November 2026
Learning, Growing, and Giving Back
Old Brook Parma Cuts Ribbon on CTE Expansion, Celebrates National Prize
Old Brook’s Parma campus held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday for its expanded Career and Technical Education (CTE) space. The school also celebrated its selection as one of five schools nationwide for Building Hope’s Future Forward Schools Prize.
The event centered on the CTE expansion, but two students pointed to the school environment as something they value about attending Old Brook Parma. Business student Danica Delciappo described a close community. “There’s a very nice community that’s pretty tight-knit,” Delciappo said. “We care for each other. We look out for each other. Even if you don’t know each other.” Delciappo is taking Retail Industry Fundamentals, the first of three business courses. It covers retail basics, inventory, and stocking. Jeidiely Figueroa Ramos is considering the certified nursing assistant (CNA) and nail technician programs. “They really help you with all the stuff if you need help, and they’re really nice,” Figueroa Ramos said. “I feel like I’m safe here.”
The expansion adds about 8,600 square feet of learning space. Culinary arts is a new program, based in a renovated kitchen with a bistro and culinary labs. Nail technology and business moved into the expansion, and construction added a lab. Advanced manufacturing is among the programs the space supports. With nail technology’s move, the school added a CNA program in its old space.
Old Brook Parma has 86 students enrolled across all programs, Director Megan Foster said. The school tries to keep cohorts to 10 students. Advanced manufacturing starts a new cohort in November. Phlebotomy, CNA, and construction cohorts start in January.
“Students will have more opportunities to discover their strengths, develop marketable skills, and begin building a successful future before they graduate,” said Director Megan Foster.
“Culinary students spent about three days preparing antipasto skewers, New York strip bruschetta, cheesecake cups, and banana pudding cups for the event,” said Chef Brandon Woodall Sr. “Phlebotomy students gave visitors free blood typing results within minutes, using finger sticks and test cards,” said health care instructor Melissa Watson.
In its first year, the Future Forward prize drew more than 150 applications nationwide, said Christine Mentis, program director for Future Forward Schools at Building Hope. Old Brook received $50,000 and a nine-month fellowship for Foster and career navigator Kristen Woodall.
State Rep. Sean Brennan, a former teacher who represents Ohio’s 14th District, said “not every student wants to go to college.” He said programs like these give students skills to land good jobs and, eventually, start their own businesses.
Oakmont CEO Nathaniel Miller said the school’s career programs are producing results. Oakmont’s 2025-26 data shows 99% of Old Brook Parma’s CTE students earned credentials, compared with 86% network-wide. The data also shows 85% of eligible graduates were placed in jobs Oakmont classifies as good or promising, compared with 60%.
Parma Mayor Timothy DeGeeter called the school a strong community partner and said the city is excited about the investment. Board President Dr. Hatton said, “It is amazing to see visions come to life.”
Cris Gulacy-Worrel Joins Education Leaders in Philadelphia for the Yass Prize
Oakmont Education Vice President Cris Gulacy-Worrel traveled to Philadelphia for the Center for Education Reform’s Power of Innovation Summit, held at the National Constitution Center and capped by the annual Yass Prize celebration.
Cris had the opportunity to interview Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on stage. The two first met in January 2023, and Governor Reynolds has been a key partner in Oakmont’s work in Iowa. Cris described their conversation about the governor’s legacy and what education freedom has meant for Iowa families as “a moment I will hold onto.”
The evening continued with a panel conversation featuring Katie Jenner, Shawnna LM Bolick and Anthony de Nicola, followed by the Yass Prize awards. This year’s $1 million prize went to Kanesha Barnes-Adams and The Learning Lounge Academy in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Barnes-Adams started the school when she couldn’t find the right fit for the niece she adopted. Today it serves 73 students, with more than 90 on its waitlist. Yass Prize alumni also received more than $17 million in new funding that evening.
Oakmont Education joined the Yass Prize family in 2022. For Cris, the event is always a homecoming. “This work is beautiful, but it is grinding and it is hard,” she said. “Then I walk into a room full of you and I am reminded that I am not doing it alone.”
Graduate Spotlight: T. Lewis!
Frederick Douglass High School Euclid Campus is proud to celebrate 2025 graduate T. Lewis on an exciting career milestone!
T. Lewis has officially secured employment with Midwest Forge and joined the union, taking an important step toward a promising future filled with opportunities for career growth, skill development, and long-term success.
This is what it’s all about! Seeing our graduates take the knowledge and skills they’ve gained beyond the classroom and turn them into real-world opportunities is something worth celebrating.
