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Fort Thomas Independent board honors student champions and names teacher Shelby Jones Tradition of Excellence winner
Summary
At its meeting, the Fort Thomas Independent board recognized multiple student achievements — including a state wrestling champion and National Merit finalists — and presented the Tradition of Excellence award to teacher Shelby Jones after colleagues and students praised his classroom innovations.
The Fort Thomas Independent Board of Education opened its meeting by recognizing a string of student and staff accomplishments, and presented the Tradition of Excellence award to teacher Shelby Jones.
Mr. Darnell, who announced academic and extracurricular honors, named three National Merit finalists: Flynn Cook, Addison Iford and Dylan Spears, and noted the finalists will learn about scholarship outcomes in the spring. He also introduced Emma Hood as “our first wrestling state champion in school history,” celebrating the rapid growth of the district’s girls’ wrestling program.
The board and staff highlighted additional student successes: a swim-and-dive state championship, a middle-school forensics state champion (Sofia Noah), regional academic and technical program advances, and a KSBA banner contest entry produced by the district’s art and photography students.
Natalie Heidrick, a second-grade teacher, and Samantha Reynolds, who described herself as a colleague and teammate, led the nomination for Shelby Jones, citing 27 years of service at Woodfill Elementary, classroom innovations that integrate technology (including Dash and Dot robots), and community outreach such as pairing high school students with younger learners. Samantha Reynolds said Jones “truly encapsulates the spirit of the Tradition of Excellence Award.” Students who worked with Jones offered brief tributes describing his creativity and the classroom traditions he created.
Board members and administrators thanked coaches, staff and families for supporting expanded extracurricular programs and encouraged the community to attend upcoming showcases and presentations.
The board moved from recognitions to business after the presentations.
