SOUTHERN LOCAL INDIANS
(Photo Cutline: Sixth graders Nick Long, Josh France, Mathew DeCapio, and Gage Williams were among those participating in the Rural Scholars Program at Southern Local High School. Volunteers from Kent State University in Salem have visited the class to discuss preparing for their future after graduation, while eligible students can also take part in workshops, field trips, and other activities through KSU.)
Rural Scholars Program Comes to Southern Local
SALINEVILLE- Sixth-grade students at Southern Local Elementary are already thinking about their future with the Rural Scholars program.
Faculty and students from Kent State University-Salem visited the school over the past few months and held the final session on May 18 and talked to pupils about career choices after graduation. Volunteers visited teachers Brenda Kekel, Taffy Voorhees, and Todd Walters’ classes to discuss everything from attending college or a technical school to heading straight into the workforce.
“They want them to understand the choices they have and go over career paths,” Kekel said. “They want them to enjoy their job or career choice. A lot of kids don’t know what’s out there as careers to choose from. [The program] tries to show what’s out there to think about.”
Students are quizzed about their interests to gain possible ideas for careers, while they also learn the importance of being on time for work, managing financial debts, and making wise choices.
Guidance counselor Larry Rudloff said the school has been involved with Rural Scholars for the past three years and it gives children an opportunity to think about setting future goals. Rudloff said he was contacted by program coordinator Wendy Pfrenger about conducting sessions at SLES. Another aspect of the program allows eligible students to attend mentoring programs, workshops and field trips at KSU during the summer.
“The sixth grade teachers recognize three students [to attend] based on certain criteria,” he said.
To qualify, the student’s family income cannot be more than 200 percent of the federal poverty levels based on the number of people in his or her household and they must be first-generation college students or have a sibling who attends but has not graduated from college. According to the program’s website, Rural Scholars began in 2012 and lays the groundwork for high aspirations and college readiness in elementary schools. The primary focus is to support the success of a select group of students who have promising academic ability but are not performing up to their potential. Once admitted to the program, they will participate through high school graduation. Students are supervised over a five-year period until they enroll in postsecondary education. If the Rural Scholar completes the program and attends college, he or she becomes eligible for a sponsored scholarship that will cover the cost of tuition at any Kent State campus. Following the pay-it-back model and to be eligible for the tuition scholarships, Rural Scholars must have participated in the entire program, maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA, and agreed to serve as a university student mentor for new scholars entering the program.
“It can lead to a tuition-free education at Kent State,” Rudloff added. “It’s a really great program. Everyone who’s been involved in it is still in the program.”
Rural Scholars Program Comes to Southern Local
SALINEVILLE- Sixth-grade students at Southern Local Elementary are already thinking about their future with the Rural Scholars program.
Faculty and students from Kent State University-Salem visited the school over the past few months and held the final session on May 18 and talked to pupils about career choices after graduation. Volunteers visited teachers Brenda Kekel, Taffy Voorhees, and Todd Walters’ classes to discuss everything from attending college or a technical school to heading straight into the workforce.
“They want them to understand the choices they have and go over career paths,” Kekel said. “They want them to enjoy their job or career choice. A lot of kids don’t know what’s out there as careers to choose from. [The program] tries to show what’s out there to think about.”
Students are quizzed about their interests to gain possible ideas for careers, while they also learn the importance of being on time for work, managing financial debts, and making wise choices.
Guidance counselor Larry Rudloff said the school has been involved with Rural Scholars for the past three years and it gives children an opportunity to think about setting future goals. Rudloff said he was contacted by program coordinator Wendy Pfrenger about conducting sessions at SLES. Another aspect of the program allows eligible students to attend mentoring programs, workshops and field trips at KSU during the summer.
“The sixth grade teachers recognize three students [to attend] based on certain criteria,” he said.
To qualify, the student’s family income cannot be more than 200 percent of the federal poverty levels based on the number of people in his or her household and they must be first-generation college students or have a sibling who attends but has not graduated from college. According to the program’s website, Rural Scholars began in 2012 and lays the groundwork for high aspirations and college readiness in elementary schools. The primary focus is to support the success of a select group of students who have promising academic ability but are not performing up to their potential. Once admitted to the program, they will participate through high school graduation. Students are supervised over a five-year period until they enroll in postsecondary education. If the Rural Scholar completes the program and attends college, he or she becomes eligible for a sponsored scholarship that will cover the cost of tuition at any Kent State campus. Following the pay-it-back model and to be eligible for the tuition scholarships, Rural Scholars must have participated in the entire program, maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA, and agreed to serve as a university student mentor for new scholars entering the program.
