A couple days before the students walked the stage to receive their diplomas, they walked the halls of the elementary schools one final time.
Dressed in red and columbia blue gowns and caps, the graduates passed out hugs to former teachers and high fives to the young Aviators who will one day be in their shoes preparing to take on the world after high school.
It’s a special tradition that will continue in the future to help inspire the young Aviators and to celebrate the graduating class and all they have accomplished during their time as Alliance Aviators!
21 Summa Cum Laude 8 Magna Cum Laude
Students in Top 10% 16 CTE students with full-time jobs 7 Cum Laude 36 Honors Diploma
AHS Top 10 %
Alliance High School celebrated the Top 10% of the Class of 2024 with a dessert banquet on Wednesday, May 8. The students heard from guest speakers and AHS alumni Brock Schwarz and Kendra Legrand, and had the opportunity to recognize an honored educator who has made a positive impact in their lives.
Joslyn Barnes will be attending the University of Akron to study biology. Her honored educator is Julienne Bearss, art teacher at AHS.
Jadyn Brooks will be attending Ohio State University to study radiology. Her honored educator is Stephanie McKnight, sports medicine teacher at AHS.
Casey Brunner will be attending Kent State University to study nursing. Her honored educator is Victoria Popio, school counselor at AHS.
Gabryelle Christner will be attending Kent State University to study exercise science. Her honored educator is Stephanie McKnight, sports medicine teacher at AHS.
Dani Cullen plans to start a tattoo artist apprenticeship using their newly granted cosmetology license. Dani’s honored educator is Robert Fountain, junior cosmetology teacher at AHS.
Seth Dillon will be attending Boston University to study engineering. His honored educator is Gary Schwartz, AMS cross country and track coach.
Anna Eversdyke will be attending the University of Mount Union as an Investment Alliance Scholar where she will study music and psychology. Her honored educator is Phillip Yarian, golf coach at AHS.
Emmerson Frank will be attending the University of Mount Union to study exercise science. Her honored educator is Gary King, AHS track coach.
Kevin Frazier will be attending Ohio University to study sports management. His honored educator is Carrie Chunat, choir director at AHS.
Sam Gress will be attending Ohio University to study telecommunications and information systems. His honored educator is Jeff Graffice, baseball and golf coach at AHS.
Aidan James will be attending Kent State University to major in history and education. His honored educator is Billy Sheak, music and band teacher at AHS.
Emily Johnson will be attending Cleveland State University to study psychology. Her honored educator is Stacey Breedon, majorette coach at AHS.
Sylvia Johnson will be attending Kent State University to study musical theater. Her honored educator is Carrie Chunat, choir director at AHS.
Jillian Lohnes will be attending the University of Mount Union as an Investment Alliance Scholar where she will study biology. Her honored educator is Steve Cabassa, tennis coach at AHS.
Eva Miller will be attending The Ohio State University Agricultural Institute to study agricultural and environmental sciences. Her honored educator is Amy Miller, her mother and science teacher at AHS.
Cayden Monk plans to attend college to study graphic design. His honored educator is Robb Quicci, digital art and design teacher at AHS.
CTE Students COMMIT TO CAREERS
Career Tech Students at Alliance High School committed to careers in their field of study following graduation. The students have full-time jobs lined up with benefits at local businesses.
During their sophomore year of high school, the students had the opportunity to tour the career tech programs offered at Alliance High School and apply to take part in the programs that interested them. The students took part in career tech programs for three class periods a day during their junior and senior year to earn industry recognized credentials that helped to prepare them for their future careers.
Thank you to the companies who have partnered with Alliance City Schools to provide job opportunities to our hardworking students.
As of the signing ceremony held Monday, May 6, the following 16 students had committed to local companies as full-time employees.
Luke Poindexter will be attending Cedarville University to study mechanical engineering. His honored educator is Josh Winner, science teacher at AHS.
Elizabeth Recchiuti will be attending John Carroll University to study public health. Her honored educator is Shaun Fontaine, assistant principal at AHS.
Caroline Reich plans to attend college to study sports management. Her honored educator is Brianna Boehlke, history teacher at AHS.
Alea Simbro will be attending Otterbein University to study creative writing. Her honored educator is Chris Schillig, English teacher at AHS.
Lily Walker plans to attend college to study biological sciences. Her honored educator is Joss Bowling, band director at AHS.
Adam Zumbar will be attending the University of Mount Union as an Investment Alliance Scholar to study criminal justice. His honored educator is Josh Winner, science teacher at AHS.
