Episode 28 | Class of 2026

In the latest episode of the Fairview Advantage Podcast, Fairview High School Principal Chris Vicha joins graduating seniors Maura G. and Lauren E. for the podcast’s annual tribute to the graduating seniors.

The conversation reflects on the legacy of the Class of 2026, highlighting student involvement in athletics, the arts, academics, leadership, and extracurricular activities throughout their time at FHS. The seniors discuss favorite memories, teachers, classes, and the experiences that shaped their high school journeys, while also sharing advice for younger students preparing to enter high school. 

The episode also features the return of the podcast’s annual trivia showdown between the senior class and Mr. Vicha, with the Class of 2026 making school history in a dramatic finish.

Transcript

Announcer: 0:01

Welcome to the Fairview Advantage Podcast, the official podcast of the Fairview Park City School District. The Fairview Advantage Podcast takes a closer look at the students, teachers, staff, and programs that make up our school community. We've got unique stories to share, highlighting creativity, innovation, collaboration, and leadership, all part of the Fairview Advantage, our framework for student success. To learn more about us, visit our website at Fairview Park schools.org or find us on social media today. and now here's this week's episode.

Unknown: 0:54

Thanks for joining us for another episode of the Fairview Advantage Podcast. My name is Dan Rajkovich. I'm the Communications and Marketing Coordinator here at the Fairview Park City Schools, and today we are doing our annual tribute to the class of the graduating class here at Fairview High School, and this year is the class of 2026 Joining me today is Maura Gillis, hi, and Lauren Eberly, hello, and of course, Fairview High School Principal, mr. Chris Vicka. Later on, we will do the, of course, famous or infamous, depending on how you look at it, trivia, where the class of 26 will take on mr. Vicka. But we're going to start with the serious part of this here first. mr. Vicka, we'll just ask you a few questions here, and then we'll get to the class of 26 But you know, first of all, How would you describe the overall legacy and impact that the class of 26 has had here at Fairview High School? Sure, so I mean, when I think of the class of 2026 I think of just involvement. I think the class of 26 has so many kids involved in so many things, it's a very diverse class, and again, I just seeing kids from the class and the senior class, just get involved in everything, from, you know, the arts to athletics to just being office aides. I mean, they're just great kids, and we're gonna be sad to see them go in a few weeks. I mean, you guys feel that way too, like across the board, like actually, you guys have, like, athletic wise and art wise, like it's been some exciting times here at Fairview High School. I feel like, right? I mean, the shows you've been in a lot of shows athletically, we've done well in football and girls soccer and all sorts of other sports. Talk to me a little bit about that. I think our class is super involved. I mean, I'm in a couple activities, more as in the couple activities. We have some really good athletes as well. Our girls track team just won districts, which is pretty cool. It's our first time in school history that we made it to the second round of the playoffs, which is pretty awesome, that we get to be a part of that and experience that. I think a lot of our classes and stop themselves at one extracurricular. I think we really make an effort to get involved in a lot and spread ourselves across many activities. mr. Vicka, so we'll go back to you here. But you know what will you remember the most about the class of 26 Is it kind of these like moments that they've had so far in the last couple years, or you know, what do you think? Yeah, I think the moments are important. I think those will stick with us for a long time, traveling to different events, or going to certain shows, or just individual conversations with some of the kids that were involved in those things. I think will definitely stick with us, and then just the excitement that kind of evolved around all those activities, so again, great class, and it'll definitely be missed. You know, looking back at their four years, kind of, is there something that you will remember the most here about this class, or kind of that moment? I mean, we talked a little bit about it just here, but and what do you anticipate their impact will be in the years to come for the class of 26 Sure, I