Julie and Jayson Humble Bright Beginnings Endowed Scholarship

by Kate Deangelis | Jul 15, 2025 | Announcements, Scholarships

Bright Beginnings in Barberton

Announcing the Julie and Jayson Bright Beginnings Endowed Scholarship Fund

Barberton Community Foundation is proud to announce the Julie & Jayson Humble Bright Beginnings Endowed Scholarship Fund, a first‑of‑its‑kind resource that removes financial barriers to high‑quality preschool for Barberton families.

Created by Barberton High School alumnus Jayson Humble (’98) and his wife, Julie, the scholarship reflects the couple’s conviction that every child deserves a strong educational start. Jayson serves as Vice President of Engineering, Marketing, and Sales at Alpha Technologies, while Julie teaches AP Psychology and Government at Twinsburg High School.

“The chance to learn in a nurturing preschool changed the trajectory of my own life,” Jayson said. “We want Barberton kids to have that same opportunity—no matter their family’s income.”

Julie and Jayson Humble with their two daughters

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Why Bright Beginnings Matter

State assessments show that only 22.8 percent of Barberton children enter kindergarten demonstrating readiness. Many families are priced out of preschool or contend with long waitlists and part‑day programs that don’t align with work schedules. Children often transition to kindergarten from more than 20 different daycare and childcare settings in the Barberton area, leaving many without consistent exposure to curriculum-based structured early learning.

Data show when Barberton children do gain access to high‑quality preschool, they outperform their peers, proving that the right start makes a big difference. By covering tuition and required fees, the Humble Bright Beginnings Scholarship closes the affordability gap and delivers the early‑learning experiences proven to boost confidence, curiosity, and K-12 academic performance.

“Early childhood education is one of the hidden or overlooked opportunities when it comes to helping kids and building community,” said Josh Gordon, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation. “The Humbles’ generosity creates a gift that will initially make a difference for one student, but overtime, its impact will grow.

“Their decision to invest in early childhood ensures every Barberton child can write a similar success story—one that begins with promise and potential,” Gordon added. “The Foundation is delighted to be their partner in impacting so many lives, starting now.”

About the Humble Family & Their Vision

Julie and Jayson Humble know what it means to persevere and to pave a new path forward. Their lives—rooted in education, grit, and a shared belief in the power of early support—reflect the very spirit behind their scholarship.

Jayson Humble, a 1998 Barberton High School graduate, grew up in a large household where financial resources were scarce. His early work experiences shaped who he became—and taught him the value of grit, hard work, and opportunity. Today, he’s a successful leader in business, working as the Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Alpha Technologies.

While establishing the scholarship, Humble said, “The people who’ve had a little luck owe it to give back. That’s why we’re taking this first step and starting a fund at Barberton Community Foundation. They’re providing the structure, the vehicle to achieve our goal.”

Julie Humble, a Hudson native, was raised in a home that championed early childhood education. Her mother, Linda Sucheski, founded a preschool in 1979, instilling in Julie a lifelong appreciation for the importance of the early years. Today, Julie teaches AP Psychology, Sociology, and Government at Twinsburg High School, and together she and Jayson are raising two daughters, Claire and Adeline. Their shared values around education, opportunity, and early learning became the foundation for their decision to give back.

Together, the Humbles envision a future where every Barberton child arrives in kindergarten confident and ready to thrive. Their immediate goal is to erase cost as a barrier to quality preschool for one child. Long‑term, they hope the fund will inspire other donors, grow into a community‑wide early‑learning resource, and lift Barberton’s readiness rate well beyond 22 percent.

“This isn’t just tuition assistance,” Julie Humble explained. “It’s an investment in Barberton’s future leaders, innovators, and neighbors. When we lift up our youngest learners, the entire community rises with them.”

How to Apply

The Julie & Jayson Humble Bright Beginnings Endowed Scholarship application opens July 31, 2025 and remains open through the month of August. Interested applicants are encouraged to read the FAQ before applying. Families can complete the online form at barbertoncf.org/goapply.