The following students are employed at MAC Trailer: Mickenly Barrett, Aden Gorby, Thomas Gordon, Kahne Kirby, Kaden Strait, Joshuah Stollings and Ian Vaughan.
The following students are employed at Ohio Gratings, INC: Maddyson Lineberger, Aidan Mozden, Matthew Ray and Lucius Rowser.
Davin Blake is employed by L&J Masonry.
Coen Grimm is employed by Sarchione Auto Group.
Macy Schlosser is employed at St. Joseph Senior Living.
Mason Fenske is employed at Spitzer.
Bailey Hernandez Andrews is employed at The Shelly Company.
Alliance Preschool
KICK-STARTING EDUCATION EARLY ON
At Alliance Preschool, the youngest Aviators spend half a day in a school setting learning skills that will benefit them throughout the remainder of their educational journey.
Having finished the first year in the district’s very first all-preschool building, Alliance Preschool is bursting with opportunities to provide young students with a meaningful education centered around meeting the needs of the whole child.
“Preschool offers children a structured and nurturing environment where they can develop social, emotional and cognitive skills,” said Principal Adam De Monte. “Through play-based learning activities and interactions with peers and teachers, children in preschool learn important skills such as cooperation, communication and problem solving.”
With a Step Up To Quality five star rating, the staff at Alliance Preschool are highly-qualified and trained to provide a safe learning environment that will help children to learn and grow at high levels.
“Attending Alliance Preschool can enhance school readiness, foster a love of learning and provide a solid foundation for future academic success,” De Monte explained. “Additionally, attending preschool can help build confidence, independence and a sense of curiosity about the world around them."
Alliance Preschool, now located at the former Parkway Elementary building, offers a seven to one child to staff ratio providing students with more individualized attention. It also has indoor and outdoor play areas where students can work on their large gross motor skills and social skills with their peers.
Did you know?
ATTENDING PRESCHOOL
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“Preschool is a magical gateway where curiosity is nurtured, friendships bloom and a foundation is set for lifelong learning,” said Michelle Balderson, director of elementary education. “Our nurturing Alliance Preschool staff prepares children academically while providing positive social interactions in a fun, engaging environment. It’s a great place to be thanks to Mr. De Monte and his amazing staff.”
Celebrating a Milestone: PRESCHOOL GRADUATION
The Alliance Preschool staff, students and their families celebrated a significant milestone this year with the school’s first-ever preschool graduation ceremony. Like their senior counterparts, the students at Alliance Preschool wore red and blue caps to celebrate the special occasion.
Students were excited to perform special songs and dances for their families in the audience before they walked across the stage one-by-one to receive their official preschool certificate.
The first part of their educational journey is complete and now it's time for them to move on to kindergarten at Alliance Early Learning School where they will experience attending school for a full day.
Spots are still open for the 2024-25 school year. Tuition is a sliding scale based on a families income with more than fifty-percent of families attending free of charge. Applications can be submitted online at alliancecityschools. org or by scanning the QR code. If you have questions, contact Alliance Preschool at 330-829-2284.
The youngest Aviators are excited and ready to move on to the rest of their educational journey thanks to the caring and nurturing staff at Alliance Preschool.
Meeting CommunicationStudents'Needs
The playgrounds at Alliance Preschool and Alliance Early Learning School have new communication boards to help meet the communication needs of all students. The boards are designed to give the young Aviators learning to communicate and those who need assistance with communication the ability to effectively express their needs and wants with staff members and peers.
Kara Kandel, a speech language pathologist for the district since 2016, came up with the idea as a way to support the diverse communication needs of the young students.
“Many students across Alliance Preschool, Alliance Early Learning School and across the district are unable to communicate their needs through traditional speech,” Kandel explained. “Advocating for these students and their communication needs is a passion of mine. Everyone deserves to have their voice heard.”
One side of the board features images and symbols of playground specific vocabulary that students can use to communicate. It includes questions, playground equipment, adjectives, toys, actions and more. All are common words or concepts students would naturally use on a playground. The other side of the board has the LAMP communication board based on the LAMP Words for Life language system. This communication app is used by many students at both schools on personal devices as a way to communicate in school.
“Communication boards have the power to support learners by allowing them to access information within their environment,” said Dr. Amy Cramer, director of special education. “The boards rely on symbols rather than words with the purpose to be inclusive of those who might not be able to verbalize their thoughts. They help ease the frustration of students without spoken language and are valuable tools for language development.”
While the boards are there to assist students, they have a dual purpose in helping to raise public awareness about augmentative and alternative communication (ACC). Young students communicate in a variety of waysthrough gestures, signs, speech-generating devices, eye gaze, ACC apps, communication board, icons and more.
