Roger Street was born in Columbus in May 1942.
He grew up on the west side, attending John Burroughs Elementary School and West Junior-Senior High. He was an active participant and role model in a variety of activities during high school, culminating in his role as president of the January Class of 1960. Roger served on student council, Hi-Y, the “Fun Without Destruction” program, was selected to attend the Rotary Luncheon, and was a West High Ambassador (a program in which class officers and student council officers visited other high schools in the city to gain knowledge and exchange ideas with students in similar positions). He also played basketball all 6 years (junior and senior high) and was voted “Best Athlete” by his classmates during his senior year. Roger was a proud West graduate and his connection to the school continued as an active member of the Alumni Association’s Scholarship Committee, advocating for West High School students pursuing higher education.
After graduating from West, Roger earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Capital University in 1964 and then graduated from The Ohio State University with a Master’s Degree in1967. He began his lifelong dedication to the field of education at Medina Middle School, where he taught history and social studies. He also continued his love of sports by coaching the school’s basketball team. During this period, he became a guidance counselor, giving him the chance to become a mentor to many young people, who surely benefited from his knowledge and advice. He also found time to officiate high school basketball games.
His ability to connect with people, combined with his steady support, advocacy, and passion for the power of education led to a career with the Columbus City Schools where he was a teacher, guidance counselor, supervisor, and mentor to many. His positive impact was felt across his variety of roles – from supervising guidance staff and vocational coordinators to overseeing college fairs and administering the GED and ACT/SAT testing. He also felt immense satisfaction in the years he spent as an admissions counselor at Columbus State Community College, after retiring from Columbus Schools. His professional legacy was solidified in the initial leadership he provided in the founding of “I Know I Can”, a local program with the mission to inspire, enable, and support Columbus City Schools’ students in pursuing and completing a college education.
Roger was a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, the Ohio Association of College Admissions Counselors, the Ohio Association for Adults and Continuing Education, and the Ohio Vocational Association.
Roger was recognized with numerous honors throughout his career, including the Distinguished Service Award from The Ohio State University Office of Minority Affairs, the Pupil Services
Administrator of the Year Award from the Ohio Counselors Association, and the Basketball Official Meritorious Service Award from the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
Anyone who interacted with Roger experienced his dry wit, personable nature, and wonderful sense of humor no more so than his wife of 54 years, Bonnie McEntire Street, a fellow West High School graduate, Class of 1958. While Roger was in his happy place sitting with a fishing pole, his greatest joy came from spending time with Bonnie and his children, Craig and daughter-in-law Kristin; Carrie; Chad and daughter-in-law Stephanie; and five grandchildren, Colin, Courtney, Carter, Claire Anne, and Cailynn.
Bill Kern, Class of January 1960, nominated Roger.