Former OSU football coach Jim Tressel, vice president for strategic engagement at The University of Akron, gave commencement address
DOWNTOWN AKRON – A commencement ceremony for students from Life Skills Center of Akron, Life Skills Center of North Akron and Life Skills Center of Summit County took place June 13 at the Akron-Summit County Main Library Auditorium.
The Class of 2012 from the three schools included 40 graduates. All Life Skills graduates have met the Ohio requirements for graduation and all graduates earned a high school diploma. Life Skills offers an alternative high school education to students between the ages of 16-21. Class hours and curriculum are designed to be flexible enough to fit each individual’s needs. In addition to computer-based learning and highly qualified teachers available for one-on-one attention, Life Skills assists students outside of the classroom with job placement and counseling for higher education.
Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel, who is vice president for strategic engagement at The University of Akron, gave the commencement address.
Tressel told the graduates how honored he was to be an Ohio resident and how excited he was to address them. He told them they must believe in themselves and the people around them to be successful. He said they should be grateful for the opportunity they were given to attend a school such as Life Skills.
“Make sure you remind yourself to live this life with an attitude with gratitude,” he said. “Success is a journey. You have to believe in yourself first to be successful.”
Several students were recognized with Spirit Awards for their outstanding achievement, including: Miracle Turner and Diamond Floyd, of Life Skills of Akron; Tabatha Edwards and Telah Watson, of Life Skills of North Akron; and Damon Rock and Teanna McKinley, of Life Skills of Summit County.
Life Skills gives nontraditional students an option for obtaining a high school degree. Life Skills fits the needs of a variety of students with different backgrounds and lifestyles including: students returning to high school, accelerated students, pregnant students, students who need high school credit recovery, teen mothers, students working and going to school, and families with special circumstances.
Raja Hollis, a Life Skills of Summit County graduate, also spoke to the audience. “I made it. Through all of the odds I made it,” said Hollis. “I can’t take full credit though. I had help from many people along the way. I can honestly say that every teacher at Life Skills Center of Summit County helped me in some way. At Life Skills, I not only learned about subjects, but I learned a lot about myself. Many times I was ready to give up, but I never did. Ms. Rock and everyone else at Life Skills wouldn’t let me do that. They can’t do the work for you, but I can honestly say they give you the drive.”
Mario Anderson Jr., a 20- year-old student from Life Skills Center of North Akron, was awarded the Success Starts Here scholarship. He will attend Bowling Green State University in the fall and plans on majoring in journalism.
If you’re interested learning more about Life Skills Center of Akron, Life Skills Center of North Akron or Life Skills Center of Summit County and would like to interviewMaggie Ford, Chief Academic Officer, call 330-252-8967 or email her at Maggie.Ford@whitehatmgmt.com
About Life Skills:
Life Skills operates centers in Ohio, Arizona and Colorado and offers an alternative high school education to students between the ages of 16-21. Class hours and curriculum are designed to be flexible enough to fit each individual’s needs. For more information, visit http://lifeskillscenters.com.
About White Hat Management
White Hat Management contracts and assists nonprofit corporations that hold charters or see a need for a charter school in their community. White Hat Management operates 35 schools in three states under the auspices of three separate educational ventures. DELA (Distance & Electronic Learning Academies) schools are located in Pennsylvania and Ohio. They are state-wide, tuition-free and serve students in grades K-12. This program is a home-based distance learning model, which allows for flexible school day schedules to accommodate any student. The Academies are tuition-free and are open to students in grades K-8 throughout the state of Ohio. Life Skills Centers are alternative education charter schools serving students between the ages of 16 and 21 in Ohio, Colorado and Arizona.
Life Skills Contact:
Maggie Ford, Chief Academic Officer
121 S. Main St.
Suite 200
Akron, OH 44308
800-493-8680