think this class has a lot of leaders in it. Just again, going back to, we keep talking about these activities and this involvement and things like that, but you know, it's the leadership is spread amongst a lot of kids, and I think it was, it was pretty evident at the scholars reception the other night. I've sat through that many of those in my many years here, and there's there's been a lot of years where you've seen maybe five kids get most, if not all, of the scholarships. It was nice to go to that event the other night and see so many kids receiving so many different scholarships. So, again, testament to the community and the support the community gives to our kids, but also it speaks volumes about the kids that you know there are so many kids that are involved in so many things and doing great things and are just good overall well-rounded people. That was, you know, again it was acknowledged that night, and I think that's what's what the class 2026 is going to take out of the world, is that you know they do have a great number of kids that are going to go out and do great things. So, talk to me a little bit about, did you guys go to Gillis? Yes, we both did. Okay, so when you came here to the middle school to the height, talk to me a little bit about that. When did, when did we start at the middle school? Sixth grade. Well, I mean, yeah, but like, what, what year we would. Have been 2019 so we were the COVID sixth graders. Okay, so talk to me a little bit about what was, how was that transition coming here to the middle school, high school. I mean, obviously different, but like, were there things you discovered, like, immediately when you got here that were cool? I mean, I don't know, choir, or you know, maybe not right in the sixth grade, but you know, kind of when you were in middle school. Um, when I was in middle school, I was really interested in joining Drill Team. That was kind of always something that I wanted to do, so it just like, as it got closer, it got more exciting for me. And then being on Drill Team was awesome, because my mom and my aunt were both eaglets over at North Olmstead, so that was pretty cool. And choir, I've been in the choir since fifth grade, so just cool to finally like be one of the older kids, because we've always looked up to those kids, and then you finally get to wear those choir robes as much as we may dislike them, but it's cool. So, I think middle school is a great opportunity to definitely meet more people. I think that we go to school with these kids since, like, sometimes kindergarten all the way to fifth grade, but you're in, like, your own classrooms with, like, 20 other kids. So, I think middle school, you definitely get to branch out more and get closer with the students that you then go on till senior year, and I also think, like Lauren said, the opportunities that you get, you get to really branch out where you want to see yourself, and not just like trying out different music groups or trying out different classes, you really get to like make your own path, starting in middle school, I feel like that's really nice. Tell us a little bit about, you know, this is the question I ask every year, right? Like, favorite teacher, favorite class? I don't know if that's like the same person, you know, but was there a class? I mean, you mentioned choir, kind of, right now. I mean, is was there a class or a teacher, you know, that was your favorite, and why? My favorite class was probably all of my engineering classes. It's really cool that we get that opportunity from Polaris to do all of these engineering classes, and I feel like I'm ready for the future, which is awesome. And my favorite teacher is mr. Morrison, he's my math teacher. I've had him for the past two years, and he's pretty cool, and he, he's able to make us engaged, and he makes things make sense. And I was not always the biggest math person, but once I got to high school, I had mr. Zimnik, mrs. Cafella, mr. Morrison, and they're pretty awesome people who know how to make students understand the math. I think a favorite class is really hard to pick, and favorite teacher is really hard to pick, but honestly, through my high school career, I think that my AP English teachers are my favorite. I've had mrs. Hicks for two different AP English courses, and then mr. Lat for another AP English class, and those are my favorites. I just love the way they take on these like novels and just make us understand, like Lauren said, and I don't know, just look at a different perspective and get more involved in what we're learning. I really love my AP English classes, so