Ohio IB in Action

Congratulations to our

2025 IB Diploma Program Scholarship Recipient

Cam'Ron Ajebe

GlenOak High School

The following remarks are from the reflective responses of our amazing DP Scholarship applicants and serve as evidence of the rewards of the IB Programs in our schools.

"[Regarding the EE] Having the opportunity to explore a topic which was of interest to me in such depth and with such support was not something I had previously imagined to be possible in a high school setting. I loved learning about my topic, digging into existing materials and discovering my own. However, not only did I learn content, but I developed many true life skills. "

"IB has challenged me to engage in difficult conversations, value differing perspectives, and refine my beliefs. Through this seminar, I learned the importance of open dialogue in fostering understanding and bridging divides in a polarized world."

"Connecting with other intellectually driven students in pursuit of knowledge and inquiry has presented me with the opportunity of growing and learning alongside my peers and inspiring each other. Inspiration is contagious— it fuels curiosity and innovation within people to expand and transform individual perspectives and collective understanding."

"One of the most valuable learning experiences I've had through the IB Core is the habit of reflecting. This concept has always been challenging for me because it requires a true and honest evaluation of past experiences and choices, which can be difficult to revisit after growth."

  • Here are some photos from our IB Graduate Reunion that we hold each year right before Winter Break. We had over 30 graduates return this year representing graduating classes as far back as 2016. They spoke with prospective students during each lunch

    Staff at Westerville South High School sponsored an IB Graduate Reunion in December. Over 30 graduates attended and spoke with prospective students over lunch periods as well as ToK classes.

  • Staff at Westerville South High School sponsored an IB Graduate Reunion in December. Over 30 graduates attended and spoke with prospective students over lunch periods as well as ToK classes.

  • Students in Upper Arlington High School's Diploma Program recruit interested students at a recent Elective Fair.

  • The annual IB Recognition Ceremony at Kettering Fairmont High School in December brought graduates, current candidates, teachers, and families together to celebrate the class of 2024.

Meet Lia McMillan

It was an eventful first semester at Bowling Green State University with an even busier semester ahead. 

Because my major in Product and Service Design with an emphasis on Accessibility crosses multiple disciplines, so does my class schedule. Most of my general prerequisites were already satisfied in high school by IB courses,  allowing me to immediately take research writing and advanced statistics, as well as seminars in urban planning  

and the proliferation and potential perils posed by artificial intelligence. Foundational courses as part of the  Honors College and the Leadership Institute rounded out the fall semester. 

Next term gets more interesting logistically with 22 scheduled hours between studio time for graphic design and  video production courses, an honors seminar in literary worldbuilding, and classes in popular culture, theatre, and  social entrepreneurship. 

Outside the classroom, I volunteer with the Falcon Food Pantry to ensure students struggling with food insecurity  have access to healthy meals, as well as an emerging community group improving neighborhood walkability/ mobility access throughout the city of Bowling Green. I was selected to become a member of the school’s only  long-form improv troupe, and subsequently asked to lead a regional program based in Toledo that uses improv to  help adults with developmental challenges communicate and self-advocate more effectively. I’m also part of the  multimedia team for the campus chapter of RallyCap Sports, a nonprofit founded by a BGSU alum that funds and  supports adaptive youth athletic programs at several colleges and universities. Though walking around campus  everyday is already a workout, I’ve continued boxing through BG Gloves. 

I was honored to serve as a judge for the Chicago Toy & Game Fair in November, and will be the featured speaker  welcoming prospective BGSU Presidential Scholars to a weekend of group discussions and individual interviews  later this month. This semester, I’m working to establish a University Innovation Fellows program at BGSU, a global  design thinking initiative sponsored by Stanford’s “d.school”. I’ve also continued to pursue certifications through  IDEO, founded by Stanford professor and Ohio’s own David Kelley. My current course is on rapid prototyping. 

Despite the demanding schedule, I earned an A in all of my fall courses and am already exploring summer  internship and research opportunities, in addition to ongoing volunteer work with Form5 Prosthetics, Thurber  House, Invention Convention, Westgate Farmers Market, and Experience Columbus. 

All of these endeavors were made possible through the generous scholarship from Ohio Association of IB World  Schools. I just wanted to thank you again for your investment in my education, and the skills and insights I likewise  intend to invest in making Columbus a more caring and compassionate community. 

 With gratitude, 

Lia McMillan
,