For assistance, please call 330-745-5995, or visit the Foundation’s office at 460 W. Paige Ave. Barberton, OH 44203.

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Barberton Community Foundation Awards $100,000 in Grants, Prioritizing Early Learning Support

by Barberton Community Foundation | May 16, 2025 | Announcements, Scholarships

BARBERTON, OH -– On May 15, 2025, the Barberton Community Foundation Board of Directors approved $100,000 in grant funding through its Education, Workforce, and Economic Development Grant Cycle, with more than half of the awarded funds—$55,000—dedicated to supporting Barberton’s youngest learners, ages birth to 5.

This funding aligns with the Foundation’s emerging strategic priority around early childhood education, one of three focus areas currently being explored through its strategic planning process.

The data is compelling: in 2023, just over 22% of Barberton students were identified as “demonstrating readiness” for kindergarten according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s required Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Students who start behind in their proficiency often remain behind throughout their academic careers, scoring lower in 3rd grade reading, 5th grade science, and other important education milestones. The Foundation’s funding strategy aims to interrupt that cycle by supporting high-impact programs for children before they even enter kindergarten.

Executive Director Josh Gordon shared additional context for this early learning investment: “If we want to help our students succeed, we must provide more support as early as possible,” Gordon said. “Imagine what’s possible if our youngest learners began school already equipped with the skills they need?” “We celebrate our school district’s ability to close substantial learning gaps for our students. We also know that if our students arrive on day one of kindergarten with the skills they need to excel, they will start ahead of the curve – and be able to stay ahead!”

Grants supporting ages birth to 5:

$25,000 to Early Childhood Resource Center – SPARK Program
SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) is a no-cost, in-home kindergarten readiness program that assigns a trained “parent partner” to each participating family. These child development professionals conduct monthly learning sessions with parents and children, focused on literacy, math, social-emotional development, and school readiness. Each visit includes a take-home SPARK kit with books and activities to extend learning.
SPARK has served more than 20,000 Ohio children and is backed by 19 years of data showing statistically significant gains on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. Barberton’s grant will fully fund 10 children and their families through August 2026.
$20,000 to Child Guidance & Family Solutions – TAPS Program
TAPS (Toddlers and Preschoolers Succeeding) offers in-classroom support for early childhood educators to help reduce suspensions and expulsions from preschool settings. Through on-site modeling, coaching, and professional development, TAPS helps teachers manage challenging behaviors while promoting emotional resilience, stability for the
student, and overall classroom success. The program engages the entire family, further strengthening school readiness outcomes for young children.
$10,000 to Summit Education Initiative – Barberton Preschool Collaborative
This new collaborative will bring together Barberton’s preschool providers—many of whom currently operate in isolation—to align instruction, pool data, and offer joint professional development while discussing other potential support. The goal is to create a unified system that better prepares preschoolers for kindergarten by increasing consistency and quality across programs. The initiative aims to support the nearly 1,000 preschool-aged children in Barberton, many of whom currently enter school without meeting basic readiness benchmarks.

Additional Youth Development Grants:

$10,000 to National Inventors Hall of Fame – Camp Invention 2025
Now in its 15th year in Barberton, Camp Invention brings hands-on STEM learning to students in grades K–6 through fun, high-energy summer programming led by local teachers. The Foundation’s grant will fund full or partial scholarships for up to 55 students, ensuring continued access despite the loss of state-level funding that previously supported the program. Barberton’s Camp is also slated to serve as a Vanguard site, piloting the 2026 curriculum ahead of national rollout.
$20,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio – Afterschool Program
This funding supports free, high-quality out of school time (OST) programming for 80 under-resourced K–5 Barberton students through the end of 2025. Focused on three pillars—academic success, health & wellness, and character & leadership—the program offers reading tutoring, math tutoring, STEM activities, literacy support, healthy meals, fitness, mental wellness, and community service opportunities, helping students stay safe, supported, and engaged after school.
$15,000 to Limitless Ambition – Purposely Chosen Teen Program
Serving up to 50 girls ages 11–18 in Barberton City School District during the 2025–26 school year, this program empowers young women through mentorship and social- emotional learning (also known as emotional literacy). Facilitated by women who have overcome adversity themselves, the program equips participants with leadership skills, resilience, and confidence. Executive Director Alicia Robinson describes the program in this way:
“Few other populations face so many hurdles while holding so much promise within them. And no other organization brings Social-Emotional Learning Theory to life in such an interactive and meaningful way.”

