Welcome to the family, Class of 2026! Take your next steps to becoming a McNicholas Rocket.
Faculty
The McNicholas faculty is a team of educators who are dedicated to helping students discover and develop their God-given brilliance. Our teachers are caring and supportive and our 12:1 student-teacher ratio allows them to give students the personalized attention they deserve.
Faculty members are also committed to their own life-long learning; they meet weekly with their colleagues and, in the summer of 2020 alone, our faculty logged over 520 hours of professional development.
Teacher Spotlight
February Educator of the Month
Ms. Dennemann models the McNicholas mission in her interactions with students and colleagues. Her commitment to academic excellence is evident in her openness to investigating and implementing effective new ways of teaching science.
January Educator of the Month
Mrs. Dill believes that all of her students can achieve academically and challenges them to learn and grow intellectually. She compassionately cares about the well-being of her students, both physically and emotionally. She genuinely wants the best for each student and works generously to advocate for their needs.
October Educator of the Month
Mr. Dalton is the epitome of a student-centered educator. His deep math and pedagogical expertise powers his commitment to customize instruction in ways that guide and motivate each student to maximize learning.
September Educator of the Month
Mrs. Brothers works hard and happily for the McNicholas community – students, colleagues, and alumni alike. Her commitment to McNicholas, rooted in her experiences as a Rocket graduate and state-champion athlete, is inspiring and her upbeat attitude is contagious.
May Educator of the Month
Mrs. Sandmann combines the spiritual depth and wisdom of a veteran McNicholas educator with the creative spark, energy, and spirit of adventure of an educator newer to the profession.
February Educator of the Month
Mrs. Noble teaches with passion. She works tirelessly to create innovative, engaging learning experiences that challenge students to think critically, act compassionately, and write copiously. Students respond to her honest and passionate presence.
April Educator of the Month
Ms. Schwab is a valued member of the SAIL team. She contributes to the collegial teamwork that sustains the excellence of the SAIL Program. She makes a distinctive contribution through her expertise as a Reading Specialist, expertise cultivated through dedication to completing a challenging program of professional growth for the sake of her students.
March Educator of the Month
Ms. Davis works hard to meet the needs of all of her students by striving to take into account their individual God-given brilliance: their talents, interests, backgrounds, and learning styles. She continually searches for new strategies to expand her instructional repertoire and challenge her students.
January Educator of the Month
Mrs. Herndon works tirelessly behind the scenes as an advocate for all SAIL students, both current and prospective. She holds high expectations for them without enabling them. She builds their confidence and classroom skills so they can achieve success.
December Educator of the Month
One does not need to have a traditional classroom to be an educator. Mrs. Tumser works in the classroom of the heart by teaching students to think and lead with their hearts. The amount of time she devotes to educating CREW leaders, promoting school spirit, and enhancing the McNick experience for students is extraordinary.
Our daughter has continued to be challenged by being placed in appropriate classes based on her abilities. With the smaller school setting, the teachers know her and what she is capable of. We have been very happy with our decision of sending our daughter to McNicholas High School.
Amy, Parent of Class of '23
The amazing community of people we have in the school makes McNick special. The community is more like a family. I love the relationship between the students and the teachers and how the teachers are invested in helping us grow.
Aimee, Class of '21
Academics News
Art teacher Mr. Willy Corbett will clean his last paintbrush and theatre director Ms. Teresa De Zarn will take her last bow as the 2022-23 school year comes to a close.
Congratulations to our newest graduates who received their diplomas at the PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation on Sunday, May 22. Student Body President Lauren Keith, Valedictorian Andrew Collette, and English Teacher Mr. Jeff Mulvey were nominated by the Class of 2022 to speak at the graduation ceremony.
Students in Mrs. Kendra Lonneman’s personal finance classes learned about the importance of philanthropy and supported pediatric cancer research by participating in the Magnified Giving program.
At McNicholas, students are consistently challenged to achieve their academic best. Congratulations to all our Rockets who stepped up to the challenge this year. They were recognized at our annual Academic Awards ceremony on Friday, May 13.
At our annual Academic Signing celebration, we recognized the Class of 2022 Top 10. These 10 students have achieved the highest weighted cumulative grade point average up to and including the third quarter of their senior year: Jack Caccavari, Emma Clemons, Andrew Collette, Bobby Fechtel, Emily Fridley, Zach Geiser, Maria Klug, Ethan Koran, Arden Jakubovic, and Jason Munzel.
The senior St. Joseph Scholars highlighted the ways they have grown in compassionate leadership as they presented their Social Justice Capstone Projects.
The Class of 2025 grew in compassionate leadership this week as they bonded together during leadership formation. This day of formation laid the groundwork for the Leadership McNick program, a joint venture between McNicholas and the Xavier University Leadership Center (XLC), that will officially kick off next school year.
At McNicholas, we build bridges...but sometimes we break them too! Ms. Gaskins’s Architectural Drafting students designed, constructed, and then tested the strength of their spaghetti bridges. Junior Caroline Mohahan’s brilliant design was the strongest, holding 14.1 pounds!
Twenty-six Rockets were inducted to the National Art Honor Society this April. NAHS inspires and recognizes students who have shown an outstanding ability and interest in art and supports members in their efforts to attain the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service.
As part of the Guardian Angels School’s CANabilities Program, McNicholas hosted the eighth grade class from GA, leading them through a morning of witness, reflection, and activities fostering kindness and compassion.
