Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Building Dedication

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Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Building Dedication
The Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Building Dedication was attended by families, students, faculty, and guests who commemorated the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony and building tour. Held in the student dining area, the dedication attracted a large turnout of Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake community members. With the campus being officially open, students will begin attending the new school after the winter break in January 2026.

Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Building Dedication

Held just before the winter break, the Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Building Dedication was a standing-room-only event with approximately 2,000 in attendance. Community members, students, educators, government officials, and stakeholders gathered in the student dining area to watch the ribbon cutting ceremony from three floors. Afterward, all were invited to tour the newly finished building.

The Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus is a 365,000 square foot building that includes a performing arts center, black box theatre, media center, planetarium, athletic stadium and practice fields, collaborative spaces, student dining area, and three gymnasiums.

Superintendent Andrea Celico, Ph.D., officiated the ceremony and said that the campus represented a promise. “A promise that every child, every Black Tiger, will have access to opportunities that help them grow, succeed, and dream bigger than ever before.”

Cuyahoga Falls City Mayor Don Walters said the opening of the new school was the most significant event in Cuyahoga Falls in the past hundred years, and Village of Silver Lake Mayor Therese Dunphy described the campus as “pretty darn near perfect.”

"This campus belongs to all of us, and it will serve generations of students to come."
Andrea Celico, PhD.
Superintendent

A Celebration of Potential

With ample light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the brisk winter day, attendees recorded the speeches and musical performances on their phones, panning the bright, colorful space to illustrate the sense of the expansive scale.

In her final year as School Board President, Alecia Coco made heartfelt comments thanking the community for its support. “Your commitment shows what can happen when a community comes together for its students,” she said. “To our teachers and staff, you will be the heart and soul of this campus.”

Providing the emotional core of the event, Ms. Coco spoke directly to the students and future Black Tigers, “Look around. This is your home. These classrooms, labs, athletic facilities, and performing arts spaces were created for you. For your dreams, your growth, and your success.”

“Thank you for giving us not just a school, but a home,” said Makayla Wilson, a Class of 2026 student at Cuyahoga Falls High School who also spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony in 2022. She had the unique opportunity to speak again at the ribbon cutting three years later and will spend the remainder of her senior year at the new campus.

She concluded, “Let’s open the doors to the next chapter of a story whose heart will always live right here.”

After the ribbon was cut with bursts of confetti, attendees were invited to experience the thoughtful educational spaces by engaging in a self-guided tour.

The $133 million campus project was made possible by the passage of a bond issue in 2019 and was co-funded by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). ThenDesign Architecture partnered with Hammond Construction to design and build the 365,000 SF building. The state-of-the-art facility provides students and faculty with new technology, expanded academic spaces, and opportunities for collaboration in a comfortable, secure environment.

Cuyahoga Falls and Silver Lake students will begin attending the new campus starting in January 2026 after the winter break, and it will serve as a community hub and facilitate educational excellence for decades.

"We are here today because your community believes in you."
Alecia Coco
School Board President

Cuyahoga Falls 6-12 Campus Building Dedication
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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CMSD Joseph M. Gallagher PreK-8 School Ribbon Cutting

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CMSD Joseph M. Gallagher PreK-8 School Ribbon Cutting
After extensive renovations were completed, the Joseph M. Gallagher PreK-8 School officially opened with a ribbon cutting celebration organized by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The Segment 8 building provides students with improved learning opportunities in a secure, comfortable environment.

CMSD Joseph M. Gallagher PreK-8 School Ribbon Cutting

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated 3.5-star Joseph M. Gallagher PreK-8 School with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Assembled in the gymnasium, students, staff, dignitaries from local and state governments, community members, stakeholders, and the local media marked the occasion with inspirational words and congratulations.

Among those in attendance were Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, CMSD CEO Dr. Warren Morgan, CMSD Board of Education Chair Sara Elaqad, JD, Ohio State Senator Nickie Antonio, Ohio State Representative Tristan Rader, Cleveland City Councilwoman Jenny Spencer, and Cleveland City Councilman Martin Sweeney.

