Ranger News

Dear Ranger Families,

Spring is officially here, and we are just eight weeks away from the end of the 2024-2025 school year! The next two months will be filled with exciting events, so be sure to stay up to date with the district calendar at NRCS.net.

This time of year also marks the start of state testing. From April 7 through April 24, students in grades 3-12 will participate in state assessments. For detailed testing information and the full schedule, click here. Your support in ensuring students get plenty of rest and arrive on time will help set them up for success!

At the high school, we are excited to announce the appointment of Mrs. Meghan Hignite as the new Principal, following the retirement of Mr. Mueller. Mrs. Hignite has served as one of the high school’s Assistant Principals for the past two years, demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to our students and staff. We are confident that she will build upon Mr. Mueller’s legacy and continue to foster a positive and enriching learning environment. You can learn more about Mrs. Hignite below.

Earlier this week, we reached an exciting milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Maintenance and Transportation Facility. Joined by our Board of Education members, staff members and city officials, we kicked off construction on this important project. Over the coming months, you’ll notice significant progress north of the Academic Center on Ranger Way. Be sure to check out the photos from the event below!

Thank you for your continued support as we make the final stretch of this school year the best one yet!

Sincerely,

Roxann Ramsey-Caserio

April 18-21: No School

May 17: Prom

May 23: Last Day of School for Seniors

May 26: No School, Memorial Day

May 28: Commencement at 6:30 PM, Ranger Stadium

May 29: Last Day of School

We are excited to share an important leadership update with you. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, Mrs. Meghan Hignite will be stepping into the role of Principal at North Ridgeville High School. Many of you may already know Mrs. Hignite, as she has served as one of our Assistant Principals for the past two years, forming strong relationships with students, staff, and families alike.

Prior to joining North Ridgeville City Schools, Mrs. Hignite spent ten years as a Social Studies teacher at Fairview Park High School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Mercyhurst University, a Master of Education from John Carroll University, and a Principal Licensure from Cleveland State University.

What or who inspired you to become an educator?

I was very lucky to be raised by educators. My mom is a retired paraprofessional and my dad is a retired school administrator. They ignited my passion for all things education, showing me the profound joy of working with students everyday, and they continue to be my biggest cheerleaders for my own education career. Not only that, but I had teachers in my life that had a profound impact on who I am today, and if I can have even half the impact on students that they had on me, I would measure myself successful.

What are you most excited for in this new role?
Ranger Nation is filled with incredible people (students and staff alike), and I am so lucky to get to work with them every single day. NRHS has a very exciting future ahead, and am eager to build on the relationships I have built over the last several years to ensure we continue to shine bright.

Do you have a favorite quote or motto you live by?

Actress Lily Tomlin is credited with saying "I always wondered why somebody doesn't do something about that. Then I realized, I was somebody."

This quote has always stuck with me because as a leader, I strive to be that "somebody."

If you had a superpower, what it would be and why?
Definitely teleportation. The savings on gas mileage alone, can you imagine?

Do you have any pets?

I have two adorable and goofy Boxers, named Stella and Callie!

This week, Coach Panagiotou was officially sworn in as North Ridgeville’s newest police officer. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, he will step into the role of School Resource Officer at the high school, following Officer Calvin Cross’s retirement. Several district staff members and the entire boys and girls soccer teams were there to support him!

Coach Panagiotou has been a dedicated member of our school community for years, both as a coach and a parent. His strong connections with our student-athletes and his commitment to their success make him an outstanding choice for this position. We are confident he will bring the same leadership, integrity, and passion to his new role as he has to the field.

We are thrilled to welcome him in this capacity—congratulations, Coach!

This past week marked an exciting milestone in our district’s ongoing construction journey! On Tuesday, we officially broke ground on the new Maintenance and Transportation Facility, a vital addition that will enhance operations for years to come.

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this momentous occasion. We are thrilled to see this project take shape!

If you drive down Ranger Way, you’ll notice construction is in full swing. Work will continue over the coming months, with the facility slated to open in January 2026. Stay tuned for more updates as progress continues!

Three outstanding NRAC students—Zoey Bloom (6th grade), Elliot Gionfriddo (6th grade), and Madelyn Kimberly (7th grade)—were recognized as finalists in the prestigious Maltz Museum Stop the Hate Contest. Competing against over 2,000 students, they stood out for their powerful poetry submissions, securing three of the six finalist spots.

At last night’s awards ceremony, all three were honored for their inspiring work. Zoey Bloom earned an impressive second place for her poem "I Won't," Madelyn Kimberly secured third place for her poem "Jar Full of Kindness," and Elliot Gionfriddo received an honorable mention for her poem "Pointing Out Flaws."

Congratulations to these talented young writers for using their voices to advocate for others and make a meaningful impact in our community!

The curtain rises tonight at 7 PM at ECLC for the NRHS Drama Club’s highly anticipated production of The Little Mermaid! Dozens of talented and dedicated students have poured their hearts into this show—whether on stage as part of the cast or behind the scenes in set design, costumes, and stage production. This magical performance is brought to life under the direction of Colleen Ricci, with vocals by James Koenig and choreography by Leslie Mihelic.

