Through the Eyes of a Tiger:

LHS Class of 2020 Valedictorian Ashley George and Salutatorian Sofia Dillhoff share a look at their Loveland High School experience in their own words

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (June 5, 2020) – Their academic achievements as Loveland High School (LHS) students distinguish them in the classroom and beyond.

Ashley George, Valedictorian, Class of 2020, LHS (Provided)

Johnson believes the two outstanding Tiger students have a bright future ahead. 

“Both Ashley and Sofia will be difference-makers in our society of that we have no doubt,” she concluded. “So very proud of them.”

As their Tiger stripes begin to fade into the past and the pair focuses on the promise of a bright future beginning at Ohio State University for Ashley George and University of Notre Dame for Sofia Dillhoff, they took time to share a view of LHS with Loveland Beacon readers. Here is what they saw “Through the Eyes of a Tiger”.

Loveland Beacon (LB) – What has your time at Loveland High School meant to you?

Ashley George (AG) – I am extremely grateful to have been a student at Loveland High School. Even as we have not had a traditional senior year, our faculty and staff have only been supportive and understanding. I appreciate that Loveland teachers are patient and approachable, having a genuine interest in their students’ well-being and future

I was reminded of the kindness of our teachers before school closed when I was covering the final stretch of hallway, between the staircase and biology class. I crossed paths with a new faculty member. He told me that, “I was going to have a great day”, even though he had no idea who I was.

(LB) – Of the recognition you have received, which mean the most to you? Do any of the awards or recognition stand out for you as special to you? (Why?)

(AG) – Every scholarship I was awarded sincerely means so much to me. Each time I was thrown into a state of utter shock and disbelief: the generosity and kindness of these individuals surprised me. Their support and investment in my future – and other students’ futures – will not be forgotten.

I am extremely grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers/Cincinnati Federation of Office Professionals (CFT/CFOP) Scholarship because of the personal connection I have to that organization. My mother is a Moderate to Intensive Intervention Specialist at Aiken High School. I have visited her school many times, each time further impressed by the dedication of teachers. Because of the generosity of CFT/CFOP, I was once again reminded of the important job educators have and honored that such esteemed individuals believed in me.

(LB) – In what activities/clubs/programs were you involved during High School?

(AG) – I bowled for four years and ran cross country for one during my time at Loveland High School. I was a member of the National Honor Society and the school’s science Olympiad and math teams. For my last two years of high school, I worked at Mathnasium as a math instructor. I had the privilege of volunteering with the Great Parks of Hamilton County in the nature interpreter program and with NEST Community Learning Center last summer. I took dual-enrollment classes at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash and became involved there as a College Credit Plus student orientation leader as well.

(LB) – What are your best memories of Loveland High School?

(AG) – One of my best memories of Loveland High School was the graduation car parade: an experience unique to the class of 2020. As a triplet, my brothers and I adorned our family SUV with references to our family TV show, Breaking Bad, and with special accomplishments over these last four years. Previous classes have experienced this with friends, but I appreciated that this experience would only be shared between my family and I. It was a final goodbye to high school before graduating, and all the while the Loveland community cheered us on with unwavering support.

(LB) – What are your plans for after high school?  What does the future hold?

(AG) – I will be majoring in chemistry, with a minor in forensic science, at the Ohio State University for my bachelor’s degree. I plan to transfer to another university to complete my master’s degree, in chemistry, to diversify where I study. I intend to pursue a career in forensic chemistry and aspire to work for the DEA.

(LB) – What will you most remember about your time at Loveland High School?

 (AG) – I certainly will remember my senior year – it was unlike any other. COVID-19 has forced me, along with countless other Loveland seniors, to pause and reflect. Living in today’s go-go-go American society, it’s hard to not feel rushed. COVID-19 has taught me to slow down and embrace the present moment, to appreciate what I have right now.

Loveland Beacon (LB) – What has your time at Loveland High School meant to you?

Sofia Dillhoff (SD) – My time at LHS has been extremely valuable. I never realized how much I loved high school and how much I enjoyed being in the classroom until remote learning began. I have grown more than I could have ever imagined in the past four years and I am so grateful to be a Loveland Tiger.

(LB) – Of the recognition you have received ie: awards/scholarships that you won, which mean the most to you? Does any of the awards or recognition stand out for you as special to you? (Why?)

(SD) – Receiving the Loveland’s woman’s club scholarship was an unexpected honor. I was so happy to be recognized by an organization whose values I align so closely with.

(LB) – In what activities/clubs/programs were you involved during High School ?

(SD) – I played lacrosse and ran cross country all four years of high school. I was also involved in student council, Do It In A Dress, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) club, Rec basketball, Ski Club, Math Team, NEST and I was a junior volunteer at Cincinnati children’s hospital.

(LB) – What are your best memories of Loveland High School?

(SD) – My best memories have been through Loveland athletics. Cross country and lacrosse have given me amazing lifelong friendships and memories. Going to Loveland games with my friends has always been so much fun, and it’s incredible to see so much of the Loveland community cheering each other on.

(LB) – What are your plans for after high school? What does the future hold?

(SD) – I will be studying computer science at the University of Notre Dame. After college, I see myself as a young professional in a big city spending too much money at trendy restaurants.

(LB) – What will you most remember about your time at Loveland High School?

(SD) – I will remember the unusual ending and how the incredible Loveland community and administration supported the class of 2020 in our final days of high school.

Congratulations to ALL the Loveland High School

Class of 2020 Graduates!

 Click here GRADUATION VIDEO & Loveland Schools Article