The Bellefontaine High School Class of 2023 will graduate during commencement exercises slated for 7 p.m. Friday, May 26, at AcuSport Stadium.
Kirsten Hand leads the Class of 2023 as valedictorian. Mason DeLong is the salutatorian.
Friday night’s ceremony will be available at WBCS TV Bellefontaine High School’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxXp1YJvVOg. The livestream will start around 6:45 p.m
This year’s BHS Distinguished Alumni will be honored during the ceremony. They are Spencer Reames (Class of 1964), Alison Marker (Class of 2000), and Jeff Wiley (Class of 2001).
Longtime Benjamin Logan Schools teacher Reames also serves as the commencement speaker.
Reames said he knew from his freshman year of high school that he wanted to become a teacher. After high school graduation, he continued his education first at Bowling Green State University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education, being the first in his family to attend college.
He then went on to Ball State University for his Master’s Degree in Science. Spencer spent the next several years continuing his education through workshops and other classes to build his resume.
Reames started his teaching career at Benjamin Logan High School and has been teaching there for 55 years. While teaching his high school students, Spencer also taught science courses at Urbana University and Ohio Northern University for multiple years.
Throughout his time as an educator, he has been a part of multiple professional memberships. This includes, but is not limited to, the American Society for Biochemistry, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Association of Biology Teachers, and the Ohio Education Association. He was also recently presented with an Honorary State Future Farmers of America (FFA) Degree.
“Reames continues his dedication to his students every day by sharing his excitement for science and spurring his pupils to become involved in various extracurricular activities, including the annual school science fair,” his nominator said.
The dedicated teacher also has an impressive list of students who have qualified for various science fairs from the State Science Day to the National Junior Academy of Science and the International Science and Engineering Fair.
Several years ago, Reames’ attention ventured towards alpacas after visiting a friend’s farm. He started his own operation called October Skies Alpacas and specializes in show-quality Huacaya alpacas.
His son, Aaron, a 1992 graduate of BHS, was a 2015 BHS Distinguished Alumni recipient as well.
Following Marker’s BHS graduation in 2000, she attended Miami University, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies.
Marker then continued her education at The Ohio State University earning her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work. After spending 10 years in the mental health industry, she left her career as a private practice psychotherapist to join Marker Construction in 2012 and continue the family’s legacy.
In her current role as president and CEO, Alison carries on the values and ethics that Marker has been known for throughout their 67 years.
Even with her career and busy family of five, she continues to stay active within the community through volunteering and philanthropy, giving of her time for numerous organizations, including the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio, Associated Builders and Contractors, Community Shelter Board, the United Way of Logan County and Huckleberry House.
“Alison is known for being an empathetic, thoughtful, and progressive leader who focuses on people over profits,” her nominator said. “Under Alison’s leadership, Marker is known for their efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the construction industry, and the strides they are making with workforce development.”
She has received multiple awards and recognitions for her career achievements and impressive community service, including the Columbus CEO HR Excellence Award, Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40 Award, and she was recently selected as a Women WELDing the Way 2024 Calendar Honoree, an award which recognizes women in Central Ohio who are high impact leaders that support the leadership development of other women.
Wiley graduated as valedictorian from Bellefontaine High School in 2001. He then continued his education through Ohio Northern University and received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with High Distinction. Mr. Wiley also received his Master of Business Administration from Stetson University.
In 2008, Wiley began his career at Walt Disney Co. with the Design and Engineering – Modeling Simulation and Training Tools Team. Wiley started his journey in a graduate internship and worked his way up to become Staff Systems Engineer.
The Distinguished Alumni honoree also has an extensive history of volunteering and helping the community around him. Through The Walt Disney Co., he has been heavily involved in STEM Education Volunteering which has helped students ranging in age from elementary to college. He has also mentored multiple interns through Walt Disney, including a previous BHS graduate.
Throughout the years, Wiley has been an active church member and youth group leader. He is a son of a longtime pharmacist, Keith Wiley, and previous teacher and gifted program administrator at BCS, Cathy Wiley. Jeff’s sister, Kim, also graduated from BHS. She has a successful career for Disney in Orlando as well.
Wiley recently celebrated 10 years of marriage to his wife, Nellie Jo, who worked in entertainment at Walt Disney World before transitioning to be a full-time stay-at-home mom to their kids, Caleb, 6, and Nellie Marie, 3.
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