Take a Look at Our Seniors

Read below to get to know our seniors!


I started going to Western in the third grade. At first I failed to fit in and find friends but I was welcomed with open arms from most of my fellow classmates and teachers.  They tried their hardest to make me come out of my shell but being an introvert makes that difficult.  This school has always welcomed me and once I got settled I enjoyed this school much more than my old one.  My teachers always helped me if I needed it and my close friends were always there for me.  I let go of most of my worries and excelled in my classes which lead me to join the National Honor Society.

Johnathan Brannan


Who am I?  I am a kind, smart, and easy going person who tries their hardest to get by and not worry.  I enjoy learning new things, history being my favorite because I'm very intrigued by the past of our people.  I enjoy many hobbies like playing games, watching movies, and collecting Lego to put on display.  My favorite franchises from these hobbies are Marvel, Star Wars ,and Halo.  Moreover, this I would just like to thank my teachers and friends for getting me through school and on the graduation floor.


      MCKENNA SILCOTT

I moved to Western from Waverly after Christmas in 7th grade. I participate in NHS, YLA, band, Heart of Western, and musicals. I work at Ritchies as a cashier. I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, cooking, singing and making art. Being at western has opened up many doors for me as I was very shy before. This school has brought me out of my shell a lot. Western is a small school but we have the most supportive community. 


After highschool, I plan to go to Ohio University Chillicothe to become a highschool history teacher. I have pretty much always wanted to be a teacher. I want to be the type of teacher that students know that they can come to if they need advice or just need someone to talk to. I want to be a good role model for them. 


Elexys Scharbrough



I've been attending Western Local Schools since kindergarten. I have three siblings who also attend: Paxton (7th), Bryton (5th), and Oaklyn (1st). I have a younger brother, Craven who is three. I've cheered at Western since I was in Kindergarten. I participate in the Heart of Western, and I have been in 4-H for six years. In addition, I am in Morgan's Raiders 4-H Club. I enjoy activities such as fishing, hunting, and camping.

I plan on attending college to work towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. Teaching has also been something I wanted to do. I have always loved being around young children and helping them learn. I love helping out my younger siblings and teaching them new things. I would love to be able to live my childhood dreams.



Tessa Risner

I've attended western since kindergarten. i love the community here and all the teachers are so kind. I have met many of my closest friends here that I am beyond thankful for. Some of the teachers encouraged me to come out of my shell and do things I didn't think I was capable of. I am currently 17 years old and attending the Pike County CTC for Patient Care technology. 

I enjoy musicals(watching and participating). I also participate in SkillsUSA at the CTC where last year I served as the local president and YLA at western where I have held the positions of house clerk and secretary of state. I also did the SkillsUSA competition for prepared speach where i obtained the gold medal at regionals and silver at state! In my free time I love to bake, the smells are always so nice and calming. 


Charlie Barloy


Hi ! I am Charlie. I am an exchange student from France. I have been at Western for 2 weeks but I already really love this school. All the staff and teachers are very nice to me, they are comprehensive and helpful. I also appreciate the different classes I follow, my favorites are definitely art and English. 


I love watching movies or television series, listening to music and going out with my friends. I also used to practice a lot of sports. I did kayaking for 8 years, but I had to stop because of high school. So now I am very happy to do volleyball at Western, I joined the Art Club,  and I would also like to do cross country. Next year I will study at the Catholic University of the West in France for a bachelor of political science, but I don't really know what I want to do in the future. Furthermore, I am not sure that I want to study political science, I think I would prefer something more creative. So I am a little lost about my orientation, but one thing is sure. I am very glad to be here, in the United States. 



Finley May

My name is Finley May and I’ve been going to Western since I was in preschool. I’m a member of the National Honor Society where we do a lot of things for the community. I participate in volleyball and softball. I’ve played volleyball since the 3rd grade and I’ve played softball since I was little. Some of my favorite activities are reading, fishing, and hanging out with my friends.


