Bearcat Mascot, Cheer Team and scholarships help celebrate Decision Day

Nouhan Kaba walked into a surprise that featured the Bearcat Mascot, the UC Cheer Team, balloons from a group of UC officials and a full-ride scholarship to the University of Cincinnati for the fall..

The Aiken High School senior was one of 10 Marian Spencer Scholarship recipients announced on Decision Day.  Journalists from WLWT, Fox 19 and Local 12 joined well-wishers in Aiken’s Media Center for a celebration Wednesday, Dec 10 as part of Decision Day.

“It was a little overwhelming, but I am very happy. I am proud,” Kaba told Local 12 for a segment.

He plans to study actuarial science at UC next year and will be the first in his family to go to college.

Surprise announcements awaited Marian Spencer Scholarship recipients at seven other schools in the Cincinnati Public School district.  More than 25,000 admissions notices went out via email or text Wednesday for Fall 2026.

“We are creating the next generation of leaders for this city,” Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management told Local 12.

Marian Spencer Scholarship winners will study a variety of majors ranging from jazz studies to nursing, engineering, accounting and other specialities.

Remy Roeper, a Marian Spencer Scholar winner at the School for Creative and Performing Arts, celebrated with his classmates at a school assembly. He spoke with WLWT and expressed his surprise and relief upon receiving the scholarship.

"It means a lot, I'm going into music, and that's something that financially I was really nervous about because it's a big burden to take on,"  Roeper told WLWT.

View coverage on Local 12, WLWT and Fox 19.

Featured top image of Nouhan Kaba (center with certificate), the Bearcat Mascot and many well-wishers at Aiken High School on Decision Day. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand.