2005 Inductees

Polaris Hall of Fame Class of 2005

This inaugural class of inductees consists of five exceptional former students. They have all leveraged their Polaris career-technical experience to pursue distinguished educational experiences and professional careers. We are proud of their accomplishments and appreciate the role they serve as Polaris ambassadors. They were officially inducted into the Polaris Hall of Fame during a ceremony on April 20, 2005.

Cheryl Petrime Basilisco

1982 Graduate, Cosmetology Program

Current Employment:

Owner/International Educator,

Co-Founder of Esbi International Artistic Team

Esbi International Salons

When Cheryl Petrime Basilisco completed the Polaris Cosmetology program in 1982, she never imagined she would be sharing her expertise on an international level. Cheryl’s goal had always been to pursue a career as a platform artist; within three years after graduation, she had formed a partnership and opened her own salon. Continued success in the industry and her marriage to Nuccio Basilisco led to the opening of Esbi International.

As Owner/International Educator of Esbi International Salons, Cheryl has made presentations in Europe and throughout the United States. A leader in the industry, Cheryl is a Polaris supporter, hiring Polaris students and proudly giving back to her profession by sharing her creativity and enthusiasm with young people who also want to pursue careers in cosmetology. That philosophy is the driving force that has established Esbi as one of the top 200 salons as named by Salon Today magazine.

Cheryl and her husband work side by side in the salon and on the road. They have two children, Nicole and Ataelia, who, when traveling with them, play a big role assisting with models and the shows. Cheryl attributes her success to her Polaris cosmetology teacher, Mrs. George, who always pushed her to improve.

Cheryl is active in the community. She is involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, fashion shows, Catan’s Safetytown Fashion Show, and conducting demonstrations at Cosmetology training sites.

Michael Ciaravino

1981 Graduate, Carpentry Program

Current Employment:

Mayor of Maple Heights and Attorney in Private Practice

Michael Ciaravino entered the Carpentry program in his junior year at Midpark High School. While in the program, he sharpened his skills and thrived in a hands-on learning environment which provided him with immediate feedback and the confidence to take on tougher challenges.

After graduating in 1981, his intent was to continue in the construction trades field, but times were slow and full-time jobs were not available. However, the confidence he gained at Polaris gave him the incentive to further his education. Financing his studies with a variety of construction jobs, he attended Tri-C, and then John Carroll University for his Bachelor’s degree. While at John Carroll he became involved on the debating team and discovered a new interest in academics. This led him to pursue a degree in law at Case Western Reserve University.

Michael went on to become an attorney and a Magistrate in private practice, as well as a City Prosecutor and Assistant Law Director for the City of Maple Heights. Throughout his career, his skills in carpentry and construction have proved to be an asset in trials involving tradespeople. Michael has used his Polaris success to attain many professional and personal goals. In November of 2003, he added another title to his resume. He was elected Mayor of Maple Heights.

Robert J. Kubicki

1977 Graduate, Data Processing Program

Current Employment:

Owner/COE,

C.TRAC information solutions

A 1977 graduate in the Data Processing program, Bob Kubicki not only works at the same company he was placed in as a senior, he now owns it. In 29 years, C.TRAC information solutions has grown from a small inventory control computer service bureau to a professional services firm with nearly 100 full- and part-time employees. C.TRAC uses information technology to provide a blend of solutions and services that include sophisticated direct marketing, database development and enhancement, document and program management, data entry, and consulting.

Bob began at C.TRAC, then located in Rocky River, the summer before his senior year at Polaris as a computer operator trainee when large mainframes were the technology of the day. After graduation, he advanced through the ranks of the company, learning new skills from the company’s senior employees. When the owner sold the business in 1999, Bob and three partners seized the opportunity, replacing all mainframe systems with the latest Microsoft, Ethernet and Web-based technologies. C.TRAC has outgrown its facilities several times and is now located at a new facility the company built in Strongsville in November, 2004.

Bob continues his education through college classes, workshops and seminars. In addition to a lifelong career, Polaris gave him the opportunity to meet his wife Bonny, an Olmsted Falls graduate who was also in the Data Processing class and a National OEA contest winner. They have three sons and a daughter, all graduates of Midpark High School. Bob has also coached school, city, and CYO sports teams in Brook Park for the past 20 years.

Anthony “Chef Tony” Stanislo

1993 Graduate, Chef Training Program

Current Employment:

Instructor, Chef/Restaurant Management Program

Medina County Career Center

A 1993 graduate of the Polaris Chef Training program, Tony Stanislo had always been interested in cooking. As a sophomore at Rocky River High School he heard a presentation from a culinary school representative and realized he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary field. He later read about the Chef Training program at Polaris. However, since Rocky River High School was not an associate school of Polaris, he could attend only as a tuition student. Tony wrote to the Rocky River Schools superintendent requesting permission to attend Polaris. Since a chef program was not available to students in the district, his request was approved.

After completing his Polaris studies, Tony continued his training at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, after which he began his career as a chef in restaurants in Hudson, Cleveland, and Rocky River. He began his teaching career in 1998, when the principal at Medina County Career Center, who knew him from her time as a Polaris administrator, asked him to be an instructor for their Chef and Restaurant Management Program. Although he had not thought of teaching, he realized the influence he could have on students who shared his passion for a culinary career. Students in his program operate The Center Café, participate in Taste of Medina and local, state, and national level skills contests, and sponsor a winter scholarship dinner which raises funds for students who plan to continue their education in the food and restaurant industry.

Tony is an active member of the American Culinary Federation. He and his wife Kim have a two-year-old son named Jonathan.

Douglas K. Thompson

1976 Graduate, Auto Mechanics Program

Current Employment:

General Manager,

Gene Norris Olds GMC Inc.

A 1976 graduate in Auto Mechanics, Doug Thompson is now the General Manager for Gene Norris Olds GMC Inc. in Middleburg Heights. Placed as a mechanic at Gene Norris during his senior year, he has risen through the ranks to his current position.

Doug understands the importance of education and lifelong learning and continues to be an advocate of Polaris. He has been a member of the Polaris Auto Service Technology Advisory Committee for 14 years and consistently hires Polaris students for either early placement positions or permanent employment. Doug also serves on a Cuyahoga Community College Advisory Council for the Automotive Service Education Program.

Recently, Doug was instrumental in helping Polaris become an AYES (Automotive Youth Education System) school. AYES is an educational process designed and partially funded by auto manufacturers like General Motors, Chrysler, and Honda. The goal is to develop young people’s potential for automotive technology at an earlier age.

Doug is married with three children. He and his wife Stephanie are proud parents of daughter Tracy and sons Lucas and Garrett.