TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Honoring the leaders of their graduating class. TPS held its annual Celebration of Excellence Dinner, Tuesday to reward the top students and scholarship recipients of the class of 2025.
This year’s ceremony was a little different and came with a big surprise for two students.
That surprise was a check for $5,000 to put toward their college as they prepare to educate future generations.
The two checks were presented to Jermel Bolden, a senior from Waite High School, and Nathan Sadowski, a senior from Start High School.
“It was truly like a heart rush, I was like ‘there’s no way these people just called my name’ and I had no idea about it,” said Bolden. “It was truly like a special moment.”
It all comes from money TPS Superintendent Dr. Romules Durant got as part of his Urban Educator of the Year award he received last fall. Dr. Durant chose two future educators, hoping to help inspire these students as they take the next steps in their journey.
“To see an educator come from my community brings great warmth to my heart,” Dr. Durant said.
Bolden said he wants to become a high school choir director. He said his choir teacher at Waite has helped him grow not only as a student, but also as a person.
“After I had lost my father in 2020, I was really in a slump, but once I joined my Choir program, it was really an opportunity for me to find myself, but also find out who I wanted to be later in life,” Bolden said.
Bolden will attend Bowling Green State University in the fall.
Sadowski said he wants to become a middle school social studies teacher and will attend Lourdes University.
“I just want to help shape the next generation and make them better,” Sadowski said.
TPS also honored the district’s valedictorians and salutatorians, as well as a long list of scholarship recipients, getting funds from the TPS foundation. They gathered with their families over dinner, congratulating them on a job well done as they prepare for their post-grad journey.
“It’s such a big step into the future that it’s just going to be a whole new world and I can’t wait to see it,” Bolden said.
TPS graduation ceremonies begin May 20.
Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals
Copyright 2025 WTVG. All rights reserved.
