Leading the Way - November 20, 2025

Leading Moments - Indian Hill High School

Record Turnout for the IH Entrepreneurs' Center Business @ Breakfast Event

Click on the image below to see our professional video highlighting this incredible event!

WELCOME ABOARD NEW BRAVE LEADERS!!!

Earlier this month we welcomed over 35 new members to the IHHS Student Leadership Team. Through a comprehensive application plan, students had to share their individual perspective on leadership and how they wanted to make a tangible impact on the culture and success of Indian High School.

During the meeting we had a chance to revisit their self-created mission statement and share our strengths with new friends. I also had the chance to share a teaser of the very first Digital Leadership Academy of its kind coming to Indian Hill soon!

The culminating activity was led by our SLT sub-committees leaders who had 30 seconds to give their 'elevator pitch' to our new recruits that encompassed their ideas and why they should join their group!

It was a morning of energy, engagement, leadership and fun!

Now it's time to get back to work!

On the Front Lines of Cybersecurity: Learning with CEO Michael Picton!

Earlier this month students within our Computer Science Pathway engaged in a dynamic 45-minute presentation with Michael Picton, Managing Partner & CEO of ENDUIR, that brought the world of cybersecurity vividly to life. Building from their own questions, students learned how frequently companies are hit by major ransomware attacks, how a single breach can cause devastating financial loss, and how much of this never makes the news yet impacts our daily lives.

Mr. Picton emphasized that cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field where defenders are always on defense and hackers are always on offense, requiring professionals to adapt quickly, think critically, and embrace continuous challenge. Students were struck by how hard he has worked—and continues to work—to build and lead his company, and many noted how clearly his passion fuels his success.

For several students, the session was “eye-opening,” shifting their perception of cybersecurity from something rare and distant to a daily reality that shapes the business world—and even sparking new interest in computer science, technology, and using code as a force for justice. We could have listened to his fascinating stories for the entire day!

Empowering the Future: Student Leaders Drive a Dynamic Endowment Update



At our recent Student Endowment meeting at Indian Hill High School, the Endowment Board, Sophia, Liz, JC, and Neelan, led a thoughtful and well-organized session that showcased both their professionalism and their growing financial acumen. They began by outlining the current status of the portfolio, walking attendees through performance trends and highlighting the strategic decisions that have guided their investment approach this year.

Each student brought clarity and confidence to the presentation, offering a strong balance of data, narrative explanation, and forward-facing considerations. They also provided a detailed look at current investments, explaining why certain assets were selected and how these choices align with the long-term goals of the fund.

What made the meeting especially engaging was the intentional space the board created for dialogue. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions, offer suggestions, and explore new ideas related to growth, sustainability, and financial stewardship. A huge thank you to IH parent and alum Mr. Jeff Bahl for being our guest wealth advisor and helping to share his insights into market trends and strategic investments. Mr. Bahl's presence helped students strengthen their understanding of market dynamics, investment strategies, and the importance of disciplined financial planning.

Overall, the meeting reflected both the strength of student leadership at Indian Hill and the promising future of the Endowment as a learning tool and financial resource.

MANUFACTURING DAY!

October is Manufacturing month and our College and Career Counselor, Mrs. Ester Hall, facilitated the opportunity for students to go behind the scenes of Pilot Chemical located in Lockland, Ohio. 

Students learned about the various careers associated with manufacturing and the many different pathways to achieve a career in manufacturing. Students met with chemists, plant operations and toured the facility where chemicals are mixed and distributed. 

They ended the tour with a lunch joined by various workers that shared their story and gave words of advice. This was an incredible day for students to see themselves in the work place and be hands on with unique career opportunities.

Data-Driven Decisions in Aisle 5

What an insightful day for our IH Experienceships students earlier this month as they had an incredible site visit to P.L. Marketing, Inc. in Newport! Students got a deep dive into the science of retail strategy, walking through a mock Kroger store and learning exactly how planograms and techniques like brand blocking are developed to optimize product placement.

A critical takeaway emphasized by every leader—from merchandising to IT—was that regardless of your role, you must be comfortable pulling and working with data to make informed decisions and track Key Performance Indicators.

We heard invaluable perspectives from Josh Bobinger, Kelly Barnes, Courtney Miller, Aprill Courtney, and Reggie Reuss representing departments from merchandising to IT.

A massive thank you to Robert Hart, a dedicated community member, Vice President of the IH Foundation and IH Alumni, for making this invaluable opportunity possible for our students! 

From IHHS to NASA: A Conversation with Class of 2020 Alumna Kim Zwolshen

Shout out to the 

Youth Engineers Foundation club president, Vedant, for creating such a unique opportunity for his peers in collaboration with IHExperienceships Program and the IH Entrepreneurs’ Center!

Students had the opportunity to hear from 2020 alumni, Kim Zwolshen, about her engineering pursuits post high school and time interning at NASA. She gave sage advice about how to maximize your time as a high school student, what to focus on and what not to and to ensure that along the way you take care of yourself because, "It will all be okay."

We always love when we can connect our past and present Braves!

Scrubs, Scalpels and Supercharged Futures: Braves Explore Current & Future Opportunties at HealthForce

HealthForce is Greater Cincinnati's largest healthcare-specific career exploration event. Students from across SW Ohio had the opportunity to explore dozens of future career pathways and connect with over 40+ exhibitors, including local universities in the tri-state area through conversations and hands-on activities.

Special attention was given to the four most in-demand jobs right now: Medical Assistance, Nursing, Surgical Technology and Imaging Technology.

Whether it was using laser-heated scalpels, VR headsets to assess current conditions, robotic surgical tools or donning the typical attire for the operation room, our Braves had an awesome experience and walked way inspired!

Braves in STEM: Indian Hill Girls Leading the Tech Future with INTERalliance

I am incredibly proud of our students who participated in the INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati Women in IT Conference at Xavier University, joining more than 300 high school girls from across the region to explore dynamic career pathways in technology alongside 50+ IT professionals. This was the largest group of girls from IHHS yet!

This experience not only empowered our young women as future leaders and innovators in the tech world, but also highlighted the power of our partnership with INTERalliance in expanding access and visibility for girls in STEM.

We are deeply grateful for INTERalliance’s unwavering commitment to designing such high-impact opportunities for students, and we look forward to continuing to work together to open doors, inspire confidence, and build lasting pathways for our Braves in STEM.

IHExperienceships on Full Display at this year's Annual OSBA Conference!

Our IHExp Student Advisory Board members proudly represented Indian Hill this week as they traveled to Columbus for the Student Achievement Fair at the annual OSBA Conference. Throughout the morning, they engaged with superintendents, board members, and administrators from across Ohio, sharing the impact of our IHExperienceships program.

Their conversations highlighted how IHExp opens doors for students to explore the world of work through job shadowing, career speakers, site visits, internships, and more—all designed to help them discover their interests and pursue their passions. This is just one major focus area of our new Indian Hill Entrepreneurs' Center.

Our students embodied the excellence and leadership that define our district, showcasing a program that continues to elevate future-ready learning. Shout out to our IHExp Coordinator, Mrs. Richardson, for faciliating the day with them!

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!