“I want to thank all the amazing residents who voted to make sure this building was possible,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb. “I’m very impressed by Cowboy Nation. It’s wonderful to see the incredible culture you have already created in this school.”

Joseph M. Gallagher PreK-8 School Cultivates Potential

Mayor Bibb had inspirational words for the students, “To all the young leaders in this room, this building is not only an investment in you today, but also an investment in your future. Because in this city, we want to make sure that your God-given potential is realized.”

Expressing his school pride by sporting a cowboy hat, Principal Lennox Thompson was excited for the opportunities his students will receive in the refreshed spaces throughout the building. “Today is a joyful celebration,” he said. “This is a reflection of our leaders and the unwavering dedication of our teachers. We are grateful to those who poured their sweat, tears, and heart into our school. We see you. We thank you. And we will carry your legacy forward.”

Cleveland Councilwoman Jenny Spencer mentioned her personal connection to the school. “Joseph M. Gallagher is so special to me,” she said. “I live about a five-minute walk from here. So, I walked to your school today.”

State Senator Nickie Antonio told the students she grew up in Cleveland on West 90th Street. She concluded, “We expect great things from all of you as you go forward because you truly are our future.”

“You are very fortunate to have a supportive community that voted for the tax levies to build this school,” said State Representative Tristan Rader. “I’m going to share your story about how you built this new school in the footprint of the old one, and inside the original structure, to provide such a state-of-the-art facility.”

Dr. Warren Morgan, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, stressed the importance of the Building Brighter Futures initiative. “What makes a school a school are the people. You’re blessed to have this wonderful building. We want to ensure that every child in Cleveland has access to a high-quality education.”

The event culminated with the enthusiastic cutting of the ribbon to officially commemorate the grand opening of the Joseph M. Gallagher PreK-8 School.

TDA is proud to be the criteria architect for CMSD’s Segment 8, which is co-funded by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC).

"There are so many great things happening in this building."
Dr. Warren Morgan
CEO, Cleveland Metropolitan School District

CMSD Celebrates the Joseph M. Gallagher PreK-8 School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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Inside Wickliffe’s Family Resource Center: Strengthening Communities

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Inside Wickliffe's Family Resource Center: Strengthening Communities
The Wickliffe Family Resource Center, operated by the Wickliffe City School District, teamed up with ThenDesign Architecture to produce a series of informational videos showcasing the free services provided to community members and students, including primary care, behavioral health, and oral care. It is designed to be a model for resource centers across the country. In close partnership with Signature Health, the non-profit organization is connected to the new PreK-12 Campus in Wickliffe, Ohio.

Inside Wickliffe's Family Resource Center: Strengthening Communities

The Wickliffe Family Resource Center (WFRC) is operated by the Wickliffe City School District in partnership with Signature Health. It is a unique organization that brings together support services and educational resources to enhance the well-being of students, families, and community members.

A series of documentary videos was created to explain what the Wickliffe Family Resource Center is and how it can assist those in need. Offering physical resources such as food, clothing, and household supplies through the WicKloset program is in addition to Signature Health’s free primary care, behavioral health, and oral health services.

Part 1: Who Are We?

“The Wickliffe Family Resource Center is a one-stop shop for members of the community, students, and staff to get any of their needs met,” commented former superintendent Joe Spiccia on the WFRC.

The FRC has become a community hub, operating under the guiding principle: “We never say no.” Built from a careful examination of Wickliffe’s students and our families, the center’s vision, championed by Director of Strategic Innovation Julie Ramos, is to ensure student success by complementing the work of schools.

The FRC, which includes a secure on-campus clinic co-located within the PreK-12 school, provides critical food, clothing, medical, and mental health services. The initiative is designed to wrap around students and families, offering a safe location and the necessary supports so they can level up. Local leadership, including the mayor, emphasizes that the FRC is one way this tight-knit community provides for its neighbors and students who may be going through challenging times. The district’s student experience is impacted for the better because, as one community member noted, “If you needed any help, it was there.”