When I graduate, I plan on going to college. I don’t really have a clue on what I want to do yet but I do want to get some kind of degree. I plan on going to a college close to home and then maybe moving to a different state close to Ohio once I graduate from college. One of the things I want to do most is travel the world. I hope that one day I can achieve that dream of mine.   


Reagan Hutchinson

My name is Reagan but most people use one of my many nicknames such as Reag, Rae, Ragna, Regina, Ragar, Oregano, and many, many others. I came to Western in the 7th grade. I was amazed at how people treated me and welcomed me. I love reading and writing. My favorite thing to write is poems. I’ve probably written around 100 poems just this year. I’ve also started writing a couple books that have yet to be finished. My favorite books are romance and thrillers. I love drawing and painting even though I’m not the best at it. 

After I graduate I plan on going to college at Cincinnati. I want to get my Bachelors in Business so I can open a bakery. I love making cakes and treats. I also would like to write a couple books in my lifetime and become a New York Bestselling Author. In the future, if I have any free time I’d like to foster animals such as puppies and kittens. 

Roxanne Milar

Hi! My name is Roxane Milar, pronounced MY- LER. I’m in the graduating class of 2024. I love playing sports. My main one is cross country, I've been running for 5 years. My fastest mile was 7 minutes. I did track for a couple years and enjoyed it as well. I took up volleyball my junior year and basketball my senior year. 

Although sports are a big part of my life, my education is even bigger. I strive to achieve valedictorian by taking CCP classes and working as hard as I can. I’m in the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Art Club, and Pep Club. I was in UBMS, HOBY, I tried YLA, and I volunteer for basketball concession stands. I started working at Long’s Retreat Family Resort this past summer. 

After high school I plan to go to college for psychology to become a mental health professional. 



Dean Montgomery 

  Heyy! I’ve been at Western since kindergarten.  I really love going to Western because the teachers here are very helpful and loving.  My future plans are still undecided.  I really enjoy living in the area because it is a very peaceful environment.  I've been in 4-H since I was five years old.  I really enjoy being in 4-H because I love animals, and I love making new friends along the way.  I’m in the Country Pride 4-H group, and I have been in the same group since I started.  I really enjoy watching sports at school. I also really enjoy listening to music.  I have an older brother named Colton who is 20 years old.  I am really excited to graduate and move onto bigger things in life.

Trevon Price

I've been stuck here at Western since back in Kindergarten. Although it's not the only school I've ever gone to; originally I went to that little preschool in Idaho . Nowadays, I believe the old preschool is a rehab center now which is quite a transformation. I just appreciate the fact they never tore down the playground equipment. The same slides I slid down a little under a decade and a half ago can now be seen giving those who are going through troubling times a good time. For the first four or so years of my life I was raised in a tiny old trailer on the outskirts of Bainbridge. Which to be truthful I don’t remember much from that time period other than watching a whole bunch of WWE.

After a while of living around Bainbridge, we decided to move to Leeth Creek which is where I spent the majority of my life so far, probably around a decade, maybe a year or two more. One fond memory I have of living on that road would have to be the time I slid down a rainey hill off a bike straight through our picket fence. I don’t know what I was thinking. I must've thought I was Dale Earnhardt or someone like that;  landed right in the middle of the street. Luckily enough I managed to come out with nothing more than a sprained ankle.





Morgan Barnett

Sometimes my friends call me Morgie. I’ve been at Western since kindergarten and I love this school so much. I have made tons of friends throughout the school years. Everyone at this school is super nice and very supportive. I played volleyball for only like two years. I stopped playing because it just wasn't my thing anymore. I’m so glad that this is the school I get to graduate from. 

 I really have a passion for movies and music. When I graduate from high school I really want to move to Seattle,Washington and get a degree in music or film. When I'm not at school I really love to play my guitar. I love spending time with my family because they make me really happy, and they're fun to be around. 



Abigail Hatfield

I have a few things I want to do in life. I have a really big heart and have the passion to help people. At some point in my life, after I make enough money, I'm going to buy a house. I also have a big passion for cheerleading. One thing that I love is babies. They make me so happy. In school I do Cheer, Heart of western, Quizbowl, and student council. The teachers who impacted my life the most in high school are Mrs.Clifton and Ms.Collins; if you ever need anyone to just ramble on about a bunch of nonsense they would be my suggestion. My biggest inspiration would be my cousin Bobby, Jodi Arnett and my grandpa. 


