We proudly welcomed four distinguished alumni - Steven Bartczak, Sr., Frank Fabrizi, Jr., Chuck Grospitch and Melanie Murphy Miller - into the Polaris Hall of Fame at a special ceremony held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Established to celebrate excellence, the Polaris Hall of Fame honors former students who have made remarkable contributions in their careers and communities, as well as valued partners and supporters whose dedication has helped us grow into the dynamic institution we are today.
This year’s inductees embody the very best of Polaris - leaders, innovators and role models who continue to inspire future generations. Their stories highlight the powerful impact of career-technical education, and the lasting influence Polaris has on its students. Below are their stories:
From a young age, Steven Bartczak, Sr. knew he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement - and Polaris Career Center provided the pathway to make that dream a reality. After graduating from the Polaris Adult Basic Peace Officer Academy in May 2005, Steve immediately began his career as a police officer with the Put-In-Bay Police Department. Soon after, he accepted a year-round position with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) as a park ranger, where he completed extensive training and expanded his professional expertise.
Thanks to the partnership between Polaris and Cuyahoga Community College, Steve was able to apply credits from his Polaris program toward an associate degree in technical studies. He then continued his education at Tiffin University, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice while working full-time.
In 2013, Steve joined the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department (CCSD), where his career quickly advanced. He served in the detective bureau, on the Use of Deadly Force (UDF) team, and was promoted to Sergeant in 2017. After completing his sergeant training, he was entrusted to oversee the Sex Offender (now Offender) Unit and later served in Internal Affairs (IA). In 2024, he was promoted once again to Lieutenant, a role in which he continues to serve across diverse assignments. Steven has received countless awards and commendations, and his career reflects the knowledge, professionalism and integrity instilled in him through Polaris and reinforced throughout his years of service.
Today, Steven lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Bonnie. They are the proud parents of three children - Abriella, Adrianna and Steven, Jr.
For Frank Fabrizi, Jr., Polaris Career Center was the foundation for a lifetime of success. As a senior in the Truck Mechanics program, Frank represented Polaris at the state VICA (now SkillsUSA) competition in Columbus - an early sign of the drive and dedication that would shape his future.
After graduating from Midpark High School in 1989, Frank studied business at Cuyahoga Community College. Still, his true calling was with the family business, Fabrizi Trucking & Paving. Having started working there at age 12, Frank never pursued another job. Today, he proudly serves as co-owner of the thriving Middleburg Heights-based construction company, helping lead its continued growth and success.
Frank has also remained a strong supporter of Polaris. Over the years, he has served on the Construction Trades Advisory Council, hired Polaris students and even spent a year on the Polaris Board of Education representing the Strongsville City School District. During his 2018 tenure on the board - timed perfectly with Polaris’s major campus renovation - he lent his construction expertise to the project, ensuring its success and long-term impact.
From building a successful business to investing in education and workforce development, Frank’s journey reflects how the foundation built at Polaris can inspire lifelong achievement and community contribution.
Frank lives in Strongsville with his wife, Michelle, and together they have raised three children - Nick, Vanessa and Domenic.
From an early age, Chuck Grospitch knew he wanted to turn his passion for cars into a lifelong career. That drive led him to Polaris Career Center’s Automotive Technology program, where he honed his skills and made his mark. As a senior, Chuck captured first place in the Ohio SkillsUSA competition in Automotive Service Technology and went on to earn sixth place at nationals - an achievement that set the stage for his future in high-performance motorsports.
After graduating from Olmsted Falls High School in 2009, Chuck attended the University of Northwestern Ohio, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive High Performance. From there, his career path reads like a “who’s who” of professional drag racing. He began as a pit crew member for Speed City/Harker Motorsport, then advanced to John Force Racing, before serving as a team leader for Kalitta Motorsports and later joining Tasca Racing as part of Bob Tasca’s crew.
In 2021, Chuck returned to John Force Racing as a Top Fuel Dragster Car Chief, the role he holds today. As Car Chief, he leads a team of mechanics and crew members responsible for preparing cars for elite competition. Under his leadership, his team and driver, Brittany Force, made history at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, breaking the world speed record at over 343 mph.
Beyond the track, Chuck is a respected leader in his field, holding multiple ASE certifications and continually pushing innovation through research, development and performance engineering. When not traveling the racing circuit, he can be found in the shop building race cars - and he often returns to Polaris to inspire the next generation of students by sharing his story.
Chuck currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with his wife, Amber.
Melanie Murphy Miller built a strong foundation for success at Polaris Career Center, where she excelled both in and out of the classroom. As a senior, she interned at The Surgery Center in Middleburg Heights and was recognized as the Polaris Outstanding Program Student in Medical Assisting and was named Polaris Senior Student of the Year. A 2004 graduate of Polaris and Midpark High School, Melanie went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Digital Media & Film from Cleveland State University.
Her career has been as diverse as it is inspiring. Melanie has served as the Youth Ministries Director at The Salvation Army Kroc Corps Community Center in Ashland, worked as an on-air television personality, writer and producer for WBNX The CW, and even guest-hosted on the TCT Network. She also made her mark in the performing arts, dancing professionally for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and went on to earn statewide recognition as Miss Ohio 2006 and Mrs. Ohio America 2011, representing the Buckeye State on both the Miss America and Mrs. America stages.
Today, Melanie is the Executive Director of the Ashland Pregnancy Care Center (APCC), where she has led the organization to multiple honors, including being named the 2018 Health & Medical Services Organization of the Year by the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and earning multiple “Best Non-Profit” recognitions in Ashland County.
In 2022, Melanie was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives, serving District 67. Now in her second term, she chairs the House Arts, Athletics and Tourism Committee for the 136th General Assembly and serves on the Health, Technology & Innovation, and Children & Human Services Committees. Her leadership and dedication have been recognized with the Ashland County Women of Achievement Award, and she is a graduate of the Leadership Ashland program. She is also an active member of the Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance and the Ashland County Farm Bureau.
Representative Miller and her husband, Matt, live in the City of Ashland, where they remain deeply engaged in community service and public leadership.
Congratulations to the Polaris Hall of Fame Class of 2025! Their accomplishments reflect not only their personal drive and determination, but also the lasting value of the Polaris experience. To research past and present Polaris Hall of Fame inductees, visit www.polaris.edu/halloffame.