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Opportunities for Kindness
Annual Scholarships for Graduating Seniors
Sycamore Bridges is again awarding two $1,500 scholarships to graduating seniors as they continue their educational journey.
The Frank Forsthoefel Scholarship recognizes a student who is pursuing higher education in any capacity, whether trade school, community college, or a traditional 4-year institution, who has overcome obstacles while in high school and the added expense of higher education creates an undue burden for the student. In his role as Superintendent, Mr. Forsthoefel embodied our mission of removing barriers, providing for basic needs, and seeking equity for students so they can engage and succeed in school and life. He worked tirelessly to support all of our students so they could reach their full potential. We honor his legacy and continue his example with this gift.
The Karen Naber Scholarship recognizes a student who has demonstrated significant and/or impactful community service throughout high school. Mrs. Naber spent her Sycamore career focused on engaging and serving the greater community through innovative means. She is credited with introducing Neighborhood Bridges to Sycamore, just one of many examples of her humble service, not only to our students but to our neighbors. Ideally, the recipient of this scholarship has taken advantage of or even created service opportunities through school-sanctioned events, extracurricular activities, and/or community organizations.
We encourage all graduating seniors to apply for these awards through the local scholarships application. The recipients will be selected by the HS counseling team and presented at Senior Awards Night this May. Thanks to ongoing contributions, these scholarships have been fully funded for the Class of 2026! If you would like to make a gift to our scholarship fund for future recipients or for a specific graduating class, reply to this post and donation information will be emailed to you.
The Frank Forsthoefel Scholarship recognizes a student who is pursuing higher education in any capacity, whether trade school, community college, or a traditional 4-year institution, who has overcome obstacles while in high school and the added expense of higher education creates an undue burden for the student. In his role as Superintendent, Mr. Forsthoefel embodied our mission of removing barriers, providing for basic needs, and seeking equity for students so they can engage and succeed in school and life. He worked tirelessly to support all of our students so they could reach their full potential. We honor his legacy and continue his example with this gift.
The Karen Naber Scholarship recognizes a student who has demonstrated significant and/or impactful community service throughout high school. Mrs. Naber spent her Sycamore career focused on engaging and serving the greater community through innovative means. She is credited with introducing Neighborhood Bridges to Sycamore, just one of many examples of her humble service, not only to our students but to our neighbors. Ideally, the recipient of this scholarship has taken advantage of or even created service opportunities through school-sanctioned events, extracurricular activities, and/or community organizations.
We encourage all graduating seniors to apply for these awards through the local scholarships application. The recipients will be selected by the HS counseling team and presented at Senior Awards Night this May. Thanks to ongoing contributions, these scholarships have been fully funded for the Class of 2026! If you would like to make a gift to our scholarship fund for future recipients or for a specific graduating class, reply to this post and donation information will be emailed to you.
National Sponsors
Ohio Sponsors
Kindness Council Members
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Recently Filled Needs
Restock HS Bridges Backroom
Spring is around the corner and Sycamore Bridges is restocking our High School Bridges Backroom with deodorant! As the weather warms up, we are filling the shelves with our single most-requested item. Thanks to our generous community, we are able to meet this request without additional donations.
Major Car Repair for Local Family
Sycamore Bridges is working with a community advocate to assist a Sycamore family with a major car repair. After experiencing a job loss and unexpected medical bills, the family found themselves burning through savings very quickly. Unfortunately, they just learned their vehicle is in need of a new transmission and cannot be driven until fixed. With a new job secured, it is imperative the vehicle is in working order as soon as possible. We would like to offset the cost of the repair as much as possible so they can keep their heads above water. If you would like to offer assistance, CLICK HERE and designate your donation to "Car Repair".
Sketchbook Request - FILLED
Sycamore Bridges is working with a HS counselor to assist a student in need of a specific sketchbook for an advanced art class. We are thrilled to report a donor has offered to purchase the sketchbook prior to this request being posted. No additional funds are needed at this time.
Lyft Gift Cards for UC Blue Ash Students
Sycamore Bridges is working with UC Blue Ash to assist a handful of students who are facing transportation issues that prevent them from attending classes regularly. We have been asked to provide (4) Lyft gift cards at $50 each to assist these students while they work out a permanent transportation plan. Thanks to a corporate grant, this request was filled before being posted. No additional donations are needed at this time.
Lunch Debt for 9 Students
Sycamore Bridges is again partnering with our Kindness Council member, Spice Spice Baby Cincinnati to eliminate lunch debt for as many students as possible. Each month, a portion of their sales supports this endeavor. For February, their donation, along with matching community donors, is assisting 9 students who have balances leftover before being approved for free/reduced lunch plans. Wiping away this financial burden brings a huge sense of relief for our families. We are so grateful for our community partnerships that help neighbors who need it most. No additional donations are needed at this time.
Uber Gift Card
Sycamore Bridges is working with an elementary school counselor to help a single mother seeking support with Uber gift cards. Mom does not have her own transportation and relies on Uber to ride with her autistic kindergartener to school each day. Mom recently secured employment and is working hard to save enough money to purchase a car. We have been asked to provide $100 worth of Uber gift cards to ensure the student can attend school each day without taking a huge toll on mom's savings. If you would like to contribute to this request, CLICK HERE and designate your donation to "Uber Gift Card".
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About Sycamore
Lori Drasnin is an active Sycamore parent and volunteer. She previously served as PTO President for Montgomery Elementary, as well as PTO Treasurer at Montgomery Elementary, E.H. Greene Intermediate, and Sycamore Junior High School. Over the past decade, Lori has chaired too many PTO events and fundraisers to count and brought innovation and updated programs to our local schools. Lori also organized a Bedtime Bundle collection from the YWCA Battered Women's Shelter from 2014-2017, and served on the board of Ohio Cleats for Kids (C4K) until taking this role.
Lori holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Michigan, as well as a law degree from Emory University. She practiced liability defense for six years at Dinsmore in Cincinnati, OH before "retiring" to stay home and raise her children. Lori is married to husband, Jeff, has two boys, Matthew and Ryan, and two puggles, Max & Erma.
Lori enjoys serving the greater Sycamore community and bridging kindness across the neighborhood.