During my time at  Western High School I met two friends who have been there through everything and I want to say thanks to them. When I graduate high school I plan to attend either Shawnee state, Morehead University, or  Marshall University to start my degree in nursing. I've always wanted to be a nurse since I was little and still have passion for it. After I get my degree in nursing I want to get a job and give my mom and dad anything that they want since they did that for me and my siblings growing up. I also want to help stop the bullying in schools. I have my life pretty much planned out after high school. I'm so beyond excited to see where life takes me in the future.



Danny Certain

I started going to Western when I was about 7 years old, and I've been here ever since. I failed to make friends when I first came to Western but now I know pretty much everyone here. I try to work hard and help whenever I can. Theres alot of things I like to do in my free time like playing games, watching YouTube, and playing card games. I tend to collect Magic, gathering cards, and arrow heads.

I get along with alot of people here now that I'm older and I try to make the best of situations and I try to make my friend laugh whenever I can. 

Logan Ott

 I've gone to Western my whole life and tried the CTC at the beginning of junior year but it turned out that it wasn’t for me. I've met an abundance of nice people throughout this journey at Western. Learned pretty quickly who my real friends were and who weren’t but one of my favorite things at this school are the teachers. There are so many great staff members. I've developed friendships with many teachers over the years and it's been a great start to the year so far.

I used to be really good at running track. I was the fastest kid on the team when I ran; I used to be more Athletic, but I got a job so that took a lot of time, and I was never able to get back into sports. But I’m sure I’m going to miss some of my teachers and friends once I graduate but what I won't miss is Mrs. Forbes math class. 

Luke Smith

My name is Luke. I'm originally from Paint Valley and I moved to Western in the sixth grade.  I quickly started to make friends that I still have today. In junior high I played football and ran track. Then my freshman year I started cross country. I did well my first year and I had a lot of fun. I started baseball the same year but I didn't do nearly as well as I wanted to. My sophomore year I got appendicitis and covid making me miss most of the cross country season. I still didn't do very well in baseball but I still played. The next year was a lot of fun. I did well in cross country and I started out really strong for baseball then it kind of went downhill. 

     Now it's my senior year and I have a really good start to the cross country season. I really like my classes and I'm having a lot of fun. I still have the friends that I made the very first day I came to Western plus some. Overall, the school has been very good to me and so have the people. I would consider this one of the most welcoming communities I have ever been a part of.

Lauren Ware

Frequently, people call me Lorainne. I have been at Western for 13 years (Since Pre-School).  I have played softball for 13 years and I have played volleyball for nine years.  I am on the Varsity volleyball team and I am on the Varsity softball team.  Sports have always been a really important part of my life especially softball in which I’ve played my whole life.  I also participate in the Youth Leadership Association as a representative.  I am a part of the National Honor Society where I have to maintain a GPA of 3.65 or higher and; right now I have a 4.0+ GPA .  My hobbies are hunting, fishing, volleyball, softball, painting, and crocheting.  

My favorite subject in school is Science. I loved taking chemistry.  After I graduate I plan to go to college to become a RN and obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing.  When I was younger I wanted to be a veterinarian or a forensic scientist, but as I got older that turned into wanting to become a Dermatologist or possibly even a Surgeon, but those both take too long to get a degree for so Nursing is the best option for me.  It’s also a great job for me since I love science and Chemistry.

Kaden Wireman

 I started going here in kindergarten actually so I grew up here my whole life. I have six siblings which is crazy, and I live with my grandma and cousin, and my only really “hobbies” are just playing basketball or playing chess. Boring, sometimes? Yes, but it is what I like so I try to make the best out of the two. Growing up around here I went through so many friend groups and I’ve had completely different friends almost every year of school. Now my life hasn’t been the most exciting thing in the world, but I’ve found things to do to take my mind off of other things, like reading, listening to music 24/7, or just sleeping. 

