Up to the minute articles touting our latest accomplishments.
May 13, 2022 Middleburg Heights, OH – Four Polaris Broadcasting & Video Production seniors from Berea-Midpark High School recently competed at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas. 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 1,800 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. The Polaris team, consisting of Ryan Brezovar, Aiden Coon, Nick Conroy and Lexi Reyes, placed fourth in the country in the virtual multimedia and promotion team competition. During this event, they created a two-and-a-half-minute video on how to network through social media and presented their project to a panel of judges. These students then had a unique opportunity to compete for best-in-show awards during the 2022 National Showcase. The group created a booth highlighting their project including displays and computers, which showcased their project. During the showcase, the team presented to the judges and conference attendees and were ultimately recognized on stage as the fourth-place winners during the Grand Awards Session. Broadcasting & Video Production is one of four Polaris satellite programs housed at Berea-Midpark High School. For more information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or email dmiller@polaris.edu. ###
May 12, 2022 Middleburg Heights, OH – Ten 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. Three Polaris students took home first place honors and qualified to compete at nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 20-25, 2022. Logan Smith, Precision CNC Machining, Berea-Midpark High School, finished first in CNC Milling. During this challenge, he was judged on his ability to write CNC milling programs, interpret prints and measure parts. Carleigh Horwath, Berea-Midpark High School, and Anthony Trapletti, North Olmsted High School, took first in the EMT event. In this competition, they were evaluated on their ability to perform as Emergency Medical Technicians under the auspices of the National Registry Patient Assessment Technical Scope of Practice Standards (TSOPS), the most current American Heart Association CPR/ECC guidelines and the AAOS Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured. The following is a summary of the 10 Polaris students and where they placed:
For additional information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or dmiller@polaris.edu. ###
May 12, 2022 Middleburg Heights, OH -- Polaris Baking & Pastry Arts juniors 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 three medals this year. Emani Howell, Berea-Midpark High School, captured a silver medal in product development. In this event, she had to prepare a fruit smoothy that included both yogurt and milk. Azylea King, Fairview High School, earned a silver medal in food innovation. In this challenge, she had to create a “HelloFresh” type meal prep kit with a focus on packaging and marketing. Davyne Flanagan, Strongsville High School, grabbed a bronze in bakery and pastry. In this event, she had to prepare an eclair topped with chocolate ganache and a bacon cheddar scone. For more information, contact Doug Miller at (440) 891-7609 or email dmiller@polaris.edu. ###
May 4, 2002 Middleburg Heights, OH – The Polaris Marketing & Entrepreneurship satellite program at Berea-Midpark High School is hosting a May Market event on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Berea-Midpark High School. The event will feature hand crafted items produced by 29 young entrepreneurs from throughout the high school providing them with a platform to run their own small business and sell their wares. Some of the items for sale will include the following: baked goods, crocheted items, beach glass jewelry, boba tea, buttons/pins, digital art, glitter tumblers, greeting cards, homemade dog treats, jewelry, pepperoni rolls, plants, resin keychains, smoothies, stickers, student art, tote bags and much more! The first 75 guests will receive a FREE tote bag. Berea-Midpark High School is located at 165 East Bagley Road in Berea. For additional information, call 216.898.8900 ext. 5307, email MBurchett@polaris.edu or follow the event on Instagram at @polarissignpro. ###
April 27, 2022 Middleburg Heights, OH – After a five-year hiatus, Polaris Career Center is bringing back Camp Discovery. Camp Discovery gives students entering grades six through eight a chance to experience what Polaris is all about in a fun, hands-on setting. This year, classes will run June 13-16 from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Each session costs $60 per student and includes all supplies and a FREE t-shirt. Popular classes fill up quickly so interested parents are encouraged to enroll their children as soon as possible at www.polaris.edu/campdiscovery.
