East of Africa and Polaris Updates - School Board Spring Awards
Bridge Over Alkyre Run
Workers connected the new concrete culvert on Alkyre Run to the existing gravel road culvert at Yarnell Farm as construction continued on a bridge that will span the stream and link the 88-acre East of Africa development to Westar Boulevard. After shaping a concrete transition from the larger new culvert to the older existing one, the crew poured flowable fill to create a firm base for the gravel and stone used to build up the creek edges.
Northwest Bank Begins Buildout
Construction began last week on a 2,200-square-foot Northwest Bank branch with a drive-thru in the Zumstein development, giving the company a third location alongside its offices in New Albany and Gahanna.
The Westerville location is between Chick-fil-A and Germain Volkswagen on Polaris Parkway.
Medical Office Construction Begins
The contractor this week completed installing an underground retention pond for a new 4,050-square-foot oral & maxillofacial surgery medical office being built just West of Alum Creek, next to Chick-fil-A on Polaris Parkway.
A+ And Student Awards At School Board Meeting
A chorus of cheers erupted from a small group of Mark Twain Elementary students Monday night as they waved hand-lettered signs and celebrated teacher Libby Bushong, one of 12 Westerville school employees honored with Spring A+ Awards during the Westerville School Board meeting. Bushong, nominated by 11 parents, was praised for creating a classroom where students feel seen, supported, and excited to learn. District officials said she meets students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally, and builds strong partnerships with families.
Bushong was among a dozen employees recognized for exemplary performance and for going above and beyond in support of students and families. The other A+ Award recipients were Elizabeth Moore, a teacher at Wilder Elementary; Emily Scott, an instructional aide at Mark Twain; Travis Tuck, an instructional aide at Huber Ridge; Elizabeth Stokes, a teacher at Walnut Springs Middle School; John Beal, a bus driver; Drew Farrell, an educational technology integration coach; Kelly Calhoun, a teacher at Mark Twain; Kelly Wirth, a teacher at Genoa Middle School; Denise Eblin, a clerk at Hawthorne Elementary; Aquila Russell, a cafeteria and recess aide at Minerva France Elementary; and Mary Rebecca Fortman, a music teacher at Anne Hurst Elementary.
The board also recognized a wide range of student achievements.
National Merit finalists honored Monday night were Cameron Marsolo and James Scarborough of Westerville North High School, and
Wesley Gorenz, Sarah Johnson, and Sami Pedro of Westerville South High School.
Shira Bauman, a senior at Westerville North, was recognized as a 2026 Zonta Club of Columbus Outstanding Young Woman in Central Ohio and as a scholarship recipient.
Athletes from all three high schools were honored for their performances at the 2026 Indoor State Track Championship.
Westerville South diver AJ Keer was also recognized for placing sixth in the boys diving event at the OHSAA State Swimming and Diving Championships, his third straight year on the state podium.
From Westerville Central, Elijah Harris was recognized for winning the triple jump and high jump and placing fifth in the long jump;
Robert Young for winning the 400-meter dash and placing fifth in the 200;
Simone Smith for winning the weight throw and placing third in the shot put; and
Skylar Brittman for placing third in the 60-meter hurdles.
Casey Carlos of Westerville North was recognized for placing seventh in the 3,200-meter run and for helping his team place sixth in the 4x800 relay;
Journey Hartgrove of Westerville South placed seventh in the 60-meter dash and 12th in the 200.
Walnut Springs Middle School eighth-grader Madison Ivory was also honored for a standout performance at the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Middle School State Meet. District officials said she placed fourth in the 60-meter hurdles while setting a new indoor state record of 8.99 seconds, third in the 400-meter dash, and fourth in the 200-meter dash.
The Westerville Central cheerleading team was also recognized after placing fourth in the game-day building category at the state championships in February. Team members honored were Adeline Biles, Hayden Dennis, Mallory Dreisbach, Lauren Dunbar, Emma Fortin, Evelyn Fossel, Madison Fredericks, Emily Gorgias, Lily Horne, Lilah Hudkins, Elliott Maneff, Bryn Martin, Destiny McDaniel, Kelly McScords, Olivia North, Grace Smith, Carly Stumph, Lanaiah Thomas, Alexis Vasil, Claire Ward, and Ashlyn Weidner.
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