Look at Our Seniors

SENIOR CLASS OF 2025

Get to know our seniors!

Kydin Whitmore

As a senior at Western High School, I have been deeply involved in many activities that prove my dedication to academics and community service. Since moving to Western during my sophomore year, I have participated in the Youth Leadership Association, Musical, Quiz and Science Bowls, and DFCA while contributing over 1,000 community volunteer hours. These include helping with concessions, serving on the prom and homecoming committees, assisting with the Western blood drive, and volunteering as a camp counselor. My commitment to academics and service is reflected in my college-level class, being a member of the John Kincaid National Honor Society, and being at the top of my class.

I plan to pursue a political science or architecture degree, which aligns with my passion for leadership and problem-solving. My experiences at Western High School, including participation in the Leadership Summit Camp, have continued my desire to leave a positive impact. Western High School has significantly shaped my journey, providing opportunities for growth and meaningful connections to become who I am today.

Kilee Allen

Hailey Bell

I came to this school just last year. My future plan is to become a nurse to help people. Some of my hobbies are baking, art, games, and reading. What I like about school are the teachers, probably the best teachers I've ever had. Honestly, my favorite teacher will always be Mrs. Clifton.

Some things I do when I'm not in school are mainly working out like taking hikes and long walks. I also like talking to all my friends and having sleepovers with them or just hanging out with them or sometimes staying home and listening to music is good enough for me.

Samuele Cattaneo

I’m a foreign exchange student from Italy, more precisely, from a small town near Milan. My name is Samuele, but people here call me Sam. I’m a friendly and outgoing guy who loves meeting new people and having new experiences. My host mom and my host dad are two very available and kind people who are always ready to help me. Their names are Abby and Colton.

As I write this short paragraph, today is my fourth day at Western High School. What I know about here is not so much; however, I can say that my first few days here have been good, and the people are wonderful and kind to me.

I’m on the soccer team now, and I’ll also be on the basketball team during basketball season, so I’ll be very involved in the school’s activities. Basketball is my primary sport in Italy, and I have played this sport since I was six years old. However, sports aren’t my only passion; I enjoy music in all its aspects. I play the piano and sing in my free time. With sports and music, one of my other passions is traveling. I have been to many different countries and on four continents, including Asia, Europe, Africa, and America. One of my biggest goals in life is to have the possibility to continue traveling and visit as many countries as possible.

I haven’t decided yet what I would like to do after school, also because I’ll still have another year when I come back to Italy because we have five years of high school, but I’m sure I want to go to University. I would like to have the opportunity to go to a college in America, but I’m still thinking about the course that I want to follow, and I will have to win a scholarship to reach this big goal. However, I have to spend one year here at Western, and I’m very excited about everything that will come. I’m sure this will be an amazing year that will be impossible to forget.

Macie Colburn

I am 17 years old and going into my senior year of high school at Western. I was born and raised in the lovely Pike County, and to this day, still am a resident. My parents are Christinna and Brian Beekman. This is my third full year going to Western; for the majority of my life, I went to Waverly but decided to switch it up and move to Latham halfway through my freshman year. I am a full time student athlete playing two sports. I played volleyball my whole life but had to walk away this year due to personal issues. I am going to resume doing cheerleading and basketball for my final year of school. I am also a member of the National Honor Society and participate in the Youth Leadership Association. Outside of my school life and hobbies, I do 4H and take horses and rabbits to the Pike County Fair. This year, I ran for Pike County fair queen and got crowned as a court member next to my classmate Callie Farmer who was crowned queen. I also show my horse year round at local open shows competing for season points to win rewards at the end of a season.

Now onto the fun facts part about myself that most people don't know. I was a competition dancer and cheerleader until I was 12 years old. I did dance and cheer from the time I was 5 until I was in the 6th grade when I decided that I was growing out of it and was more interested in sports. I also live on a farm with horses, cattle, rabbits, goats, and donkeys. Another fun fact is that I love to travel and have been to seven different countries and 20 states. My favorite places to travel are the mountains, but I also love the beaches as well. My biggest secret of all is I am a natural blonde. Yes, that's right, it is black dye, my friends.

Kara Duke

I am 18 years old and have a passion for art, music, and animals. I was born and raised in Temple, Texas and moved to Ohio at the age of 14. I have my sights set on a career in mental health, and with a heart for helping others and a natural inclination towards creativity, I aim to combine my artistic talents with my desire to provide compassionate care for those in need. I envision a future where my love for art, music, and my aspiration to pursue a path in mental health reflects my diverse interests and dedication to both creativity and healing.

Tyler Kerns

I started going to Western in 5th grade. I participate in basketball, baseball, and soccer. I've played basketball since I was 7 years old. I have played baseball since I was 6 years old. I have only played soccer for four years since my freshman year. Some of my favorite activities are fishing and hanging out with my friends. In my free time, I like to go workout, and spend time with my family.

When I graduate, I plan on going to lineman school. I want to be a lineman and be able to travel. I plan on moving to Florida after I graduate and get my life together. One thing I want to do the most is travel the world with my family in a couple years.

