NEW LEADERSHIP — Aaron Newman has been named principal, and Jennifer Agresta has been named assistant principal at Steubenville High School. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Aaron Newman and Jennifer Agresta are moving up at Steubenville City Schools, with Newman named principal and Agresta to become assistant principal at Big Red.

Both leaders received two-year contracts during a school board session on June 25 and Newman will succeed longtime leader Ted Gorman as he departs to become superintendent at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, while Agresta will take Newman’s current post. They will begin their new roles on Aug. 1.

Newman was ready to step into his role, saying it was a full-circle moment since he is a proud Steubenville graduate.

“It runs deep in my family,” he said. “I have a family full of Big Red alumni.”

The Steubenville native graduated in 1995 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from Columbia University in New York in 1999, followed by a law degree from Capital University Law School in 2003 and then a master’s degree in administration from Ashland University. Newman said he was inspired to become an educator after spending time in the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office.

“I interned at the capital crimes unit and worked in the prosecutor’s office and that experience inspired me to help young people, intervening early when problems arise. I had an eye on education administration as it would allow me to positively impact a larger number of young people. I could affect change and create opportunities for young people to become the best versions of themselves,” he explained.

Newman has spent the past 20 years in education, beginning as a social studies teacher, assistant principal and principal at Maple Heights High School in Cleveland from 2013-2016 and then serving as an assistant principal at Streetsboro High School in Portage County. He returned to his hometown with his family, including wife Amy and their two children, Carley and Nash, to serve as assistant principal in 2019.

“I had the opportunity to come home and jumped at the chance to come back to my beloved alma mater,” he added. “I’m honored and humbled by this opportunity (to be principal.) It’s a very special thing to be named as principal at Steubenville High School, AKA Big Red.”

It is also a place where his children can grow and learn and continue the tradition as SHS alumni. Meanwhile, Newman had kind parting words for Gorman.

“I’m ready to continue our tradition of excellence in all we do. I have big shoes to fill as Ted Gorman did a great job. He’s someone I count as a friend, and I appreciate the mentorship he provided me during the last six years. I will miss him.”

His vision is to lead and innovate in the valley and beyond, whether it be through College Credit Plus, career-tech education or continuing to follow ideas Gorman implemented. He was also thrilled to work with Agresta and Assistant Principal Deanna Beall.

“I want to continue to be forward-thinking and innovative as it relates to curriculum and program offerings for students. We cherish our culture at the high school — it’s unique and one of our core strengths,” Newman commented. “I’m grateful to (Superintendent Melinda) Young and the board of education for having confidence in me.”

For Agresta, education was a path that she was destined to follow.

She began her journey in Moundsville, saying it has always been her career goal.

“I’ve always known it was what I wanted to do,” she said. “I liked working with children and it was an easy decision for me.”

Agresta graduated from John Marshall High School in 1989 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education from West Liberty State College in 1992 and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Salem University in 2017. She moved up the ranks during the past 25 years, beginning as a fourth-grade teacher in local schools including Roosevelt, East Garfield and the former McKinley Elementary schools and Wells Academy. She joined Harding Middle School in 2015 and served as dean of students before becoming assistant principal, the latter post she presently holds.

Like Newman, Big Red is in her family’s blood. Her husband, Greg, and sons Robbie, Ma’lik and Johnny and daughter-in-law Mary are all SHS grads, and she said she is excited about the post she will now assume at the high school.

“I’m excited for the change and I think it will be great working with Aaron and Deanna Beall. I want to help the students and staff the best I possibly can.”