Photo provided The first graduating class of the Ohio Cyber Academy celebrates the achievement. They took up the opportunity provided by the Cyber Academy and the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and are looking forward to the future.

STEUBENVILLE – Graduation Day was a particularly special time for a group of young people who seized opportunities provided by the Ohio Cyber Academy and the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and made the most of them.

On June 5, families, Ohio Cyber Academy and JCESC staff and administration joined to celebrate the first graduating class of the Ohio Cyber Academy at Froehlich’s Classic Corner.

Ohio Cyber Academy is a statewide, tuition free online public school designed to serve students ages 14-21 who live within Ohio’s borders and need an alternative to traditional education. As a dropout prevention and recovery school, Ohio Cyber Academy specializes in supporting students who are at risk of dropping out, credit-deficient, or simply not thriving in a conventional classroom. Many students enrolled in these programs have faced significant academic, personal, medical, social, or life challenges that interrupted their educational journey in a traditional school setting. The Cyber Academy offers a flexible online learning environment with licensed teachers, individualized support, and 24/7 access to coursework.

Ohio Cyber Academy Superintendent Amber Fomenko said the 14 graduates’ journey has not been easy or traditional, but that is what has made it powerful. They have overcome challenges to achieve their goals and she asked them to carry these qualities with them.

“It’s truly an honor as we gather to celebrate not only the accomplishments of our students, but a historic milestone for our school.”

Beth Rupert Warren, coordinator of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center Resource Network, started the evening off by singing the National Anthem. She shared stories of perseverance and of people who took setbacks and learned from them.

She added their diploma is a proof of their achievement and the foundation for their future, and challenged them to display it with pride.

“You learned to persevere and not give up. You have accomplished great things,” she said. “A little progress each day adds up to big results. You’re living proof.”

Mark Johnson, president of the Cyber Academy’s governing board, offered closing remarks congratulating the graduates and thanking staff and families for their support. He said the graduates should be proud of how far they have come, and he looks forward to their continued success.

“It’s been a very successful first year.”

Martariesa Logue, assistant director of the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy, enjoyed talking to the students in person and putting a face to the name.

“A lot of times, the point of contact is at the school, so we don’t have a lot of communication with students, and being able to see exactly how they’re doing and what questions they might have.”

She said the VLA staff knows how hard the students worked.

“You’re able to watch their progression as they’re committing and turning in units,” Logue said. “You’re able to see in real time how close they are to graduating and finishing their courses.”

VLA Director Mark Masloski agreed.

“It puts a smile on my face, seeing these students with the caps and gowns because it was a lot of hard work on their part and Amber and our school’s part to get this day coming,” he said. “There’s always opportunities to make yourself better in this world, and education’s where it starts.”

JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko spoke to the inaugural graduates before the ceremony.

“They’ve all encountered obstacles in their life, and that’s part of the reason they ended up in this particular program. I just wanted to let them know I’m proud they overcame those events,” he said, adding this was not the pinnacle for them but only the beginning.

“Keep working toward those goals.”

Special thanks went to the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West for sponsorship that made the Cyber Academy possible. DeAnna Hardwick, regional technical assistance educator with the ESC of Lake Erie West, was amazed at the results.

“I find it ground-breaking. I find it hopeful and I think it really sets the standard for quality education for young adults who may have fallen through the cracks,” she said.

“This is our only drop out recovery school, and it was a new start-up school and their goals and their mission and their philosophy all align with what we look for, for a successful format.”

Hardwick said instructors have gone above and beyond to connect with students no matter the format and provide personalized support.

“The theory and the practice are genuine and authentic. They’re not just words on paper. I’ve seen it in living proof,” she said. “They knew each other’s names and they knew each other’s goals and that really sets the young adults up for success.”

Graduates included Bradan Estep, who balanced schooling with family responsibilities and a full-time job.

“It was stressful, but also easier than a traditional classroom would have been,” he said. “I work 80-90 hours a paycheck.”

He had to be organized in order to thrive and Ohio Cyber Academy had advantages.

“Definitely the flexibility, because I know some schools lock at 10:30 p.m., some schools lock at midnight and don’t open until 6 a.m., but this, they didn’t do that and it was really helpful to me because I wouldn’t be able to do any coursework otherwise.”

Another big advantage was the staff’s responsiveness.

“The administrators and the staff were all real good. Anytime I had a problem.”

He plans to join the U.S. Navy and eventually work in the fields of medicine or law.

Aaliyah Blair said the Ohio Cyber Academy fit her needs. She was able to work around her busy schedule, often starting early in the morning.

“It was a faster process on graduating,” she said. She also found the instructors ready to help.

She advises anyone considering the Ohio Cyber Academy to apply themselves.

“Just finish,” she said. “Don’t drop out. Commit to it.”

She has ambitions to attend college and go into law.

Zachary Conley found the Cyber Academy dovetailed with his responsibilities.

“It was easier than doing it at home. I didn’t have to worry about going to school for eight hours a day,” he said. “I could go to doctor’s appointments when I was able to.”

He plans to join the U.S. Marines, then look into underwater welding.