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 the Ohio Distance and Electronic Learning Academy (OHDELA) took place June 9 at the Akron Civic Theatre.
The OHDELA Class of 2012 included 140 graduates. All OHDELA graduates have met the Ohio State requirements for graduation (earning credits by taking high school courses and meeting Ohio Graduation Test requirements). All graduates earned a high school diploma.
Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel, who is vice president for strategic engagement at The University of Akron, gave the commencement address.
“He works directly with students, staff, alumni and community partners to strengthen The Akron Experience, a program that connects students with businesses, organizations and community partners to provide students with skills and connections needed to succeed in college and after graduation,” said Lori Davis, OHDELA graduation coordinator and 12th grade language arts teacher.
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 OHDELA.
“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.”
David Brennan, founder and owner of White Hat Management, also addressed the graduates and called them “pioneers in education.”
“All of you are pioneers in a manner of education that was unknown 30 years ago,” Brennan said.
OHDELA’s valedictorian was Kelly Wang, of Dublin, and the salutatorian was Heather Beck, of Alexandria.
The graduation ceremony also featured representatives from the Akron Canton Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol, who presented the colors, and the OHDELA Ensemble, who performed two vocal selections.
“This is the first year that we have offered music or had a choir/ensemble offered at OHDELA,” said Davis. “We have students from all over the state who participate.”
OHDELA is the first and only school in the state of Ohio to offer Civil Air Patrol for its students.
If you’re interested learning more about OHDELA and would like to interview Robert Fox, Vice President, DELA Division, call 330-252-8856 or email Robert.L.Fox@mydela.com.
About DELA:
The Distance & Electronic Learning Academy (DELA) is a tuition-free online school for students in grades K-12. DELA provides Internet-based, live learning sessions instructed by state-certified teachers for students in Ohio under the name of OHDELA. For more information, visit http://thinkdela.com.
DELA contact:
Robert Fox, Vice President, DELA Division
Phone: 330-252-8856
Robert.L.Fox@mydela.com
121 S. Main St. Suite 200
Akron, OH 44308
800-493-8680