Part 2: Partnership with Signature Health

Many students have unmet mental or chronic health needs, and we know that those can negatively impact their attendance and their performance. Having a clinic at the WFRC allows us to address those needs and see success in students,” said Medical Director, Primary Care for Signature Health, Dr. Todd Wagner. They aim to provide students with key services that benefit their lives.

The success of the Wickliffe School District’s academic mission relies on students being “healthy, happy, and feeling good,” according to Superintendent Joe Spiccia. This led to the partnership with Signature Health, a community health center specializing in serving those at any socioeconomic scale.

Signature Health at the Family Resource Center (FRC) provides comprehensive, co-located healthcare, including primary care, behavioral health, and oral health. The service is unique in that it is open to anybody, regardless of zip code, status, or income.

This collaboration addresses significant barriers to academic performance—such as hunger, housing instability, or unmet mental health needs—that impede a student’s ability to learn. By offering vaccines and physicals on-site, students do not miss instructional time. Clinicians can work as a team with school staff to address chronic conditions like asthma or provide individual and family counseling for emotional needs. This proactive support system is critical for the student experience, allowing children who were once struggling to “thrive,” see their “grades improve,” and ultimately graduate. The goal is to expand the impact on the entire community.

Part 3: Making a Difference

The Wickliffe Family Resource Center (FRC) utilizes a unique “wraparound service” model to assist individuals in need. Director of Strategic Innovation for Wickliffe City Schools, Julie Ramos, stated, “By having a wraparound service, we aim to benefit each person outside of just an academic setting. If we don’t provide the service, we’re going to figure it out.” This approach sets Wickliffe apart by offering comprehensive resources in one location, ensuring that when a family or student presents a challenge, the FRC commits to providing a solution.

Core services include the WicKloset, which offers seasonal clothing, shoes, and dry storage food. Crucially, the FRC helps students by providing counseling services, an outlet that was unavailable to previous generations of struggling single-parent families. This support directly impacts the student experience, providing the necessary aid that allows young people to focus on their education.

The FRC is supported by the community, with citizens donating and volunteering to help out those in need. High school students are learning empathy and leadership by giving back, recognizing that helping others creates a positive “chain reaction” for the whole community. Grant support from the state and federal government recognizes the importance of this work, which provides significant downstream savings through early intervention.

Part 4: Measuring Success

Since opening in 2019, the Family Resource Center (FRC) has served over 10,000 people across 22 ZIP codes, demonstrating a significant community impact. Last year alone, the FRC served approximately 2,000 individuals through programs like the WicKloset, ensuring food and clothing for community members.

The FRC’s true measure of success is the tangible impact on family and student outcomes. By addressing non-academic barriers, the district has seen a 12% reduction in the chronic absenteeism rate and an improved graduation rate. There has also been an increase in participation in extracurricular activities, partially credited to the availability of free physicals at the center.

For struggling students, the center provides crucial primary care and behavioral health services, which have been proven to lead to better school attendance and performance. Success is measured in many ways—but the FRC’s data confirms that its “big mountain to climb” approach is making a direct, positive difference in the overall student experience and the community at large.

Part 5: Building the Campus

“We knew that if we served the whole community, we were then serving the students,” commented former superintendent Joe Spiccia on the construction of the new PreK-12 school.

The Wickliffe community is a close-knit entity. The schools, which are a central part of that community, launched meetings in 2017 to address their aging facilities. The result was a consensus to build a new Preschool through 12th-grade campus, consolidating all students into one secure location.

The design of the new campus and the attached Family Resource Center (FRC) was strategically executed with ThenDesign Architecture (TDA). The FRC, which was designed as a part of the new school, was created as a secure, safe location with its own outside entrance and connection to the school. This physical design ensures safety while maximizing accessibility.

The FRC’s success stems from extensive collaboration; the district met with every social service agency in Lake County, securing Signature Health as its primary partner. State government officials also provided crucial support to secure funding. The center operates on the premise that serving the whole community inherently serves the students, creating a supportive environment where students know, “We’ve got you. Even if you trip, you have somewhere to go.” This thoughtfully designed space ensures every student can get back up and continue moving forward.