“It can lead to a tuition-free education at Kent State,” Rudloff added. “It’s a really great program. Everyone who’s been involved in it is still in the program.”
Members of the Southern Local HPAC earned a third-place spot during Scholars Day at NEOMED on April 26. Pictured are, front from left, members Natosha Riggs and Alysha Zwick. Back: AmeriCorps representative Scott Jones, member Cara Davis, advisor Nancy Saling, and member Cassie Wicker
HPAC Team Places Third at NEOMED
SALINEVILLE-Southern Local High School’s H Health Profession Affinity Community (HPAC) team was among several to place during the annual Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) Scholar’s Day on April 26.
The team of senior Natosha Riggs, sophomore Cassie Wicker, and freshmen Alysha Zwick and Cara Davis were one of five third-place teams during the event in Rootstown. Senior Jacob Pelley and freshman Samantha Riggs are also part of the group but did not attend. It was the first time the school organization, which formed earlier this year, had participated in the competition and advisor Nancy Saling was proud of their accomplishment.
“We only started in January,” said Saling. “I am unbelievably proud of them. They had no idea they had done that well. They were shocked.”
An estimated 140 schools spanning across northeastern Ohio took part, with 127 displaying posters and the remainder making oral presentations, all of which were judged by NEOMED representatives. Other themes represented that day included child abuse, obesity, cancer, and homelessness and the judges scored teams overall on presentation and information.
“The judges came around to each poster and discussed the information with the teams,” she explained. “The girls explained what their project was, the events that took place and answered the judge’s questions.”
Southern Local’s HPAC team focused their efforts on heroin awareness and prevention-- a subject they have tackled throughout the year. Saling said the group plans to continue with that topic and have some ideas to promote awareness, such as hanging banners around the village to promote a drug-free community and working with police and fire departments to collect expired medication.
“They immediately went into what they wanted to do next year. They want to keep the theme and do more community awareness,” she added.
HPAC was established through NEOMED and AmeriCorps as an extracurricular activity for students interested in the health professions, but it also places emphasis on community outreach and health disparities. Students work in groups to identify health issues in their community and design a project to improve it. Among the SLHS group’s activities this year were holding a poster contest with winning entries displayed at the local police station, sponsoring an informational display at the District Showcase in March, and hosting guest speakers at the school. Saling said the group planned to have a small celebration on Tuesday to recognize their latest achievement.
HPAC Team Places Third at NEOMED
SALINEVILLE-Southern Local High School’s H Health Profession Affinity Community (HPAC) team was among several to place during the annual Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) Scholar’s Day on April 26.
The team of senior Natosha Riggs, sophomore Cassie Wicker, and freshmen Alysha Zwick and Cara Davis were one of five third-place teams during the event in Rootstown. Senior Jacob Pelley and freshman Samantha Riggs are also part of the group but did not attend. It was the first time the school organization, which formed earlier this year, had participated in the competition and advisor Nancy Saling was proud of their accomplishment.
“We only started in January,” said Saling. “I am unbelievably proud of them. They had no idea they had done that well. They were shocked.”
An estimated 140 schools spanning across northeastern Ohio took part, with 127 displaying posters and the remainder making oral presentations, all of which were judged by NEOMED representatives. Other themes represented that day included child abuse, obesity, cancer, and homelessness and the judges scored teams overall on presentation and information.
“The judges came around to each poster and discussed the information with the teams,” she explained. “The girls explained what their project was, the events that took place and answered the judge’s questions.”
Southern Local’s HPAC team focused their efforts on heroin awareness and prevention-- a subject they have tackled throughout the year. Saling said the group plans to continue with that topic and have some ideas to promote awareness, such as hanging banners around the village to promote a drug-free community and working with police and fire departments to collect expired medication.
“They immediately went into what they wanted to do next year. They want to keep the theme and do more community awareness,” she added.
