Congratulations to Maria Zbiegien, the Chardon Local Schools 2020-21 recipient of the Raymond A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award...
Outstanding Achievement Awarded
Congratulations to Maria Zbiegien, the Chardon Local Schools 2020-21 recipient of the Raymond A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award. At the end of every school year, the award is presented to exemplary students selected from each of Ohio’s 16 State Support Team regions.
The recognition event was conducted as a virtual presentation by State Support Team 4. Additionally, Maria accepted the invitation to attend the June 21 in-person Chardon Board of Education meeting where she was publicly recognized and congratulated by the district’s BOE members.
Maria, a Chardon High School alumna, has participated in the Job Training and Development program at The Cuyahoga East Vocational Education Consortium (CEVEC) since 2015 and has gained experience in a variety of jobs, including the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Old Navy, The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland and CEVEC Contracted Services. During this time, Maria’s teachers and vocational instructors have watched Maria grow and blossom into an independent young adult with phenomenal work skills and personality.
Following her CEVEC graduation in the spring, Maria is now preparing to transition into the adult workforce. Everyone who has worked with her is excited to watch this young lady flourish as a strong worker, communicator and friend.
“Maria was so excited when she received the award,” said Mrs. Aimee Zbiegien, Maria’s mom. “She showed everyone her medal and her certificate. She just got a job at Marc’s in Chardon. She will be working the closeout bins and greeting customers. It has been a tough year for Maria with COVID, as it has been with many people. She’s just excited to get back out into the community and be working.”
Student Advances to Solo Finals
The Hilltopper community is invited to root for Chardon High School student Olivia Nelson who has been named a top 10 finalist in the prestigious Shining Star CLE high school student solo-singing competition.
In a July 16 email to Chardon Schools, the district’s choir director Fritz Streiff described Nelson as an amazing musician and person and that her beautiful, pure and robust soprano voice allows her to give chills to a listening audience regardless of what she sings.
“Think Disney soundtrack, and you have Olivia Nelson,” added Mr. Streiff. “She has so much to share and finds such great joy in singing.”
After shining through several auditions in the spring, advancing to the semifinals in July and then named a top 10 finalist later in the month, Nelson, who will be a CHS senior in the fall, said in a July 21 email to Chardon Schools that participating in Shining Star CLE has already been a life-altering experience without the final, live competition even taking place yet.
“I have grown exponentially as a performer as well as a person by working with these passionate and talented individuals,” added Nelson. “The Shining Star community is so humble and inviting, as well as extraordinarily encouraging no matter who you are or where you stand in the competition. It is so cool to be able to say that I am a top 10 finalist and to have the opportunity to be recorded and streamed all over the world. I am truly so honored and thankful for the opportunity. This competition is such a special and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Likewise, reflecting on her high school choir experience, Nelson said CHS and Mr. Streiff have been good to her throughout her music years.
“CHS chamber choir, Free Harmony, the musicals, solo and ensemble, as well as the little things in between have continued to paint wonderful and dear memories as I near the end of high school, and I will never forget them,” added Nelson. “I am proud to be a Chardon Hilltopper.”
Nelson’s post-graduation plans include enrollment in college to pursue studies in the fields of psychology and music.
The Shining Star CLE virtual event will air live on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. and include pre-recorded performances from the top 10 finalists. Finals judges will select the top four students who will then perform a second time after which the viewing audience, in conjunction with the judges, will select the order of the winners. College scholarship prizes in incremental values of up to $10,000 await the top four competitors. More information, including how to access the live show, can be found at www.shiningstarcle.org.
“You will not want to miss Olivia’s performance in the virtual Shining Star CLE 2021 competition,” added Mr. Streiff. “Olivia will bring her voice. Let’s all bring our support and our vote.”
