isn’t the right fit for them after all, that is a win.

We believe it’s better to test-drive your dreams now than to wonder “what if” later or change majors mid-stream and accrue unnecessary college debt. It’s all about finding the right path, one IH Experienceship at a time.

A HUGE Shout out to Mrs. Rottenberg, Mrs. Gattermeyer, Mrs. Ervin and Mrs. Snyder for saying, "yes" and welcoming these incredible young ladies into your classroom!

Coming Home to Share His Story and Reconnect with Teachers that Made an Impact on Him!

It’s always a special moment when the spark of curiosity lit in a high school classroom comes full circle. We were honored to welcome back Dr. Ian McKay (Indian Hill Class of 2012) to speak with our students about his journey from IHHS to becoming a Psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr. McKay shared that his passion for the field was first ignited right here in the classroom of his high school psychology teacher, Mrs. Croston!

During his presentation, he provided a firsthand look at the various degree paths and employment opportunities within the field, emphasizing that the future is bright with a projected 6% growth in psychology careers through 2034. His core message to students was to follow their curiosity, work hard, build strong relationships, and remain flexible as they navigate their professional lives. He also offered the practical advice to get involved in hands-on opportunities, such as research, early in their undergraduate careers to gain a competitive edge and deeper insight into the profession.

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. McKay for his time, his expertise, and for proving just how far a foundation at Indian Hill can take you!

Jeff Damadeo, Director of K-12 Leadership & Career Development

Jeff.Damadeo@ihsd.us

Twitter: @indianhillEC

My #IHPromise - to work tirelessly for our students, providing them with the most exceptional educational opportunities & experiences to help ensure that they develop into outstanding academic students and future ready individuals!