Up to the minute articles touting our latest accomplishments.
July 6, 2021 Middleburg Heights, OH – Now more than ever, job seekers need the right skills to stay ahead of the competition. Polaris Career Center’s 14 Adult Job & Career Training Programs help get students on the fast track to exciting new careers. High school seniors, recent graduates and adults who are exploring job training and career opportunities are invited to attend the Polaris Adult Job and Career Training Program Open House at Polaris on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. During this event, attendees can explore adult job and career training program opportunities and learn more about financial aid options, the tuition payment plan and federal student loans that are available to qualified applicants. Visitors are encouraged to tour the newly renovated labs and classrooms and participate in program demonstrations. In addition, Polaris instructors will be available to answer specific program and career related questions. Featured programs will include the following:
Building Maintenance and Manicurist are new this fall. In addition, Polaris will launch a new daytime adult Police Academy option beginning in January of 2022. Many popular programs fill up quickly so interested students are encouraged to attend the open house to begin the enrollment process. Admission is FREE. For additional details or to arrange a personal tour, call Theresa at 440-891-7697, email tliska@polaris.edu or visit www.polaris.edu/openhouse. All attendees must park in the side parking lot and enter through the atrium. Polaris is located at 7285 Old Oak Boulevard in Middleburg Heights. ###
June 1, 2021 Middleburg Heights, OH – Mary Hiros, Computer Networking Academy, Berea-Midpark High School, and Hannah Huynh, Dental Assisting, Berea-Midpark High School, were named the Outstanding Senior Students of the Year for the Polaris Class of 2021. Both are high achievers who plan to make the most of their Polaris experience. The following are bios for the award-winning students: Mary Hiros has excelled throughout her two years at Polaris. She has achieved a 4.7 GPA in her Computer Networking program and a 4.9 GPA in her college courses at Cuyahoga Community College. In fact, Mary has already earned her associates degree from Tri-C and is enrolled in the University of Cincinnati’s Early IT program. Mary is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, Phi Theta Kappa and is a Polaris student ambassador. She is also a two-time recipient of the National Center for Women & Information Technology award. In addition to her achievements in the classroom, Mary is very involved in many school and community activities. She participates in cross country, indoor and outdoor track, marching band, student council, varsity golf, Cyber Security Club, Women in Computing, Hyland Hy-Tech Club and Model United Nations. She juggled a very busy schedule while also working for the Cleveland MetroParks and the Polaris information technology department. Mary’s Computer Networking Academy instructor, Tina Bright, gives her high praise. “Mary is a truly exceptional student that has a strong desire to learn. She is generous with her knowledge and willing to share what she knows with her fellow classmates.” Mary has set a clear career path which builds on her Polaris experience. This fall, she plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University and major in cyber security and finance and minor in entrepreneurship. She plans to further her education and earn a master’s degree and PhD in cyber security. She hopes to start her career in the FBI or a similar federal law enforcement agency and then later transition that experience to the private sector. She is the proud recipient of the Polaris Educational Foundation, BW Presidential and STEMM Scholars Program scholarships. Hannah Huynh built an impressive resume during her time at Polaris. She achieved a 4.0 GPA in the Dental Assisting program and a 3.9 GPA at Berea-Midpark High School. Her certifications include the Ohio State Dental X-Ray and CPR Healthcare Provider certificates. Hannah is a member of the National Technical Honor Society, a Polaris student ambassador, National Honor Society, student council, Key Club, Junior and Senior Executive Boards, PRIDE and a member of the Titan bowling team. She also participated in Camp Mi-Bro-Be as a counselor and has worked for many years in the Berea City Schools libraries. She also currently works at Fairview Park Dental Care applying her Polaris skills on the job. Prior to coming to Polaris, Hannah participated in Project Lead the Way classes offered at Berea-Midpark High School. Hannah is also fluent in Vietnamese. Her Dental Assisting instructor, Rachelle Pickwick, raves about Hannah as both a student and leader. “Hannah is a goal-oriented young lady determined to succeed. She is a quiet leader who always goes above and beyond to help her classmates. Her compassion and generosity will serve her well in this field.” Hannah will continue her dental studies after high school. She plans plan to attend Cuyahoga Community College this fall and major in dental hygiene. Hannah is the recipient of the Polaris Educational Foundation scholarship. Twenty-five Polaris seniors were also named outstanding students in their career-technical programs. This distinction is determined by academic achievement, citizenship, service and extra-curricular activities. Those students, their programs and high schools are listed below:
For additional information, contact Doug Miller at dmiller@polaris.edu or call (440 891-7609. ###
April 21, 2021 Middleburg Heights, OH – Now more than ever, job seekers need the right skills to stay ahead of the competition. Polaris Career Center’s 12 Adult Job & Career Training Programs help get students on the fast track to exciting new careers. High school seniors, recent graduates and adults who are exploring job training and career opportunities are invited to attend the Polaris Adult Job and Career Training Program Open House at Polaris on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. During this event, attendees can explore adult job and career training program opportunities and learn more about financial aid options, the tuition payment plan and federal student loans that are available to qualified applicants. Visitors are encouraged to tour the newly renovated labs and classrooms and participate in program demonstrations. In addition, Polaris instructors will be available to answer specific program and career related questions. The event also features a registration information session which will guide prospective students through the entire enrollment and tuition payment process. *Featured programs will include the following:
*Two new programs will be announced soon. Many popular programs fill up quickly so interested students are encouraged to attend the open house to begin the enrollment process. Admission is FREE. For additional details or to arrange a personal tour, call Theresa at 440-891-7697, email tliska@polaris.edu or visit www.polaris.edu/openhouse. All attendees must park in the side parking lot and enter through the atrium. Polaris is located at 7285 Old Oak Boulevard in Middleburg Heights. ###
April 15, 2021 Middleburg Heights, OH – Polaris Career Center recently inducted 81 students into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS). NTHS is America's highest award for excellence in career and technical education. NTHS’s mission is to honor student achievement and leadership, promote educational excellence, and enhance career opportunities for the organization’s members. Fewer than two percent of America's secondary students are nominated for membership into this prestigious organization. Nominees are evaluated based on scholarship, service, leadership and character. To be eligible, Polaris students must meet the following requirements:
For additional information, contact Doug Miller at dmiller@polaris.edu or (440) 891-7609. ###
April 13, 2021 Middleburg Heights, Ohio – Freshmen considering Polaris as a future education option are invited to the 9th Grade Advantage Event along with their parents on Thursday, April 29, 2021, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to:
Students are also encouraged to submit an “Early Interest Form” prior to the event at www.polaris.edu/earlyinterest to access exclusive Polaris news and updates (and earn another bonus point toward enrollment). Polaris serves high school students from Berea-Midpark, Brooklyn, Fairview, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville High Schools. Polaris is located at 7285 Old Oak Boulevard in Middleburg Heights. For additional information, call (440) 891-7732, email ccrisler@polaris.edu or visit www.polaris.edu/events. ###
April 9, 2021 Middleburg Heights, OH – Polaris and LifeWorks of Southwest General are joining forces to fight Parkinson’s Disease. “Rock the Pavement,” an outdoor Zumba fundraising event, will take place in the LifeWorks parking lot on Saturday, May 15th from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. The event costs $10 per-person and must be paid in advance. Participants can register in-person at the LifeWorks Service Desk or call Robyn at 440.816.5395 to pay by phone by Friday, May 14th. All net proceeds will benefit the LifeWorks Rock Steady Boxing Parkinson’s program. Come "Rock the Pavement" on May 15th! ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2021 Middleburg Heights, OH – Berea-Midpark High School students enrolled in the Polaris Broadcasting & Video Production satellite program recently won awards in the virtual statewide PTA Reflections competition. The PTA's Reflections program encourages students of all ages to unleash creative talents and be inspired, express themselves imaginatively in their artwork, experience the fun and joy of making art, tap into critical-thinking skills to create art inspired by the theme and receive positive recognition for their original works of art. All entries were evaluated by a panel of judges using the following criteria: interpretation of theme, creativity and technique. The students who won state awards competed in the “film production” category. In this event, the students had to create an original piece that was animated, narrative, documentary, experimental or a media presentation that followed the theme, “I Matter Because…” Entries were judged primarily on how well the student used his or her artistic vision to convey the theme. In