Eli McQuay

My name is Elijah but I go by Eli. I have played soccer for four years, basketball for three, and baseball for one year. I've been at Western for half of my life since I was ten years old. I moved from Circleville City Schools, and if I didn't move schools, my life would've been so much different. I'd probably be making the worst choices and going down the wrong path. Since I've been here, there has been nothing but love, and all staff and students have their differences, but they still all work together and help with the school. Going from a big school to a small school is hard, considering the fact that there are so many more people at the bigger school. With a small school, it's a lot more calm and more laid back. My plans after school are to go into the workforce and eventually get enough money to go to college so I'm not worried about the money.

Julian Silva

I’ve gone to Western since my sophomore year. So far, this place has taught me more than a classroom could’ve shown. I learned that it shouldn’t matter where you come from or where you came from, we all have the same value. Throughout the years, I have made friends with people older than me because of how easy going they were.

My interests consist of cars and how to make them louder with subs or even how to make them look better. The main thing I enjoyed most about working on cars though is working on them with my dad. My dad doesn’t have a lot of time due to him being busy at work but the only time we share a connection is through cars. When I was younger, my dad loved taking me and my brothers to car shows though my brothers didn’t enjoy it all the time. I knew my dad never failed to make sure I always had a good time. My junior year, I played esports, and we made it past the golden bracket so that also was a good way to connect with people I never thought I could talk to.

I would love to give a big shout out to ZACH HERMAN and DUSTIN LYKINS for really being the best esports coaches and dedicating your time of day to help kids express themselves through games., This is one thing I love about Western -- it doesn’t matter how bad the environment is, you can always find peace among the people you love and cherish.

Breleigh (Belle) Tackett

I've been attending Western since I was in kindergarten. I am a part of NHS, YLA, volleyball and basketball. I have been playing volleyball and basketball since I was little. I have three siblings, who went/go to Western: Brooklyn (graduated), Shayla (11th grade), and Easton (1st grade). In my free time, I like to hangout with my friends and family.

After high school, I plan to attend Paul Mitchel’s cosmetology school. I've been wanting to do cosmetology for a few years now after my sister showed me how fun it can be. If cosmetology isn't for me then I would be a phlebotomist.

Arieanna Teed

I moved here in second grade from Akron. I moved away in 7th grade back to Akron and moved back here in 8th grade. I’ve played basketball since second grade. I also play volleyball, and I've played that since my sophomore year. I played a little softball in 6th grade then I tried to play my sophomore year but I had a foot injury so I just watched from the dugout. I participated in drug free club, pep club, Heart of Western, and I did YLA one year. I also did musical one year and realized how much I loved it!

After high school, I plan to go to cosmetology school to learn how to do hair and nails. I also plan to get a job during it so I can also make money while doing something I love. Cosmetology is something I figured out I wanted to do my junior year of high school.

Taylor Wilburn

I have been attending Western High School since kindergarten. I have four siblings who also go to Western:, (pre K) Luke Wilburn, (kindergarten) Wyatt Wilburn, (1st) Penelope Starrett, (junior) Maddison Wilburn. I have played soccer at Western for three years, and volleyball for one. I am in 4-H, and I've been in the Country Pride 4-H club for almost five years now. I am currently 18. My childhood dream was to become a nurse to help deliver babies.

My dreams now are to go to law school and graduate. I plan to wrap my whole life around that. I love Western because the teachers at Western help so much with helping you find your future plans and help to send you off so you can succeed. Although I am not 100% sure about law school, I have big dreams and plan to make one of them come true. I am so excited to graduate and move on into the real world.

Cutter Clay

I am a senior at Western High School. I have been going to Western since kindergarten. I participate in numerous clubs and teams such as golf, basketball, National Honor Society, YLA, Heart of Western and theater. This school year, I am excited to have one last time doing all the things I love with everyone in the class of 2025. My last two semesters I am taking online classes through Southern State Community College to better prepare myself and have a head start to my Business and Political science degrees. Some of the things I enjoy doing outside of my school life are weight lifting and collecting sports cards. I cannot wait to have the best experience for our senior year with the best people.

Callie Farmer

I am a current senior at Western Local Schools. I am involved in art club, cheerleading, National Honor Society, student council, and concession assistant manager. I have enjoyed all my English classes so I am have striving to become a middle education English teacher. I have joined anatomy class and also a business entrepreneurship class and those are some college ideas so I am not thrown into the dark whenever I decide to start applying for colleges. I love watching teachers grow and shine whenever they find something that they enjoy. I am a camp counselor for Pike county so I see all of the kids find something that they like and something that they enjoy going out to do.

Some of my hobbies include: singing, dancing, showing livestock, spending time with my brother, kayaking, fishing, and spending time with my best friend. I have been at Western for four years, and it has been an amazing experience to go to a smaller school with a huge community of people that love and cherish all the school does for Latham. Being from Waverly and still currently living there, I have noticed many, many things that are HUGE differences that Western has and it is a great thing and I love the fact that even when something small might happen, the community will come out and help out another no matter rain or shine.

Jagger Grooms

What's up?