HPAC was established through NEOMED and AmeriCorps as an extracurricular activity for students interested in the health professions, but it also places emphasis on community outreach and health disparities. Students work in groups to identify health issues in their community and design a project to improve it. Among the SLHS group’s activities this year were holding a poster contest with winning entries displayed at the local police station, sponsoring an informational display at the District Showcase in March, and hosting guest speakers at the school. Saling said the group planned to have a small celebration on Tuesday to recognize their latest achievement.
Utica Shale Academy Graduates First Class
SALINEVILLE-The Utica Shale Academy concluded its inaugural year by celebrating its first graduating class on May 28.
The seniors donned caps and gowns and made their way to the stage at Southern Local High School to collect their diplomas, of which 10 were given that evening. Southern Local School Superintendent John Wilson, one of the conversion school’s developers, welcomed the crowd of family members and friends and remarked on the successful first year.
“This is a momentous occasion,” said Wilson. “These kids deserve credit for all the hard work they’ve done over the past year.”
He also introduced keynote speaker Brian Logue, of Express Energy, who has been involved with the program since its fruition. Logue congratulated the grads and called them pioneers of the Utica Shale Academy.
“You have successfully blazed a trail for the students behind you,” he added. “You applied yourself and are growing into young adults.
Logue inspired them to live their dreams and set goals for their future, as well as to be responsible and positive, learn from mistakes, be grateful for what they have, and give back to others.
“Graduates, the future will be your own making. Work hard and maintain your personal integrity,” he said. “I hope you find everything you’ve ever wanted.”
Among the graduates were Shane Blair, Destiny Crooms, Dylan Crooms, Marcus Ford, Cali Hall, Austin Maxon, Devonta’ Oates, Nichole Rohrer, Austin Sadler, and David Torres. Sadler, who gave the senior address, said it was a great choice.
“Looking back, it was definitely the right decision for my future. I am sure my fellow classmates…would agree,” he said. Sadler quoted a portion of the Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken,” and said the graduates followed different paths to reach the same destination.
“Some of us stayed on the beaten down path, some of us ventured off and back on again, while others beat your own way through the dense forest. No matter what path you have taken, we’ve all ended up at the same place. And though I only got to walk with you a little while, I am happy that we made this journey together,” Sadler concluded. “Use the lessons you have learned throughout your school years, both educationally and personally, and do great things.”
Academy Director Eric Sampson, along with USA Board President Dr. Charles Joyce and Dr. George Ash, superintendent of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and Utica Shale Academy, presented the diplomas while graduate Dylan Crooms introduced the newest alumni. With a turn of the tassel, the newly minted graduates embarked on a new chapter in their lives. Some of them later expressed their gratitude at having the opportunity.
“I think it was pretty good,” Sadler said. “I had good memories. I made the right decision and this has given me many opportunities for my future.”
He is also among those who will join the industry’s workforce after he was hired by Express Energy, but he plans to review the various job types before making his choice.
“It feels great,” said Destiny Crooms of being called a pioneer. “It was amazing.”
“I learned a lot about the oilfields, what I need to get a job, and how to succeed,” added Dylan Crooms of his experience.
Dr. Chuck Kokiko, chief academic officer for the Jefferson County ESC, used an analogy of a turtle and said they had to stick their necks out to move forward. In that same regard, he said officials took a risk by starting the program but it has definitely paid off. He explained how Dr. Ash, Mr. Wilson, and others worked to make it all happen.
“They had to take a chance to make this a reality,” he said.
“It’s been a tremendous success,” Wilson later added. “It’s been more than we imagined.”
“I’m proud of the team effort between Southern Local, Utica Shale Academy and ESC board members, faculty and staff, Dr. Kokiko, Mr. Sampson, and Mr. Wilson. Most importantly, I’m proud of all the students and their parents,” noted Dr. Ash. “I want to congratulate them and wish them well in the future.”
The Utica Shale Academy is a tuition-free program that provides flexible scheduling and blended learning and to students statewide in grades 9-12. There are more than 100 traditional high school courses, including advanced placement and specialized classes focusing on the energy industry. Students will also be eligible for other oil and gas-specific certifications so they can leave high school ready to enter the job market. Since beginning last September, it has worked towards expansion with satellite schools eyed in Columbiana and Belmont counties. Sampson anticipates dozens of new students to sign on for the next year, but exact numbers won’t be known until August.
“I’m extremely excited for the students,” Sampson commented. “Looking into the future, I hope we can provide for more students. We’re hoping to have 30-50 in [the Columbiana] and 40-50 at [the Southern Local] unit, so we’re looking for major growth next year.”
