The Educational Options for Success (EOS) program this week held its end-of-semester celebration with students and staff. Currently, 23 students have now graduated since the beginning of the school year. Dr. Scott Ebbrecht, Director of Assessment and Alternative Education, stated, “As we bring the first semester to an end and enter a New Year, we take a moment to purposefully celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of our students in the classroom to date, as well as recognize and celebrate their interests and passions.”
Performing at the event was EOS student Samuel Trzcinski on the acoustic guitar. Trzcinski, a self-taught guitarist, played Drifting by composer Andy McKee. Students and staff were extremely impressed by the fact that he has been playing for only the past 10 months, yet was able to flawlessly perform such a non-traditional, entertaining musical composition.
A new tradition was unveiled and introduced as well. When a student completes all graduation requirements, the opportunity is afforded to the pupil to ring the brass BELL at the AEC for all students present to hear and aspire to do the same. BELL stands for Believe, Education, Lifelong, Learning. Inaugurating the EOS BELL for the first time was Bill Leslie, graduate of Westerville South High School.
For the past 15 years, the EOS Program has served students who have become, for many different reasons, disenfranchised from the traditional high school experience. The AEC also acts as a district “hub” that coordinates and provides program options for all 15,000 pupils in the Westerville City School District and for those outside the district. At the AEC, the primary objective for each student is to facilitate successful school completion and develop skills to be successful within the school and community environments they will face upon their transition from the program. Pupils continue to benefit from EOS, with the vast majority of students earning their high school diploma, as well as identifying what comes next in terms of college and/or a career.