The Milford Schools Foundation recognized seven alumni during their Night of the Stars gala in October. Congratulations to the following award recipients: Nancy Meyer - class of 1979, Dave Demaris - class of 1963, Tom Towhey - class of 1977, Bob Battig - class of 1979, Malinda McReynolds - class of 1982, Joe Kuethe - class of 1986, and Stephenie Coursey - class of 1994.

Additional information about each alumni:

NANCY MEYER

The President’s Award was given in 2019 to Nancy Meyer for her love of community. Nancy grew up helping her parents in their art shop and now operates Rowe House Gallery on her own. She works tirelessly to bring artists to the community through competitions and exhibits. She regularly donates art and/or framing services for various local philanthropic fundraising initiatives. Nancy recently hosted a group of Terrace Park fifth and sixth grade students allowing them to exhibit their “Pet Portraits” at the gallery in conjunction with a downtown Milford Second Saturday. She organized a local ‘paint out’ in 2017 for area artists, plus she sponsored local artist Robert Cooper in “Steeling Cincinnati,” a 2017 exhibit and program. Nancy is featuring the 1848 Cincinnati daguerreotype panorama by Charles Fontayne and William S. Porter (working in collaboration with Hamilton County Library on this awareness program) and she sponsored a local art competitions featuring the reopening of the Stonelick Covered Bridge, plus she organized and nominated local Terrace Park artist Mark Eberhard for the Governor’s Award for Arts in Ohio.

DAVE DEMARIS AND BOB BATTIG 

Dave and Bob were honored together for their volunteerism. They have donated untold hours serving the homeless and veterans through a group called Kingdom Warriors. Every Monday afternoon they can be found with their legion of volunteers under the Third Street bridge serving dinner to the homeless. Haircuts, clothing and personal hygiene items are also available to those who have a need. For the past four years Dave and Bob have conducted a sock drive for veterans and last year collected more than 1,000 pairs of socks. Bob also donates his time each week to minister to prisoners. Dave graduated Milford High School in May of 1963 and immediately enlisted in the Army. He was stationed in Japan for three years before returning home and getting married. Most people recognize Dave from his days delivering for UPS in the Milford area. Bob graduated Milford High School in May 1979. He worked for General Motors for a short time before taking a position at Tri-Health where he has worked for 38 years and is still employed by them. 

TOM TOWHEY

Tom Towhey always had a flair for the arts. Following his graduation from Milford High School in 1977, he studied briefly at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati. However, he is primarily a self-taught artist. Tom was instrumental in developing after school art programs for the Cincinnati YMCA which included outreach programs for Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He served as a volunteer art teacher for Cincinnati’s St. Rita’s School for the Deaf before moving his studio to Sante Fe, New Mexico for a period in 2006. Currently, Tom Lives and paints in Cincinnati. His work has been represented by numerous galleries and is part of many public and private collections including the following Cincinnati companies/organizations: Proctor & Gamble, Cincinnati Bell, Mercy Hospital, Verdin Bell Company, Corbett Opera Center, Vernon Manor Hotel, and many more.

MALINDA MCCORKLE-MCREYNOLDS

Malinda McCorkle-McReynolds graduated from Milford High School in 1982. Her high school years were highlighted by her participation in drama club, track, French Club and chorus. In the years since e high school Malinda worked in broadcast journalism before changing her career path to education. She taught at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy and Cincinnati Public Schools before becoming a school administrator. Malinda is now in her third year as an Assistant Principal at Milford Junior High School. She is always willing to take on new challenges and works tirelessly for the district.In her spare time, Malinda can be found volunteering for many organizations that help young African-American girls.

JOSEPH KEUTHE

Joe Kuethe has lived a life of Philanthropy since graduating high school in 1986. As an employee of Edward Jones, Joe has climbed to the top of his industry with hard work and determination. He is admired and recognized by his peers and the company he works for. He gives back to the community in many ways with a focus on giving to the schools and those students less fortunate. He has received recognition for the last four years as an advisor in the top 3 percent of the firms he works for. He received the Drucker Award (top 50 advisors in the nation for Edward Jones) measured by service to their clients. Joe is a board member for Sem Villa, involved with Special Olympics, and delivers food to students in need over the summer months. Prior to school starting he collected school supplies for those children who did not have the means to pay for them.

STEPHENIE COURSEY

During high school and after graduation in 1994, Stephenie was drawn to helping and serving others. As a teen Stephenie volunteered at Camp Stepping Stones, assisting counselors with children who have intellectual and physical disabilities. While in high school, she worked at Sem Villa assisting the staff with elderly residents and patients. With the birth of her first child, Stephenie formed the Milford chapter of MOMS Club International as a sport for at home mothers and organized service projects, speakers and community activities. She and her husband Chris worked with Clermont for Kids as a Clermont County foster parent and mentor. Stephenie volunteered for seven years with IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) and organization that provides temporary shelter food and Christian counseling to homeless families living on the margins until permanent housing and jobs could be secured. She coordinates volunteers and resources to operate WAVE (Wednesdays are Very Extraordinary) Community Dinner. Each Wednesday, approximately 150 free, hot meals are made and served at Milford First United Methodist Church. The guests are our neighbors who may be struggling with food insecurities, addiction, mental illness, loneliness or desire a deeper sense of community.