Now I'm a major people person; I like talking to people even if I don’t know them and maybe along the way I can find some more friends as well when talking to people I don’t know. I used to be a people pleaser but I’ve kind of figured you aren't going to please everyone by being yourself, so be yourself anyways. This school has taught me a lot and made me a smarter person than I ever thought I would be and I’ve made a few  friends along the way as well. People judged me growing up and made fun of me sometimes, and heck some people probably still do but as I said you can’t always please everyone. After high school I want to be a psychologist and a basketball coach someday. I like helping people overcome their struggles and being there for someone who might need it. Also just some quick things about me; my favorite color is purple, my favorite animal is a pig, my favorite movie is “Patch Adams”, and my favorite TV show is of course South Park.

Sara Urbina

I’ve been at Western for a few years, but I have been in and out of the school too. I ended up coming back to the school last year during half of the year. I played football with the boys for about three years straight and honestly they were the best years that I had gone through. I like to paint, take walks in the woods, go on runs, and I also like to be around animals and have fun with friends. 

I strive to be a happy and uplifting person every morning to make my day go well and for others to because if they see you in a good mood it may help them be in one too. I love that at the school everyone is there to help you with any problems you have going on whether it's school work or mentally. I like involving myself in the art club at the school because personally Ms. Clifton is a really great art teacher and really helps you a lot. I've learned during my years of growing up that everything may not go your way, but it just takes time and patience to put pieces together. I know that for myself life gets hard and sometimes you just don't want to do anything at all but being able to keep a positive attitude and strive for a good day everyday will do great things for you in the end; just keep your head up and and look forward to the future.

Maci (Liam) Taylor

I have gone to Western since kindergarten all the way up to now except for one year. I attended the Pike County CTC my junior year and came back my senior year. I am a very passionate person about everything I care for and hope for. I am very into music and listen to it every single day inside and outside of school. It helps open my mind on how to process emotions or it gives me energy and makes my day better. I am a body piercer and have pierced numerous people including myself. Every facial piercing I have was done by myself.

My style and personality is different from most people and I am very aware of this fact. While I know I look mean or intimidating I am one of the sweetest and most understanding people you’ll ever meet. I love meeting new people and getting along with everyone as long as they let that be possible. One of my favorite things to do is chill outside with someone and talk while listening to music. It makes me feel more connected to the person, the music, and nature in general. I feel calm and present when I am able to breathe in fresh air.

Sierra Stamper

I am currently 17 years old. My birthday is July 27th. I love God, friends, family, cheer, music, and sleep. I was born in Phoenix, Arizona. I have 12 siblings, and I am in the middle. I started at Western when I was in 8th grade. It was very intimidating starting a new school at 13, but I have made so many friends and I have had so many cool opportunities. 

After high school, I plan to go to college. I have already been accepted into a Bachelors of Nursing program. After college, I plan to become a travel nurse and travel the world. I am so excited to see how these next few months turn out. I can’t wait to graduate and get my life started!

Haylee Sandlin

To be honest it’s supposed to feel like you're on top of the world, but honestly it's the scariest thing to realize that it's your last year of high school.  I have one younger brother, his name is Tyler Sandlin and he's  (13 years old). Sports have always been a big thing for me. I did cheer most of my life, but I love softball. I plan on attending Shawnee State University studying radiology. 

Throughout high school I never really had a favorite subject in school, but I usually do really good in writing. I plan on doing everything I can to be able to show my brother that there is a better life out there than what we had. I love horse-back riding, and things in that range. I live with my grandma who has taken care of me and my brother most of our lives.  I intend on working and pushing myself to achieve things I have always wanted for myself.

Katelynn Penwell

I have been at Western since kindergarten. I am 17 years old but I will be 18 on January 6th. I have two brothers. Their names are Anthony and Chris. I’ve been here since kindergarten. My extracurricular activities are Volleyball and National Honor Society. I have played volleyball since 3rd grade. My favorite subject in High school would have to be history. I enjoy learning about what happened in the past. My favorite animals are horses and dogs. I have four horses, named Trigger, Star, Rocket, and Winsten. My plans after High school would be to attend Scioto County CTC. I would like to go into the pharmacy technician program. I would like to work in the hospital pharmacy or CVS. 

