In the Spring of 2019, the London City School District published its Portrait of a Graduate, which highlights the key skills and attitudes necessary for district graduates to have success in college and careers. Our district uses the Portrait of a Graduate to help design meaningful teaching and learning experiences for our students.
The following students were recognized during the November Regular Board of Education meeting for substantially demonstrating the district’s Portrait of a Graduate.
Congratulations to each of these students!
Evelyn Adkins (2nd Grade) - London Elementary School
Evelyn Adkins embodies every quality of the London City Schools Portrait of a Graduate. She is an effective communicator who uses both her words and actions to uplift others—always ready to help a classmate, offer encouragement, or lead with kindness. Her teacher, Ms. Bowen, shares, “Watching her grow and lead in the classroom has been both a blessing and an honor. She is a true leader, someone who makes every student feel seen, heard, and valued.”
Evelyn approaches challenges with determination and creativity, demonstrating the qualities of a critical thinker and problem-solver. She is also flexible and adaptable, meeting new situations with optimism and perseverance, whether in the classroom or while competing in cheerleading.
Her respect for self and others is evident in every interaction. Evelyn treats everyone with patience, compassion, and genuine care, helping to create an inclusive and positive classroom culture. She also shows she is appropriately skilled in literacy, numeracy, and technology, maintaining strong academic performance and a love of learning.
Evelyn is truly future-ready, a kind, capable, and confident student who represents what it means to be a Red Raider.
Cael Shaffner (7th) - London Middle School
Meet Cael Shaffner, a seventh-grade student at London Middle School, who truly represents the London City Schools Portrait of a Graduate.
Cael has earned Merit Honor Roll status since sixth grade and is currently enrolled in both Honors Math and Honors ELA, consistently demonstrating academic excellence and curiosity. He was also named a Coffee Bean Award recipient for the first quarter, recognized for his positive influence, resilience, leadership, problem-solving, service, and community spirit.
Cael is a Critical and Creative Thinker and Problem-Solver who loves tackling challenges. His favorite subject is math, where he enjoys figuring out complex problems and sharing his reasoning with others. Mrs. Meddock, his math teacher, says, “Cael approaches class with infectious enthusiasm and a genuine love of learning. He shows a particular passion for math, tackling challenging problems with precision and creative thinking. He is an excellent communicator, consistently sharing ideas respectfully and listening attentively to others. He is such a joy to see every day.”
Cael’s creativity shines just as brightly in art. Mrs. Estrellado shares, “Cael shines as a great leader, always inspiring his friends to work together and try their best. He comes up with creative ideas for every project, whether it’s R2-D2 from Star Wars or drawing landmarks from multiple countries in his Peace Poster—his imagination helps turn ordinary projects into creative masterpieces. But what makes Cael truly special is his kindness—he always includes everyone, listens to others’ ideas, and makes sure no one feels left out.”
As an Effective Communicator, Cael also volunteers at his church, helping lead the K–5 program. He greets students, participates in activities, and leads large-group sessions with confidence and warmth. His leadership, empathy, and communication skills make him someone others naturally look up to.
Cael is Appropriately Skilled in Literacy, Numeracy, and Technology, combining strong academics with hands-on experience. His Honors courses and robotics involvement show how he connects classroom learning with real-world application.
He is Respectful to Others, treating classmates, teammates, and younger students with kindness and care. His teachers describe him as inclusive and encouraging—a student who makes sure everyone feels valued.
Cael has demonstrated great Flexibility and Adaptability. Moving to middle school meant navigating new routines and multiple classroom transitions, but Cael embraced the change with confidence—describing it as “like driving through rush-hour traffic.” Despite the fast pace, he balances academics, soccer, robotics, and volunteering with ease.
Outside of school, Cael’s curiosity extends beyond the classroom. Inspired by his astronomer uncle, he uses his telescope to study the moon’s mountain ranges and recently observed the super moon—further proof of his passion for exploration and discovery.
Cael dreams of becoming a zoologist because of his love for animals—though he admits he’s “not interested in the veterinary gross things.” He hopes to attend Ohio State University or Otterbein University, both of which are known for their strong animal science programs.
Cael Shaffner is a true Portrait of a Graduate—a curious, compassionate, and creative learner who inspires those around him and embraces every opportunity to learn and lead.
Makaylee Byers (11th) - London Unlimited
London Unlimited student Makaylee Byers, an 11th grader, truly embodies the qualities outlined in London City Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate. She attends both London Unlimited and Tolles Career & Technical Center, where she is enrolled in the Art Design & Communication program.
In this program, Makaylee has been able to turn her artistic interests into opportunities for the future. She is developing her skills in working with various media and creating a creative portfolio to showcase her work for scholarships and interviews. She loves that the program allows her to blend art, technology, design, and academics in meaningful ways.
Makaylee has already earned her industry-recognized credential seal and continues to explore her passion for the arts. She enjoys reading, shopping, drawing, and listening to music, and loves spending time with her cat, Leo, and her dog, Piper. She appreciates the flexibility that the London Unlimited program provides—allowing her to balance her academic goals with her creative pursuits.
Although still deciding on a specific career path, Makaylee is considering a future in graphic design or another art-related field. Her creativity, adaptability, and curiosity reflect the very essence of London City Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate.
Julie Hicks (12th) - London High School
Julie Hicks, a senior at London High School, is being honored as a London City Schools Portrait of a Graduate. Julie has demonstrated the characteristics of a Portrait of a Graduate throughout her high school journey by excelling through her active involvement in the school and the London FFA.
As a dedicated three-year member and officer of the London FFA Chapter, Julie consistently shows commitment and responsibility. She approaches her duties with focus and enthusiasm, supporting her peers and making significant contributions to the chapter's success. Her strong work ethic and leadership qualities have earned her the respect of both students and staff.
In addition to her FFA involvement, Julie has also been a valuable member of the London High School softball team. Academically, she is on track to complete 12 semester hours through College Credit Plus and has earned the Citizenship, Science, and Community Service Seals, highlighting her well-rounded achievements. Julie’s dedication and character make her a standout student and a deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition.
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