SkillUp Spotlight

Welcome to the launch of SkillUp Spotlight—your all-access look into the energy and innovation of SkillUpOHVA! Each edition will shine a light on standout Student Successes, the Memorable Moments that define our program culture, and the Growth Opportunities that help students build skills for their future. This space was created to bring our entire community—learning coaches, students, and partners—into the inspiring work happening every day. We’re so glad you’re here to celebrate with us.

February marks an exciting time here at Ohio Virtual Academy — it’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Month! This month gives us a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the value of CTE and the impact it has on students’ futures. Our theme this year, “Passion into Pathways,” encourages students to explore what they love — their interests, hobbies, and strengths — and consider how those passions can grow into meaningful career journeys.

So what is CTE? Career Technical Education blends rigorous academic learning with hands-on, real-world experience in a wide range of fields, from healthcare and engineering to business, IT, and the arts. These programs help students build technical skills, gain industry knowledge, and connect classroom learning to real careers. High-quality CTE has been shown to boost student engagement, support higher graduation rates, and prepare learners for success beyond high school — whether that means college, the workforce, the military, or entrepreneurship.

In Ohio, CTE plays a vital role in preparing the next generation for work and life. During the 2023–24 school year, more than 141,000 Ohio students participated in CTE courses, gaining experience that prepares them to enter careers or further education. Even more impressive, nearly 95% of CTE students were employed, continuing their education, enlisted in the military, or engaged in service within six months of leaving high school in recent reporting — a testament to how well CTE supports post-secondary success.

Here at OHVA, we believe every student’s curiosity and passions matter. That’s why this CTE Month we’re rolling out ideas and activities for learning coaches, parents, and teachers to help students in grades K-12 begin career conversations early — from exploring interests at home to connecting classroom skills with future opportunities.

Whether your student dreams of designing games, caring for others, building robots, launching a business, or exploring creative arts — there’s a pathway that can turn that spark into a future career. Let’s celebrate our students, their passions, and the possibilities ahead!

Issac W., a Media Arts student, is using CTE to turn his creativity and love for technology into real-world skills.

“I like learning how things work and creating things digitally,” Isaac shared when describing what drew him to the Media Arts pathway. Through hands-on projects, he’s explored animation, digital design, and creative problem-solving—while building confidence along the way.

CTE has helped Isaac think more clearly about his future. “It helped me see what careers I might enjoy,” he said, noting that his long-term goals include college and a possible future in game development.

Isaac’s journey is a great example of how SkillUpOHVA helps students explore interests, build skills, and take meaningful steps toward what’s next.

Cardy Club is full of curiosity and excitement as our K–5 students continue exploring careers through hands-on learning and big questions about the world around them. Each meeting gives students a chance to discover new interests in a fun, welcoming environment.

The club is led by Mrs. Jackson’s Early Childhood Education students, whose creativity and leadership help bring each career lesson to life. Their thoughtfully planned activities encourage Cardy Club members to explore, ask questions, and imagine future possibilities.

At a recent meeting, students learned about careers in dentistry. One memorable moment featured Jace, who proudly shared his favorite dental hygiene product while talking about how dentists and dental hygienists help keep smiles healthy. Moments like these show how even small connections can spark big interests.

We’re proud of our Cardy Club students for their enthusiasm and curiosity—and grateful to the ECE students who make these experiences meaningful and fun. Keep exploring, Cardy Club!

This winter, OHVA Business Professionals of America (BPA) students put their skills to the test during the BPA Regional Competition. Throughout December and January, students completed competitive exams to earn the opportunity to represent OHVA at the regional level, with several also choosing to participate in in-person events at the University of Toledo.

We’re excited to share that 11 OHVA students qualified to compete at the state level, earning invitations to attend the BPA State Leadership Conference this February. This achievement reflects their dedication, preparation, and commitment to excellence.

We are incredibly proud of all BPA students who participated, as well as the teachers who supported and prepared them along the way. Best of luck to our state qualifiers as they continue to represent OHVA with professionalism and pride!

We’re excited to celebrate our Media Arts students selected for a Career Video Internship! Congratulations to Max Z., Ashlynn T., Isaac W., Nick D., Brent B., Eleanor W., and Moriah I. for being chosen based on their creative career video submissions designed to inspire students in grades K–5.

With support from Ms. Teeple & Mrs. Goebelt, interns are creating fun, age-appropriate career videos. They’re also collaborating with Mrs. Jackson’s 12th Grade Early Childhood Education students to design interactive lessons that bring career exploration to life for younger learners.

This cross-pathway partnership highlights SkillUpOHVA at its best—creativity, collaboration, and real-world impact. Stay tuned for links to their amazing work!

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) offers a wide variety of summer camps open to any student who’s interested—no special program or pathway required! These camps are a great way to explore new interests, build skills, and experience a college campus.

Camp topics include cybersecurity, health science, manufacturing, writing, marine biology, music, fine arts, athletics, and more. Whether you already know what you’re interested in or just want to try something new, there’s something for everyone.

Applications are open now, and spots fill up fast—apply soon!
👉 Sign up here!

Please note: Some camps are free, while others have a cost. Financial assistance is available, and students can apply for support using this link so cost doesn’t stand in the way of participation.

Don’t miss this chance to explore, learn, and have fun this summer!

Students and families interested in nursing or health science careers are invited to explore Ashland University’s Dwight Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences through upcoming open houses, a spring preview day, and hands-on summer camps.

These experiences allow students to tour facilities, meet faculty and current students, and learn more about healthcare pathways and college life. For those looking to dive deeper, Nursing Summer Camps in July offer interactive, real-world learning for students entering high school through rising seniors.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions, explore career interests, and take the next step toward a future in healthcare. Registration details can be found by scanning the QR code.

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, we’re excited to invite our current 9th — 11th grade students to take the next step in their journey through the SkillUpOHVA Career-Technical Education (CTE) Program. If you’re curious about your future, ready to try something new, and eager to turn interests into real-world skills, CTE is where it starts.

Through SkillUpOHVA, students have the opportunity to:

• Explore exciting career pathways you may have never considered

• Gain hands-on, real-world experience that makes learning meaningful

• Earn industry-recognized credentials that stand out on college and job applications

• Complete work-based learning hours that build practical, career-ready skills

CTE students often discover new passions, feel more connected to their learning, and gain a clearer sense of direction for life after high school. Whether you already have a career in mind or are still exploring, CTE gives you the space to grow, experiment, and build confidence—one skill at a time.

Now enrolling for the 2026–2027 school year!

Applications are open now, and we encourage interested students to apply early to secure their spot in one of our dynamic CTE pathways.

Ready to take the next step?
Visit our website to explore available CTE programs or start your application. We’re here to support you, encourage you, and celebrate every milestone along the way.

We can’t wait to see how you Skill Up next school year!

We’re excited to share a fantastic opportunity open to all OHVA students in grades 9–12! Students now have the chance to earn Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs)—powerful additions to any resume or college application. Even better, these credentials can count toward a Foundational Competency Alternative and help students earn one of Ohio’s Readiness Seals, making them an excellent step toward graduation and future career success.

This school year alone, OHVA students have already earned approximately 2,694 IRC points, showing just how dedicated and determined our community is when it comes to building skills for the future!

This program is designed to help students build real skills, explore career interests, and take meaningful steps toward their futures. Whether a student is aiming for college, training, or the workforce, IRCs provide a strong head start.

If you have questions or want to learn more, reach out to Mrs. Alex at aalex@ohva.org. She’s here to help every step of the way!

Let’s skill up together and make the most of this incredible opportunity!