Part 6: Setting the Example

“This is the future of education. It is really, truly addressing the entire human and by using our partnerships and working collaboratively to bring in those nonprofits, we benefit families and students,” states Director of Strategic Innovation for Wickliffe City Schools, Julie Ramos.

The Wickliffe Family Resource Center (FRC) is positioned as a successful model that needs to be replicated in communities nationwide. Stakeholders assert the FRC represents the future of education, stressing that its value goes “way beyond any return on investment” by creating happier, healthier communities.

The center’s mission is to support the whole child, whole family, and whole community. By addressing the entire human through strong partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and foundations, the FRC ensures students receive comprehensive support. This holistic approach significantly improves the student experience by removing non-academic barriers.

Wickliffe leaders are inviting other school districts seeking to build similar programs to “call us.” They pledge to be an “open book,” sharing every step of their journey to demonstrate how any community—whether in Lake County or five states away—can benefit from this center and utilize its services. The existence of the FRC is a major asset that offers support to many families in need.

Learn more about the Wickliffe Family Resource Center by visiting their website: https://www.wickliffeschools.org/wickliffe-frc

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Communications

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Ryan Caswell

Ryan is a communications specialist who is passionate about using digital media to further the goals of organizations and communities in Northeast Ohio. With a background in construction and a degree in architecture, he spent over a decade in corporate video production and brings this mindset to videography, editing, photography and content marketing. He is passionate about supporting the arts, and can be found hiking in the parks system.
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Mentor Public Schools Career Academics Renovation Completed

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Mentor Public Schools Career Academics Renovation Completed
The Mentor Public Schools Career Academics renovations have been completed. TDA and Mentor Public Schools worked to update and design modern spaces that improve the quality of education for students in the district. With renovated CTE spaces that include the Digital Media/Cyber Security Academies, the Culinary Academy, and the Construction Academy, Mentor High School students are better prepared to enter a professional trade with real-world skills developed through the Career Technical programs.

Mentor Public Schools Career Academics Renovation Completed

Mentor Public Schools hosts a robust Career Technical curriculum for its students. Offering 22 different pathway programs, each career academy provides educational opportunities for students to learn in-demand trades that best suit their preferences. On October 3, 2025, the district hosted a tour and ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of the renovation project at Mentor High School.

Last year, the school district secured a $2.2 million grant to expand its offerings by renovating some of the existing spaces at Mentor High School. Those upgrades were completed before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Superintendent Craig Heath said, “It was a very ambitious construction project, and we’re so excited with how these spaces turned out.”

Mentor Public Schools operates seven elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one state-of-the-art specialized school for students with autism, CARES. The philosophy of the district is to focus on career exposure starting at the elementary level to give young people a sense of what types of job fields are available in the community. There is also a drive to expand the current career exploration programs for middle schoolers.

“We want to think completely outside the box as we’re reimagining the path forward,” Craig said to a group of guests during a pre-tour discussion. “We want to explore more things our kids have an interest in so they can get the experience that provides credentials, certificates, and college credit.”

"We want our kids to leave Mentor High School with skills they can take out into the world."
Craig Heath
Superintendent

Mentor Public Schools Career Academics Renovated Spaces Are Completed

Touring the Renovated Career Academics Spaces

Led by Assistant Principal Jaclyn Nemes, the group toured the newly renovated spaces at Mentor High School, which included the Digital Media/Cyber Security Academies, the Culinary Academy, and the Construction Academy. A two-year Robotics and Engineering Academy is enjoying its inaugural year, and once construction is completed at the stadium, the Sports Medicine Academy will be located there.

The group of over forty people stopped to look through the large new windows in the hallways before entering each class. “We’re very excited to show you these beautiful spaces,” Jaclyn said. “If you’ve been here before, you’ll be amazed at how different they look.”

“The tour and ribbon cutting today showcase everything we’ve been working for so many years,” Jaclyn said. “Mentor Schools has always had a very robust CTE program, but now that we’re moving from a compact with other districts to being a comprehensive model located just on campus, we’re able to provide so many more opportunities for our students without leaving Mentor High School.”

