Hudson Connects

On May 25, the 137th Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2022 took place at Blossom Music Center. This year's class had 379 graduates, with 74 recognized as Summa Cum Laude (GPA above a 4.33); 72 honored as Magna Cum Laude (GPA of 4.0 to 4.33); and 87 earned the Cum Laude status (GPA of 3.67 to 3.99). The Class of 2022 also boasted 19 National Merit Scholars.

This year's graduating class was awarded $515,000 by local organizations in the Hudson community and another $7.1 million from colleges, universities and service academies. In addition to their academic, athletic and performing arts accomplishments, our seniors logged an outstanding 17,914 hours of community service as part of the state-recognized Service Learning program. We wish our graduates the best as they move into the next chapter of their lives!

The evening prior to Graduation, seniors took part in the “Be the Light” parade around the high school campus. Seniors decorated their cars, many with balloons or signs of where they are going to college, and cheered in celebration. A group of high school teachers known as “Jefferson Diner” even serenaded our seniors in song along the parade route.

The Hudson Academic Challenge team competed on News Channel 5 in May against teams from Cuyahoga Falls and Wadsworth- and finished with the win! The team representing the Explorers consisted of Megan Earp, Lukas Brashear, and Rossteen Kheder.

The Academic Challenge is a quiz competition among Northeast Ohio high schools and airs on WEWS-TV on Saturday mornings. The Hudson team is led by Advisor Bobby Bolin.

Fourth-grade students from East Woods Intermediate took part in the Bloodhound Rocket Car Races at Memorial Stadium last month. Over a period of several weeks, students designed and built the cars for race day while learning about force, acceleration, and energy.

In 2015, the Hudson City School District first collaborated with the Solon-based manufacturer Swagelok Company and the BLOODHOUND SSC, an organization in England, when they were pursuing a 1,000 mph world land speed record. Hudson was the first school district in the country to formally add BLOODHOUND lessons to its curriculum.

This year's races were videotaped by HCTV and shown live on the district's Facebook page.

Congratulations are in order for the Hudson High School Pit Orchestra for their part in the spring musical “Chicago: Teen Edition.” The group won the Dazzle Award last month for Best Student Orchestra. The Dazzle Awards, presented at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, honor excellence in Northeast Ohio High School Musical Theater. Hudson High School’s Chicago production earned an incredible six nominations. Shout out to Mr. Iriarte and his student orchestra on this terrific honor.

Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart and Babe Ruth were among the famous names who paid a visit to Ellsworth Hill!

Second grade students in Ms. Kelly Thrane’s homeroom presented biography projects before friends and family after selecting a famous person they wished to learn more about for their end of the year research project.

Through weeks of fact finding, students learned about their figure’s accomplishments, as well as struggles that helped shape their life and put them on a national stage.

Finally, the young Hudson biographers crafted poster boards and brought their research to life.

The kindergarten Class of 2028 celebrated the end of the year by leaving their mark on the McDowell Arboretum.

Students in Mrs. Fenimore and Mr. Shaw’s homerooms enjoyed spending time exploring nature during Forest Fridays. To wrap up the year, and as part of their poetry curriculum, students wrote an acrostic poem about an object in nature. Each child then voice recorded their poem. From there, the HCSD technology department stepped in and utilized the GlowForge in the Makerspace Lab to etch the QR codes and a picture of their nature object into wood.

You'll find the wooden markers with the QR codes along various points at the McDowell Arboretum for all to scan, listen and enjoy. The students hope the community will take advantage of the nature walk this summer.

All eyes were on the East Woods Hatchery last month, as students in Mrs. Bethany Hipps and Mrs. Emily Wanders welcomed their first baby chick in "The Hatchery."

Third grade students tended to their 18 eggs for three weeks by making sure the eggs were properly rotated, as well as checking temperature and humidity. This was the first year for the Hatchery- and tied into the district curriculum unit on birds. A live stream was set up so excited students could watch for any action during after school hours.

The end of the school year brings fun activities throughout the district! At Hudson Middle School, each grade participated in their individual Field Day. For our 8th graders, it was the first time they had the opportunity to take part, as the pandemic side-lined the activity for the past two years. A shout out to the PE team at HMS for organizing a great event!

The boys lacrosse team had an amazing season by claiming the 2022 Regional Title and heading to the State Final Four.

They were defeated by Dublin in the semi-final game at Ashland University, but left a great legacy behind. We are so proud of their tremendous season!

Email: reecej@hudson.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.hudson.k12.oh.us/
Phone: 330-653-1495
Facebook: facebook.com/hudsoncityschools
Twitter: @hudsonohschools