It’s time to celebrate our 2023 High School Graduates!
Congratulations Quandaze!
A recent graduate of Taft High School, Little Brother Quandaze will continue his education in HVAC. He and Big Brother Nick Basch were first matched at our Site-Based program in 2010 and transitioned to our Community-Based program in 2013. In the past 13 years, the brothers have enjoyed countless activities but their favorites have always been going to the movies, eating hot wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, and supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Congratulations Caroline!
Congratulations to Little Sister Caroline, who recently graduated from Newport High School. Matched with her Big Sister Karli Ward since 2014, Caroline will attend Gateway Community college with plans to transfer to Northern Kentucky University to get a degree in Criminal Justice.
Congratulations Calvin!
Little Brother Calvin graduated from Withrow University High School on May and plans to attend Cincinnati state to study landscape design. He and his Big Brother Isham have been matched for 8 years. Of their friendship, Isham says, "I think he is one of the most optimistic and pure individuals I've ever met. He is incredibly conscientious and wants to do nothing more than ‘the right thing.’ His ability to tune out the world around him and just focus on being happy and pursuing things that he finds enjoying is unique and inspiring to me. He has really blossomed in the last few years, and is now quite the talker. I just love spending time with him.”
Congratulations Ja'Mareya!
Congrats to Ja'Mareya, who received her diploma from Virtual High School and will continue her education, pursuing nursing at Cincinnati State. Ja'Mareya and her Big Sister, Jennifer Stone have been matched for 10+ years.
"My Big Sister Jennifer helps me pursue my dreams. She helped me find grants and open my horizons to become a hemotologist. One day I'll be a Bigs thanks to her leading me in the right direction in life."
"My Big Sister Jennifer helps me pursue my dreams. She helped me find grants and open my horizons to become a hemotologist. One day I'll be a Bigs thanks to her leading me in the right direction in life."
Congratulations Jaria!
Little Sister Jaria’s graduated from Withrow University High School on May 12. Jaria plans to attend Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in the fall to study nursing. Jaria has been matched with her Big Sister, Krystal for 7 years.
Congratulations Koby!
Little Brother Koby graduated from Conner High School in June and is thrilled to be attending the University of Pikeville on a football scholarship!
Koby and his Big Brother Jack Giese have been matched for years. Jack says he appreciates Koby’s positive mindset and knows their friendship will last long beyond their years of being matched. Megan, Koby's mom, knows that, too. She said cried when she saw Jack walking into Koby’s graduation ceremony. She tells us, “It meant so much that Jack was able to be there. He helped so much in getting us there. I know they’ll always be in each other’s lives and I love that so much.”
Koby and his Big Brother Jack Giese have been matched for years. Jack says he appreciates Koby’s positive mindset and knows their friendship will last long beyond their years of being matched. Megan, Koby's mom, knows that, too. She said cried when she saw Jack walking into Koby’s graduation ceremony. She tells us, “It meant so much that Jack was able to be there. He helped so much in getting us there. I know they’ll always be in each other’s lives and I love that so much.”
Congratulations Johaido!
Congrats to Little Brother Johaido, who graduated from Oyler School in May! Matched with Big Brother Nick Krutz for ten years, the two have spent a lot of time bonding over their mutual love of tinkering, reading, and cooking. Johaido plans to continue his education in the culinary arts with the Cincinnati COOKS! Program.
Congratulations Zareb!
Congrats Zareb on your graduation from Northwest High School!
Little Brother Zareb has been matched with his Big Brother Colen Cromer since 2012. Colen tells us this about their friendship: “When I met Zareb, he was 7 years old and extremely shy. Initially, our activities were sporting events, playing games, grabbing a meal together, library visits, museum trips, etc. Eventually, our time together became more about our friendship and less about the activities. I can honestly say that the relationship that Zareb and I have built has been an absolute blessing. When we get together now, we catch up on life, school, family, his plans for the military and we laugh a lot as well. While attending his graduation, I thought about that shy 7 year old I met years ago as I watched him confidently walk across the stage to receive his high school diploma with a huge smile on his face. I was so proud of him. He’s now at Marine boot camp and I will miss him, but our friendship will continue. I joined Big Brothers looking to make a difference in a child’s life. I exit the program 10+ years later having gained a life-long friend in Zareb. I am forever grateful.”
Little Brother Zareb has been matched with his Big Brother Colen Cromer since 2012. Colen tells us this about their friendship: “When I met Zareb, he was 7 years old and extremely shy. Initially, our activities were sporting events, playing games, grabbing a meal together, library visits, museum trips, etc. Eventually, our time together became more about our friendship and less about the activities. I can honestly say that the relationship that Zareb and I have built has been an absolute blessing. When we get together now, we catch up on life, school, family, his plans for the military and we laugh a lot as well. While attending his graduation, I thought about that shy 7 year old I met years ago as I watched him confidently walk across the stage to receive his high school diploma with a huge smile on his face. I was so proud of him. He’s now at Marine boot camp and I will miss him, but our friendship will continue. I joined Big Brothers looking to make a difference in a child’s life. I exit the program 10+ years later having gained a life-long friend in Zareb. I am forever grateful.”
Congratulations Mya!
