Cat Chat: The Official Podcast of the Springfield City School District

In this episode of Cat Chat:

[Cat Den Happenings]: The Best of the Best kick off the first episode of the new school year! The Employees of the Year (Patrick Smith, Doug Stoll & Sara Gillespie) are recognized for their service to our students.

[Featured Alumni]: Amanda Jackson (Springfield South Class of 2003) was first known in Springfield for her skills on the basketball court. Now, she's creating positive relationships with students as a School Resource Officer. Amanda speaks about her past and her experiences protecting our school district.

[Community Connection]: Levi Duncan is a local entrepreneur making a name for himself in the Springfield community. His vision to 'dream big' has transformed a church in downtown into 'The Metropolis' event and business center. Hear more from Levi about how he lives by the mantra, 'Win or Learn.'

Don't miss the HI-5 giveaway! Send the HI-5 topics to [email protected] for your chance to win a swag pack.

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

The students have taken over the podcast for the last episode of the school year!

In this very special episode, the Cat Chat crew honors the Class of 2025. Springfield High School student guest hosts, Isabella, Izzy & Marquis interview 6 graduating seniors (including Cat Chat student host, Zoe!) about their experiences in high school, what they will remember most and where life is taking them next.

Congratulations to each of you for what you have accomplished and what is yet to come!

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Cat Den Happenings | More School of Innovation students are taking to the skies and earning their drone pilot certifications! Listen to their inspirations behind wanting to earn this licensure and if they see a potential career in their futures.
• Featured Alumni | Arlin 'Par' Tolliver (Springfield South High School Class of 1976) is known all around Springfield for his rhythm, vibe and melody. He speaks about where he found his roots in the halls of the District.
• Community Connection | It's summertime all segment-long! Learn about all of the comprehensive summer programming that the District is offering to the community.

Be the first person to send the HI-5 topics to the team via email ([email protected]) for your Wildcat swag bag!

Look for a new podcast episode next month. In the meantime, chat with us! Email: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Cat Den Happenings | The Perrin Woods Rubik's Cube Club puts their mad skills on display! These kids are a see-to-believe sight!
• Featured Alumni | Makenzie Morgan (Springfield High School Class of 2020) speaks specifically about her experience transitioning from a large university to a small college. This segment is perfect for all of the students out there who may be on the fence about their next step after graduation!
• Community Connection | A Community Connection one-two punch finishes out the show with guests from the National Trail Parks & Recreation District and Sheehan Brothers.

Be the first person to send the HI-5 topics to the team via email ([email protected]) for your Wildcat swag bag!

Look for a new podcast episode next month. In the meantime, chat with us! Email: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Cat Den Happenings | The Springfield High School BATS (Bringing Awareness to Students) group is sharing their mission to improve student mental health!
• Featured Alumni | Kristen Collier (Springfield North High School Class of 1988) joins the show to share more about how she is giving back to the community in her role at Wittenberg University
• Community Connection | Do you have your trivia team for The Wildcat Athletic Club Trivia Night? It's less than a month away! Check out this segment for information on the event and how this fundraiser will benefit student athletes!

Be the first person to send the HI-5 topics to the team via email ([email protected]) for your Wildcat swag bag!

Look for a new podcast episode next month. In the meantime, chat with us! Email: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Community Connection | The Greater Springfield Partnership is offering paid summer internships for SCSD high school students in a variety of career fields! Watch this segment and refer a student to check them out!
• Featured Alumni | Dr. Lindsey Roth (Butterfield) is known for leading the Springfield High volleyball team to their best season in history in the first year of the newly formed SHS. Learn more about what she's been up to since her time as a student.
• Cat Den Happenings | District Curriculum & Instructional Coordinator for Math & Science Kevin Schalnat describes the exciting new career pathways available to high school students.

Be the first person to send the HI-5 topics to the team via email ([email protected]) for your Wildcat swag bag!

Look for a new podcast episode next month. In the meantime, chat with us! Email: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Cat Den Happenings | Get to know Hayward Middle School Principal Brentt Hogan! Although he is a veteran educator in the SCSD, this is his first year as a head principal in the District. He talks about his goals for the building in the coming years.

• Featured Alumni | Chris Chilton (Springfield South High School Class of 1988) is widely known in the community as a retired firefighter and the DJ mastermind behind the 'Not So Loud' Silent Discos.

• Community Connection | Teresa Brumfield from The Springfield Foundation is share information with high school seniors about important upcoming scholarship deadlines!

Be the first person to send the HI-5 topics to the team via email ([email protected]) for your Wildcat swag bag!

Look for a new podcast episode next month. In the meantime, chat with us! Email: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Cat Den Happenings | We introduce you to Fulton Elementary's first drumline! Principal Howard talks about the group's goals for the future and two members give a sneak peak performance.

• Featured Alumni | Savannah LaMar (Spingfield High School Class of 2022) just received a new Wittenberg scholarship aimed at curbing the local STEM educator shortage. Savannah speaks about how her experience as a Springfield student sparked her passion for education.

• Community Connection | Sarah Roberts from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign & Logan Counties shares easy ways you can get involved at the food bank during their busiest season!

Be the first person to send the HI-5 topics to the team via email ([email protected]) your Wildcat swag bag!

Look for a new podcast episode every month. In the meantime, chat with us! Email: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

Join us in welcoming our new host, Zoe! Zoe is a senior at Springfield High School and will be an awesome addition to the podcast team.

In this episode of Cat Chat:

• Community Connection | School Based Health Center Coordinator Anita Biles explains more about the Health Center at Springfield High -- and how you can make an appointment.

• Featured Alumni | Eric Powell (North High School Class of 2006) is a lifelong supporter of Wildcat Athletics. Eric details why it's so important for alumni to give back to their alma maters.

• Cat Den Happenings/Student Spotlight | Springfield High sophomore Immanuel Carey talks about his involvement in My Brother's Keeper, a student club that encourages positive behavior among young men.

Be the first person to send the Podcast HI-5 topics to Jenna via email ([email protected]) your Wildcat swag bag!

Look for a new podcast episode next month. In the meantime, chat with us! Email: [email protected]

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego

This episode of Cat Chat features: 

• Springfield City School District Employees of the Year (Trish Blair & Marcie Hobson) | Cat Den Happenings
• Introducing the Wildcat Athletic Club: Nettie Carter-Smith & Dr. Nickey Brown) | Community Connections
• Local Business Owner (Field Kicks), Paavan Patel (Springfield High School Class of 2019) | Featured Alumni

Don't forget to send the HI-5 topics via Instagram direct message (@scsdoh) and send the Podcast Team any topics you'd like to see as future segments -- [email protected].

Executive Producer: Ron Gordon

Co-Host/Content Producer: Jenna Leinasars

Co-Host/Content Producer: Chris Wallace

Technical Producer: John Wallace

Technical Producer: John Trego