001Good evening everyone and thank you so very much for taking the time out of your busy day to um attend the student success celebration committee um meeting today Wednesday, May 20th, 2026. My name is Summer Hall. I am the chair of the committee as well as we have member Montgomery and also member Kelly with us um that sit on the committee as well. We also have member um Harrison, Superintendent Mary Autley, and uh Angela Carter. I always forget your position and that my apologies. >> Executive Director of School Leadership. >> What she said, Executive Director of School Leadership. >> [laughter] >> Thank you so much. Um so we'll go ahead and get started um with approval of minutes. >> So moved by member Montgomery. Is there a second? >> Second. >> And second by member
002Kelly. Is there any public comments today? Is anyone here to speak to the board? All right, so we'll move on. All right. So we'll go to the first discussion which is Firestone CLC Akron School of the Arts Special Dazzle Award nominations. Okay. She's the personal >> Firestone! Yeah, we're clapping it up for Firestone. Yeah. >> [applause] >> Good evening. Thank you so much for having me here. We are very excited to be a part of this ceremony and to recognize these students for their participation in the Dazzle nominations. >> Before you start, could you give us a little snippet about exactly what the Dazzle Award is and what that means to APS? >> Yes, so the Dazzle Awards are a part of a program through Playhouse Square >> [snorts] >> and we have participated in
003the Dazzle Award program for um since 2016, I believe, or maybe even earlier than that. Um it is a program that 44 schools in Northeast Ohio um are involved in and this year we submitted to um be a part of it through The Little Mermaid and we have someone come out and take a look at our show and there's multiple different areas that we can be nominated in. Um acting and in technical design. So we were very excited to find out that we had four nominations um and we were able to go to the Dazzle Awards this year and perform uh for our best musical nomination. We took 30 students up to Cleveland Playhouse Square and perform on Playhouse Square's Key uh Bank State Theatre and they got to walk the red carpet and be
004a part of all of the um activities and work with Broadway choreographers and um people that are in the business, so they get to have that hands-on experience. So today we're recognizing um not only did we get a best musical nomination, but we also received um other nominations as well. So I'm going to call those students up to receive their certificates. The first one is a uh best supporting actress and that was Jayda Blackman for her role as Aquata. >> [applause] [applause] >> Our next student is for best actress and that is Maggie Vollman. >> [applause] >> And finally, um, for scenic design, Van Warnky. >> [applause] >> Well, as Mrs. Carter takes a photo, I will just say thank you so much. Congratulations to all the students. Um, I will say, Maggie, I know
005your dad personally because we work together and your stuff is posted all through the hallways and all the >> [laughter] >> all the different events and, um, performances. We all know about it. So, congratulations to all three of you. >> [applause] >> One moment, Miss Henderson. Miss Henderson, we would like to recognize you, um, with a certificate. It's dedicated not to only you, but to all of the students. Well, to you, right? Because you helped make this happen, but to all the students that helped make the production possible. So, I would like to give this certificate to you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Again, congratulations. Any comments or questions? No? Okay. Moving right along. It says city champs here, okay? So, we'll start with Buchtel CCO C boys bowling. >> [applause] >> Is there a student
006rep >> The coach is here. >> Oh, representative? Okay, perfect. >> Hi, everybody. >> Hi. >> Um I'm the coach for Oh, well, I guess you're over here. Um for our boys and girls, and our boys were almost undefeated. They had a record of 16 and 1. They lost one match to Hoban. Um But we don't want to talk about those people. >> [laughter] >> So, there's certificates for my boys, and we also did have a gentleman that did go as an individual Marcus Brown. That was Marcus Brown. >> [applause] >> So, my certificates go to Devon Bledsoe. >> [applause] >> Trevell Ellis was going to come, but he not here, so I will recognize him Trevell Ellis, who is a Um Um where where he's um going to do tech work or IT. Uh
007Jaylen Ingram is also a graduating senior going to >> [applause] >> to Azusa Pacific University. >> [applause] >> Jamal Jones also a full scholarship to University of Arizona. >> [applause] >> Jermaine Manuel also graduating >> [applause] >> Um Hezekiah or Hezekiah Hezekiah Q3. >> [applause] >> This lady is brain time. Edward McHenry, he's not here. >> [clears throat] >> And then we also have Marcus um Brown. >> [applause] >> children. They all 10:40. Thank you. >> [applause] >> I would just like to say congratulations. Um I don't know if they had bowling back when I was in high school at at 10:40 where I graduated from. But um congratulations. And you don't have to stop now because you can get in leagues. They have leagues and they pay pretty good money. Um so that can
