Volume 2, Issue 7

The senior dinner was held at COA on April 26 from 6-8 p.m. City Barbeque catered the event, and staff members helped decorate the space. Principal Christian Angel and CCS Board Member Carol Beckerle greeted them. After dinner, Angel presented awards to each student and encouraged them to try out the photo booth and enjoy their time together.

By Amani Douglas

Q: What is the most challenging task as a senior?

A: “Really staying involved with your work because you start to get that lazy throw-it-off feeling, so you start not to care; stay focused, and go all the way through!” -Jilkel Kent

Q: What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?

A: “Get out of your comfort zone.” -Dre’Aira Lindsay

Q: Describe senioritis.

A: “Wait? I had assignments due?... mmh 15 minutes." *falls back asleep* -Noha DeWeese

Q: Where do you imagine yourself 10 years from now?

A: “I will be living comfortably with my 3 dogs.” -Alanys Ramirez

Q: What is the one sacrifice you would not be willing to make, even if it meant solving all of the world’s problems?

A: “I would not eat olives to save the world if I had the choice; idk how people can stomach them.” -Davon Spencer

Q: What is the strangest advice your parents ever gave you that proved to be correct?

A: “That life is full of hills and valleys, and it’s up to us to push through it.” -Lina Keels

Q: I am always happy to see…(a particular person) because…

A: “I'm always happy to see Ms. Angel, Ms.Crump, and Ms. McChesney because they always have a positive vibe whenever I'm around them, and seeing them makes me excited.” -Arielle Parris

Q: I am most grateful for…

A: “The amazing journey I had while in high school. Even though it wasn’t the most traditional, I still had a wonderful experience and feel ready to move on to bigger things.” -Lyric M

Q: I am waiting for…(some important event or circumstance).

A: “I’m waiting for my family’s financial miracle to appear and answer all of our prayers.” -Amani Douglas

Q: What is your greatest fear, and have you ever tried to face it?

A: “My greatest fear is sharks, and I have not tried (or plan) to face it.” -Erika Olmedo

Q: Do you think high school is preparing you for college?

A: “I feel like high school gives you a strong foundation for understanding different concepts. I don’t think high school really prepares you for receiving a load of information at a fast pace unless you take some advanced course. But overall, I think it prepares you for the workforce.” -Sa’Breya Miller

Q: What is the worst thing about being a senior?

A: “The worst part of being a senior is that I won't see my amazing teachers again.” - Raymond Ramey

Q: If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you move and why?

A: “I always wanted to go to New York when I was younger because I heard so many great things about it there.” -Maurice Bevly

Q: What weird habit do you have when you’re nervous, and how long has it been going on?

A: “I don’t know if it’s considered weird, but I start spinning around in circles while mumbling a song.” -Michelle Salgado

Q: What excuses do you give people when you don’t want to go somewhere?

A: “I’m normally honest and just say I don’t want to go, but sometimes I’ll say I’m sick or busy.” -Clara Cain

Seniors have once more chance to be featured in the next issue for Q & A. See your senior English teacher to participate.

"COA Kind" represents our core values, with COA standing for Critical Thinking, Originality, and Advocacy. Students are recognized and rewarded for demonstrating our core values with mentions in this newsletter, comments from staff members, gift cards, prizes, and letters home.

Dre'Aira Lindsay's critical thinking skills have paid off. During April, she was announced as COA's first valedictorian.

When the decorations arrived with the wrong date, teacher Kathy McQuate used black duct tape and white stickers to change the date from 2022 to 2023 just in time for the senior dinner and photos.

Samantha Hernandez Hernandez earned service hours for assisting with several COA events. Contact any staff member to see how you can earn internship hours.

By Lisa Ciminillo

Jolene Starner is graduating early. She worked hard completing all of her classes including eight Apex classes that required her to exercise self-motivation and perseverance. In addition to all of that hard work, she attended the mixers, and was a good sport whenever I sang the Dolly Parton song, "Jolene." Congratulations, Jolene on exhibiting COA Kindness, critical thinking, and advocating for yourself and your goals.

Senior Baila Niang (center) frequently volunteers to assist with tasks between classes at COA. He helped display the cake for Administrative Professionals Angel Lindsay (left), Julisa Capers (right) and David Richardson (not pictured). Lindsay and Capers are the friendly voices families hear when they call COA. The staff collected money and gifts to show their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of these support professionals. Teacher Michelle Jeffries presented the gifts before the senior dinner on April 26.

Staff members and students spent about five hours decorating and setting up for the senior dinner. After the dinner was finished at 8 p.m., volunteers cleaned up the space and put all of the tables back in rows for testing.

By Lisa Ciminillo

Charlene McChesney donated her time to grade the projects for seniors in their probability and statistics classes during Apex Boot Camp and at the mixer. She gave her time to shop for gifts for the mixer gift bags, and she stuffed them with generous amounts of cash and gift cards as well. She listened with compassion to students' struggles and made new students feel welcome to COA. She is also a great senior champion, making sure her seniors get the support they need to graduate on time. Charlene is a great example of kindness, and we are proud to have her as part of the COA family.

Do you know a student, staff member, family member, or community member demonstrating the four core values? Share their photo and a story idea here.

CLICK HERE for the internship hours application form. Students need 120 hours to meet their graduation requirements. Contact Internship Coordinator Steve Baker at sbaker5930@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Columbus City Schools has purchased eight books for each high school student to help families create home libraries through its #TogetherWeRead initiative. Students can pick up their books at COA's space at Walnut Ridge. These books do not have to be returned to CCS.

After finishing the book, students should complete this Google Form and email their English teacher saying it was submitted. English teachers will confirm the hours and send an email to Internship Coordinator Steve Baker.

CLICK HERE to submit announcements or story ideas. Any student or staff member may submit an announcement, column, or feature story. Our publications staff meets every Monday and Thursday during period 6. Contact McQuate for the Zoom link if you want to join our team. Articles without a byline were written collaboratively.

Looking for another issue?

October 2022

November 2022

December 2022

January 2023

February 2023

March 2023

April 2023

May & June 2023

Click below for Volume 1.

December Newsletter 2021

January Newsletter 2022

February Newsletter 2022

March Newsletter 2022

April Newsletter 2022

May Newsletter 2022

Staff: Editor Amani Douglas, Assistant Editor Ja'Kia Smith, Assistant Editor Ya'Mailah Thomas, Kayleigh Dodge, Trevon Goins-Boykin, Jalonnie Gossett, Caitlin Hines, Tre Jones, Jolisa Little, Hannah Painter

Adviser: Kathy McQuate

Email: kmcquate@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/domain/4199

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusOnlineAcademy912
Location: 4841 E Livingston Ave, Columbus, OH 43227, USA
Phone: (614) 365-8472