Cheyanne Newton

I've been at Western High School since preschool. I love that our community is caring. I'm moving to Florida after high school and going to a community college. I enjoy cooking and baking. I love to paint and draw. 


I have two dogs, Izzy and Dottie. I love going to the beach. I enjoy my freetime at home by watching Netflix. I am on the varsity cheer team. I am in the NHS. I really look forward to my senior year!!

Kyle Malone

I have been going to Western since kindergarten and I really enjoy Western because it is a great school. Since I have been going to Western, I started playing basketball when I was in 6th grade and I have played football. Through the years Western and playing sports, I have made good friends. My hobbies are playing sports like basketball, baseball , football, track and powerlifting. I have been playing some of these sports for a while and have enjoyed all of them. They all have great coaching staff. 

Logan Lightle

 I started going to Western my freshman year and it has by far been the best four years of my life. The students and staff at Western are amazing (especially Collins). I play basketball and baseball. I have played basketball all years of highschool and i have played baseball two years.

After high school I plan to go to Lineman school and get my CDL. After that I plan to get a job as a lineman. I have always wanted to be a lineman. No one in my family has been one. If that doesn’t work out I will go to be an electrician. 

Sommer Day

I’ve been going to Western since the middle of 5th grade. Everyone was so nice and welcoming when I came to Western. I was amazed at how welcoming all of the staff and students were. I have made many friends here, and I'm beyond thankful for all of them.

Some of my hobbies include hanging out with friends,baking and writing.In the future I'd like to go to school to be an ultrasound tech or a veterinarian. I love working with animals and I'd love to learn more about them.

Lillian Chandler

I am 18 years old. I have been at Western since preschool. I enjoy spending most of my time with myself. I love movies and binge watching TV shows. My favorite shows are New Girl, Criminal Minds, and Grey's Anatomy. 

           My favorite things about Western are the teachers and the community. Many of the teachers I’ve had have truly impacted my life. The way that the community is so close is really special. After I graduate, I plan to go into a Scrub Tech Program and then go on to work at OSU. 



Desirae McJunkin

I have gone to Western since Kindergarten.  I spent the summer before my senior year working in food service.  Some hobbies of mine include drawing, writing, reading, and doing things outdoors.  Some things I like to do in my free time is go on long drives and hang out with my friends.  Something I like about our community is how everyone is so fast to help one another.  My future plans are to attend a university and later become an English or History teacher for k-3rd grades.  I am involved with Western’s YLA, NHS, Heart of Western and more. 

I volunteer a lot at Western too.  I couldn’t count on both of my hands how many times I’ve worked concessions for sports or for an event.  I really enjoy the environment and people at Western and I have made many good memories and friendships.  I’ll be sad to see it all go but I’m excited to graduate and start the next chapter of my life.   



Scotlyn Jordan

I am a senior at Western High School. I moved from Zane Trace to Western my second grade year. I enjoy doing All Star Cheer at South Central Xtreme in Chillicothe. I started cheering when I was two but stopped when I was nine. When I was 15 I decided to quit volleyball and basketball and start All-Star Cheer again. I am now entering my senior year and I’m so glad I made this decision. 

Not only do I cheer competitively, but I cheer for the school as well. This year, I am a varsity basketball cheerleader. I also enjoy singing and participating in the high school musical. I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in such a loving and supportive environment. If you want to make friends with new people I highly recommend giving it a try. 

Kenan Ward

I was born on December 16, 2002 in Columbus in a poor family with my father and mother. A few years later, my mother and father got divorced, and I was given to my uncle for a few years then given back to my mother where we moved a lot until she settled near the border to Ohio whilst residing in West Virginia. When I was eight years old, my father took my mother to court for custody of me and my brothers, Ethan and Seth. My father won so I moved in with my father and stepmother where I stayed until 2016 when I moved to Piketon, Ohio and reside to now.