4 Barberton students standing in the library with a handmade sign listing "unhealthy" and "healthy" behavior. — 6th grade students in Limitless Ambition, Spring 2024.

This round of grants reflects Barberton Community Foundation’s deepening commitment to youth development and kindergarten readiness, and lays the groundwork for long-term, transformational change in the lives of Barberton’s children and families.

About Barberton Community Foundation

Established in 1996, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded more than 8,500 grants and scholarships totaling more than $109 million since its inception. The Foundation strives to improve, now and forever, the quality of life for Barberton residents by providing leadership on vital issues, fostering collaboration, and creating a legacy of giving to do good. The Foundation strengthens the community for current and future generations by proactively directing its grant dollars to the community’s greatest needs.

To read more about Barberton Community Foundation visit www.barbertoncf.org or follow us on
Facebook.

Driving Toward Opportunity: Barberton Community Foundation Establishes New Drivers Education Scholarship for Barberton High School StudentsAnnouncing New Driver’s Ed Scholarship

by Kate Deangelis | Mar 14, 2025 | Scholarships

Driving Toward Opportunity: Barberton Community Foundation Establishes New Drivers Education Scholarship for Barberton High School Students

Barberton Community Foundation, in partnership with Barberton City School District, is today announcing a new scholarship program designed to make drivers education more accessible for Barberton High School students.

Addressing a Growing Need

The days of free school-based driving education programs are long gone. Today, Barberton City Schools partners with Myers Driving School to provide drivers education, but the $525 cost per student presents a significant barrier for many families. As a result, fewer students are enrolling, delaying their ability to get a license, secure a first job, and gain the independence that comes with driving.

“Families need support for driver’s education,” said Josh Gordon, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation. “Many students want to start their first job at 16, but if they can’t afford driver’s education, they can’t drive in the state of Ohio. We identified this large expense as a barrier for our kid’s families in Barberton, and we want to help.”

The issue becomes clear when looking at the data.

“We’re seeing fewer students applying for their temporary permits and attending driver’s education classes,” explained Henry Muren, Principal of Barberton High School. “We might have four to six students in a class now when we should be seeing 12 to 15. This scholarship is a step toward removing that financial burden and getting more students safely and affordably behind the wheel.”

Scholarship Details

The new Driver’s Education Scholarship is available starting April 1, 2025. Awards range from $125 to $325, depending on financial need, and is open to all students who meet the following criteria:

Must be at least 15 years and 6 months old
Must have good attendance
Must be on track to graduate

There is no deadline to apply—scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Students interested in applying should first meet with Mr. Henry Muren, Barberton High School Principal, to confirm they meet eligibility requirements.

“These kids are working hard, and I’m excited to be able to share this opportunity with our families,” Muren said. “We know that getting a driver’s license can be life-changing for our students, opening doors to jobs, higher education, and more independence.”

Community Support & Excitement

“This is truly a great partnership for our schools,” said Jason Ondrus, Superintendent of Barberton City School District. “Our goal is to create as many opportunities for our students as possible, and having transportation is an important milestone in their academic career and their life.”

Gordon emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Foundation’s mission of removing barriers to opportunity.

“We don’t want finances to stand in the way of a student’s future,” he said. “By funding this scholarship, we’re helping students gain a skill that will serve them for their whole life.”