008be a little side gig while you guys are finishing your education. So again, congratulations. Um we have coach Annette. Um oh, that was you. I'm sorry. Okay. Um coach McNeal Thomas with Garfield COC basketball. >> [applause] >> So, unfortunately, both of our coaches for these sports are enrolled in or engaged in activities today. We have district sectional tournament for track right now, and they are coaching track. So, they are unable to be here. So, Miss Rodocker and myself are here for our students. >> Thank you so much. The certificates are right there on the >> Uh so, you want to go through these? Uh Garfield students, can we all stand up real quick that are being recognized? Our athletes. >> [applause] >> Yeah, we'll do wrestling at the same time. >> Connor Wicks, recognize you
009for basketball. >> [applause] >> Uh Jonathan Beal. >> [applause] >> James Bowers. >> [applause] >> Do you mind saying like when you call their name if it's either basketball or wrestling or is it >> Yes, Connor's basketball and wrestler wrestling. >> Okay, thank you. >> Connor's are only basketball. Uh Ramon Brown. >> [applause] >> Preston. >> [applause] [applause] >> Majaliwa. >> [applause] [applause] >> Uh Braxton Reynolds >> [applause] >> abundance shop front >> [applause] >> Noah Walker >> [applause] >> Delacy Waters >> [applause] >> Uh Delacy is also being recognized for uh joining the military as well. So >> [applause and cheering] >> Who else am I Jamir Jamir Barnett Jamir Barnett as well. [applause] Uh joining the military and then uh What's his name? Gavin Gavin Slawson Gavin, come on up. Sorry, I don't
010have yours. >> [applause] >> I think that's everybody. Okay. Sorry, Gavin. Okay. Uh this is it for the Garfield teams. Thank you. >> [applause] >> We'll stay up so you guys can all take a picture. Can you Can you come back up? You can come right in front of here. Just one big picture. Yep, right here is fine. Mhm. >> Harrison's already putting himself in there. >> Harrison, this is 2026. >> [laughter] >> All right. 1 2 3 cheese. Congratulation. >> [applause] [applause] >> I know we might have become back up, you know. Are there any comments or questions? >> If those Garfield Rams can just stand up again. >> [applause] >> And I just want to say to you guys it it really is um a joy to see Garfield back on top in
011so many things. I really believe that when we talk about school spirit, it really is a cohesion with the sports teams. I come through the building. You feel the electricity in the building. You feel the sisterhood and the brotherhood in the building and I think that the sports connects everything. And I know everybody wants to be Garfield and everybody can't be Garfield. To to to the other people, you can strive to be, you know, on the top. And so, just want to thank you guys and I'm not sure if principal is still here. We had a couple of basketball players that did really well on the ACT, didn't we? Can you come and give them their their names? And so, we're more than sports and and they're in no special program. They are in general
012classes for Akron public schools. So, just want to let everybody know that our academics as well as our sports are on par. And if you want to be great, APS is the place to be. But if you want to be the best of the best, Garfield High School is the place to be. >> Yes, we had Macai Law and Teryan Chapman, both seniors on the basketball team, both got 27s on their ACTs. And then we also, yes. >> [applause] >> And then we actually have a junior, Chris Byrd, who's also on the basketball team, who also scored a 27 or higher. And I don't want to quote since I'm on camera. There is 27 or higher, who again is a junior on the basketball team, Chris Byrd, who also scored very high. So, very proud,
013very proud. >> [applause] >> And thank you Principal Rodocker for for keeping all of that those pieces and parts moving. And we are back where I knew we would be. Garfield Golden Rams just doing great things. So, thank you. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you, member Harrison, for that. Moving along, Coach Nick Harris with Ellet CLC girls basketball. >> [applause] >> Thanks so much. We appreciate you having us up here and recognizing the girls. It's a really good opportunity for them to get, you know, some recognition and appreciation for all their hard work this year. This is our fourth straight city championship. We haven't lost a game in the city in 4 years, and we have two straight. >> [applause] >> And And we've been able to have But I
014thank you, ladies. And they are happy to correct me. Um we've had two straight district runner-ups. We've been able to go compete outside the conference with uh suburban and private school teams to represent, like the reverend said, that here at APS, academically, athletically, you can and will be successful if you're willing to put in the work. >> [applause] >> We're missing a few girls due to district uh track today. They're performing at Tallmadge to hopefully end up at regionals, and a couple more doing volleyball. But I do want to recognize the six, I believe we have here, and our one lone senior, Lulu Russell. All right. So, first one up, uh Kennedy Keith. Some of you should be familiar with. She's up here a lot talking to the board, the superintendent, representing Ella very well.