For more information about the Utica Shale Academy, go to the website at uticashaleschool.com.
SALINEVILLE-The Utica Shale Academy concluded its inaugural year by celebrating its first graduating class on May 28.
The seniors donned caps and gowns and made their way to the stage at Southern Local High School to collect their diplomas, of which 10 were given that evening. Southern Local School Superintendent John Wilson, one of the conversion school’s developers, welcomed the crowd of family members and friends and remarked on the successful first year.
“This is a momentous occasion,” said Wilson. “These kids deserve credit for all the hard work they’ve done over the past year.”
He also introduced keynote speaker Brian Logue, of Express Energy, who has been involved with the program since its fruition. Logue congratulated the grads and called them pioneers of the Utica Shale Academy.
“You have successfully blazed a trail for the students behind you,” he added. “You applied yourself and are growing into young adults.
Logue inspired them to live their dreams and set goals for their future, as well as to be responsible and positive, learn from mistakes, be grateful for what they have, and give back to others.
“Graduates, the future will be your own making. Work hard and maintain your personal integrity,” he said. “I hope you find everything you’ve ever wanted.”
Among the graduates were Shane Blair, Destiny Crooms, Dylan Crooms, Marcus Ford, Cali Hall, Austin Maxon, Devonta’ Oates, Nichole Rohrer, Austin Sadler, and David Torres. Sadler, who gave the senior address, said it was a great choice.
“Looking back, it was definitely the right decision for my future. I am sure my fellow classmates…would agree,” he said. Sadler quoted a portion of the Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken,” and said the graduates followed different paths to reach the same destination.
“Some of us stayed on the beaten down path, some of us ventured off and back on again, while others beat your own way through the dense forest. No matter what path you have taken, we’ve all ended up at the same place. And though I only got to walk with you a little while, I am happy that we made this journey together,” Sadler concluded. “Use the lessons you have learned throughout your school years, both educationally and personally, and do great things.”
Academy Director Eric Sampson, along with USA Board President Dr. Charles Joyce and Dr. George Ash, superintendent of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and Utica Shale Academy, presented the diplomas while graduate Dylan Crooms introduced the newest alumni. With a turn of the tassel, the newly minted graduates embarked on a new chapter in their lives. Some of them later expressed their gratitude at having the opportunity.
“I think it was pretty good,” Sadler said. “I had good memories. I made the right decision and this has given me many opportunities for my future.”
He is also among those who will join the industry’s workforce after he was hired by Express Energy, but he plans to review the various job types before making his choice.
“It feels great,” said Destiny Crooms of being called a pioneer. “It was amazing.”
“I learned a lot about the oilfields, what I need to get a job, and how to succeed,” added Dylan Crooms of his experience.
Dr. Chuck Kokiko, chief academic officer for the Jefferson County ESC, used an analogy of a turtle and said they had to stick their necks out to move forward. In that same regard, he said officials took a risk by starting the program but it has definitely paid off. He explained how Dr. Ash, Mr. Wilson, and others worked to make it all happen.
“They had to take a chance to make this a reality,” he said.
“It’s been a tremendous success,” Wilson later added. “It’s been more than we imagined.”
“I’m proud of the team effort between Southern Local, Utica Shale Academy and ESC board members, faculty and staff, Dr. Kokiko, Mr. Sampson, and Mr. Wilson. Most importantly, I’m proud of all the students and their parents,” noted Dr. Ash. “I want to congratulate them and wish them well in the future.”
The Utica Shale Academy is a tuition-free program that provides flexible scheduling and blended learning and to students statewide in grades 9-12. There are more than 100 traditional high school courses, including advanced placement and specialized classes focusing on the energy industry. Students will also be eligible for other oil and gas-specific certifications so they can leave high school ready to enter the job market. Since beginning last September, it has worked towards expansion with satellite schools eyed in Columbiana and Belmont counties. Sampson anticipates dozens of new students to sign on for the next year, but exact numbers won’t be known until August.
“I’m extremely excited for the students,” Sampson commented. “Looking into the future, I hope we can provide for more students. We’re hoping to have 30-50 in [the Columbiana] and 40-50 at [the Southern Local] unit, so we’re looking for major growth next year.”
For more information about the Utica Shale Academy, go to the website at uticashaleschool.com.