🎟️ Purchase your tickets here!

Family-Friendly Showings:
Performances this weekend—April 4, 5, and 6—are designated as child-friendly, so expect an enthusiastic audience with extra noise and movement. A sensory-friendly viewing room will also be available for those who prefer a quieter experience.

Standard Performances:
For those looking for a more traditional theater experience, additional showings will be held on April 11 and 12 at 7 PM and April 13 at 2 PM.

Bravo to the entire cast and crew for their hard work in bringing this beloved story to life!

Our NRHS Broadcast Journalism class created a trailer to show some behind the scenes of this production! Check it out below!

The Class of 2025 Senior Celebration Luau will take place on May 20 from 6 - 9 p.m. at NRHS. We can't wait to celebrate our grads! Pre-sale tickets are $5 and the deadline to buy April 23rd. Click here to purchase!

We need your support to make this celebration truly unforgettable! The Ranger Parent Club is currently hosting the Un-Fundraiser, where your generous donation directly contributes to the success of this event. Click here to learn more!

In addition, they’re seeking event sponsors to help bring this celebration to life. If you or your business are interested in becoming a sponsor, click here to explore sponsorship opportunities!

We surprised each of these students with a certificate and a gift during the school day for their outstanding behavior and kindness on our buses. Congratulations to the March Riders of the Ridge!

Lena Mayher

Gabriel Baker
Grayson Tilley
Zoey Schaublin
Sebastian Richards

Dexter Giraro
Jea-son Warren
Cole Quintana

Cecilia Bouman is a high honor roll student and a standout athlete. A four-year varsity letter recipient in soccer and basketball, she served as captain for both teams. As the varsity soccer goalie, she earned First Team honors from the Greater Cleveland Soccer Coaches Association and was named All-Lorain County 2nd Team Goalkeeper. In basketball, she was recognized on the All-Lorain County 1st Team and Defensive Team. A dedicated leader, CC has been class president for two years and will speak at commencement. She has also been active in Unified Sports, Student Council, National Honor Society, Champions for Life, and the Prom Committee. A track athlete and two-year captain, she has competed in the 800m and relays. Outside of school, CC works at Culver’s and officiates for the Ohio Travel Soccer League. She will attend Ohio Northern University, majoring in pharmacy with plans to pursue a doctorate and a career in clinical or research projects in a hospital.

Anthony Irwin is a high honor roll student and National Honor Society member. Passionate about inclusion, he has spent three years with Unified Sports, coaching and competing alongside our Able students, and two years with Youth Challenge, a nonprofit supporting children with disabilities through adaptive sports. He also advocates for John’s Safe Space, recently working with architects to incorporate this mental health resource into the new high school. A dedicated athlete, Anthony has played football since age five and is a varsity linebacker. In track, he competes in the 400m, relays, discus, and shot put. A black belt, he has spent five years mentoring young students in martial arts. He also leads games at his church’s Bible School and participated in a mission trip to Atlanta. Anthony plans to major in architecture and has been accepted to the Honors College at Cincinnati and Kent, while also considering Ohio State.

North Ridgeville High School is hosting a blood drive on Friday, April 11 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Make an appointment to donate here using Blood Drive Code U0255.

Support the Volleyball Program and have a "hoppy" Easter morning with this Egg My Yard fundraiser! Click here to order by April 12!

Grab a burrito and support the Endowment Funds Committee! All day Thursday, April 17, you can dine to donate at Fiesta Jalapenos. Don't forget to show this flyer!

On Saturday, April 12, join the Lions Club for a Pancake Breakfast from 8 to 11 AM in the NRAC Cafetorium. Grab a photo with the Easter Bunny and enjoy all you can eat pancakes for a $10 donation.

Following the pancake breakfast on April 12, you can take part in the Rotary Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Ranger Stadium! The hunt is for kids ages 1-9 and will take place at 1 PM. Don't be late!

In partnership with North Ridgeville City Schools, Heart & Sole is excited to pilot a month-long program to offer free community gym access to residents at the North Ridgeville Academic Center. From April 14 to May 16, residents can use the gym Monday through Friday, 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.

The safety of our students and community remains our top priority. To ensure security, all gym users must sign in and sign out at the front entrance. A North Ridgeville City Schools staff member will be at the front desk to record attendance. Additionally, doors connecting the gym to school hallways will be locked and require badge access.

This is a pilot program to gauge community interest, and we will evaluate its success at the end to learn what went well and what can be changed for the future. Feedback from gym users and the community is highly encouraged; this will be a crucial part of our evaluation.

Summer planning begins NOW! Check out this Basketball Skills Camp in June!

The City of NR will be hosting a basketball camp for kids ages 9-15 in June. Learn more below and click here to register.

Connecting for Kids provides resources and support for our surrounding communities. Services include workshops, fairs, and panels about topics like mental health, developmental delays, and disabilities.

April's highlights include drop-in playgroups, music therapy, support groups, and a discussion of The Ugly Hour dealing with the time before bed where chaos reigns.

Visit their website connectingforkids.org to learn more about their spring programs.