Summit Academy principal receives special thank you from former student When Daniel Demand sat down with his former Summit Academy principal, Dawn Presley, the 6’3”, 30-year-old founder and general manager of the Cuyahoga Falls Rapids pro football advancement team paused to collect his emotions. Cupping his eyes then gradually raising his head, his words spilled. … Continued
Summit Academy’s therapeutic martial arts promotion ceremonies mark a time of celebration. Students showcase their katas, board-breaking skills and, above all, their dedication and drive to succeed. “These are my favorite events of the year,” says Shihan Chuck Rickard, 5th Dan, who leads Summit Academy’s Therapeutic Martial Arts program. “The senseis’ dedication to improving our … Continued
Lessons in athletic excellence and dedication, cultural customs and empathy converged at Summit Academy Akron Elementary School last week. Schoolwide, students learned about the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan. Each class studied a participant country and cheered on its athletes. In teacher Jodi Crossley and intervention specialist Lillian Peterson’s classroom, second graders studied China. … Continued
A painted mural of a happy Goldendoodle named Harper, nestled by a Summit Academy family tree, adorns a main wall at Summit Academy Akron Elementary School. It helps tell the school’s legacy story, one that reflects strong multigenerational ties and staff confidence. Consider this: Nearly 12 percent of the school’s students are the children, nieces … Continued
Plans to transform an unused and relatively unspoiled plot of land into a field of educational opportunities are in the works. The idea took root when Summit Academy Akron Middle School Title 1/MTSS teacher Tasha Hunter envisioned the land behind the Mogadore Road school building and adjacent Summit Academy Management offices as an outdoor classroom. … Continued
Decked in her red, holiday pattern pajamas, 5-year-old Harper trots out of Principal Dawn Presley’s office to find herself surrounded by a group of adoring first graders. Presley’s pup, Harper, the Summit Academy Akron Elementary School mascot, is joining the school’s 130 students for a Polar Express/Grinch holiday celebration today. As Instructional Coordinator Lindsey Durbin … Continued
The Akron Steel Band will present a holiday concert during the Kenmore Branch Library’s Holiday Open House, December 5, 4-5 p.m., at 969 Kenmore Blvd., Kenmore. Concert goers can expect a mix of holiday tunes and timeless favorites during the show, which is part of Kenmore’s annual Light the Boulevard event. “Silent Night,” “O Christmas … Continued
Eleven-year-old Lynte Henderson’s story is the kind you discover in a heart-tugging television segment, the type that lingers in your head long after it’s over. His story has all the standout elements: the struggle, the triumph, the personal will, and the supportive inner circle. Above all, Henderson’s story is one of exceptional achievement. The fifth-grade … Continued
A fresh fruit-and-vegetable program was introduced to students in grades K-6 this month. The federally funded program provides a healthy snack for students, outside of the free breakfast and lunch. The children not only enjoy nibbling on nutritious nosh every Monday and Wednesday, but they also receive some fun and interesting facts about it. Think: … Continued
Sensei James Gydosh led some 120 Summit Academy Akron Elementary K-5 students through a series of awe-inspiring therapeutic martial arts promotion ceremonies last week. Grins, hugs and other remarkable moments marked the day. In proud-parent fashion, family members politely cheered on their students, capturing their achievements on smart phones and collectively applauding classes of students … Continued