The August 18 meeting of the Woodridge Local Schools Board of Education included several special recognitions highlighting the accomplishments of Woodridge students, coaches and programs.

FCCLA Students Recognized for State and National Success

Woodridge High School Principal Albert DiTommaso recognized members of the Woodridge FCCLA program for their outstanding accomplishments in competition and their continued commitment to serving others.

Community service is an important part of FCCLA, and these students dedicate countless hours both within Woodridge and throughout the surrounding community. Competition also requires a significant commitment, as students must plan and carry out a project before presenting their work to a panel of judges.

Every Woodridge student who competed this year qualified for the state competition, with every team earning a gold medal at the state level. Five teams then advanced to the FCCLA National Leadership Conference.

At the state competition, students recognized included:

• Sarah Bowles for her Community Service project supporting the Empty Bowl Event.

• Maddie Singer and Gia Fraley for their toy and food drive supporting Heart 4 the City.

• Isabelle Oyler and Sophia Dial for their Professional Presentation project teaching fifth-grade students about the dangers of sun exposure and ways to stay safe.

Woodridge students continued their success on the national stage:

• Lola Mullen and Lilly Singer placed at nationals for the second time, finishing second in the country with their Sports Nutrition presentation.

• Olivia Mullen and Dior James finished in the top 10 nationally with "Wealth is Health," a presentation designed to teach second-grade students about nutrition and healthy choices.

• Tyler Souza presented a project teaching middle school students about the dangers of vaping and strategies for handling peer pressure.

• Lola Mullen also finished in the top 20 nationally for her project addressing distracted driving and encouraging students to speak up when friends engage in unsafe driving behaviors.

Congratulations to all of our FCCLA students on an outstanding year of competition, leadership and service!

State Auditor Recognizes Boys Cross Country and Coach Jeff Howard

The Board meeting also included special recognition for the accomplishments of the Woodridge Boys Cross Country program.

Tina Ludwig, Northeast Regional Liaison for Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber, reached out to the district on behalf of Auditor Faber to congratulate the Woodridge Boys Cross Country team on its 2025 state championship and Head Coach Jeff Howard on being named 2025 MAC Coach of the Year and the OATCCC Coach of the Year.

Auditor Faber prepared special commendations recognizing both accomplishments and the tremendous achievement they represent for the students, coaching staff and Woodridge community.

Congratulations to Coach Howard and the entire Boys Cross Country program on these well-deserved honors, and congratulations to all of the students recognized during the August Board of Education meeting!