015>> [applause] [applause] >> Another great young lady, hard worker, pleasure to be around, smile lights up the room, Soraya Morris. >> [applause] >> Yeah, get out my way. I got this, Soraya. All right. Young lady, sophomore, uh one of my faves, uh big fan, London Riley. Come on. >> [applause] >> Again, our lone senior who just won her fourth straight city championship in softball, also, Lulu Russell. >> [applause and cheering] >> Uh another sophomore, our leading scorer, you know, great young lady, great player, De'Amore Scott. >> [applause] >> All right. Last and definitely not least, they asked me to have someone special that maybe doesn't get all the recognition she deserves. So, I want to bring up Sanaa Williams, a true coachable, a leader in the classroom, a leader on the court, a leader in
016the locker room with them, which we need all the time. Well, you know, we we appreciate her, we love her, Sanaa Williams. >> [applause] [applause] >> Congratulations to each and every one of you. Hey, keep setting the ball high and, you know, let these boys know that you will challenge them in the game of basketball, too, okay? >> [laughter] >> So, congratulations, ladies. Um next we'll have Ellet CLC girls bowling. >> [applause] >> Hi, thank you for recognizing us as well. Um, I have two of my bowlers here tonight. Uh, I have one of my seniors, Violet. >> [applause] >> And I have uh, my one of my juniors, uh, Mariah. >> [applause] [applause] >> So, for the City Series, oh, sorry. Come here. Uh, tournament, the, uh, Fine, your name. Sorry. Uh, they did
017really good. Uh, they came out strong in the tournament and we did win only by 10 pins. That's how important it is for you to make your spares in competition. We won by 10 pins, uh, over Firestone for the City Series Championship. And they had a good season. They went 9 and 6. >> [applause] >> Congratulations and job well done. And thank you, Coach Williams. Any comments or questions before we move on? No? Okay. Next, we have re-enlist recognition. Is this Zebright? You're taking the lead on this? >> Well, I'm going to get it started here. But, if you don't mind, we're doing a little bit of a set change cuz we had some of our athletes are also enlisting this fall. So, I want to make sure they got queued up. And I would
018like to ask a question if, um, some of our student athletes could please stand because I got about nine family members outside that don't have a seat. So, if we don't mind making a little room for them, I can invite them in and make sure they get seats, too. >> Well, if our student athletes are heading out, I just want to say, thank you so much for making the time [snorts] to come out. Thank you for all the hard work that you do, not just in the classroom, but also in your sports. Um, and thank you to the parents, as well, for making this happen for your young people. Okay, thank you. While they're while they're getting seated, thank you for that. We just It's great to have so many family members showing out to
019support their kids and and and their scholars and as they're getting ready for the next phase and celebrating their accomplishments. But good evening, committee members. It's my pleasure tonight to welcome us to this very special occasion. It's our scholar recognition. It's the second time that we've held this before the board in the time where we were able to recognize our students who have signed contracts for the military this fall. So, I just was talking to a parent at the reception out there and she said that her student is leaving June 2nd. I immediately started crying with her. So, we hugged each other and we're okay. But, so we love these students and we're very proud of them and want to take the time to recognize them. To begin with, I want to read some phrases
020to you. Aim high, fly, fight, win. Always courageous, always ready, always there. Semper Fidelis, always faithful. And this will define. If you're not familiar with those phrases, they are the respective mottos for the United Air Force, the United States Navy, the Army National Guard, and the Ohio National Guard, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Army. Each of these esteemed organizations has at least one of our scholars, soon-to-be Akron Public Schools graduates, joining their ranks, and we could not be more proud. These mottos are incredibly meaningful. They're inspiring and they represent the qualities and ideals that we should all aspire to demonstrate daily. To the families, friends, teachers, and administrators who have guided these young people um and to enter into a life of service, you've done a terrific job and we commend