One of the most significant changes during the renovation was the creation of a Construction Academy with all new equipment. Three band saws are connected to the ventilation system stationed in the wood storage room. Students now have access to a large CNC machine, drill presses, a planer, a drum sander, a miter saw, a router, a staining table, and a wood-burning station. As an enhanced safety feature, the table saw has advanced SawStop technology to prevent serious injury.

Offering one-year and two-year programs, the Mentor Schools Career Academies currently support over 350 students, and around 350 are enrolled in College Credit Plus (CCP) courses.

"Over 350 students have an opportunity to gain real-world career-based learning."
Jaclyn Nemes
MHS Assistant Principal

Guests Tour Mentor Public Schools the Renovated Career Academics Spaces

A Lasting Partnership

“We had some CTE programs when I was in school, but it was more around farming and agriculture,” said ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Ryan Schmit. He smiled and added, “But that was not my particular interest.”

Ryan and his team worked with the school district to renovate the existing spaces to create more comfortable, effective environments for students to learn technical skills. “I love the big windows in the hallways so kids can take an interest in what their classmates are doing. The tiered, stadium-styled seating in the computer lab gives a collegiate feel. And the metal paneling in the Construction Academy is a cool finish. Mia Katz came up with that.”

TDA and Mentor Public Schools have enjoyed a partnership of over twenty years, which is reflected in the mutual respect and understanding built over the multiple projects. Ryan spoke on the importance of programs like those the school district provides and why he enjoys supporting them through design. “I like that they’re offering students opportunities they otherwise might not have to pursue careers right after high school. Giving them real-world training for jobs that are in need right now is a worthwhile plan.”

Mentor High School Principal John Fullerman sees the benefits of students gaining essential hands-on experience before graduating from high school. “Programs like we have help them see what their likes and dislikes are before they commit to them. They can discover their passions and then go for it.”

Mentor Public Schools plans to keep adding more CTE programs. John said, “That’s the nice part of these grants. They allow us to give more and more opportunities to our students.”

“I’m looking forward to Mentor Schools being a standalone CTE provider,” said Superintendent Craig Heath. “Our focus this year will be to expand the career learning opportunities for our students. We hope that by providing more specialized education experiences, they will be even more prepared to enter the adult workforce.”

"The more opportunities we can provide, the better."
John Fullerman
MHS Principal

Mentor Public Schools Career Academics Renovation and Ribbon Cutting
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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North Ridgeville City Schools’ Ranger Rally

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North Ridgeville City Schools' Ranger Rally
North Ridgeville City Schools' Ranger Rally was a celebration of the start of the new school year and a show of appreciation to the local community for their continued support of the new high school project. The Ranger Rally hosted food trucks, games, informational booths, bouncy houses, a rock climbing wall, the opening of the Wilcox Elementary Class of 2000 Time Capsule, and a groundbreaking ceremony.

North Ridgeville City Schools' Ranger Rally

North Ridgeville City Schools’ Ranger Rally served as a thank you to the community and a celebration of the start of another school year. The Friday evening back-to-school kickoff culminated with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new North Ridgeville High School, which will open in 2028.

As visitors arrived, they were greeted by the marching band and cheerleaders, guiding them to dozens of activities, booths, and food trucks inside Ranger Stadium. A rock climbing wall, inflatable bouncy houses, games, and balloon animals created a carnival-like atmosphere for families to enjoy.

“A part of our evening tonight was to show appreciation for our families and all of their support for the schools,” said Meghan Hignite, Principal of North Ridgeville High School.

"We are honored to be the architects designing the Transportation and Maintenance Center in addition to the new high school."
Claire Bank, AIA, NCARB, ALEP
Project Manager, ThenDesign Architecture

The Ranger Rally Revisits the Past

The 2000 Wilcox Elementary School Time Capsule was opened near the entrance to the high school, and a letter from the class of 2000 was read. William Noll from the North Ridgeville Historical Society explained the history of the school and Superintendent Elizabeth Wilcox, for whom it was named. Former Wilcox principals Chris McCully and Lee Armbruster gave comments, sharing their personal connections to the school.

