OEF Announces the 2024 Scholarship Awardees

OEF is proud to announce the awardees to the 2024 OEF Scholarships! OEF would like to congratulate the awardees. Thank you to the Delaware County Foundation for their support.

Click HERE if you would like to learn more about OEF Scholarships.

OEF Trustee Mikki Nelson with Grace Nguyen, recipient of the Jennifer Hrobuchak Memorial Scholarship.

Jennifer Hrobuchak Memorial Scholarship

The Jennifer Hrobuchak Memorial Scholarship was established after the sudden death of Jennifer due to a car wreck in July 2012. She graduated with honors from Notre Dame College in Ohio in 2012. Jennifer excelled at both academics and sports. She was an amazing teammate and friend. This scholarship was established to honor her love a sports and academics. This year's award goes to GRACE NGUYEN from Olentangy High School.

Alex Lawrence, recipient of the Linda Gregg Memorial Scholarship, OEF Trustee Mikki Nelson, and Natalie Nichols, recipient of the Jennifer Lawrence Kent Memorial Scholarship.

Linda Gregg Memorial Scholarship

The Linda Gregg Memorial Scholarship was established by Linda's husband in honor of his late wife who spent many years dedicated to education in Olentangy schools. Mrs. Gregg began as a third grade teacher and eventually became the Principal at the original Olentangy Elementary School, then served as the Principal at Arrowhead Elementary after it opened, and ended her incredible career as Olentangy's Director of Elementary Curriculum before retiring in 2008. This year's award goes to ALEX LAWRENCE from Olentangy High School.

Jennifer Lawrence Kent Memorial Scholarship

The Jennifer Lawrence Kent Memorial Scholarship was established by her family after Jennifer's unexpected passing in March 2015. Jennifer was a first and second grade teacher for 15 years at Olentangy schools - spending 12 years at Alum Creek Elementary and 3 years at Tyler Run Elementary. Sha had a passion for teaching and loved her students. This year's award goes to NATALIE NICHOLS from Olentangy Liberty High School.

Annabella Burton Boone, Eric Gulley, OEF Executive Director Mary Lorenz, and Nataly Garza Morales.

OEF Seal of Biliteracy Scholarship

OEF is proud to partner with Eric Gulley, the Assistant Director of Pupil Services for English Learners in Olentangy Schools to establish the OEF Seal of Biliteracy Scholarship. This award was created to recognize and reward exceptional Olentangy High School students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy. This scholarship aims to support and celebrate individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in two or more languages, showcasing their dedication to language learning and intercultural communication. This year OEF awarded two scholarships to Annabella Burton Boone from Olentangy Berlin High School and Nataly Garza Morales from Olentangy Orange High School.

ZOOlentangy 2024 - Tickets go on sale JUNE 1st!

Get ready to roar with excitement at OEF's Annual ZOOlentangy fundraiser!

Join us for a night of fun, frolics, and fundraising as we transform the Olentangy community into a jungle of support for our schools. Meet the magnificent beasts of Olentangy leadership, teachers, and community supporters while enjoying delightful refreshments and thrilling entertainment. With every ticket sold, you're not just partying – you're helping to ensure a brighter future for Olentangy students. Don't miss the chance to unleash your generosity and make a roar-some impact at ZOOlentangy! AGES 21+ only.

Olentangy Hyatts Middle School Expands Cutting-Edge Makerspace with OEF Grant

The students at Olentangy Hyatts Middle School are excited to work in the expanded Makerspace thanks to a generous grant from the Olentangy Education Foundation (OEF) and sponsorship from Robertson Construction. The initiative, spearheaded by Library/Media Specialist Elizabeth Waltz, aims to provide students with enhanced access to a diverse array of creative tools and technology, fostering innovation and hands-on learning.

The newly expanded Makerspace is equipped with a wide range of state-of-the-art resources, allowing students to explore their interests and unleash their creativity. From traditional arts and crafts to cutting-edge technology, there's something for everyone to discover and experiment with. Among the highlights of the Makerspace are:

• Embroidery Machine: Students can bring their designs to life with the precision and intricacy of an embroidery machine, adding a unique touch to their projects.

• Laser Cutter: Offering precision cutting and engraving capabilities, the laser cutter opens up endless possibilities for creating intricate designs and personalized items.

• Cameras and Video-Making Equipment: Budding filmmakers and photographers can hone their skills with professional-grade cameras and video-making equipment, capturing their stories and visions with clarity and creativity.

• 3-D Printer: With the 3-D printer, students can turn their digital designs into tangible objects, exploring the realms of prototyping, engineering, and design.

• Cricut Materials Cutter: Perfect for precision cutting of various materials, the Cricut machine allows students to bring their designs to life with ease and accuracy.

• Drones: Taking to the skies, students can learn about aerodynamics, programming, and aerial photography as they pilot drones through the Makerspace.

