DELAWARE, Ohio — For Todd Spinner, the only principal in Olentangy Berlin High School's four-year history, blue pride is something he takes quite seriously. 

“Every single student will walk through that bear head because every single student at Berlin deserves to be celebrated,” said Spinner.

Recently, staff members sent out a contest entry to Varsity Brands, which was searching for the “Most Spirited High School” in the country based on culture, climate and school spirit. 

What You Need To Know

  • Varsity Brands narrowed the competition down to four schools, and Olentangy Berlin was chosen by an online vote

  • Berlin also received a $25,000 that will go toward classrooms and athletics

  • The school's principal said it's thanks to students and educators who keep the spirit alive

They narrowed it down to four, and Olentangy Berlin was chosen as the top winner in the country by an online vote.

Berlin also was given a check for $25,000 to be applied toward the classroom and athletics. 

Spinner said the honor wasn't surprising, but exciting nonetheless. 

“The tweets and the Instagram and the Snapchats, I mean, things were flying, people were calling, my phone was buzzing off the hook. In four years, our students have built that solid foundation and that positive culture and climate, and like I said, that's what put us over the edge,” said Spinner. 

Spinner's spark of energy over the last four years has been inspiring for both educators and students. 

“When I knew that he was coming here, I thought to myself, that's where I want to be. I remember the look on Mr. Spinner's face at our grand opening ceremony when he was cutting the ribbon and I knew like, this is going to be something special here,” said Berlin HS English Teacher Natalie Taylor. 

“He's everywhere all the time, I'm in theatre, he comes to all the theater performances. You see him at football games. He's everywhere, and he really just contributes to everybody, and we're all just a family here and you really feel it,” said senior Elizabeth Koeppen. 

Spinner said there's a lot of pressure when you're at the top, but he hopes the Berlin family embraces this moment and strives to keep that level of excellence and pride. 

“Keep moving forward, keep building. We talk about all the time that stick-to-it-iveness, control what you can control. We're here no. Llet's get here,” said Spinner.