“Playgrounds offer a great place for kids to learn to connect, interact, learn vocabulary and build positive relationships,” Kandel said.
communicating, engaging or initiating interactions with others, these boards offer that support. The playground communication boards ensure that the playground is inclusive for all kids of all abilities, especially those who use ACC.”
With clear pictures and symbols on the board, students are able to go to the board and point to the different images, allowing others to see what they need. If a child wants on the swingset, they can point to the picture of the swing and the staff member or their peers will understand what the child is communicating to them using the board.
“Communication may look different for some kids, but every form of communication is very important,” Kandel explained.
“I hope these boards spread awareness of the diverse ways kids can communicate and the importance of including everyone. All kids, regardless of their ability, are welcome and encouraged to use the communication boards.” Families and community members are encouraged to check out the communication boards at Alliance Preschool and Alliance Early Learning School to see the benefits they offer in meeting the communication needs of students at Alliance City Schools.
Freshmen Explore Career O pportunities
With a vision of preparing all students for Life, College and Careers, Alliance City Schools is always looking for opportunities for students that will do just that.
This year, the freshmen at Alliance High School had the opportunity to attend the Junior Achievement: Inspire to Hire event this spring at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A hands-on career fair, the Inspire to Hire event brought together employers and businesses from a variety of career fields as part of an interactive career exploration opportunity. The event lasted two hours and was designed to provide an immersive experience for students as they begin to think about the career path they want to take following graduation.
“This year was our first time being invited to the event as a district,” said Will Krager, assistant principal at AHS. “Since our freshmen had limited exposure to various possibilities, we felt they would greatly benefit from seeing the real-world opportunities.”
The Inspire to Hire career fair was different from the traditional job fair. It’s tailored towards young adults who are unsure about what career they want to pursue or don’t know what opportunities are available to them. The interactive stations allowed students to see what the job will entail and give them a small taste of what it would be like to pursue that career.
Along with local companies, the Inspire to Hire event had representatives from
military branches, colleges, universities, law enforcement, firefighters and life coaches that were able to help students set up a path to their future career.
The goal is to have all freshmen and sophomores attend the event in the coming years as a way of helping students to prepare for their futures.
“The thought is that we will be able to give them the experience early and then follow up closer to the time of making a career choice,” Krager said.
ACS Receives
MUSIC DISTINCTION
For the fourth time, Alliance City Schools has been named a Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) honors a select number of districts each year with this designation for demonstrating outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
Starting in kindergarten, all students take part in general music education, which includes the opportunity to perform on stage in the Alliance High School auditorium. As students get older, their options for music education grow. At Alliance Intermediate School, students take part in general music with the option to join the school’s choir.
At Alliance Middle and High Schools, the students can elect to take part in band, choir and/or orchestra along with other musical electives including show choir, Jetsetters, jazz band, concert band, pep band, marching band and more.
Supporting the arts continues to be a priority of Alliance City Schools. Research shows that a wellrounded education, which includes an emphasis on the arts, provides the students with social skills and benefits that will help them to succeed in college, careers and life.
“This achievement is all thanks to the amazing and dedicated Aviator music department,” said Superintendent Rob Gress. “Our music team believes in fostering a passion for music among all students and encourages them to reach their full musical potential each and every day. We are lucky to have talented staff who want to see our students shine on stage.”
Alliance was previously named a Best Community for Music Education in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
Check out the Alliance City Schools app or website, www.alliancecityschools.org, for information about the 2024-25 music events and performances.
"Our music team believes in fostering a passion for music among all students and encourages them to reach their full music potential each and every day. We are lucky to have talented staff who want to see our students shine on stage."
Students Build Leadership Skills
Aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders, Superintendent Rob Gress created a leadership group composed of students in 4th to 12th grade who meet monthly to foster leadership skills, amplify student voices and create a space where Aviators of all ages can collaborate and provide valuable feedback.
By bringing together a diverse group of students, Superintendent Gress is championing a future where every student has the opportunity to be leaders, perform at high levels and be caring citizens.
Selected at the building levels, the students travel to Glamorgan Castle for a couple hours a month where they enjoy lunch together and take part in activities that require critical thinking, collaboration and good communication skills. The students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone by collaborating with others from different
buildings to accomplish the tasks. While timid at first, the students quickly broke out of their shells and began to work together.
“Seeing the students from different grades and buildings interact with each other is great to see,” Gress said. “They were quiet for the first meeting or two, but quickly grew comfortable with each other and they look forward to coming each month and taking part in the different activities.”