021you. Before we have the military students come in, enlistees, can we please have the parents of the military enlistees stand up if you're here? >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you. Um and to our scholars who have enlisted, thank you for your commitment to demonstrating these qualities. Your Your dedication to living up to these ideals and your willingness to serve our country. We're proud of you. So, let's get on with it so that we can get to introductions. I'm going to turn it over to Mr. Clayton Canditt for Academy Coach at Garfield CLC. >> Hey guys. Okay. >> [applause] >> Thank you, school board, Madam Superintendent for having us this evening. It's like Marci said, these are those days I get touched a little bit just seeing the family support and all these beautiful
022young people taking that next step of life. We have our first graduation tomorrow at North, right? And these young people we see tonight are taking the next step, that enlistment step, that ease. So, uh tonight we're going to um uh if the recruiters here, introduce the recruiter that are introduce their students. We are going to call all the students' names, whether they're present or not, to be recognized this evening. And I will fill in for any recruiter or branch that's not here this evening. And then uh typically, uh Superintendent, if you wanted to finish with some just a couple words at the end of the ceremony for the students, we would appreciate it. Thank you. So, uh first I'd like to introduce Sergeant First Class Class Trevor Holdsworth. >> [applause] >> All right. Good evening,
023everybody. Uh thankful for the opportunity. A lot of these individuals standing behind me will be not only representing the state of Ohio, but their community right here in Akron as well. With me today, I have Private Hayford, Private Dottery, Private Walters, and then Private Too as well, all joining the Ohio Army National Guard. >> [applause] [laughter] >> Oh, yeah. Okay. Oh, you're good. You're good. You're good. >> [crying] [crying] >> So, will that be a total of five joining the National Guard? Army National Guard since you have a as your certificate? Okay, so five. Okay, thank you. For the National Guard Army? Oh, total enlisted. Okay. Oh, okay. >> [applause] >> All right. So, I will represent our next branch. We have two Akron Public Schools soon-to-be graduates joining the United States Air Force. First
024person I'd like to introduce is John Blaize Jr., Buchtel CLC. >> [applause] >> And the other person, Nadia Martin, who's not with us from Buchtel CLC. So, >> [applause] >> John Blaize Jr. There you go, sir. There [applause] you go. You can actually just grab that seat right there, sir. >> Next, I'd like to introduce Staff Sergeant Roderick Midgett to the podium to introduce our United States Army recruits. >> [applause] >> Good evening. I'm Staff Sergeant Midgett representing the United States Army and Army Reserves out of the North Recruiting Office. Behind me I have Private Jaymier Barnett. >> [applause] >> Private Robert Bergdorf. >> [applause] >> Um not here today is Private Safal Gurung. Private Rashawn Kiwa. >> [applause] >> Also not here Private Patrique Rai. >> [applause] >> Behind me is Private Jeremiah Richardson.
025Also not here Private Andrew Stadler. And to my right Private Marcus Watley. >> [applause] >> Over here. Uh turn around here. Picture, please. Yes, sir. >> [applause] >> Thank you, guys. Congratulations. >> If you [applause] guys want to grab some chairs in there, go ahead. Whatever. >> Thank you. Our next group uh to be recognized tonight are the United States Marine Corps. Not in attendance, but joining the Marine Corps Braden Bracey of Firestone and Thomas Kenny of East CLC. >> [applause] >> And our last branch to be recognized this evening is United States Navy Navy. Uh today with us in attendance Joseph >> Say Adrian? >> Adrian from Ellet CLC. >> [applause] >> Not in attendance John Sosa from Buchtel and Gracie Terrapeca from Ellet CLC. >> [applause] >> There you go, sir. Take your
026photo out. >> And then gentlemen, can you stand one more time? Our enlistees and we're going to just give another round of applause. Congratulations. >> [applause] [cheering] >> Then again Madam Superintendent. >> Thank you. What an honor to have a moment to recognize all of you. I want to thank you for what you're about to go off and do. In Akron Public Schools, our goal is to ensure that our students is ready for their next. Rather it's enrolling in a college, university, post-secondary. Rather it's enlistment like you're about to go off to do. Rather it's employment, entrepreneurship, we want you to be ready. But enlisting is near and dear to my heart. My father was in the Army Air Force and also served as a marine. And I know how proud he was to have
027done that. And to know that during these times we still have students who are willing to go off and serve their country, that really humbles me. And so, I thank you for your courage and I thank your families for their support. And know that we support you here in Akron Public Schools and we're very, very proud of you. And we look forward to celebrating you as you go off to serve our country. And I'll turn it over to our chair. >> Thank you so very much. Again, I echo everything that Superintendent Autley said. We are so proud of you for having the courage to even take the step to go into um the military services. Um to protect our country, to protect your families, to protect us. So, thank you so very much. Um are
