Bellefontaine High School recently named its Seniors of the Month.

Name: Corbin Baker

Parents: Brian and Tracie Baker

Address: Bellefontaine

School activities and awards: Symphonic Choir, Les Fons, Musical, Sideline & Competition Cheerleading, Interact Club, Agape, Student Senate, Morning Announcements, and National Honor Society.

If I were principal for a day: I would let all classes be dismissed, put a party song over the intercom, and let everyone dance it out for rest of the day. I would also cater KFC so people could enjoy some nice chicken.

Favorite school memory: It’s hard to pinpoint which memory is my favorite due to there being so many, but I would have to say I gained some of the best memories ever during Homecoming week. Getting to spend the entire week with my greatest friends while attending festivities was such a fulfilling experience. It was also such an honorable and humbling experience winning Homecoming King and getting to share said experience with everyone else on court, especially my best friend and Homecoming Queen, Ally Barker.

People who have been an inspiration to me: The first individual that comes to mind is my mother. My mother has always done nothing but encouraged me to be unapologetically myself. Even though I’ve faced pushbacks in pursing this, my mother always gives all of her energy to make sure that I don’t let it tear me down. Her love and support keeps me moving on as myself and not letting the opinions of others define me. She taught me that in a world full of hate, you can be the beam that encourages others to be themselves, just like she has been to me.

Lately I’ve been reading: Absolutely nothing. I get my knowledge from literature and culture through film.

My advice to parents: Always remember that wherever your child goes, they still love you so much. Just because they take the next step towards a bright future, does not mean they are not your child anymore. As long as it is safe, let them move wherever their heart leads them to.

My biggest regret: Not letting myself shine sooner. For the longest time, I was suppressing who I really was to appease the standards of others. However, once I broke away from conforming to everyone else, I found that there is a beautiful work of self-expression. A world where happiness derives from being the person that you were truly meant to be.

Next year: I will hopefully be enrolled in a college gearing up to pursue a career in music. I hope that wherever I may be, whatever college it’s at, whoever I’m with, that I’m surrounded by nothing but genuine love.

Name: Kayla Watkins

Parents: Eric and Samantha Watkins

Address: Bellefontaine

School activities and awards: Orchestra, Yearbook, National Honor Society, Golf, and Bowling. In golf, I’ve received the awards of being on First-Team All CBC four years in a row and being Player of the Year for three years in a row (2020, 2021, & 2022). Also, I individually advanced to the Division I State District Tournament three years in a row (2020, 2021, & 2022). Lastly, I received the CBC Sportsmanship Award for the 2022 season. In bowling, I’ve received the awards of being on First-Team All CBC four years in a row and I was the 2023 CBC Kenton Trail Bowler of the Year. Also, I individually advanced to the Division I State Tournament in the 2022 season. Academically, I received the awards of Outstanding Academic Award for sophomore in Math and Outstanding Academic Award for World Languages Level 1.

If I were principal for a day: I would cater in Six Hundred Downtown and make it a movie day at school where the teachers will play a variety of movies for the students to choose from and watch.

Favorite school memory: When I was at the 2021 Division I District Tournament with my bowling team and it was announced that we had qualified for the state tournament.

People who have been an inspiration to me: My parents and sisters for everything they have done to support me with my education and sports.

Lately I’ve been reading: My statistics and sociology textbooks along with Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent.

My advice to parents: Be supportive and cheer your children on in everything they do. Your support means a lot even though you may not be thanked for it.

My biggest regret: Not participating in all of the high school activities that I could have during my four years of high school.

Next year: I will be attending a four-year college in Ohio and golfing at the collegiate level.