Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel Delivers Keynote Address at 2026 Ohio Hi-Point Convocation Ceremony

(photo submitted by Ohio Hi-Point)

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel delivered the Keynote Address at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center’s Convocation Ceremony Wednesday evening.

Tressel told the graduates that during his early career, he spent 48 years observing students who took four common denominators seriously, and that led a brighter future for them. He said those are, an attitude of gratitude, surrounding yourselves with the right people, getting involved in group activities in your community, and deciding in advance what’s really most important, “If you’ll do those four things, you’ll be like so many of the young people I watched, that you’ll go out and realize your dreams, live your life, make a difference. So, on behalf of all of us in the State of Ohio, we thank you for having that grit. Parents and faculty and staff, we thank you for supporting this group, because we need them, and this is a special group that will begin a journey.”

Audio for on air news is courtesy of 98.3 WPKO

You can view the Convocation Ceremony here

Tressel, who has served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor since February 2025, is widely recognized for his leadership in education and workforce development. He previously served as president of Youngstown State University, where he oversaw major improvements in student success and campus growth.

(photo submitted by Ohio Hi-Point)

A former executive at the University of Akron and a proud graduate of Baldwin-Wallace and the University of Akron, Tressel brings decades of experience guiding young people toward opportunity, including a distinguished coaching career that included national championships at both Youngstown State and The Ohio State University.

As a statewide leader in workforce and education, his message connected directly to the future pathways of Ohio Hi-Point graduates.

The 14 partner school districts include Bellefontaine City, Benjamin Logan Local, Graham Local, Indian Lake, Kenton City, Marysville EVSD, Mechanicsburg EVSD, Ridgemont Local, Riverside Local, Triad Local, Upper Scioto Valley, Urbana City, Waynesfield-Goshen Local, and West Liberty-Salem Local schools.

Complete release from Ohio Hi-Point:

BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio – On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center celebrated the Campus Class of 2026 during the Convocation Ceremony held at Bellefontaine High School.

Ohio Hi-Point’s Students of the Month led the procession. Former Ohio Hi-Point staff members Bryan Knurek and Jason Cobb performed the national anthem.

Kyan Thomas, a Construction Trades senior from Marysville High School, and Luke Hensel, a Heavy Equipment Operations senior from Kenton High School, served as masters of ceremonies.

Ohio Hi-Point Superintendent Brad Richardson welcomed graduates, families, and guests and recognized the support of families, staff, partner schools, and the community throughout the students’ educational journeys.

The theme of the ceremony was “Prepared by Grit, Powered by Opportunities,” highlighting the perseverance, experiences, and opportunities that shaped the Class of 2026.

Kaylena Barr-Ahnutae, a Health Careers Academy senior, and Richiona Burnell, a Cosmetology senior from Bellefontaine High School, served as student speakers for the evening.

During her speech, Barr-Ahnutae reflected on preparation and opportunity, telling graduates, “No matter how far you go in life after this, remember that behind all good action is being prepared, and being prepared leads to opportunities.”
Burnell spoke about overcoming challenges and uncertainty through career-technical education, saying, “Whether you are in the salon, the shop, or the lab, you have taken the ‘tension’ of these last few years and woven it into a future that is strong.”

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Tressel shared three pieces of advice for students saying, “start your day with an attitude of gratitude, be mindful of who you surround yourself with, and maintain perspective through all the ups and down you encounter.”

The ceremony also featured a special musical by Easton Predmore, a Heavy Equipment Operations senior from Bellefontaine High School, Gavin Bethel, an Engineering Academy senior from Kenton High School, and Ayden Adams, a Graphic and Media Arts senior from Kenton High School.

Thomas and Hensel recognized several accomplishments of the Class of 2026. A total of 132 students participated in Ohio Hi-Point’s Work-Based Learning program, logging more than 48,000 hours and earning over $887,000.

The class earned a 95% passage rate on career-technical assessments and received 1,113 industry-recognized credentials. Students also earned 262 college credits, and earned more than $1 million in scholarships.

Fifty-nine students competed at the state level in Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) competitions through FCCLA, HOSA, and SkillsUSA. Seven students advanced to national competitions, including:
• Destiny Wiseman, Education Academy, FCCLA, Public Policy Advocate
• Alizabeth Lear, FCCLA, Public Policy Advocate
• Amelia Clark, Culinary Arts, FCCLA, Parliamentary Procedure
• Maria Casanas, Cosmetology, SkillsUSA, State Officer
• Richiona Burnell, Cosmetology, SkillsUSA, Prepared Speech
• Nate Hoffman, Exercise Science, HOSA, Healthy Living
• Kenzie Bernard, EMT, HOSA, Life Support Skills

The Class of 2026 was also recognized for choosing their “E” – employment, enrollment, entrepreneurship, or enlistment. Approximately 52% of graduates are entering the workforce, 37% are enrolled in post-secondary education, 5% are pursuing entrepreneurship, and 6% are enlisted in the military.

Sixteen seniors enlisted in the military. Students enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard include Easton Predmore (Heavy Equipment Operations, Bellefontaine) and Hannah Seagraves (Cybersecurity, Bellefontaine).

Students enlisted in the Army include Tyler Cable (HVAC/Electric, Benjamin Logan), Brayden Shuster (Criminal Justice, Marysville), Skyler Poole (Criminal Justice, Mechanicsburg), and Jarrett Stahler (Construction Trades, Riverside).

Students enlisted in the Army Reserves include Lake Buterbaugh (Welding and Fabrication, Marysville) and Kyan Thomas (Construction Trades, Marysville).
Students enlisted in the Marine Corps include Chaseton Daniels (Automotive, Indian Lake), Leland Warner (Construction Trades, Riverside), and Zander White (Engineering Academy, Graham).

Students enlisted in the Air Force include Quinn Dyer (Engineering Academy, Upper Scioto Valley), Chase Fink (Automotive Academy, Benjamin Logan), Briana Popovich (EMT, Mechanicsburg), Ashton Shoffner (Drone Technologies, Riverside), and Jacob Stone Jr. (Graphic and Media Arts, Bellefontaine).

Lou Vito, president of WPKO/WBLL in Bellefontaine, announced the graduates as they received their certificates of completion from Ohio Hi-Point instructors. This was Mr. Vito’s 38th year reading names for Ohio Hi-Point.

Eugenia Matta Trujillo, a Health Careers Academy senior from Marysville High School, was recognized as Ohio Hi-Point’s 2026 Senior Student of the Year. The award recognizes a student who demonstrates strong character, academics, attendance, citizenship, and service. Matta Trujillo received a full-ride scholarship and plans to attend The Ohio State University to study health sciences and pharmaceutical sciences on a pre-medical track.

Tonya Ramey, Ohio Hi-Point High School Director, closed the ceremony by thanking graduates for the impact they made during their time at Ohio Hi-Point.

“It is my sincerest hope that you have a prosperous life, a healthy and peaceful one, filled with good relationships and the ability to be a blessing to others,” Ramey said. “Ohio Hi-Point is always your home.”