News

We’d like to congratulate Joe Lopez, 12th grader at TRECA Digital Academy, for being accepted into one of National Geographic's Summer expedition programs! Joe traveled to Belize this summer and worked with a marine biologist to evaluate the health of the coral reef. They collected data about different types of fish and other animals that inhabit the area, such as eels, rays, turtles, dolphins, and sharks and study ways to protect the animals. He said a lot of what they did and saw were things he studied in his zoology class at TRECA. 

Joe said it was the chance of a lifetime and it helped him to decide that he wants to be a marine biologist. He hopes to be able to find a way to save the coral reefs and the ecosystem.

Congratulations Joe! We’re very proud of you!

On Sunday, June 4, we celebrated the class of 2017 at TRECA's 15th annual commencement ceremony! The ceremony was held at the Marion Palace Theater in Marion, OH. Hundreds of family, friends, and staff members filled the theater to celebrate and support the graduating class. The speaker was Amanda Messer, cofounder of Because I Said I Would, a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. Ms. Messer delivered an inspiring message to students about the importance of their commitment to themselves and others, both big and small. There were 143 students in this year's graduating class. We wish the best of luck to the class of 2017!

On Thursday, May 25, we celebrated our TRECA Digital Academy kindergartner's at our 3rd annual Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony in Marion, OH. We had nine students participate in the ceremony and they brought over 50 friends and family to share in the special day with them! Each student received a certificate and the Dr. Seuss book, Oh The Places You'll Go. Following the ceremony, families enjoyed a small craft activity and refreshments. We had a great afternoon celebrating with our families! Congratulations to the entire 2017 kindergarten class! You have a lot to be proud of, and we can't wait to see what lies ahead for each of you. As Dr. Seuss says, "And you will succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!" 

What will you be when you grow up? On Thursday, May 18, TRECA Digital Academy students got a jump start at Career Day! Students heard from a Natural Resources Officer, a Personal Trainer, and TRECA's very own resident Archaeologist, Mr. Burcham, and Artist, Mr. Monnin. The speakers discussed the schooling that was required for their career paths and the various paths students could take. All speakers had a common piece of advice for students: volunteer or get a summer job where you would like to work to help get your foot in the door. They also recommended to pay attention in school and do something you love!

The Toledo Zoo came in for our afternoon session. Students learned all about extinction and why it is happening to some animals. We had five special visitors join us: a vinegaroon, a cross-eyed opossum, a very soft chinchilla, a turtle, and a snake. Students were very engaged and asked a lot of great questions throughout the day!

On Wednesday, May 3, TRECA Digital Academy students participated in a 90-minute guided walking tour of the Ohio State Reformatory. The tour covered the general history of the reformatory as well as the Hollywood aspects. The reformatory opened in 1896 and began as a place to house young first-time offenders. The prisoners went to school, learned a trade, and were only in their cells to sleep. Some of them felt like they were getting such a good education, that they didn't apply for parole until they completed their schooling. Due to overcrowding in other prisons, the reformatory eventually had to start taking older inmates, with more serious crimes. The reformatory housed over 155,000 inmates until it closed in December 1990 due to overcrowding and inhumane conditions.

The tour began in the warden's living quarters, followed by the chapel and the various cell blocks. The East Cell Block is six stories high and is the highest freestanding cell block in existence. Students then saw solitary confinement, the library center, and some of the props that were used in the movie,The Shawshank Redemption, that was filmed onsite in 1993.

Over a span of about 20 years, the reformatory has been cleaned, preserved, and restored by volunteers so the public can tour the building and understand what it was like to live and work within it's confines.