totally different. Yeah, tell us a little bit about plans after school. Here, I plan to go to Miami of Ohio for mechanical engineering. I'm hoping to continue my AP research project on the affordability of prosthetics, so I'm pretty excited about that. She's gonna do great things. I'm going to the Ohio State University, and I'm studying communications with a focus on public relations. Two more, so what you know, reflecting back on your high school journey. You know what makes you proud of Fairview High School? Right, you guys are going to be going to, obviously, bigger schools, you know, a lot of other kids, adults, you know, reflecting back what makes you proud about going here. I'm proud of how close our classes were, not all like the best of friends, but we get along and we're able to work together to do things great things. I'm also proud of how we have so many opportunities, despite our school being smaller than most of the other ones in the area, it's really amazing that we get pretty much the same opportunities as everybody else. We get all the APs, all the clubs, and I think it's just cool how everybody at Fairview feels welcome, and we can, we have the opportunities to go out and kind of find ourselves before we even get into college. I feel like our school is very centered on preparing ourselves for the real world, and I'm, I'm ready to go out, but I'm gonna miss high school. So, yeah, I completely agree. I was gonna say our students are what I'm most proud of. I think that Fairview, like other schools, will make us feel smaller because we are surrounded with such big districts around us. But honestly, I think that the kids at Fairview don't feel small. I think that we make our school district and our high school feel big just based on how we get involved and how well we know each other. I'm talking to other kids that go to bigger schools, like they don't know half like the kids in their class, but I think that, like, I always say that I know every kid in my class, I know their name, and I can name you like three fun facts about them, and that probably helps. I've been going to school with them since, like, most of them since preschool or kindergarten, but also I think it's because everyone at Favor really takes the time to like get to know each other, get involved, like we said, and I don't know, I just love our class size. Is there an event or something over the last four years that you're really going to remember when you leave here? I mean, I was going to say prom, but you know, but is there something, a homecoming, a game, you know, I don't know what it is. Or something for you too, that when you leave here, or maybe even now, you're like, wow, like, those, that was a really great time, Red Day, you know? I don't, I don't really know how that works. We did one Red Day, seniors are awesome, but I would say I would probably remember, like I mentioned before, drill team, I was the only freshman my freshman year, and then kind of grew, and I, I met some of my best friends on that team, and I'm still friends with the girls who graduated when I was a freshman, and being able to be at every football game was awesome, and being able to be there and perform, it's just, it's like it's crazy that it's over now, but I think it's just an awesome opportunity, and if you want to try out for drills, and go try out for drill team, I love homecoming weekend. It was always my favorite weekend every single year of high school. I think that junior and senior year, the Powder Puff Games, or not, sorry, not Powderpuff, the Warrior Bowl, were super fun, along with the Float Building. Me and Lauren did that together. I thought that was the most fun time. All the students get together, and we just spent hours in the garage, just painting and hot gluing and everything, along with the parade. Love that. What else is homecoming? The game, remember that? What was the theme this year? Was it the Europe, or was that it was cities around the world? Cities around the world. We had London won. We have a winning streak, or bowl floats, red day. Yes, homecoming is fun, though. Yes, it's my favorite weekend. Absolutely, yeah, it's so much fun. All right. Last question, so right, what did we say? You guys have like 10 days left, yeah, 10 school days. Okay, so advice you give to incoming freshmen or younger students here at Fairview High School before your way out? Like, what, what's the one you know tidbit that you'd give them to have a successful time here at Fairview, um, I would tell them to not hold yourself back, even if you think that you can't do something you honestly