The activities are strategically selected by Gress to help the students learn valuable leadership skills. A leader does more than just lead, they need to exhibit a number of characteristics, many of which are outlined in the district’s Aviator Profile.
One activity required groups to put together a puzzle. The students thought it was a simple task, but Gress and other building and district administrators made the task more difficult by putting a number of obstacles in place, such as taking pieces, removing students from the
groups, playing distracting music and more. The students had to use their R Factor and leadership skills in order to get the task done.
Along with the activities and skill building, the students are encouraged to bring and share ideas and speak openly about how the administration can improve at the district and building levels in order to keep Alliance City Schools a great place to learn and grow.
With the success of the first year of the Superintendent’s leadership group, Gress plans to keep the momentum going by bringing the group back for the 2024-25 school year.
ACS Announces Plan for Glamorgan Castle
Alliance City Schools, with the support of community partners, plans to restore a majority of the Glamorgan Castle to a floor plan similar to the original and convert the bottom floor into a premier meeting place for businesses and community members to utilize.
Formerly the administrative offices for Alliance City Schools, the building, which was built in 1904, has remained empty for over a year after extensive water damage caused the district to relocate staff to Alliance High School. The District acquired the building in 1973. Over the past five decades, the building has been remodeled and renovated to create an office environment and in many ways it has lost some of its historic design. The Board of Education hopes to change that.
businesses and organizations to utilize. It will include a meeting room and a conference hall. The Board of Education plans to restore the remaining parts of the Castle to its original floor plan to help preserve the historic nature of the building. The expected changes will allow the Castle to embrace its historical value while being more accessible for tours, weddings, parties, gatherings and other community events
“The Glamorgan
Castle
has
a long and rich history in Alliance and we hope to ensure it’s available to the community and public for many years to come.”
“The Glamorgan Castle has a long and rich history in Alliance and we hope to ensure it’s available to the community and public for many years to come,” said Suzie Dennis, the president of the Alliance Board of Education. “The proposed plans for renovations will help ensure the building is readily accessible to the community If completed, the Board of Education believes it will be a place the community can be proud of and one that will be enjoyed by many.”
The restoration and renovation plans include transforming the basement of the Glamorgan Castle into a meeting and gathering space for
While Alliance City Schools will primarily be responsible for securing the resources for the cost and implementation of these renovations, the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Mount Union have agreed to partner in supporting, planning and utilizing the space in a way that is beneficial to the community.
“Since the 70s, the Castle has been home to the administrative offices for Alliance City Schools,” Superintendent Rob Gress said. “We have been able to keep the building strong with the help of the Castle Crusaders, but it’s not a functional space for an administration building. Our plans of transforming the building into a meeting space and returning much of the rest of the building to a floor plan similar to its original, we will better be able to honor the history of the building and have the ability to open it to the public far more than we have over the last few decades.”
Rookie of the Year:
ADAM FILO
As a first year teacher, Adam Filo has already made a positive impact on the students and staff at Alliance High School, and not just with the fun and unique outfits he wears on Filo Fit Fridays. This year, Filo was recognized as the 2024 Alliance City Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year!
Filo is a two-time graduate of the University of Mount Union having acquired a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in educational leadership. While completing his master’s program, he subbed at ACS, and when a position opened up in the history department at AHS, he jumped on the opportunity to officially begin his teaching career here.
“My first year was very busy, but it was a great year,” Filo said. “I am thankful for all the staff, students and community members I got to make connections with. I am excited for next year.”
Along with teaching, Filo served as the head boys tennis coach, assistant cross country coach and as the sophomore class advisor. All of his responsibilities came with learning how to best manage his time so he was effective as a teacher, coach and advisor.
students, and colleagues, with fun outfits on Fridays, now called Filo Fit Fridays. He’s even recruited other staff members to take part each week.
"I am thankful for all the staff, students and community members I got to make connections with. I am excited for next year."
“I have always worn crazy outfits golfing, ever since I was like 12,” Filo said. “The Filo Fit is a term that some students gave me when I was student teaching. I wore blue fire pants to school on Friday, and the rest is history. I wasn’t going to do it this year, but I did one Friday and the reaction was stunning. It got a lot of people excited and whispering about what I was wearing. If wearing pink pants to school on a Friday puts a smile on one student’s face who is having a bad day, then I consider that a success.”
“A challenge I faced this year was time management,” Filo said. “I had to budget my time more wisely. On top of that, I have amazing teachers around, like Aaron Long, who I was able to collaborate with.”
Getting involved in a variety of activities isn’t the only way Filo has made a name for himself. Since the start of the school year, he has surprised his
Filo encourages all new teachers to just be themselves when starting their career. It may be difficult at times, but embrace the challenge and find a good support system of staff who you can lean on and go to for help.