The site for the new North Ridgeville High School had been prepared for construction and was an ideal location to host the groundbreaking ceremony.

“We are truly grateful to have you all here to share in such a meaningful milestone for our community,” said Superintendent Roxann Ramsey-Caserio. “Since the day I became a Ranger, we have been working toward this very moment, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it come to life today. This ceremony is not just about breaking ground. It’s about building the future for students today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.”

North Ridgeville Mayor Kevin Corcoran read a proclamation, “This new facility will provide modern, innovative learning spaces that reflect North Ridgeville City School’s mission of empowering students to design their preferred future and support its academic achievement, career readiness, and extracurricular opportunities for generations of students.”

"There will be more features than ever before for our students to thrive."
Hayleigh Cass
Student, Class of 2026

North Ridgeville City Schools' Ranger Rally

A Grateful School District

“This event is a culmination of strong community support, unbelievable leadership from the school district and the school board, and a lot of hard work from ThenDesign Architecture,” said Bill Schurman, PE, owner of Hammond Construction, while expressing his excitement for the project. “We want to thank you all for trusting us to build your new high school. We want to turn over a high school that you will be proud of for many generations.”

Board of Education President Frank Vacha expressed his heartfelt gratitude, “A lot of hard work got us here today. Hard work from my fellow board members, the administrative team, Citizens for Better Schools, and so many people in our community. Thank you.”

The North Ridgeville City Schools’ Ranger Rally offered a unique experience filled with fun activities for students, their families, and the community to celebrate the start of the 2025-2026 school year. This memorable back-to-school event, including the groundbreaking ceremony, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from the local community.

"This project is the embodiment of our mission to provide every student with the opportunities, tools, and environment they need to reach their fullest potential."
Roxann Ramsey-Caserio
Superintendent

North Ridgeville's New High School Groundbreaking
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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The Renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center Opens

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The Renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center Opens
The renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center opens after nearly ten years of planning with a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony and community tour. Intended for the youngest swimmers to seasoned athletes to active seniors, the renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center is a cornerstone of wellness and recreation in Sandusky, Ohio, providing a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for all.

The Renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center Opens

With the completion of the nearly ten-year project, Sandusky City Schools celebrated the grand opening of the renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community tour. Students, staff, alumni, and guests were some of the first to experience the state-of-the-art facility that will also be available to the community in partnership with the Erie County Health Department.

Due to its proximity to Lake Erie, swimming is a significant element of the Sandusky culture, and the new facility will provide a sense of pride for local residents. Designed for competition and training, the renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center includes a family locker room with bathroom/changing rooms.

Central to the facility is the 6-lane, 8-foot-deep, 75-foot competition pool that is monitored and maintained by an advanced filtration and treatment system. The 141,390 gallon pool is handicap accessible through the specially designed extended entry stairs or a motorized lift. Swimmers will experience enhanced communication through the underwater sound system.

Spectators will enjoy the plentiful 7-row, 250-seat bleachers alongside the pool, giving them a clear view of the action and timing system with a digital scoreboard.

“This center is much more than just a pool. It’s a space for learning, for growth, for connection, and for safety,” said Sandusky City Schools Superintendent Daniel Rambler, “It reflects our district’s ongoing commitment to student success, community engagement, and lifelong wellness.”

"This incredible milestone has been a true testament to collaboration, with many people working toward a shared vision."
Daniel Rambler
Superintendent

More Than Just A Pool

Intended for the youngest swimmers to seasoned athletes to active seniors, the renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center is a cornerstone of wellness and recreation in Sandusky, Ohio, providing a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for all.

ThenDesign Architecture Project Manager Arie Swirsky, RA, was the architect for the project. “This pool is more than a renovation,” he said, “It stands as a symbol of resilience, collaboration, and vision. We had unique challenges to overcome, like COVID, bedrock, and inflation. We navigated through those complexities within an existing building.”