028there any comments? Member Harrison. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I too want to congratulate you and and just encourage you. Um I went to the military 4 days after graduation. Um and it truly was the best thing that happened for me um and my family. Um I learned so much. Um I got an opportunity to see the world and I had never really left the state. And when I went into the military, I met some friends, I met some people that um we get together still every 2 years down at Fort Benning. Um and so, um you have an opportunity um to be great. I would encourage you to continue your schooling um while you are in the military and it is um at such a less cost. I encourage you if you're not doing
029what you want to do to re-enlist into what you can do. Um so, this is good to see that you guys are looking towards the future. The Ohio State didn't offer me a football scholarship. They looked at my film and the coach told me maybe I ought to join the military. So, so that's what I did and just want to congratulate you and want to thank the recruiters that are here for guiding them through the process and for all of those at home, joining the military is not an easy thing to do. If you if you want to join the military, there are tests you have to take, there's aptitudes that you have to meet, you have to be in a certain physical place and so I'm glad that to see that Akron Public Schools
030is still producing not only physically fit, but academically fit. Young men and young ladies who are willing to serve and ready to serve. So, thank you. Congratulations. Go and be great and army leads the way. >> [applause] >> Any other comments from board members? No? Staff? No? Okay. Now, I would also like to thank the parents again because without you our kids would not have the confidence to leave home to do some amazing things whether it's enlisting to the military, going to college. It's a hard It's really hard to leave home and so just thank you parents for being that voice for your student, being that support and just letting them know that they can do anything and everything. So, thank you because without you there would be no them. So, I just want to
031thank the parents. Um if there's nothing else, this is a Yeah, I am. >> [laughter] >> If there's nothing else, we'll go ahead and adjourn. Our next meeting will be on May Nope, that's today. >> June 17th. >> Thank you so much. See, that's why you have people by your side that can help you out. You had a comment? You come on up. If there's any comments from the students, please. >> [applause] >> Hello. >> Can you state your name, your school? >> Jaymer Barnett, and I go to Garfield CLC. Uh that's Mr. Condiff and Mr. Bryant. Sorry, Mr. Rocker. Nicolino was here somewhere. But um I just want to say that my heart's shaking, sorry. But for all the families, if you guys are worried about, you know, what's happening in the world right
032now and everybody in listening, uh we'll be fine. You know, we got God. We got you guys. Uh got divine protection, obviously. We're going to come back in one piece just fine. Going to reunite with you guys just fine. Y'all are going to be at our graduations when we leave boot camp, things like that. And uh yeah, just have faith because without faith we're nothing. >> [applause] >> That's Garfield. That would be a Garfield graduate. >> [laughter] >> Yes, sir. Come on up. >> Can we just get another round of applause for the families? >> [applause] >> I just want to say this is my wonderful loving mother. Oh, I said that wrong. Mother over there. And my sister who keeps crying, who never show me this much affection when we are at home. But
033I just want to say we're all proud of being in the armed >> [laughter] >> I'm going to get you when we get home. In a nice way. And a loving brother. [clears throat] It's uh it is hard to say bye to your kid when they leave off to basic. Shut shh. It's going to be hard when they leave, go to basic, be kind of depressed. Yeah, they got to stay strong. but just show them care, always appreciate them, and that's all. >> [applause] >> Anyone else? Cuz this is student success celebration, so we are celebrating our students. So, feel free any other comments. No? And I also want to thank the staff, thank the teachers, thank the principals. Um I know I visited a lot of the schools, and I've seen um some of
034the programs with ROTC, and I'm like, yeah. I can't do that. You know, the workouts and all of that, so I just appreciate all that you do. Um so, again, thank you. So, our next meeting is June 17th um here in the courtesy Walker um boardroom. And with that's I guess that's all. So, thank you everyone so much. Safe travels home. >> [applause]