Congratulations, T. Lewis! Your Frederick Douglass Euclid Campus family is proud of you. Keep working hard, keep growing, and keep making us proud. The future is yours!
Career Tech Takes Students Beyond the Classroom
Across Oakmont Education, Career Tech students are getting a firsthand look at the careers they’re training for, and at the people already doing that work.
At Cypress High School, Manufacturing and Construction students joined RMC Ohio’s Manufacturing Days on October 1. Students took part in hands-on activities and toured three local employers, Mansfield Engineered Components, Schaeffler and Michael Byrne, for a behind-the-scenes view of manufacturing careers and the pathways that lead to them.
That same week, Steel City High School’s Healthcare Career Tech program welcomed Jade Blair, Administrator at Autumn Aegis in Lorain, and her colleague Sarah Leighiter. Hosted by healthcare instructor Ms. King, the visit gave current and future healthcare students the chance to learn from professionals working in the field.
At Marshall High School’s Hamilton Campus, Manufacturing students took a field trip to Kaivac, where they toured the company’s facility and watched equipment demonstrations up close.
Partnerships like these help students connect what they learn in class to real jobs in their own communities. Thank you to every employer and community partner who opened their doors to Oakmont students this fall.
Graduate Spotlight: Oakmont Alumni Take the Next Step
A diploma is a milestone, not a finish line. This fall, Oakmont schools have been celebrating graduates who are already putting theirs to work.
Steel City High School 2026 graduate Andrea is now studying business at Lorain County Community College. Her Steel City family shared how proud they are to see her hard work paying off as she chases her goals.
Old Brook High School’s Parma Campus celebrated alumna Aaliyah Rhodes, who took part in the White Coat and Blessing of the Hands ceremonies at Ursuline College in September. The White Coat Ceremony welcomes new healthcare students into the profession with an emphasis on compassionate, human-centered care, and the Blessing of the Hands marks the start of a nursing student’s journey. Mrs. Watson, Aaliyah’s healthcare instructor at OBP, attended to cheer her on, a reminder that the relationships students build with their teachers last well beyond graduation.
At Cypress High School, alumna Savanna Miller has begun a new chapter at The Ohio State University at Mansfield, where she is studying zoology. Cypress staff shared that Savanna is working hard toward her goals and showing the dedication it takes to succeed.
Other Oakmont graduates are heading straight into the workforce or military service this fall, and every path counts. Congratulations to Andrea, Aaliyah, Savanna and every Oakmont graduate taking the next step. Your schools are cheering you on.
Showing Up Pays Off: Schools Celebrate Attendance and Progress
Every school day counts, and Oakmont schools are finding fun ways to thank students who show up and put in the work.
At Cliff Park High School, students who reached 90 percent or better attendance in August were treated to a pizza party. Staff celebrated the group for staying consistent and promised more celebrations to come, and September’s attendance stars earned a taco bar in October.
Orchard Park Academy Akron kicked off its September Attendance Challenge by recognizing its Attendance Superstars, students with perfect attendance so far this school year. The school tied the recognition to its BRAVE values, highlighting engagement as one of the ways its Warriors lead by example.
At Old Brook High School’s Parma Campus, progress toward graduation came with a cold treat. Student Success Coordinator Ms. Jasmine challenged students to be among the first to turn in a purple course completion sheet this month, and those who did earned a free slushie. As the school put it, every credit completed is a step closer to graduation. OBP also rewarded students with perfect attendance in early September with a build-your-own nacho celebration.
Regular attendance is closely tied to student success, and these celebrations send a simple message: we notice when you show up, and we’re proud of you for it.
Students Who Give Back
Some of the best lessons happen when students turn their skills toward helping others.
At Towpath Trail High School’s Barberton Campus, Construction students are building toys for children in local hospitals and making beds for people in need. The project puts their carpentry skills to work while teaching a lesson staff say students will carry with them for life: learning, creating and giving back go hand in hand.
Marshall High School’s Animal Welfare Club is taking on another community need, overcrowded local animal shelters. Club members created posters featuring adoptable animals and are collecting donated supplies for shelters. This year, students also plan to volunteer at shelters and learn about service animals, K-9 units and more.
At Dayton Business Technology High School, staff caught a group of students stepping up without being asked. The students saw something that needed to be done and took care of it, no recognition required. The school recognized them for putting the “E” in its MOVE values, Engage in Your Future, into practice through initiative, responsibility and leadership.
Whether it’s a handmade toy, a shelter poster or a small act no one was supposed to notice, these students are showing what it means to be part of a community. We see you, and we’re proud of you.