One of the engineering challenges was explained by Senior Project Manager Rick Kusmer with Mosser Construction Group. He shared a story about using a large excavator fitted with a ramming hoe for one month straight in the deep end of the pool. The excavator hammered out rock five feet deep and eight feet across.

After a support wall was removed, the roof of the building was held up by steel stilts. Rick said, “Many nights I’d wake up at about three in the morning thinking, ‘I hope those things hold.’ We do a lot of engineering, but even contractors sit up at night worrying about that stuff.”

“The project is an achievement that reflects the heart, vision, and collaboration of our entire community,” said Interim Athletic Director Steve Camella. “This is more than just a pool. This is a place where dreams begin, where confidence grows, and where champions in the water and in life will be made.”

The renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center is meant to be a resource for the community. Whether visitors take swim lessons, join in water fitness classes, or want to spend quality time with family and friends, the clean and welcoming atmosphere is intended to be a shared space that strengthens community ties.

"This facility will serve as a place of growth, connection, and creation of unforgettable moments."
Arie Swirsky, RA
Project Manager

The Renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center Opens

A Community Comes Together

“This couldn’t have happened without all the generous donations,” said Sandusky City Schools CFO and Treasurer Yvonne Anderson, who expressed her gratitude and hope for the future. “I’m sure our community and students will cherish this wonderful aquatic center for many years to come.”

The renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center was made possible because of the kindness of over 500 organizations and individual donors, with the support of the Sandusky Education Foundation. The foundation had a significant impact on the project’s development.

During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Past-President James Hart explained how the organization began, “A little over eight years ago, a group of Blue Streak alums and supporters met on numerous occasions to talk about the condition of the SHS swimming pool that was built in the 1950s. A group fondly called the Pool Committee was formed.”

The Pool Committee became the Sandusky Education Foundation, and their efforts made the vision of a cutting-edge athletic facility become a reality. Open to the community and other school districts, the renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center is the gold standard for fostering athletic excellence by providing a dedicated space for student athletes to train, grow, and compete.

“This renovation ensures that swimmers of all skill levels can enjoy a safe, inclusive, and high-quality experience,” Arie said. “Whether learning to swim, training for competition, or simply enjoying time in the water, this facility will serve as a place of growth, connection, and forging unforgettable moments.”

Placing a high value on health and wellness for people of all abilities and ages, the center promotes swim lessons and water safety to ensure students and community members have access to life-saving learning opportunities.

With a successful open house ribbon cutting ceremony and tour, the newly renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center and competition pool will serve Sandusky City Schools, the Erie County Health Department, and surrounding communities for decades to come.

"This is your space. Treat it with pride. The lessons you learn here will follow you far beyond these walls."
Steve Camella
Interim Athletic Director

The Renovated Sandusky Aquatic Center Ribbon Cutting and Tour
Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

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Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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The Tiny House Challenge

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The Tiny House Challenge
The Tiny House Challenge at North Ridgeville City Schools' Ranger High Tech Academy pushed students to design the smallest house that could still comfortably meet the occupants' needs. With a comprehensive set of parameters, students spent months crafting spaces using the same tools as modern architects and designers.

The Tiny House Challenge

During the intricate process of designing new educational facilities, there are invaluable moments to offer insight and feedback on student work. At TDA, our commitment extends beyond architectural plans, and as a firm deeply rooted in the philosophy of teaching and learning, we consistently seek opportunities to engage with the next generation of innovators.

This brought us to North Ridgeville City Schools’ Ranger High Tech Academy, where we participated in a compelling Project-Based Learning (PBL) initiative: the “Tiny Houses” project.

The “Tiny Houses” PBL tasked Ranger High Tech Academy students with a significant challenge: to design the smallest possible house that could still comfortably accommodate a client’s needs. They were given a comprehensive set of parameters, including family size, environmental considerations, and necessary daily activities. Their mission was to craft a “tiny home” that was both functional and innovative.

The Tiny House Challenge First Planning Session

Tiny Homes, Big Lessons

Megan Wood, seventh and eighth-grade science teacher at Ranger High Tech Academy, led the project. “Learners worked in teams to create sustainable and affordable tiny homes. They had to practice an understanding of blueprinting and scaling. They worked in teams to revise and prototype. Through that design and engineering process, they explored different energy sources, whether renewable or non-renewable, and they learned a little bit about electricity and how it works within a home.”

