Orders is surrounded by friends, family members and educators during her induction ceremony.
The Westerville City Schools Educational Options for Success (EOS) program recognized its seventh Graduate of the Year (for school year 2017-2018) on Wednesday, May 23. Kayley Orders, a 2018 graduate of Westerville Central High School, completed her graduation requirements through the EOS program, which is located at the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC). The Graduate of the Year is selected by the teachers and staff at the AEC each school year. Attributes considered for this award are perseverance, scholarship, leadership, service, character, responsibility, respect, attitude, loyalty, and integrity.
Orders came to EOS in January 2016. During this time, she earned 17 credits and completed 22 classes. According to Tom Cook, her social studies teacher at EOS, “Kayley is a quiet leader who isn’t one to brag or spout off about her achievements or how many lessons she did on a given day. She just came in day after day, went about her business, and got to work. She was consistently serving as a positive role model for our newer students without even realizing she was doing it … and, even if she did, she would be humble and not want the recognition it deserves.”
Dr. Scott Ebbrecht, Director of Alternative Education and Assessment, stated during the recognition program, “Kayley is one of those special students whom I will always remember. During our initial family meeting prior to starting EOS, I could tell that she could wholeheartedly thrive in our program given her determination to overcome life’s obstacles with grit, determination, and a can-do mindset. She is truly deserving to have her picture hung in perpetuity on the Wall of Achievement.”
For 18 years, EOS has provided a quality educational alternative for students and their parents. The award-winning program serves a wide variety of students, and has leveled the playing field to enable the district to gain a competitive advantage over its charter school counterparts. EOS has not only helped hundreds of at-risk pupils to complete their high school education, but has recouped state funding which is lost when students drop out or leave the district to pursue other educational avenues. Approximately 80 students graduate from EOS each year, representing about eight percent of the district’s annual graduate rate.