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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLARIS SENIOR AWARDS CEREMONY HONORS BEST OF THE CLASS OF 2019

May 22, 2019

Middleburg Heights, OH – Michael Karpinski, Automotive Technology, Berea-Midpark High School, and Annette Malcolm, Criminal Justice, Brooklyn High School, were named the Outstanding Seniors for the Polaris Class of 2019 during the 43rd Annual Polaris Senior Awards.  Both students excelled throughout high school and plan to use their Polaris experience as a springboard for college and career success.  The following are bios for the award winning students:
 
During his two years at Polaris, Michael Karpinski has built an impressive resume.  He earned a 4.0 GPA in Automotive Technology and maintained perfect attendance.  He finished third in the regional SkillsUSA automotive service competition and also placed third at the Greater Cleveland Automotive Dealers’ Association Automotive Technology competition this spring.  He is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and was named the Outstanding Program Student as a junior and senior.  He juggled a busy school schedule and played rec baseball and was a member of the Boy Scouts.  Last December, Michael began to apply his Polaris skills as an apprentice technician and shop maintenance person at Weber Automotive in North Olmsted.  Michael’s Automotive Technology Instructor, Bob Yuravak, has nothing but great things to say about him.  “Mike is not only an amazing student but is always polite both at school and at work.  He is not only an outstanding representative of the Polaris Automotive Technology program, but also his family.”  Michael has a plan that builds on his Polaris experience.  This fall, he will attend the Caterpillar Lift Truck Technician Training program at Stark State College.  He hopes to partially fund his higher education with scholarships he has earned while enrolled at Polaris.  His short-term goal is to continue to work in the automotive service field and then secure a technician position in the lift truck industry and ultimately work his way up to management.
 
Annette Malcolm has had an impressive two-year run at Polaris.  She earned a 4.0 GPA in Criminal Justice, served as class secretary and captain and was named the Outstanding Program Student as a junior and senior.  She finished second in the region and fourth in the state SkillsUSA competition in prepared speech.  She was a Polaris Student Ambassador and was one of 100 students nationwide selected to participate in the Marines Semper Fidelis All-American program during the summer of 2018.  Throughout her high school career, she has lived the Brooklyn Hurricane experience.  She was on the track and field team, president of the Key Club, a member of the prom committee, a student representative on the school safety and security board and an active member of the stage crew.  In fact, she was inducted into the National Art Honor Society for her work on stage crew.  Annette’s Polaris instructor, Robin Magyar, sings her praises.  “Annette is an amazing, inspiring and mature young adult whose future is limitless.  Her vision and ability to achieve goals is remarkable and inspirational.  She has balanced working part time jobs, volunteering within her community, participating in after school activities and taking college credit plus classes all with a positive spirit, mental toughness and a smile.”  Annette will attend Kent State University this fall and plans to major in entrepreneurship and minor in marketing, human development and family services.  She is the proud recipient of the Kent State University Trustee and Oscar Ritchie Memorial scholarships.  While in college, she plans to work as a victims advocate and dispatcher.  After she graduates, her dream is to own a wedding planning business and hire and help victims.
 
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 associate high schools are listed below:
 

 
In addition, twenty-six Polaris juniors were also named outstanding students in their career-technical programs.  That ceremony took place at Polaris last week.  This distinction is also determined by academic achievement, citizenship, service and extra-curricular activities.  Those students, their programs and associate high schools are listed below:

 
For additional information, contact Doug Miller at dmiller@polaris.edu or call (440 891-7609.
 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLARIS STUDENTS GRAB TOP TEN HONORS AT NATIONAL SKILLS COMPETITION
Skills Events Measure Students’ Technical Knowledge in Competitive Setting

May 13, 2019

Middleburg Heights, OH – Seven Polaris Computer Networking and Business Professional & Office Technology students recently competed at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California.  BPA is a national student organization for young people who are pursuing careers in finance, management, information technology (IT) and computer applications and other related career fields.  Nationwide, BPA has more than 45,000 student members in over 2,300 chapters spread across 25 states and Puerto Rico.  These competitions give students the opportunity to showcase their technical skills while performing in a high pressure setting, preparing them for good paying jobs after graduation.  Thousands of student delegates took part in this year’s national competition.  Three Polaris students placed in the top 10 in their respective events including a fifth place finish.
 
Sarah Eifel, a Polaris Business Professional & Office Technology junior from Fairview High School, took home fifth place in Financial Math & Analysis Concepts.  During this challenge, she had to solve practical math problems related to work and consumer issues.
 
Alex Strekal, a North Olmsted High School junior in the Polaris Computer Networking Academy, finished seventh in PC Servicing & Troubleshooting.  During this competition, he had to demonstrate knowledge of PC configuration, maintenance and management as a computer technician.
 
Samantha Harrison, a Polaris Business Professional & Office Technology senior from Fairview High School, grabbed eighth place in Presentation Management.  In this event, she was judged on her use of current desktop technologies and software to prepare and deliver an effective multimedia presentation.
 
In addition, for the first time in school history, Sarah Eifel received the BPA Torch Award.  This award is designed to promote professionalism and leadership in both career development and personal growth.  Recipients are awarded based on their scores in the following Torch Award categories:  leadership, service, cooperation, knowledge, friendship, love, hope, faith and patriotism.  Eifel received the highest Torch Award honor, the Ambassador Torch Award.  This national level designation is defined as “a diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as a representative of the organization.”
 