don't know until you try. I think that at your end of your senior year, you'll regret not getting involved in stuff, because you will realize that you were more than capable of doing it, you're just too nervous. So, I say, just go for it. Yeah, kind of piggybacking off what Maura said, go out and do it. I mean, it, you only get this time once in your life, so high school only happens once, and when it's over, it's over, which kind of sucks. But go out and do the things you want to do. Don't be held back. I mean, if your friend group doesn't do something that you want to do, that doesn't matter. You can find new friends, that's what's so great about Fairview, is we're all committed to getting to know each other, and we're committed to the community, and we're ready to go out and make new friendships, and those friendships you'll carry with you forever, and kind of cherish the moments of high school. I know sometimes it might not feel the best, but it's you're gonna get through it, and it's a milestone in itself that you're, you're, when you graduate, it's gonna feel good. Anything to add here, mr. Vecka? Before we go into the trivia, I just love those answers. I mean, those were.. we've been doing this a long time now, mr. Rajkovich, and I think those answers about the pride in the community and getting involved are spot on. And just, I love how you guys just said that we, you know, are open and willing to take care of each other and get to know one another and support each other along the way, so I think those were great answers. Thanks. So now comes the tough part. So just to set it up for the audience, we'll cue a little dramatic game show music here, and then you know just to set it up for the audience. So we do this every year. We have trivia where the senior class takes on mr. Vicka. mr. Vicka currently is riding an undefeated streak, four and oh, not feeling it today, though. So we have seven categories, as we talked about before the show. Here are seven categories. First one to get any two questions answers correct will be the winner. mr. Vicka, of course, your questions are a bit more difficult, so we did a coin toss. We actually didn't, but before the show, but class 26 one, so you get to choose first. The categories are science, by the way, these are like, you know, your class categories: science, history, mathematics, sports, literature, world, geography, or fine arts. I already know which ones are going to do so. Oh, you will have 10 seconds to answer their question as a team, and you pick your, your first category. Let's pick our first category as literature. Literature, it is okay. What is the term for a word that imitates a natural sound? What is a go on what is on a monopoly? That is correct. I didn't even, by the way, I have a multiple choice. You don't get multiple choice, of course, but they get multiple choice. I was gonna read you the multiple choice, but you knew it right off the right off the rip there. So it's already one zero. Great, mr. Vick is down, feeling the pressure. mr. Vicka, your category. Do you want me to read them off again? Here it is: science, history, mathematics. Sports, literature, world geography, or fine arts. Let's go, fine arts, fine arts, fine arts. Just for the audience, remember, I get tougher questions. That's correct, mr. Vica. What artist painted Guernica as a response to the bombing of a Spanish town during the Spanish Civil War? It's a very famous painting. What artist painted Guernica as a response to the bombing of a Spanish town during the Spanish Civil War? I will give you the multiple choice. Let's hear the multiple choice. It is either A, Salvador Dali, B, Pablo Picasso, C, Joan Miro, or D, Diego Velazquez, D, the answer is B, Pablo Picasso. Picasso, it's a famous painting, all right. One nothing. Okay, it's one nothing. You have a chance to do something no one has ever done. So, the categories again are science, history, mathematics, sports. We'll skip literature, since you did literature, world, geography, or fine arts. Fine art. Let's do fine arts. Okay. Fine arts. Which Italian term in music means fast and lively? Is it largo, adagio, allegro, andante? Dante. It's wait, could you repeat the terms, please? There is Largo Adagio Allegro on Dante. mrs. Carlyak and mrs. Edom are be so disappointed. Um, you have about five seconds, I think it's on Dante, because Allegro is French, I believe the answer is Allegro sounds like my allergy medicine, so I didn't go. Brought to you by Allegro, Advantage podcast, brought to you by Allegro. Okay, mr. Vico, it's back to you, an opportunity to tie it up