Barberton Community Foundation remains committed to breaking down barriers to education, employment, and opportunity for all Barberton residents. By funding this initiative, the Foundation hopes to encourage more students to enroll in driver’s education, ultimately increasing the number of licensed, job-ready young adults in the community.

For more information or to apply, students and families should contact Mr. Muren at Barberton High School. Call the main office at 330-753-1025.

2023 Scholarships Open

by Kate Deangelis | Jan 11, 2023 | Announcements, Scholarships

Scholarships open Friday, January 13

Barberton Community Foundation, in partnership with Barberton High School, opens scholarship applications on Friday, January 13, 2023. Scholarships will close at 8 a.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Scholarships are open to both Barberton High School seniors and resident students. Below are some details about the application process, what students can expect, and how to apply.

To start an application, students should create an account in our GOapply system.

Visit https://goapply2.akoyago.com/barbertoncf/ and register as an “individual” to access the scholarship application. Once an account is created, students can click through the “submissions” and “opportunities” pages. In GOapply, students can save drafted applications, write essays, preview scholarships they are eligible for, submit and monitor completed applications.

For student applicants:

It is important that information is accurate, as there is only one application for all scholarships, with a tailored list of eligible scholarships based on the information provided by the student.

To complete the application, be prepared to provide:

Standard student activities and college information
Combined annual family income
SAR (Student Aid Report) from your completed 2023 FASFA
Unweighted GPA and weighted GPA from your transcript
ACT score
Student transcript
Two teacher evaluations – student provides the teacher’s email

GOapply login

Be sure to click the “eligible scholarships” tab before submitting. This is where students will find any additional requirements a scholarship might have, such as an essay or letters of recommendation.

Some scholarships will require interviews. These will be scheduled after the application period closes on February 13. Final notification of awards will be made in April.

All questions should be directed to Carrie Herman, Director of Community Impact, Barberton Community Foundation at cherman@barbertoncf.org or call 330-745-5995.

Scholarships at the Foundation:

In 2022, Barberton Community Foundation awarded $127,800 through 79 scholarships to 57 Barberton students. The total value of the Foundation’s multi-year awards is $290,000.

Barberton Community Foundation holds more than 30 scholarships, some created by donors who want to help Barberton residents fulfill their dreams of post-secondary/ higher education. Other scholarships have been created by businesses or organizations who have the same vision.

New Scholarship Honors Memory of Barberton Pharmacist

by Kate Deangelis | Jan 10, 2023 | Fund, Scholarships

Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund

Barberton Community Foundation is proud to announce a new fund: the Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund established on November 9, 2022, by Donna Keim and her son, Mike Keim.

Donna and Walt ran the Barberton Health Clinic for more than 20 years, and she remembers his passion for helping those in need. “He always believed in helping the underserved,” she said. “He gave, that is what he did.”

Walt Ritzman passed away on November 1, 2011, and his legacy in Barberton includes running and growing the Ritzman Pharmacy chain, serving as a trustee at Barberton Citizens Hospital and then serving as an inaugural board member of Barberton Community Foundation. He also sponsored school sports teams and volunteered during the Mum Festival.

Donna says that one of Walt’s greatest passions was working at the Barberton Community Health Clinic to help the underprivileged and uninsured in Barberton. Walt had established an endowed fund at the Foundation to benefit the clinic in 2001. With the closure of the clinic, the purpose of the fund needed to change.

Mike explained, “When the clinic closed, the fund was still active. The Board of Directors approved of a new purpose for the fund which will further Walt’s contribution to the community and honor his legacy as a pharmacist and philanthropist by creating a scholarship in his name.”

“Walt believed that we needed more pharmacists. The Foundation will use the fund to further the educational goals of any Barberton High School graduate who wishes to become a pharmacist and attend Walt’s alma mater of Ohio Northern University or attend The Ohio State University.”