For more information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or email dmiller@polaris.edu.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLARIS BAKING AND PASTRY ARTS STUDENTS WIN MEDALS AT STATE SKILLS COMPETITION

May 8, 2019

Middleburg Heights, OH -- Polaris Baking & Pastry Arts students recently competed in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state culinary competition in Columbus.  This year, hundreds of students from around Ohio took part in state events.  FCCLA sponsors competitions at the regional, state, and national levels for students enrolled in family and consumer sciences programs.  These competitions give students the opportunity to showcase their career-technical talents and skills in a hands-on setting.  Polaris took home two medals this year.
 
Faith Brown, Berea-Midpark High School, captured a gold medal in creative cakes.  Her award winning creation was a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and Swiss buttercream.
 
Polaris earned a silver medal in the culinary team event.  In this challenge, the team prepared a three course meal featuring:  winter white vegetable soup, Hungarian chicken and rice pilaf and anjou pear galette with chantilly cream.  The team included seniors Taiylor Sloan, Fairview High School, Holly Peterka, Berea-Midpark High School and Jacquelyn Twardzik, Olmsted Falls High School.
 
For more information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or email dmiller@polaris.edu.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EIGHT POLARIS STUDENTS WIN AT STATE SKILLS COMPETITION

May 7, 2019

Middleburg Heights, OH – Forty-five Polaris students recently competed in the SkillsUSA state competition in Columbus.  SkillsUSA gives students the opportunity to display their skills in specific career-technical training areas.  This year, hundreds of students from around Ohio competed in dozens of different events.  The following is a summary of the eight Polaris students who placed in the top three:

 
Ashley Boledovic and Taylor Poindexter took second in Robotics:  Urban Search & Rescue.  In this event, they had to build a robot and arm mechanism prior to the competition and then, during the competition, remotely operate the robot. The robot must be able to locate, grab and move simulated items on a challenge course. Victor Jauregui and Edmund Leung grabbed third place in the same event.  Brendan Trumpower finished third in CNC Milling.  During this challenge, he was judged on his ability to write CNC milling programs, interpret prints and measure parts.  Aiden Gerakis, Thomas Godley and Jacob Shaffer placed third in Welding Fabrication.  In this event, the team used their welding and fabrication skills to build a designed project from provided material.
 
For additional information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or dmiller@polaris.edu.
 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLARIS INDUCTS EIGHTY-FOUR STUDENTS INTO NATIONAL TECHNICAL HONOR SOCIETY

Award Honors those who Excel in all Phases of Career-Technical Education

April 16, 2019

Middleburg Heights, OH – Polaris Career Center recently inducted 84 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, students must meet the following requirements:

• Earn all A’s in his or her Polaris program

• Maintain a 95 percent or higher attendance rate

• Maintain a 3.0 accumulative grade point average

For the second straight year, Polaris inducted satellite program students into the National Technical Honor Society.  That ceremony took place at Berea-Midpark High School.  A complete list of all 84 inductees is included below:
Polaris Campus Inductees (ceremony took place at Polaris):

 
Polaris Satellite Inductees:

 
For additional information, contact Doug Miller at dmiller@polaris.edu or (440) 891-7609.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLARIS NAMES MIKE SHEPPARD AS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
Sheppard Brings Years of Educational Experience and Community
Engagement to his New Role at Polaris

April 16, 2019

Middleburg Heights, OH – On April 18, the Polaris Board of Education unanimously confirmed Mike Sheppard as the new Assistant Superintendent of Polaris Career Center.  Sheppard has spent his entire educational career with the Berea City School District.  He started as a physical education teacher and served in a variety of leadership roles including his most recent position as Superintendent, a position he has held since 2011.  Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Baldwin Wallace University.
 
Sheppard began his career in the Berea City School District as a teacher and coach.  Mike joined the administrative ranks as the Administrative Intern at Brook Park Memorial Elementary and later became the Principal of Smith Elementary School.  After seven years as Principal of Smith, Mike was selected to be the Director of Personnel and Employee Relations for the district. He then took over as Assistant Superintendent and was promoted to Superintendent beginning August 1, 2011.  Building on his extensive education experience, Sheppard is eager to begin his new role at Polaris.  “I have always been inspired by the opportunities that Polaris Career Center provides for students.  I am looking forwarded to joining the wonderful staff and students,” Sheppard says.
 
Polaris is happy to have Sheppard fill this key leadership role.  “Mike brings a wealth of experience in building relationships with business, civic and community organizations.  We’re thrilled to have Mike join our Polaris team,” says Bob Timmons, Polaris Superintendent.
 
The Polaris Board of Education looks forward to bringing Sheppard onboard.  “With our $56 million renovation nearing completion, we’re excited to have someone with Mike’s critical skillset and deep relationships in our educational community. The Polaris Board of Education looks forward to having Mike on the team as we continue to train high school and adult learners for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” says Richard Micko, Polaris Board President and Strongsville City School District Board Member.
 
Sheppard will officially begin his Polaris duties on August 1, where he will oversee human resources, lead new program development initiatives, enhance student transition to college efforts, help increase student access to industry credentials and continue to build relationships with Polaris partner school districts.
 
For more information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or email dmiller@polaris.edu.

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Keep up on the latest Polaris news! Check out our Polaris news release archive.