Three Long-time Staff Members Retire
Mrs. Parkes has announced, after 44 years in the Clay Local School District, her "final" retirement. During her career at Clay, she taught language arts and has been the Clay librarian and academic competition advisor for many years. Her dedication to the Clay Local School District will be missed. Best wishes to Mrs. Parkes in her future "retirement" endeavors.
Mr. Rose announced his plans to retire in November at the end of this school year. Mr. Rose has taught language arts and history during his teaching career. During his tenure at Clay, he has also been the district's athletic administrator, social media coordinator, and National Honor Society advisor. He coached several sports and helped establish the original mock trial team at Clay as well. This is his 35th year in education (33.5 years at Clay).
Mr. Jackson also announced his intended retirement in November. He has been in education 34 years (33 years at Clay). He has taught math, chemistry, calculus, and physics during his tenure. He was also a basketball and baseball coach in his early years at Clay.
Mr. Rose and Mr. Jackson, with Board approval, will return to the Clay hallways in August.
Clay High School's Commencement Exercises 2023
Clay High School's 83rd Commencement Exercises
Clay High School Gymnasium
Sunday, May 28, 2023
3:00 PM
Lilyan Morgan Buckler^*, Darian Nicole Carter, John Ethan Carter, Ava Elizabeth Cobern, Marilyn Faith Colley^#+, Ava Faith Davis, Morgan Faith Eick, Amadea Moselle Everman^*, Katelyn Elizabeth Fife, Haley Lynn Jade Fowler, Derrick Marshall Hammond, Darrell Glen Harlow Jr., Hayley Dawn Howe, Madison Sue Jackson^*+#, Michael Gage Irelan, Timothy Alex Lands, Cayden Thomas Maddix, Carly Mae Martin^+, Alliyah Brooke Maynard, Allyssa Paige Maynard^*+#, Xzavier Christopher McClaskey^, Summer Rose McClurg, Elexis Morgan McCoy^#, Bryson Ty McSweeney, Mariah Nicole Myrtle Edith Neal, Lana Jane Pellegrinon, Tyra Breanna Lynn Rawlins^#, Casey Jonathan Robinson, Abigail Lynn Scott^*+#, Jonathan Aaron Smith, Katelyn Marie Smith, Conner Alan Snellgrove, Aleigha Brooklyn Spradlin, Luke Andre Staker, Angel Lauren Stump, Maggie Ann Swayne, Mallory Joy Swords^*+#, Adrienne Nicole Whitley^*+#, & Andrew Christopher Zuefle^+#
Outstanding Vocational Student: Elexis Morgan McCoy
Salutatorian: Abigail Scott
Valedictorian: Allyssa Maynard
+ Honors Diploma
* National Honor Society
# Award of Merit
^ Principal's Award
The Class of 2023 received $609,294 in scholarship offers. Over the last twenty-one years, Clay HS graduates have received over $7,850,000 in scholarship offers.
Class Motto: "Been There Done That"
Class Flower: Hibiscus
Class Colors: Caroline Blue
Clay's UCAN Scholarship Fund
The Scioto Foundation’s University College Access Network or UCAN was launched in 2008. It is a program that helps youth plan, prepare, and pay for college through strong partnerships with all Scioto County schools, the South-Central Ohio Educational Service Center, local businesses, and donors.
The UCAN Clay Schools Legacy Scholarship is part of the UCAN program. Clay has over $383,000 in its endowment fund and has given away over $100,500 in scholarships to 101 students since the start of the program. Clay graduates have been awarded over $7 million in total scholarship offers in the last 20 years.
To celebrate the beginning of the UCAN (University College Access Network) program’s 15th year in the fall of 2022, the Scioto Foundation will offer an additional $15,000 and a total of $40,000 in matching challenge grants to Scioto County school systems for their UCAN endowment funds for the 2022-2023 school year.
If you would like to donate to this fund, go to www.sciotofoundation.org or mail a check to the Scioto Foundation, P.O. Box 911, Portsmouth, OH 45662. You may also contact the Clay Local School District (740.354.6645) or the Foundation for more information.
Homer Duncan, Former Custodian, Passes
Homer Duncan, 94 of Portsmouth departed this life at SOMC Hospice to his Heavenly Home on Sunday, January 15, 2023. He was born January 13, 1929, to Wallace and Della Duncan of Portsmouth, Ohio. He served his country during the Korean War as a Ham Radio Operator. After the war was over, he met Ruth (who also worked in the kitchen at Rubyville for several years) Hattion of New Boston. They fell in love and were married.
Clay - Empowered District 2022
Congratulations to the CLAY LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT for earning EVERFI’s Empowered seal, awarded to fewer than 10% of the school districts across North America in 2022! The EVERFI Empowered Seal is a designation awarded to K-12 school districts that have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to whole-child education through the use of EVERFI’s comprehensive, evidence-informed digital programs in areas such as financial literacy, social-emotional learning, college & career readiness, STEM, and health & wellness.