2022 Camp Discovery classes, many of which are affiliated with existing Polaris programs, include: Backyard Gaming, Culinary Creations, Junior Police Academy, Machining Madness, Mini Makeover, Start Your Engines, Taking Care of Business and Young Broadcasters. Camp Discovery will also featuring an exciting “STEP into STEAM” (science, technology, engineering, art and math) lineup which includes: Bio-Medical Mania, Crime Scene Investigators, DNA – What’s the BIG Deal?, ESTEAM Creations and Robotics & Drone Technology. Camp Discovery is only open to students who reside in the following school districts: Berea, Brooklyn, Fairview Park, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls and Strongsville. Registration is available online at www.polaris.edu/campdiscovery. The deadline to register is Friday, June 3, 2022. For additional details, call the information line at 440.891.7666 or email dshaft@polaris.edu. ###
April 25, 2022 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, May 11, 2022, 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:
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 13, 2022 Middleburg Heights, OH – Polaris Career Center honored its best and brightest students during the First Annual Outstanding Senior Recognition Dinner last night. Delaney Condosta, Medical Professions, Olmsted Falls High School, and Ian Taylor, Engineering, Berea-Midpark High School, were named the Outstanding Senior Students of the Year for the Polaris Class of 2022. In addition, Connor White, a Construction Trades senior from Strongsville High School, was named Student Employee of the Year. All three are high achievers who plan to make the most of their Polaris experience. Each have been awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Polaris Educational Foundation. The following are bios for the award-winning students: Delaney Condosta’s path to Polaris started in 2017 when she participated in Camp Discovery, Polaris’s summer camp program. She has been a model student ever since. She has maintained a 4.1 overall GPA while also participating in TWO Polaris programs – Medical Professions and Biomedical Science, a Polaris satellite program located at Olmsted Falls High School. Delaney is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and National Honor Society, was recognized as a Southwest Conference Scholar-Athlete on the bowling team, was named outstanding senior program student in both Medical Professions and Biomedical Science and is a Polaris student ambassador for both programs. She holds a number of industry credentials – she is a State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA), is certified in CPR and has completed the OSHA 10 course. In addition to her achievements in the classroom, Delaney is very involved in many school and community activities. She volunteers with The Rescue Inn, works as a youth group leader at Harvest Christian Church in Elyria and is an active member of Key Club, Helping Hands and Glamour Girls. She continues to juggle a very busy schedule while also providing childcare for a local special needs child. Delaney’s Medical Professions instructor, Eva Simmons, sings her praises. “Delaney gives 100 percent every day. Her character and integrity are outstanding. She continuously looks for ways to improve herself and help others. Because of her maturity level, determination and hard work, she will reach her goals ahead of her peers.” Delaney has set a clear career path which builds on her Polaris experience. This fall, she will attend Cuyahoga Community College to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing. She plans to further her education at a four-year school and will be on-track to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing in three years. Her immediate goal is to start her career as a nurse but plans to return to school to someday become a nurse practitioner. Ian Taylor has built an impressive resume during his four years in the Polaris Engineering satellite program located at Berea-Midpark High School. He maintained a 4.3 overall GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and Chinese National Honor Society and has been recognized as the outstanding senior program student in Engineering. Throughout his high school career, he has been recognized with countless awards and honors – he is an Eagle Scout, participated in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, earned summa cum laude academic honors multiple times, placed third in the Rite Aid Cool Tech Challenge, holds varsity letters in cross country, track and wrestling and received Southwest Conference honorable mention recognition in cross country. His school and extracurricular activities are unmatched. In addition to athletics, he is in the Boy Scouts, a member of the Student Athletic Leadership Team, was on the sophomore and senior executive board, was active in Model UN, was senior captain of the cross country team, a member and leader of LINK Crew, participated in the U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar in 2021, volunteered at the Eliza Jennings Nursing Home and supported many other community outreach initiatives. In his “free” time, Ian works summers as an umpire for the Berea Baseball and Suburban Umpire Associations. His Engineering instructor, Dr. Ryan McElyea, speaks highly of Ian as both a student and leader. “Ian may be one of the finest young men that I have encountered in my 15 years as a teacher. He shows tremendous dedication and focus to achieve his goals. He’s a hard worker; he has certainly shown a desire to have a thorough understanding of the material in the classroom. I am glad to see him reach his goal of attending a service academy.” Ian will continue his studies this fall at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, where he will study engineering and run track and cross country. After college, he plans to work in the maritime industry as a marine engineer where he will focus on clean energy technologies. Ultimately, he hopes to someday give back to the industry as a teacher. When a student is placed with a local company, the employer evaluates the student’s skills and provides feedback on their progress in the workplace. There is no better indicator of success than to hear from employers that Polaris students are meeting and exceeding their expectations. Based on positive employer feedback and overall performance in the workplace and in the classroom, Connor White has been selected as the 2022 Polaris Student Employee of the Year. Connor currently works as an intern at Allied Electric Co., Inc. in Cleveland where he has accumulated nearly 800 hours of work experience which will be applied toward the 8,000 hours needed to become a certified electrician in the State of Ohio. At the age of 10, Connor knew exactly what he wanted to become after he helped his father and a friend wire a new addition to their home. Years later, he enrolled in Polaris and hasn’t looked back since. He has maintained 3.9 overall GPA and a 4.0 GPA in Construction Trades while continuing to give back as a Polaris Student Ambassador. He is a four-year recipient of the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award at Strongsville High School and is a member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. White’s Construction Trades Instructor, Jeff Busser, believes he has a bright future. “Connor is a talented, grounded, humble and goal-oriented individual with a strong desire to build a career and life where there are no limits.” Connor has a full four-year ride from the Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association. Upon graduation, Connor plans to continue working at Allied Electric Co. to pursue a career as an electrician. Thirty-five Polaris seniors enrolled in on-campus and satellite programs 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: Polaris On-Campus Students:
For additional information, contact Doug Miller at dmiller@polaris.edu or call (440 891-7609. ###
April 8, 2022 Middleburg Heights, OH – Polaris Career Center recently inducted 96 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. ###