The World Languages Department celebrated National Foreign Language Week with fun, food, and “Fallas.” Activities included "Ojos de Dios" crafts from Mexico, “Fallas" from Valencia, and a Greek temple building project.
All three seniors who were announced as National Merit Semifinalists in September have advanced to Finalist standing. Congratulations to our National Merit Finalists Ethan Koran, Erin McManus, and Jason Munzel!
Congratulations to senior Conner Dute whose achievement on the American Legion Americanism and Government Test has earned him the State Award and an all-expense-paid trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
Congratulations to senior Zach Geiser who placed first in our school-wide Poetry Out Loud competition for his recitation of “Dream Song 14” by John Berryman. Zach will move on to the regional semi-finals for an opportunity to compete at the state level.
Rockets presented science fair projects ranging from exploring nutrients for hydroponically grown kale plants to testing the effectiveness of antibiotics on bacteria. The first place winner was sophomore Carly Kent.
Conner Dute ’22 and Conner Gibson ’22 were both awarded Gold Keys for their architecture work. Connor Dute was recognized for his pizza oven rendering, Rock-In Park, and Conner Gibson received his Gold Key for The Cozy Comb, a plan for sustainable living for displaced persons. Both Conners will move on the National Scholastic competition.
McNicholas is pleased to announce the appointment of the school’s President, Dr. Denver T. Stanfield.
Rockets grew in compassionate leadership today thanks to Hands Across Campus (HAC), our inclusion and diversity student organization, who organized an assembly whose topic was autism and theme was “Show me my neighbor.”
Please join us in welcoming three new faculty and staff members to the McNicholas family. Mr. Pete Collopy joins the Athletic Department as a strength and conditioning coach, Mrs. Julie Miller has returned to McNicholas as full-time math tutor and co-teacher, and Mrs. Andrea Wheeler joins us as a full-time co-teacher in the English Department.
McNicholas engineering students learned real-world skills and provided a valuable service to the community through a semester-long partnership with May We Help.
Twelve students were inducted to The Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH). The Spanish Honor Society recognizes high achievement in Spanish and promotes continuing interest in Hispanic studies.
Junior Peter Anderson and senior Gabrielle Gruppo's photographs are on display in the Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery at Mount St. Joseph University as part of their Selections biennial exhibition.
St. Joseph Scholars spent the day serving and learning at the Cincinnati Recycling and Reuse Hub. Scholars sorted recyclables, “shopped” for reusable items, and learned about ways that they can be more sustainable in their daily lives.
McNicholas is excited to announce that we are adopting a President/Principal model of school administration to meet the school’s continued growth in its academic, spiritual, and community initiatives.
In addition to the three seniors announced on Sept. 15 as semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit® Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) program, six are being recognized as Commended Students: Emma Clemmons, Andrew Collette, Bobby Fechtel, Emily Fridley, Zach Geiser, and Joe Walters.
The McNick Minute podcast will be hosting its first live podcast of the 2021-22 school year on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.
Congratulations to the ten members of the Class of 2022 who were inducted into the Science National Honor Society on Wednesday, Sept. 22. These students excel in and show a passion for science related fields.
McNicholas High School is proud to announce that seniors Ethan Koran, Erin McManus, and Jason Munzel are semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit® Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) program. Semifinalists represent the top 1% of seniors nationwide based on the results of the PSAT/NMSQT test the students took as juniors.
Congratulations to senior Erin McManus who was awarded the Junior Science Award from the Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital’s Physicians Charitable Foundation.
Junior Gia Guessford presented her project at the State Science Fair this summer where she scored a superior rating and won first prize for the Milt Austin Aquatic Science Award.
Please join us in welcoming eleven new faculty and staff members to the McNicholas family, many of whom are filling new positions in our growing community.
McNicholas is excited to announce the Big Read for Summer 2021, What the Eyes Don't See by Mona Hannah-Attisha.
Congratulations to our newest graduates who received their diplomas at the PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center.
SAIL students connected with 69 alumni between the Classes of 1960 and 1972 through a pen pal program.
After 45 years of service, Mr. John Norman taught his last class at McNicholas High School and exited the school building amidst the cheering of students and staff.
Ms. Mel Gaskins, recent recipient of the Scholastic Educators Art Award, and her Architecture students tested the design of their egg drop contraptions.
COVID may have put a stop to our traditional annual Art Show, but it has not limited the creativity, productivity, or talent of our Rocket artists!
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 Top 10 who were honored at an Academic Signing celebration.
Thirteen students, who were inducted to the Science National Honor Society in September, have spent the school year providing science-related service.
Twenty-three students were recognized for the ways that their artistic talents and creativity make our world more beautiful.
Senior Anna Rahner has been named a semifinalist in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, landing her among the top 0.0002% of graduating seniors in the United States.
At McNicholas, we partner with professionals to give our students opportunities that build on classroom learning.
Rockets earn Superior and Excellent ratings in the Ohio Music Education Spring Solo & Ensemble Competition.
Senior Isabella Bonner wins a Silver Medal in the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition for her exceptional work in ceramics.
Jakob Tucker places second in the Ohio Poetry Out Loud competition.
Rockets present projects in COVID-safe science fair.
Freshmen Amanda Braig and Taylor Ferenc and junior Shannon Whitely win Poetry Slam contest.