Teacher of the Year:
STEPHANIE MCKNIGHT
A 15 year veteran educator at Alliance High School, Stephanie McKnight embodies the ideals of a true Aviator. If you ask her students and colleagues about her, they will tell you she is kind, dependable and alway willing to lend a helping hand. This year, McKnight was recognized as the 2024 Alliance City Schools Teacher of the Year!
McKnight joined the Aviator team in 2009 as the instructor for the sports medicine career tech program. She fell in love with the ACS community after working as a long term substitute in the district for a couple years. When the teaching position opened for sports medicine, it was a natural fit for her having worked in athletic training in clinical, high school, collegiate and occupational settings in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia.
“I believe my job isn’t just about teaching the fundamentals of sports medicine, but also about helping to grow good humans,” McKnight said. “I hope I am able to inspire my students and athletes to contribute to the world in such a positive and effective way that it creates a ripple effect of good.”
She has loved teaching the program for the past decade and a half. The most rewarding part:
“When a student or parent of a student who has graduated from my program has gone on to be a successful adult, either in sports medicine or a different career path, reaches out to me to say thank you for respecting them and helping them find their way, that is what I cherish most. I have saved every single message a student or parent has ever written to me.”
McKnight strives to provide all her students with real-world experiences that will prepare them for their future careers, but she also wants them to know they are valued, supported and cared about even after they leave AHS.
Along with teaching, and coaching track and field and the girls strength and conditioning program, McKnight launched the #LikeAGirl mentoring program this past school year, making a positive impact on the lives of dozens of young Aviator girls. The program partners high school girls as mentors and role models for students in kindergarten through middle school and showcases different opportunities and career paths available to them as they get older. She wants to show the young students that they can do anything they set their minds to.
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE Hello Aviators!
From registration to graduation, ACS staff is here to make sure your children are prepared for life, college and careers. In short, we are here to strengthen Alliance by developing high performers, leaders and caring citizens. This starts on day one when students begin at Alliance Preschool and continues until they walk across the stage at graduation.
When our graduates enlist in the military, gain employment in the workforce or enroll in higher education, they make our community better and stronger.
I am proud of our 2024 graduates and look forward to seeing all their contributions. I’m excited for our new preschoolers (class of 2038!) as they start their educational journey with us, and I’m looking forward to seeing all of our current students Rep That A this year!
Rob Gress, Superintendent of Schools #ProudSupt
Athletic Update
It’s been an exciting year for Aviator Athletics. History was made in a number of sports including the first district championship for girls soccer, a wrestling state championship from Aidan Mozden and the first ever Girls Top Gun Wrestling Tournament was dominated by Alliance’s very own girls wrestling team. There were also many league championships and successes made by the individual athletes.
Alliance City Schools is proud to offer premiere athletic facilities for students of all ages to utilize. Over the past few years, the district has installed an all turf soccer field at the Rockhill Soccer Complex, new turf baseball and softball fields and a new turf football field and track at Alliance Middle School.
In addition to the fields, a new fieldhouse is expected to be completed at the Rockhill Soccer Complex by the fall of this year.
Community members are encouraged to attend athletic events to support the athletic program.
More information on Aviator Athletics can be found at athletics.alliancecityschools.org/o/aviator-athletics.
Have you ever wondered about the role of an ACS School Board member?
The role of a board member is often misinterpreted by the public. The Board of Education is a policymaking entity and members are the chief advisers to the superintendent on community feedback, climate and suggestions. Board members do not handle the day-to-day operations of the school district. They do, however, see to it that the school system is managed well by highly qualified, administrative professionals who they approve to be hired.
Board members are not responsible for evaluating district staff members, other than the superintendent and treasurer, nor do they typically become involved in employment interviews, other than those of the superintendent, business manager and treasurer. Board members may be consulted during the hiring process for other positions, such as assistant superintendent or other administrative level positions.
The school board as a whole welcomes public feedback and participation from all Alliance
Community members. Should an individual have a concern to address, they can do so during the public speaking portion of the board meetings. Rules for public speaking can be found on the district website under, Board of Education.
The school board meets twice monthly. A board workshop is held on the first Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. at the administrative offices, located at 500 Glamorgan St. A regular board meeting is held the third Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at the administrative offices. If a meeting location, date or time is changed for any reason, a notice will be posted under the Board of Education page on the district website, www.alliancecityschools.org/page/ acs-board-of-education.
Additional information about the role of a school board member can be found on the Ohio School Board Association website, www.ohioschoolboards.org