I have gone to Western my entire life. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time and will miss it very much. Some of my favorite subjects include Science and Math. I am involved in almost every extracurricular that Western offers including but not limited to golf, baseball, NHS, YLA, quiz bowl, Drug Free club of America, prom committee, musical and Heart of Western. Some of my favorite things to do include weightlifting, travel, watching sports, and hanging out with my friends. My three favorite sports teams are the Cincinnati Bengals, Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. My lifelong dream is to travel the world, hopefully getting the chance to visit all 197 countries of the world. I plan to get my bachelor’s degree in Petroleum engineering. I have yet to fully decide exactly which college I will go to; however, I have it narrowed to a few options. I chose Petroleum Engineering because I've always wanted a career in math, and I was introduced to the wonderful world of engineering at the start of my freshman year. Every time I tried to do research on what discipline of engineering I should've chosen, Petroleum Engineering kept showing up so I took it as a sign. I developed quite a few goals in my life that are quite far fetched, yet I will never stop the pursuit of achieving my goals.

Jeffrey Humphrey

I attend the Pike CTC in the Patient Care Technology program. I’ve been going to Western since 2nd grade. Some of my hobbies include playing games, hanging out with my girlfriend, basketball, and hanging out with my friends. I play basketball and baseball. I participate in musical, esports, etc.

Something I love about our community is our pride in our school. Everyone knows Western for their fans, and it’s just amazing. My future plans are to go to college and get my RN then go into travel nursing.

Alex Siliven

I am a senior at Western High School. I was born in the Dayton area but moved to Western when I was in kindergarten. My extracurricular activities include basketball, Quiz Bowl, and musical. I am involved in the Drug Free Club of America, Yearbook, Spanish Club, and College Credit Plus. I am a proud member of the National Honor Society. In my time with the National Honor Society, I have delivered meals, completed many service hours, and positively impacted those around me. I have mentored second graders through the mentorship program as well as given back to the school community by participating in Heart of Western. My favorite subject would have to be either science or English.

I love to travel. Last year, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to visit Puerto Rico. It was such an amazing experience that I am extremely grateful for. I am not certain what I want to pursue as a career, but right now I am taking an apprenticeship program in order to go into the field of exercise science. I have always been interested in learning how the human body behaves while exerting physical stress that is present in sports. I would most likely attend a two-year college and transfer to a larger university to receive a bachelor’s degree; however, going to a four-year university right after high school is not out of the picture. I have always wanted to go back to my home town and attend Wright State University.

Kerrigan Marhoover

I'm in the graduating class of 2025. I have attended Western my entire life along with my siblings Alyssa, Valedictorian of the class of 2022, and Landon who is an electrician at the CTC. My schedule is filled with ball games from my top sport, volleyball, and my second sport, basketball, where I have played both from 3rd grade. I also am involved in National Honor Society, YLA, DFCA, musical, pep club, Heart of Western and Heart for Art.

Through sports, I have created a family with my community; my volleyball coach is my second mom and helps me through my life more than she could imagine. I love all of my teachers who do not care to help me when I am struggling. After high school, I have zero clue of what I want to do with my life. I just hope that I can find a good path and get good scholarships to go to college, and I know the teachers here will help me and guide me to have a successful career after high school.

Piper Martin

I have attended Western since kindergarten. Here at Western, I take part in many activities. I am not into sports, but I play ten minute chess for the HSEL (High School Esports League), which I placed 32nd in the nation last season. Other things I participate in are band, in which I play percussion and clarinet (7 years), pep band (4 years), NHS (2 years), Student Council (3 years), musical (1 year, but I want to do it again this year!), DFCA (2 years), CCP (3 years), and a bunch of other things that frankly, I cannot remember because there are way too many of them. I am a Horatio Alger National Scholar, one of only 100 in the Nation, which comes with a $25000 award and a trip to Washington D.C.. After my extremely long time at Western is up, I plan on attending college. I do not know for sure yet, but I think I might want to go to Shawnee. I am undecided on what I want to major in, but I’m interested in business and anything having to do with science!

Outside of school, I mainly read, play Fortnite, and hang out with my cat Obsidian. I love taking care of the many kittens in my yard and being around all cute animals. During the summer, I attend Nipgen Teens in Action Christian Camp as a camper, and Junior Camp as a counselor. I have hundreds of volunteer hours dedicated to them, which I hope will make a difference in their life. My dreams for my life are to get married, go to college, and travel. I want to see all the beautiful things in the world. My dream place to live would be somewhere in Europe or Paris, Kentucky. I strive to make every day a great day, and I try to always be cheerful even when I do not feel like it. It is probably rare if you see me, and I am not super bubbly. If I could describe myself in three words, it would be smart, excited, and easily distracted.

Kam Janes

I have been going to Western since pre-school. I have participated in many sports such as golf, basketball, soccer, cross country, track and baseball. I have also participated in other activities such as YLA, National Honors Society, Heart of Western, and Heart for Art. This year, I'm taking part in classes online through Southern State to help prepare me for the responsibilities of college . In college, I plan to do something in the medical field. I haven't figured out what college I want to attend next fall, but I have a couple in mind. Some things I enjoy doing outside school are hanging with my family and friends, lifting weights, and traveling.

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