total, five students were recognized for their efforts. Kaya Dove, a Berea-Midpark High School freshman, earned an award of excellence for her work, “Why do I Matter,” and advanced to participate virtually in the national competition. National awards will be announced on May 1, 2021. Below is a summary of the other state winners and the titles of their works: Student Name Grade Category Title of Work Michelle Dranuski 12 Film Production We All Matter Award of Outstanding Achievement Heaven Santiago 12 Film Production I Matter Because Honorable Mention Ava Delgado 12 Film Production Why We Matter Honorable Mention Phoenix Boyer 10 Film Production I Matter Because Honorable Mention For additional information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or email dmiller@polaris.edu. ###
February 23. 2021 Middleburg Heights, OH – Katie Street, Polaris Career Center Broadcasting & Video Production instructor at Berea-Midpark High School (BMHS), has been honored with the Berea PTA’s "T" in PTA Award. This recognition is given to a certified educator who is involved in and supportive of Berea PTA and has made a positive impact on the lives of children. She was recently honored for her ongoing support of BMHS students and the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) through her membership and support of fundraisers and student competitions. She received special recognition for encouraging her students to participate in the PTA Reflections art competition. Heather Losneck, PTSA President, sang her praises during the nomination process, “We recognize your efforts - both during school and outside of school hours - to make the time to discuss the (PTA Reflections) program, reflect on the theme of ‘I Matter Because’ and ensure their submissions were complete!” Broadcasting & Video Production is one of several Polaris satellite programs that are located at Berea-Midpark High School. The others are Biomedical Science, Engineering and Marketing & Entrepreneurship. Visit www.polaris.edu/hssatellite for additional program details. For additional information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or email dmiller@polaris.edu. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8. 2021 Middleburg Heights, OH – Chef Chris Olszewski, Polaris Career Center Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management Instructor, was recently honored with his eleventh Ohio ProStart Teacher of Distinction Award. This designation honors engaged culinary educators who are dedicated to their students and committed to enhancing the image of the culinary profession. This latest teaching award is one of many for Olszewski. He is the past recipient of the 2019 Ohio Board of Education District Five Teacher of the Year Award, a two-time winner of the National ProStart Educator of Excellence Award, a two-time Ohio ProStart Educator of Excellence honoree, a two-time American Culinary Federation Cleveland Chapter Culinary Educator of the Year, an Ohio Restaurant Association (ORA) Outstanding Industry Educator Award winner and was previously honored with the Crystal Apple Award. Chef Olszewski fosters an environment of respect, passion and opportunity for his students, and his dedication to promoting the culinary industry and preparing his students for career success is unmatched. In fact, many former students have earned related college degrees and/or pursued distinguished careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Under his leadership, Polaris Career Center’s Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management program captured nine Ohio ProStart Invitational culinary championships, four Invitational management championships and back-to-back National ProStart Invitational culinary championships in 2016 and 2017. He and his students have received numerous resolutions from the Ohio State House and Ohio Senate and have been recognized before both chambers. In addition, the program was honored as the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) Northeast Region’s 2019 Most Outstanding JVS and Vocational program. Olszewski has been Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management Instructor at Polaris for 22 years where he and his students manage Savour, Polaris’s popular student-run restaurant. In a typical school year, the restaurant serves thousands of customers from the surrounding communities. Chef “O” brings a wealth of industry experience to the classroom. Prior to joining Polaris, Olszewski spent seven years as Executive Chef at Don’s Pomeroy House in Strongsville, Ohio. He received his formal training at the Stouffer’s Culinary Apprenticeship Program in Cleveland, and he has been an active member of the American Culinary Federation for 29 years. ProStart is the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s (NRAEF) nationwide high school program that unites classrooms and industry to develop tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice talent. The program reaches nearly 150,000 students in more than 1,900 high schools across 50 states, Guam and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Europe and the Pacific. For additional information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or email dmiller@polaris.edu ###