Over several months, these students embarked on an intensive design process. They moved from initial concepts to refined plans, having built physical scaled models, 3D prints, and drafting software. Professional architects and designers use similar tools. This immersive process allowed them to visualize and iterate on their ideas, culminating in comprehensive final presentations.

To ensure the students received real-world feedback and guidance, TDA was invited early in the process alongside other community members to review their prototypes and judge their final projects. This direct engagement allowed our team to offer professional critiques, highlight strengths, and suggest areas for further development, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional practice.

Megan added, “This project was very helpful because of all the career connections and future career opportunities that the kids discovered. Whether an architect, a project manager, or an interior designer, it was great for them to see how the different jobs are interconnected. They have never been exposed to this before.”

The Tiny House Challenge Final Judging Session

Real-World Skills, Future Careers

The impact on each student’s project was demonstrable. Participants walked away with an understanding of critical design principles. They learned how to effectively lay out interior spaces and merge furniture design with architectural constraints, environmental considerations, and manufacturing feasibility.

Project-based learning initiatives like this one are increasingly vital in preparing students for future careers by fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

“I was surprised to see how each of the students prototyped their homes in different ways,” Megan said. “Each of them came up with different design solutions to a challenging problem. They had to ask, ‘How do you make a spiral staircase? How am I going to show this loft? How am I going to build this furniture?’ It was fascinating to see their perspectives on how they approached those projects.”

This collaboration with North Ridgeville City Schools exemplifies how educational institutions and industry professionals can partner to create richer, more relevant learning experiences for students. By providing direct exposure to real-world design challenges and expert feedback, TDA helps to cultivate not just future architects and engineers but also innovative thinkers prepared to tackle complex problems in any field.

Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Communications

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Ryan Caswell

Ryan Caswell

Ryan is a communications specialist who is passionate about using digital media to further the goals of organizations and communities in Northeast Ohio. With a background in construction and a degree in architecture, he spent over a decade in corporate video production and brings this mindset to videography, editing, photography and content marketing. He is passionate about supporting the arts, and can be found hiking in the parks system.
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New Brunswick High School Groundbreaking Ceremony

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New Brunswick High School Groundbreaking Ceremony
The new Brunswick High School Groundbreaking ceremony enjoyed a robust turnout from the community despite the wet weather.

New Brunswick High School Groundbreaking Ceremony

Despite the wet and chilly weather, the Brunswick community turned out to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Brunswick High School’s new construction project on May 3, 2025. Under the welcoming cover of tents and beside the prepared site, the Brunswick City School District hosted a lively event with musical performances by the middle and high school choir and the high school marching band to mark the significant milestone in the project’s progress.

With construction work set to begin within a few days afterward, brief speeches were given by Superintendent Jason Neidermyer, Mayor Ron Falconi, High School Principal Keith Merrill, and School Board President Mary Weinhauer. Representing Hammond Construction, Derrick Semilia informed the attendees that the project was on schedule for the students to occupy the new campus in August 2027.

The skies may have looked gloomy, but the atmosphere was optimistic and cheerful. 11th grader Emily and 8th grader Vish remarked on how consequential the new educational facility will be, enhancing the learning environment of future students.

New Brunswick High School Groundbreaking Ceremony

The Brunswick community passed a bond issue in early 2023 and also secured co-funding for $42.6 million from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). The school district expressed profound appreciation to the people of Brunswick for their continued support in making the new high school project possible.

New Brunswick High School Groundbreaking Ceremony

The new construction project camera is now streaming on YouTube.

Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Communications

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Recent Posts:

Marc Cebrian

Marc Cebrian

Marc has over thirty years of media production experience with a wide variety of storytelling projects that include commercials, documentaries, and live events. He began his career in the feature film and television industry in Los Angeles, California. Naturally driven by a passion for the creative and analytical, he believes that people should be kind to one another, and strives to live by example.
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