Ohio Hi-Point Career Center (OHP) has a clearly defined goal: to prepare local high schoolers for employment. But for years they’ve been looking for a solution to one very simple but vital deterrent toward that goal.
Helping students get to their job site.
At the school’s most recent board of education meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 25, that problem finally has an answer thanks to OHP’s newly implemented drivers’ education program.
Featuring two essential phases—online instruction and actual driving experience—the initiative is free to all OHP students upon successful completion.
“We’ve wanted to do this for the last few years because we’ve seen it as a barrier for our students,” Kelsey Webb, marketing and public relations coordinator, said. “Needing mom or dad or a friend to drive them to work was prohibiting them from being reliable employees.”
For culinary arts student Caleb Fergus, this was just what he needed. Thanks to OHP’s work-based learning program, the Riverside senior has an internship with Iron City Sports Bar in Bellefontaine. But there was a hitch.
“Right now I can only work certain days during the lunch hour due to needing to take the bus back to my partner district,” Fergus told the board. “With getting my license I will be able to stay after school and work a full eight-hour shift.”
Swartz Driving School of Bellefontaine has partnered with OHP to provide the behind-the-wheel training. The program is made possible through student wellness grant funds.
During another report, the school board was given a rundown of what can be expected during sophomore experience days on Nov. 17, 20 and 21. Described by Webb as OHP’s “Super Bowl,” the three-day event gives students from 14 partner districts in five counties a chance to see all the career center has to offer.
It also provides an opportunity for current students to enjoy off-campus experiences such as job shadowing, community service, college or military base visits, or even going to work, if their job is connected to their field of study.
“This gives room at the campus for these visiting sophomores to walk around the labs, see the classrooms and enjoy hands-on experiences, something we couldn’t do with all our students on-campus,” Webb explained.
Also included at Wednesday’s meeting:
- OHP named two graphic media arts students from Triad High School as their October 2023 Main Campus Students of the Month: Allison Harlan and Carly Goodman.
- At an Oct. 18, 2023, board of education work session, the five-year forecast was presented. The board approved that forecast at Wednesday’s regular meeting.
- The following OHP students will earn their American FFA degree at the National FFA Convention: Chloe Anderson and Devan Dulin (Kenton); Jesse Bailey, Evan Culp and Gage Phillips (Triad); Allix Cotterman, Kayla Cummins, Jacob King and Ethan Knief (Indian Lake); and Maria McIntosh (Graham).
This is the highest FFA degree achievable and requires several qualifications, which includes earning a state FFA degree, holding active membership for the past three years, completing a secondary instruction in an agricultural education program and participating in an outstanding supervised agricultural experience. The student must also engage in community service while showing leadership abilities and outstanding scholastic achievement. - The following assets will be disposed of as is on the public surplus website:
- 1 G.E. stress test machine
- 1 brake machine, machining press and band saw sold in one lot
- A group of welders sold in one lot
- 17 various tables sold in one lot
- Internship agreements with the following businesses were approved: Hooten Automotive (Springfield), Jersey Mike’s Subs (Marysville), The Ridge Golf & Gardens (Marysville) and Wayne Homes (Sunbury).
- Employment for certified substitutes Marie Van Gorden (school nurse and allied health teacher) and Ethan Allen (academics and career tech) was approved.
- Kaitlyn Karam’s resignation from the position of English instructor was accepted.
- Donations the board approved were:
- $100 from Orale Tacos y Mas, LLC, Urbana, for the criminal justice program golf outing.
- $40 from Jill Jackson of St. Paris for the Graham FCCLA fundraiser in lieu of a cookie purchase.
- $100 from Indian Lake Outfitters of Russells Point for the criminal justice program golf scramble.
- $100 from M&S Trailer Rentals, LLC, of Bellefontaine plus free 24-hour trailer rental, also for the golf scramble. The estimated value is over $207.
The next OHP board of education meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, which is a week early, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
TJ Bales, student services and academic supervisor at Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, and culinary arts student Caleb Fergus (standing right) tell the board of education about the school’s drivers’ education program at the regular board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 25. (OHPCC PHOTO)
