Alumni Spotlight

The Campbell Memorial High School Alumni Association proudly announces the 2024 commencement address will be given by Melissa Kmetz, the 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year and the 2024 Ohio Teacher Fellow.

Melissa, a 1999 CMHS graduate, is a 21 year veteran of the classroom and has amassed an enviable number of awards and accolades. Ms. Kmetz garnered a Bachelor’s of Education degree (summa cum laude) and a Master’s degree in Reading from YSU. In her quest to gather as much expertise as possible, she furthered her knowledge through professional development at Harvard Graduate School of education. A lifelong learner, Ms. Kmetz actively seeks new and innovative projects to further advance her already stellar teaching style.

Because she grew up in a multi-ethnic, socio- economically diverse environment, Melissa easily assimilates into any educational or social setting. Campbell has always been a city that values every individual. Consequently, Melissa has always been, and will continue to be, a fierce advocate of culturally diverse curriculum, global education and student leadership/activism. In every classroom and educational arena, she has sought to create a safe environment which encourages every student to develop his full potential.
Her extensive altruistic pursuits did not go unnoticed and led to her attainment of the most prestigious education award, The 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year. Throughout 2023, Melissa has traveled around Ohio, taking part in professional development programs which will further student advocacy and activism in the Ohio’s classrooms. She also traveled with the National Teacher of the Year program, collaborating with all 55 teachers of the year throughout the United States and its territories to strengthen our educational programs and policy at the national level. Additionally, she was able to attend events with President Biden, First Lady, Jill Biden, and important educational policymakers. In 2024, she will take a sabbatical year away from the classroom to serve as the Ohio Teacher Fellow of the Year, working with the Ohio Dept. of Education in Columbus. Due to her outstanding advocacy pursuits, OEA President Scott DiMauro has appointed her to a two-year term on OEA’s Human and Civil Rights Committee.

Melissa Kmetz is an exemplary teacher who is creating excitement in the classroom and securing a bright future for her students and young people around the globe. We are extremely proud to welcome Melissa Kmetz back to Red Devil country!

We are pleased to announce a new scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

The Alvira Serluco Memorial Education Scholarship of $1,000 has been established by Anthony and Donna Seluco and family and friends to honor the memory of a beloved Campbell elementary education teacher, Mrs. Alvira Serluco. Mrs. Serluco dedicated her long and illustrious 41 yr career to the teaching of Campbell’s students at Penhale and Gordon Elementary Schools. She was also highly involved in her church and community, extending her life’s lessons to many of Campbell’s youth.

This scholarship will be awarded to a student has garnered a 3.0 GPA, is active in school and community activities and who will seek a career in education in the fall.

We are pleased to announce a new scholarship established by Attorney Paul Perantinides (class of 1962).

The Theodore “Tedo” Perantinides Memorial Scholarship

Atty. Paul Perantinides, a 1962 CMHS graduate, CMHSAA Hall of Fame recipient and founding trustee, has established a $2,500 renewable scholarship in memory of his beloved brother, Mr. Theodore “Tedo” Perantinides.

Tedo, a 1959 CMHS graduate, was a lifelong Campbell resident and an active member of his church and city communities. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Business Admnistration from YSU, Mr. Perantinides attained successful careers as an industrial painter and a Certified Life Underwriter; but, most importantly, he was a staunch advocate of our city who believed in doing all that he could to continue our strong Campbell traditions. Consequently, he raised his three daughters in his treasured city and each of them, Atty. Nomiki Tsarnas, Harriet Perantinides Cortez( CMHSAA founding trustee) and Mrs. Evangela Hazimihalis have gone on to garner careers that demonstrate our traditions of excellence are evident!

The Theodore “Tedo” Perantinides Memorial Scholarship of $2,500, sponsored by his brother, Atty. Paul Perantinides, is renewable for 3 additional years to total $10,000 if the sponsor’s requirements are met.

The recipient must be a CMHS graduating senior or continuing education student

(sophomore or higher), have garnered a 3.0 GPA or higher, be actively involved in school and community activities and pursue a degree at Youngstown State University.

In 2023, 1955 CMHS graduate and world-renowned orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Michael Patzakis, established a $2,500 scholarship.

Magnanimously, this year, Dr. Patzakis will not only once again award this $2,500 scholarship, he will also sponsor an additional eight scholarships of varying amounts to honor the treasured memories of those beloved individuals who fostered his goals and supported him throughout his long and illustrious career.

THE DR. MICHAEL PATZAKIS SCHOLARSHIPS

Two Susan Giokaris Patzakis Memorial Nursing Scholarships of $1,500 each are established to honor Dr. Patzakis wife, Susan, who had a long, brilliant nursing career. $1,500 will be awarded to two students who wish to pursue a degree in the nursing field.

The John and Arfati Patzakis Memorial Scholarship of $ 2,000 will be awarded in memory of Dr. Patzakis’s beloved parents.

Two Flora, Cleopatra and Nikitas Patzakis Memorial Scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to two students in memory of Dr. Patzakis’s treasured siblings.

The Phillip M. Evanski Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 honors the memory of Dr. Patzakis’s best friend and classmate.

The Dr. Peter Tsaknis Memorial Scholarship of $1,000 is established in honor of Dr. Patzakis’s beloved cousin and classmate, Dr. Peter Tsaknis.

The recipients of these awards may be a CMHS graduating senior, a continuing education student or a post graduate student who has attained a 3.0 GPA or higher and must have been involved in volunteerism, academic and co-curricular activities.

The Coach John Knapick Memorial Trade School Scholarship of $600 is established by Dr. Patzakis to honor the memory of his coach and mentor, Mr. John Knapick.

The Coach Carmen Julius Memorial Trade Scholarship of $600 is established to honor the memory of Mr. Carmen Julius, Dr. Patzakis’s coach and role model.

These scholarships will be awarded to two individuals who wish to pursue a degree in a skilled trade.

We are pleased to share Mr. Peter Psara, class of 2006, will address the Memorial High School class of 2023 at commencement ceremonies on June 1, 2023.

Mr. Psaras graduated from Campbell Memorial High School in 2006 as Valedictorian of his class.

Pursuing an interest in Aerospace Engineering, he attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Space Propulsion and Aerospace Vehicle Design. Mr. Psaras then went on to pursue a career at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the John Glenn Research Center in 2012, where he began work on NASA’s Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT), which launched in November 2021. NEXT propelled the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft which was aimed at testing methods of planetary defense.

Since 2016, he has been an integral part of the Artemis program, which is a NASA collaboration with the European Space Agency, Lockheed Martin and various other commercial partners aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon to establish a permanent human lunar presence. NASA will use what they learn on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap: Sending the first astronauts to Mars. He previously served as the Reaction Control System Engineering Lead for the European Service Module successfully guiding the development of RCS flight hardware for Artemis-1 and 2 though assembly, Acceptance and Qualification testing and delivery.

Mr. Psaras is currently the Lead Engineer for all Propulsion Subsystem Components, responsible for guiding flight hardware through development, testing, integration into the vehicle and flight operation support. The culmination of these efforts has resulted in a successful completion of the Artemis-1 mission on Dec 11, 2022, setting the distance record for a human space rated vehicle at 260,000 miles, previously set by Apollo 13.

Mr. Psaras will be representing NASA Propulsion as part of the mission evaluation team at Houston’s Johnson Space Center for Artemis 2, a crewed mission which will launch in November 2024.