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On Wednesday, April 25th, TRECA Digital Academy students learned just how “sweet” K-12 education can be! Families toured the Anthony-Thomas Candy Company in Columbus, Ohio. As one of the largest groups in attendance for the day, students were broken into multiple teams for their guided tours. The tours involved learning about the intricate process of growing and distributing cacao, chocolate production processes, seasonal supply chains, as well as general sales and commerce.

Anthony-Thomas is an Ohio-founded candy factory. The business was started by Greek immigrant, Anthony Zanetos. He dreamed up the business with his son, Thomas. To this day, the business remains family owned and operated– making it one of the largest of its kind in the Midwest! The factory's history was an inspiration to TRECA Navigators of all ages. At the conclusion of the 152,000 square foot factory tour, TRECA families received a sweet surprise: a taste test from the 50,000 pounds of delicious chocolate produced daily! 

Andrew Panik, a 12th grader at TRECA Digital Academy, continues to reach for the stars! In this case, it’s a life dedicated to the prestigious stars and stripes of the United States Military

After years of hard work, he has recently been accepted into The United States Naval Academy. His lifelong goal of becoming a military officer begins this fall in Annapolis, MD. Coming from a family with a rich military history, this is an exciting time for Andrew. He has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his late uncle, LT. Jonas Martin Panik. Andrew’s whole life revolves around this dream– so much so that his dog is even named Lieutenant! And while acceptance into the US Naval Academy may have been his first choice, he was also honored with various other military nominations, including the United States Military Academy and the United States Air Force Academy. What an accomplishment!

In addition to his rigorous course schedule and time spent applying to multiple academies and universities, Andrew also runs track and field for his local school district. He’s actively involved in his community and attends council meetings to give back to the town that has given him so much. He stated that the flexibility of TRECA has allowed him to balance these many commitments and take advantage of opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible elsewhere. We are so proud of you, Andrew, and we’re excited to hear about your experiences in the years to come!

Aidan Rogers, 7th grader at TRECA Digital Academy, attended the International Presentation of Performers (iPOP!), in Las Vegas this January. iPOP! is the largest single event where hundreds of acting scouts, agents, coaches, and managers are looking for talent! Aspiring performers from over 30 countries come together to train with industry experts and audition in front of professionals.

Aidan’s journey to iPOP! began this last fall when he auditioned and was selected to participate in an acting and modeling workshop in Columbus. After the workshop, Aidan was personally selected to attend iPOP! by well-known director and acting coach, Julian Georgeo.

At the event, Aidan trained with the best of the best! He spent five days fine-tuning his skills in acting, monologue, improv, and runway, and he received coaching from celebrities such as DeVaughn Nixon and Daniel Samonas. At the end of the week, Aidan performed in front of agents, managers, and casting directors.

Aidan, who has always been very shy, said he gained a ton of confidence from his experience. He has secretly held a dream of acting, and since attending iPOP! he has signed with a California talent agency and is currently doing auditions for Disney!

Congrats Aidan!

On March 5th, 2018, Jonathan Radecki was inducted into the Sentinel Chapter of the National Honor Society (NTHS) in Tiffin, OH. Jonathan has been attending TRECA since fall 2015. He is now a senior studying Public Safety at the Sentinel Career and Technology Center while taking his remaining core classes with TRECA Digital Academy. During Jonathan’s time at TRECA, he has continued to be an outstanding example of a student determined to find his path and pursue his goals.

In order to be considered eligible for the NTHS, Jonathan had to reach and maintain a number of standards. The NTHS requires that a candidate must be a student who “exhibits qualities of an honest, responsible student-citizen who has made a personal commitment to excellence and who agrees to uphold the NTHS Standards of Conduct.” Jonathan also met and exceeded the GPA requirements with a 3.7 out of 4.0. Along with a solid academic record, Jonathan’s exceptional character shines through all that he does. He is motivated, self-driven, and hard working. The NTHS is part of a lifelong commitment, and member schools agree that NTHS encourages higher scholastic achievement, cultivates a desire for personal excellence, and helps top students find success. Jonathan is already planning to put that to the test! After he graduates this spring, Jonathan has plans to enlist in the United States Air Force.

Congratulations Jonathan!

On Wednesday, March 28, TRECA Digital Academy students rocked out at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. Fifty students and their family members took a self-guided tour of the museum where they explored thousands of artifacts. Students learned about the roots of rock music, the colorful summer of 1967 that changed the world forever, and the protests against rock ‘n’ roll. Students also learned what goes on backstage and the hard work it takes to put on a rock concert, from production to catering and every green M&M in between. They also dived into the archives of Rolling Stone magazine and explored its catalytic effect on politics, popular culture, and artists’ careers. The Power of Rock Experience was a big hit with our students! They stepped into an adrenaline-fueled show that captures the excitement of a Rock Hall induction night! Thank you to everyone who joined us on the field trip!