categories again: 17:05

science, history, mathematics, sports. What did you do? Oh, world geography, literature. Let's do history. History, it is history. It is, which document outlined the United States policy of preventing the spread of communism during the Cold War. What document outlined the United States policy of preventing the spread of communism during the Cold War? In the multiple choice, the answers, the possible answers are A, the Truman Doctrine, B, the Emancipation Proclamation, C, the Atlantic Charter, or D, the Camp David Accords. The answer is A. So now it's back to the class of 26 You can just like the Cleveland Cavaliers literally feel the tension in the room right now. Actually, our graduation is almost right. I might be giving, I might not walk if we lose. Okay, so it's back to you. Tell me to read the categories again: science or math. Okay. Okay, mathematics. Oh, goodness gracious. Okay, now remember, you have 10 seconds talked of mr. Morrison here, so hopefully he's in this phone, hopefully he's not disappointed, hopefully anybody in the engineering department. Okay, here we go. I'm going with a future engineer here, yeah. In geometry, oh goodness, what is the sum of the interior angles of a pentagon in geometry? What is the sum of the interior angles of a pentagon. Oh, shoot, do we get multiple choice on that? The answer, yes. So, 365 4720 or 900 Okay, think about it. You could cut, you have a pentagon. 10 seconds, how many triangles? Wait, okay, I didn't do well in Tree. I, what were the angle options? 365 47 2900 Imagine spreading out the Pentagon. I think it's 450 It's 450 is not an answer, 275 4360 4365 47 2900 I'm gonna have to ask for your answer. You think it's what 180 is like that? Let's just say 540 Oh God, no, it's not that the answer is 540 even I knew that. And with that class of 2020 Okay, no, that's true. Okay, that's fine. It's only fair. Let me lose game point, but you can see, you can see is what's happening here. We have a wonderful parting gift for everyone here today, including whoever wins. Loses, no one, no one walks away a loser here on the Fairview Advantage podcast. mr. mr. Vicka, science, history, mathematics, sports literature, world geography, or fine arts. Actually, fine arts is out, so sports, no, he pulls like really, really hard sports questions. So let's go science. Science, I'm not a science guy, but I'm just gonna see. Let me see here. Just laughing at the question. Go ahead. Science, what biomolecule contains the genetic instructions used in the growth and function of living organisms? What biomolecule contains the genetic instructions used in the growth and function of living organisms? Is it A, lipids, B, proteins, C, carbohydrates, D, nucleic acids? He is deep in thought. The answer is D nucleic acids. Okay, that's right, ladies. Okay, right. We'll do one more. Okay, now it's sudden death. First to get it, first to get it right. Do we like buzzing first to get it right? Yeah, all right, yeah, just shout out the answer, I guess, just shout out the answer, right? Okay, okay, you do get the packet, pick the category, is literature, it's the tough question, so let me see if we've gone this question, I was an English teacher, oh no, we're not doing a long time ago, was a long time, okay, so I'll read the categories again. The categories that we have are sciences out now. History is in, well, history is still in fair play, mathematics is still in fair play, sports literature, world geography, and that's it. Let's do history if you're confident. Yes, I got a four on the eight push exam. There we go. Okay, history, it is history. It is. I got a five, I got a seven. My test was so good, they didn't even score. Okay, here we go. The first answer, I won't accept an answer until after I've read the last answer. Okay, multiple choice. What was the main purpose of the Magna Carta signed in 1215 What was the main purpose of the Magna Carta signed in 1215 Is it A, establish a democratic parliament? B, expand the British Empire. C, limit the power of the king. D, end the Crusades. Limit power of the king. Did I just say that? And it's so wrong. The answer, the answer is limit the power, because wasn't that before the what was it, Declaration of Independence was like the one that, so history was made here today on the Freeview Advantage podcast. Let's mark the date, it is the 18th of May, 2026 has trivia versus mr. Vicka, so an exciting day here on broadcast. Thank you. Congratulations, not only on winning the podcast, but on finishing up your high school career here in Forever High School, and moving on to the next steps of college. It's an exciting time for the both of you, and for everybody else, no matter what they're doing. So, congratulations. It's not something to be, you know, not congratulated upon, you know, it's a long journey, and you guys made it, so way to go. Thank you, thank you, mr. Vicka, for time well spent. We'll, we'll go through the prizes once we get off air here, but I have a wonderful prize pack for everybody here, so amazing. And thank you for joining us on this final episode of the FanDuel Fairview Advantage podcast for the season, and we look forward to having you join us on a future episode. Thanks so much.

Announcer: 24:10

Thank you for tuning in to the Fairview Advantage Podcast. If you have something you'd like to hear on a future episode, submit your idea at Fairview Park schools.org forward slash podcast. We look forward to connecting with you in future episodes of the Fairview Advantage Podcast. Until then, go Warriors.