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34th Annual Catalyst for Positive Change Awards; Syntero
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Congratulations to the 2025 Catalyst For Positive Change Winners
2025 Catalyst Inspiration Winner

Claire Coder

Founder and CEO of Aunt Flow

Big Walnut High School

  • Lauren Haley, Senior

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​​Columbus School for Girls

  • Rose McLarty - Senior

  • Victoria Dizon - Junior

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Franklin Heights High School

  • Giovanni Rufus - Senior

  • Vaughn Chum - Senior

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Highland High School

  • Alexa VanHorne - Senior

  • Clayton Davidson - Senior

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Mount Gilead High School

  • Joey Baldwin - Senior

  • Ruby Rubio Castaneda - Junior

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Olentangy High School

  • Greyson Freed - Senior

  • Kiana Trimble - Senior

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Upper Arlington High School

  • Hannah Setterlin - Junior

  • Kevin Feng - Junior

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Bishop Watterson High School

  • Giovanna D'Orisio - Senior

  • Griffin Steinbrunner - Senior

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Dublin Coffman High School

  • Simon Groves - Senior

  • Emalena Brikic - Senior

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Grandview Heights High School

  • Chloe Gehres - Senior

  • Sean Roediger- Senior

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Hilliard Bradley High School

  • Annika Shah - Senior

  • Hasika Kalavala - Senior

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Northmor High School

  • Cami Workman - Junior

  • Dylan Normant - Junior

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Rutherford B Hayes High School

  • Mia Saksa - Senior

  • Robert Condo - Senior

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Westerville North High School

  • Angelinella Vernal- Senior

  • Mariah Chaffin - Senior

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Buckeye Valley High School

  • Ella Sheets, Senior

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Dublin Jerome High School

  • Mehak Naqvi - Senior

  • Quinn Giha - Senior

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Grove City High School

  • Benjamin Ransburgh - Senior

  • Karsyn Pollock-Ballard - Senior

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Hilliard Darby High School

  • Blaine Maruniak - Senior

  • Lena Museitif - Senior

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Ohio Virtual Academy

  • Elizabeth Streets - Senior

  • Zam-Zam Mohamud - Senior

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St. Charles Preparatory School

  • Luke Gibbons - Senior

  • John Rice - Senior

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Westland High School

  • Carolina Guia Millan - Junior

  • Jessica Soto Gomez - Junior

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Central Crossing High School

  • Alaina Nicholson - Senior

  • Madeline Brown - Senior

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Dublin Scioto High School

  • Varsha Joish - Junior

  • Will Davis- Junior

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Groveport Madison High School

  • Aissata Dia - Senior

  • Jaila Clark - Senior

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Hilliard Davidson High School

  • Madellyn Oyster - Junior

  • William Enderle - Senior

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Olentangy Berlin High School

  • Jayden Akey - Senior

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Thomas Worthington High School

  • Hashani Gattikoppula - Junior

  • Loretta Awere - Junior

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You Are An Inspiration to Us All!

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The Catalyst for Positive Awards recognizes central Ohio high school juniors and seniors, and one "inspirational" role model or advocate, who have demonstrated outstanding community service and who exemplify Syntero's core values of integrity, empowerment, innovation and inclusiveness.  All honorees were honored at the 34th Annual Catalyst for Positive Change Awards Breakfast held at COSI on April 11. 

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Please enjoy photos from the breakfast here.

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Big Thanks to Dr. Frederic Bertley, president & CEO of COSI, for hosting the breakfast and for his encouraging words; to Claire Coder for such an inspirational and entertaining acceptance speech; to our Emcee, Christine Nardecchia, for being such a fun, engaging and thoughtful storyteller and to Stephanie Matthews, A Tribe for Jazz, and the AIMS Middle School Jazz Trio for setting the mood for a spectacular morning.

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Each of you brought so much energy and excitement to the event.

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Heartfelt thanks to our generous partners and supporters, our dedicated Board of Directors & CEO, our incredible staff, and our amazing event committee for coming together to honor these outstanding young leaders and for supporting the critical mental health services that Syntero provides to individuals, families, and communities throughout Central Ohio.  

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2025 SPONSORS

Visionary Sponsors

Medical Mutual Logo
American Electric Power - AEP

Event
Background

Syntero’s emphasis on being a catalyst for change in the lives of individuals, families and communities inspired the Catalyst for Positive Change Awards breakfast, which focuses on honoring high school juniors and seniors who  are making a difference in their schools and their communities. Since 1991, Syntero has honored more than 1,500 students for their exceptional character, service and community impact–for being Catalysts for Positive Change!

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Syntero invited students from 50 Central Ohio high schools in Franklin, Delaware and Morrow Counties to select students for the 33rd Annual Catalyst for Positive Change Awards this past April - we received 40 nominations from 23 schools.

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Their stories were nothing short of amazing, and we can't wait to hear what the 2025 nominations bring.

2025 Participating
Schools

Big Walnut High School

Bishop Watterson High School

Buckeye Valley High School

Central Crossing High School

Columbus School for Girls

Dublin Coffman High School

Dublin Jerome High School

Dublin Scioto High School

Franklin Heights High School

Grandview Heights High School

Grove City High School

Groveport Madison High School

Highland High School

Hilliard Bradley High School

Hilliard Darby High School

Hilliard Davidson High School

Mount Gilead High School

Northmor High School

Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA)

Olentangy Berlin High School

Olentangy High School

Rutherford B. Hayes High School

St. Charles Preparatory School

Thomas Worthington High School

Upper Arlington High School

Westerville North High School

Westland High School

Support a  worthy cause

This event is a fundraiser for Syntero, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All proceeds from The Catalyst for Positive Change Awards will support Syntero’s innovative programming and critical services provided to central Ohioans from all walks of life, in every step of their individual journeys. There has been a continual increase in the need for behavioral health and wellness services, and the demand for Syntero's essential services has not wavered.

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Check back this Fall for 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities or contact Kelly Galindo for more information.​​​

Join The celebration

Registration is now open! 

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Stay tuned for our 2026 Breakfast.

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For questions, please contact:

Kelly Galindo at

kgalindo@syntero.org.

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We look forward to seeing you next Spring

for the 35th Annual Catalyst for Positive Change Awards.

EMERGENCY: If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance, call 988 or click here to for local contacts and phone numbers.

WHO WE ARE >

Syntero delivers trauma-informed, compassionate behavioral health care that meets people where they are—literally and emotionally. With nearly 50 years of trusted service in Central Ohio, Syntero provides evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery programs that support individuals across the lifespan—from children in schools to older adults aging in place. Our integrated approach not only addresses immediate needs but also builds long-term resilience, empowering individuals, families, and communities to heal and thrive.

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Non-profit Identification Number: 31-0972255

© 2025 by Syntero, Inc.

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