Congratulations to Little Sister Mya who recently graduated from Colerain High School. Matched with Big Sister Alicia Tallant since 2018, Mya is on her way to Cincinnati State to become a State Tested Nurse Aide.
Congratulations Des!
Congrats to Little Brother Des, who graduated from St. Bernard-Elmwood Place High School.
Des has been matched with his Big Brother AJ Arand since 2016. Over the years, the two have enjoyed many conversations over meals, with AJ helping Des learn to cook, and talking about education, life skills, dating and what the future might bring. Des says he may explore a career in Forestry and, for now, plans to work to save money.
Des says AJ has always been a good listener with good advice to give and says his relationship with his Big Brother is a very important one, telling us, “I know I can always rely on him.”
Des has been matched with his Big Brother AJ Arand since 2016. Over the years, the two have enjoyed many conversations over meals, with AJ helping Des learn to cook, and talking about education, life skills, dating and what the future might bring. Des says he may explore a career in Forestry and, for now, plans to work to save money.
Des says AJ has always been a good listener with good advice to give and says his relationship with his Big Brother is a very important one, telling us, “I know I can always rely on him.”
Congratulations Britney!
Congratulations to Little Sister Britney who recently graduated from the Ohio Virtual Academy. Britney, seen at graduation with her mom Jodi, has been matched with Big Sister Jessica Otis since 2017. Britney plans to study Culinary Arts.
Congratulations Lilly!
Congrats to Little Sister Lilly, who recently graduated from a home school program. Matched in 2015, she and her Big Sister Heather McElfresh share a love of Kings Island, movies and eating out. Lilly is excited to be planning a career in Child Care.
Congratulations Derrika!
Congrats to Little Sister Derrika who graduated from Western Hills High School and plans to pursue a career in Nursing. Derrika has been matched with her Big Sister, Ann Horgan for over 10 years.
Ann says, “Our friendship has been a joy in my life all these years and she will always be my Little Sister. We met when Derrika was 7. We both have always wanted to be active and do new things. Over the years, we have done that: movies, fishing, boating, hiking, train ride, gymnastics, swimming and trying new restaurants. One memory I have of Derrika was when she was at a gymnastics performance at the end of the year. She had practiced every week at home that she learned in the lessons and really enjoyed it. Her family was also there to see her do the routines beautifully. I was so proud of her then, and I am proud of her now as she graduates high school and is preparing to start nursing college. She can do anything when she sets her mind to it. The sky is the limit to what she can accomplish in life and I can’t wait to see what she does.”
Derrika shared this about Ann: “Upon joining the Big Brother Big Sister program, my mother was fearful because she wasn’t very trusting to have someone take her daughter for hours at a time. I wasn’t scared as I was 7 years old & just wanted to have fun. Meeting Miss Ann put all my mom’s fears to rest and my plans into action. I love being active and getting out there. Miss Ann supported everything I was interested in and never made me feel incapable of achieving my goals. She was always there to cheer me on even when I felt like I failed. Miss Ann has been an important figure in my life since she stepped in it - she took the responsibility of me and cherished it. We see each other every Saturday. I enjoyed every second we spent together so imagine how devastated we were when Covid hit. We grew slightly apart but we were determined to fix it. She would drive over 30 minutes to drop off cooking supplies almost every Saturday just because she knew I loved to bake. We would bake things together over the phone and catch up on current events in our lives. Even now, me being 18 and growing out of the program, she will never stop being my Big Sister!”
Ann says, “Our friendship has been a joy in my life all these years and she will always be my Little Sister. We met when Derrika was 7. We both have always wanted to be active and do new things. Over the years, we have done that: movies, fishing, boating, hiking, train ride, gymnastics, swimming and trying new restaurants. One memory I have of Derrika was when she was at a gymnastics performance at the end of the year. She had practiced every week at home that she learned in the lessons and really enjoyed it. Her family was also there to see her do the routines beautifully. I was so proud of her then, and I am proud of her now as she graduates high school and is preparing to start nursing college. She can do anything when she sets her mind to it. The sky is the limit to what she can accomplish in life and I can’t wait to see what she does.”
Derrika shared this about Ann: “Upon joining the Big Brother Big Sister program, my mother was fearful because she wasn’t very trusting to have someone take her daughter for hours at a time. I wasn’t scared as I was 7 years old & just wanted to have fun. Meeting Miss Ann put all my mom’s fears to rest and my plans into action. I love being active and getting out there. Miss Ann supported everything I was interested in and never made me feel incapable of achieving my goals. She was always there to cheer me on even when I felt like I failed. Miss Ann has been an important figure in my life since she stepped in it - she took the responsibility of me and cherished it. We see each other every Saturday. I enjoyed every second we spent together so imagine how devastated we were when Covid hit. We grew slightly apart but we were determined to fix it. She would drive over 30 minutes to drop off cooking supplies almost every Saturday just because she knew I loved to bake. We would bake things together over the phone and catch up on current events in our lives. Even now, me being 18 and growing out of the program, she will never stop being my Big Sister!”
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023!
Bigs - Did your Little graduate from high school this year? Send us their picture so we can add them to this page. Bonus if you have a picture of you with them at their graduation.