To support the Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund, call 330-745-5995, or address your check to 460 W. Paige Ave. Barberton, OH 44203, with the Walt Ritzman Scholarship in the memo line. Donations can also be made online through our secure giving platform, Qgiv.

An Outstanding Citizen

Walt Ritzman received the Outstanding Citizen award during the Foundation’s 2003 Community Recognition Dinner.

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation Celebrates 2022 Nursing Scholarship Recipients

by Kate Deangelis | Jul 18, 2022 | Scholarships

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation Celebrates the 2022 Nursing Scholarship Awardees

Scholarship event photos:

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation awarded $38,800 to 10 nursing students on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Members of the foundation’s board of governors and donors joined the students and their families for a celebratory scholarship luncheon at LaLa’s in the Lakes.

Dr. Doug Gormley, a past-president on the board of governors, said that he enjoyed meeting in person again. “It has been two years since we’ve been able to gather to congratulate these students. It is wonderful to enjoy a meal with them, learn about their progress in school and see the pride in their parents’ faces. As a donor and a board member, today is about celebrating and supporting them.”

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation’s scholarship model allows students to apply for scholarships every year they are in an accredited nursing program. Several of the students have received scholarships in previous years.

Mary Jo Goss, a registered nurse and member of the board of governors, said it’s rewarding to see the students’ progress through the years of their studies. “I am particularly proud of the growth I have seen in Zack Scalf,” she said. “He has been a recipient of our scholarships for three years now and in his senior year, his maturity stands out. I believe he is going to do well.”

Mary Jo asked the final-year students to share a favorite or memorable moment from one of their nursing experiences. Students shared memories of their first shifts in trauma care, providing support at vaccine clinics and the joy of caring for a new baby. She said, “As you continue your journey in this career, over the years you’ll be faced with many challenges. I want you to remember the story you shared today and pull strength from it.”

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation is proud introduce the 2022 scholarship recipients:

Todd Besse is a junior attending The University of Akron; he received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Sophie Burns is a senior attending The Ohio State University; she received the Scholarship in Memory of Emma Rist, RN and The Christine Elaine Weigand RN Memorial Scholarship.
Molly Cunningham is a sophomore attending Kent State University at Stark; she received the Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Madeline Gay, a senior at Malone University, received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Sydney Graffice is a senior at the University of Mount Union; she received a Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Christina Maldonado is a sophomore attending Kent State University; she received a Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Madeleine Ray, a sophomore attending The University of Akron, received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Macy Ries, a senior attending The University of Akron, received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Zachary Scalf is a senior at Hiram University; he received the Carol A. Storad Nursing Excellence Scholarship.
Layah Taylor is a sophomore attending The University of Akron; she received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.

About the scholarships:

The Bernadine H. Kovalchin, R.N. Scholarship Fund honors Kovalchin, who was an RN at Barberton Citizens Hospital with 13 years’ service, leaving in 1971 as Assistant Coordinator of Nursing Education. She was a longtime local high school instructor of Vocational Medical Careers Training and worked as a school nurse.

The committee recognizes another commendable nurse with the “Scholarship in Memory of Emma Rist. Rist was head nurse of the Coronary Care Unit at Barberton Citizens Hospital and was very dedicated to the nursing profession.

The Carol A. Storad Nursing Excellence Award recognizes an exemplary woman who began as a staff nurse and retired as Chief Nursing Officer at Barberton Citizens Hospital, serving for 43-years total. After retiring she taught high school students interested in pursuing a nursing career as part of a four-city compact program and was affiliated with the University of Akron.

The Christine Elaine Weigand RN Memorial Scholarship is meant to help future nurses overcome obstacles and to achieve their dreams. She was an extraordinary clinician who spent 30 years as an RN, working as a charge nurse, as a preceptor for new RN employees, and as a care manager on the 5100 unit and in the emergency room at Akron General Medical Center (now Cleveland Clinic Akron General). She was active in NAON (National Association of Orthopedic Nurses) and was honored with an Excellence in Nursing award during Nurses Week in 2002.