Indian Hill High School (IHHS) shines the spotlight on educational leader and Latin Teacher Mark Atwood who was recently named a 2020 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Distinguished Teacher. Atwood was nominated by IHHS Class of 2020 graduate and current Columbia University student Liz Radway for the prestigious recognition.
"I am grateful every day that I get to work with amazing young people like Liz Radway,” said Atwood. “I also feel fortunate to work with colleagues who are second to none in a community that places a high value on education and fosters the talents and ambitions of students like Liz."
“Liz Radway was a shining star within our graduating class, and we know she will do incredible things as a student at Columbia and in her future; we are thrilled Liz took this opportunity to recognize Mr. Atwood who is an amazing educator and member of our team,” said Indian Hill High School Principal Jeff Damadeo.
During her senior year at IHHS, Liz Radway earned a $40,000 Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship and a paid internship at Amazon for the summer following her freshman year. Radway was also selected as one of 50 Cooke Scholarship winners in the country (one of two in Ohio). As a Presidential Scholar, Radway was one of an elite number of students recognized. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.
"The most gratifying thing about teaching is to be challenged by your students,” said Atwood. “Liz Radway is an extraordinary thinker with limitless talents. What sets Liz apart is her willingness to challenge commonly held assumptions and openness to think about questions differently. She is also, simply put, a kind person. This is what I admire about her most. The future is bright for Liz Radway."
Photo caption: IHHS Latin Teacher Mark Atwood with Indian Hill Superintendent Kirk Koennecke.