Aurora Alumni Profiles
Rachel Reight - Class of 1997
Rachel M. Reight was selected to the 2017 Ohio Super Lawyers List of Rising Stars for her work in labor and employment law. Ms. Reight is a partner at the law firm of Baasten, McKinley & Co., L.P.A. in Canton, Ohio. She is a member of the Ohio and Stark County Bar Associations. She previously served on the Stark County Labor Law committee in 2015 and presented on “Public Employment” issues at the 2015 Labor Law Seminar for the Stark County Bar Association. She is a frequent speaker at workshops for public employees, including educators, and county developmental disabilities board employees in Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Summit Counties. She currently serves on the Stark County Disputed Fee and Grievance Committees. She also volunteers her time as a mock judicial panelist for the Annual Ohio Mock Trial Competition for high school students.
Becky Sumen Miller - Class of 1995
Hello fellow Aurora Alumni! Here is a recap of the past (gasp!) 18 years. After graduating from Aurora High School in 1995, I attended Hiram College for one year, where I was fortunate to play on the Hiram College women’s softball team. Then, I transferred to The Ohio State University where I obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. After graduating from Ohio State in 1999, I worked in Pennsylvania for New Holland North America, Inc. on prototype farm equipment. I traveled around the United States testing farm equipment on different types of crops. As fate would have it, I moved back to Ohio, got married to Jason Miller (class of 1990), and sold real estate for several years. We literally blinked as the years flew by…busy with work and having three children, it has been quite the journey! Currently, I’m an Assistant Vice President – Agricultural Loan Officer, for Consumers National Bank, which is based out of Stark County. I specialize in working with farmers to obtain loans in any amount up to nearly $4 million dollars. My territory is Stark, Portage, Summit, and Wayne counties. I still keep in touch with classmates (thanks, Facebook!), and even play co-ed softball with a few of them. When I’m not spending time with my kids/husband or working, I love to bike, play softball, drive the tractor around, raise rabbits/chickens/hogs, and SHOP!!! Additionally, I enjoy volunteering at my children’s schools and in several organizations including girl scouts, boy scouts, sports, and 4-H. Above anything else, my children are the light of my life! I LOVE being their mom! Having those three adorable, fun, and energetic kids in my life, is the greatest gift and blessing! (*In the picture…me and our beautiful chickens – they range on grass and are fed organic feed. They provide delicious fresh eggs everyday!)
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Christine (Chrissy) Pennock Class of 2007
Graduated from Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA) in 2011 with a B.A. in Political Science. While at Old Dominion, I was an assistant coach for the women's rugby team, president of the National Political Science Honor Society, Chair of the Rules Committee for the College Republicans, and volunteered for now congressman Scott Rigell (VA-2). From Old Dominion, I moved to DC to work on The Hill for Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Congressman Sam Graves (MO-6). I then left The Hill after accepting a position as Political Director at Jay Jordan for Congress in South Carolina's new 7th Congressional District. Once the race was over, I moved back to Aurora and started working as a Regional Representative for Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel. I am a liaison for the Treasurer and cover 8 counties, Aurora, and the eastern portion of Cuyahoga County. I was very active on the Romney-Ryan campaign, as well as the election of Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14). I just recently bought a house in Macedonia, and adopted a Husky/German Shepherd puppy.
Liesel Schmader – Class of 2009
Where do you live? Columbus, OH.
What are you doing now? I am attending The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and pursuing a Juris Doctor there.
What did you do after you left AHS? I attended Miami University and graduated in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts.
Do you still keep in touch with classmates? I keep in touch with several classmates! It is exciting to watch what the future holds for them.
Who is your favorite teacher and why? There were so many fantastic educators at Aurora, so it is difficult to limit it to one! The instructors I had in International Baccalaureate were incredible - particularly Mr. Rakow, Ms. Biro, Mr. Norton, and Ms. Hilston. Each developed and sharpened my mathematical, scientific, analyzing, and writing skills immensely. This was an ideal foundation and has supported my further pursuits. Additionally, Mr. Rubin was a superb mentor.
Who made the biggest impression on you? The above-referenced teachers made a significant impression on me. In addition, I always admired Dr. Jones, a former Aurora High School Principal. He was a class act, represented Aurora well, and supported great initiatives.
What are your hobbies and interests? I enjoy volunteering, running, tennis, golf, and the arts, to name a few. Besides that, I have an obvious interest in what I study - the law - as well as policy, crisis communications, and management.