Akron Public Schools Online held its inaugural Eighth-Grade Recognition ceremony on Friday, May 19, at the Ott Building on Steiner Avenue. The online class of 57 students was honored for completing middle school, and many were rewarded for their academic excellence and citizenship.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of Student of the Year. Savannah Starks and Michael Shock were both honored as the most outstanding students during the 2022-23 school year.
In addition, we presented Savannah with the coveted APS Online Leadership Award. Starks was lauded for continued selfless service to her eighth-grade classmates – including as lead tutor for the Peer Mentoring group. She confidently exhibited the leadership qualities and skills required to earn such a distinction.
The following students earned Academic Achievement awards: Starks, Shock, Angel Bentz, Faith Bitecofer, William Cole, Evelyn Gardner, Jessica Hupcej, Nicholas Ilaria, Ja’Khai Moorer, Mariah Scott, Jay’Shawn Williams, Jesse Martin and Delanie Lewis.
Cheryl Paradise, APS Online principal, expressed appreciation for those parents and students who committed to succeeding in a program that began last year. She said the growth of the program is reflective of an online academic community that is committed to excellence.
Eighth-grade mentor Ralph Paulk is standing with (left to right) Mariah Scott (Academic Achievement Award), Gabriella Hood (Academic Achievement Award), Savannah Starks (Leadership Award) and Michael Shock (Leadership Award).