• Robot-Making Materials: Robotics enthusiasts can tinker and build, experimenting with circuits, motors, and sensors to create their own custom robots.

• Button Making Machine: Adding a fun and interactive element, the button making machine lets students design and create their own custom buttons, perfect for expressing themselves or promoting their projects.

With access to such a diverse range of tools and resources, students are empowered to explore their interests, develop valuable skills, and pursue their passions. Whether they're delving into the world of art, engineering, or technology, the Makerspace provides a supportive environment where creativity knows no bounds.

Elizabeth Waltz, the visionary behind the Makerspace, emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and creative exploration. "Our Hyatts staff has been exploring the new equipment funded by our grant and the possibilities it brings to their classrooms. The addition of these items has impacted our teachers and students in many ways. We see a lot of potential with the sublimation printer & heat press. One of the first projects with this equipment included using it to create classroom incentives for students. Science teachers within the building have also found the digital camera and photo printer to be a great way to document student learning in our newly developed wetlands area and during hands-on classroom activities. SLC students visit the makerspace weekly to explore and engage in activities that strengthen their fine motor skills. The sewing machine and tools offer a life skill that is beneficial for our students and staff to explore. We are in the process of forming a Sewing Club as well. The addition of the items to the Hyatts Makerspace provided through the fund from OEF grant have impacted our building greatly. Kindness, Service, Acceptance and Leadership are the Pillars of Hyatts Middle School. Grant funding of this equipment ensures student growth and enrichment opportunities for years to come.

It's wonderful that our staff and students have access to materials and equipment in the makerspace that they may not have at home. Grant funding has enabled us to purchase specialized equipment that allows staff members to explore and try out new ideas, to tinker and to experiment. We are all lifelong learners. Ultimately, this exploration leads to connecting ideas with students and curriculum. One example is a staff member here who is teaching a colleague how to sew using our Makerspace sewing machine. We have a small group of students who are interested in sewing and are going to be making a quilt for a charity called Megan's Mission. Additionally, we have teachers who are intrigued by laser engravers and are trying out new ideas on their own, all while having the ultimate goal connecting this with student learning in their classrooms. Without grant funding, this would not be possible. I have received multiple OEF grants over the years, and I can truly say that grant funding allows us to bring more creativity and innovation to our spaces that typically wouldn't be funded in the budget. Thank you to OEF for making these opportunities possible.”

The Makerspace at Olentangy Hyatts Middle School represents a collaborative effort between educators, community partners, and supporters of education. Through initiatives like this, students are equipped with the skills and mindset they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world, where creativity and innovation are valued more than ever before.

Thank you to Robertson construction for sponsoring this grant.

Celebrating Partnerships and Support: OEF's Inaugural VIP Event

On February 8th, the Olentangy Education Foundation (OEF) hosted its first annual VIP Event at Brookshire Event Center, marking a significant milestone in our journey of supporting innovative classroom grants in Olentangy Schools. The evening was a celebration of the invaluable partnerships and unwavering support that have enabled us to enhance the education experience for every Olentangy student.

Among the guests in attendance were OEF's community partners, distinguished leaders from Olentangy Schools, and passionate educators who are at the forefront of driving positive change in our district. Together, we came together to reflect on our shared accomplishments and to envision a future filled with even greater possibilities.

One highlight of the evening was the recognition of Clair Howey for his years of steadfast support. In 2019, Mr. Howey established the Maryann Howey Art Fund with OEF in honor of his late wife and art enthusiast Maryann. His fund has reached endowed status and has been making a significant impact in art programs in all elementary schools across the district. In a touching moment, we presented Beth and Don Dennis, Mr. Howey's daughter and son-in-law, with the first annual "Maryann Howey Award of Excellence" in honor of Mr. Howey's outstanding contributions as a community partner. This award serves as a testament to the profound impact that individuals like Mr. Howey have in shaping the future of our community.

CLICK HERE to view a short video of “Thank you!” from some of our elementary students.

Dr. Michelle Blackley, Chief Academic Officer of Olentangy Schools, delivered an inspiring address highlighting the pivotal partnership between OEF and Olentangy Schools. Dr. Blackley emphasized the importance of continued growth and support, especially as our district continues to expand. Her words served as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we share in nurturing the educational journey of our students.

In the 2023-24 school year, OEF awarded more than $56,000 in innovative classroom grants, fueling creativity and fostering a love for learning in classrooms across our district. Looking ahead, we have budgeted to approve up to $75,000 for the 2024-25 school year, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our students and educators.

As we reflect on the success of our inaugural VIP Event, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community partners, Olentangy Schools leadership, and dedicated educators for their continued support. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of every Olentangy student.

Special thank you to Jonathan Juravich, Art Teacher at Liberty Tree Elementary and District Elementary Art Department Chair and all the elementary school art teachers! With their help we were able to gift our guests with beautiful gift cards featuring artwork from all 16 elementary schools! Please see the represented art in the video below.