MASON, OH (FOX19) - Thirteen Mason High School students received awards and top scores on this year’s Le Grand Concours, an annual academic French competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French that is open to superior students in all 50 states and abroad.

Katie Hibner and Divya Takkellapati were awarded the esteemed Lauréat du Chapitre prize.  Takkellapati placed second in the nation, and Hibner ranked  fifth in the nation.

Out of the more than 24,000 Level II students and 19,000 Level III students who took the National French Test in March, 60 percent of the participating MHS students were recognized for their state rank. 

MHS took eight out of Ohio’s Level II top 10 spots. Hibner, Andrea Castillo-Beroes, Abbie Etherington, Melissa Groenwold, Gabrielle Honda, Sheila Raghavendran, Andrew Treneman and Gabrielle Stichweh all placed in Ohio’s Top 10. 

COLUMBUS, OH (FOX19) - State Representative Ron Maag of Lebanon welcomed 25 students, along with their parents, to the Ohio Statehouse, as part of the “Legislator for a Day” program.

Students were specially selected after winning an essay contest from their respective schools in Warren County.  The assignment was to write an essay about a famous Warren County individual.

The group participated in a mock session inside the House Chambers, where they discussed and voted on fictitious bills such as shortening the school year, banning junk food from all school activities and designating a state pizza. They then took a tour of the Statehouse and ended the day with a pizza lunch at the Riffe Center.

“This is a great program where kids have the chance to experience state government in action,” Rep. Maag said. “It’s a fun environment for both students and representatives.”

KINGS MILLS, OH (FOX19)  - A Warren County Sherriff has taken up a new post at the Kings Local Schooll District.

New School Resource Officer Deputy John Downs has been with the Warren County Sherriff’s Office since 2002. 

He will have an office at Kings High School but will be available as a resource for all of our students and staff.  Warren County Sherriff, Larry Sims said, “Deputy Downs is a very professional and experienced uniformed deputy sheriff.” 

Downs has received specific training in areas such as bike patrol, drug identifications, and interview and interrogation, as well as training in a variety of law enforcement topics. 

Deputy Downs has also been involved with the Kings’ Staff Emergency Simulation Training.  Sheriff Sims said, “We are extremely excited about Deputy Downs’ interest in this position and partnership with Kings Local Schools.”