Rich and Laura Milligan, along with their daughters Rachel, Sarah, Anna, and Faith, share a deep connection to McKinley Senior High School and a lasting commitment to serving others.

Rachel, Sarah, Anna, and Faith are all proud graduates of McKinley Senior High School. Rich is a graduate of Lehman High School and served on the Canton City School Board of Education for 17 years.

These young women are proud Alumni of McKinley and are forever grateful for the memories and experiences that shaped their journeys. All are currently in careers that serve others. McKinley helped build the confidence, character and determination they carry into adulthood today.

Rachel received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Currently, she is owner and operator of the Bristol Academy of Music offering music lessons and classes to over 200 students in the region. She is the Music Leader at Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church.

Sarah is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at the Cleveland Clinic, specializing in pediatric and cardiac anesthesia. She received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in 2022 and serves on the faculty for the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University Nurse Anesthesia Program. Sarah also serves on the Board of Directors for the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Anna received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from The University of Michigan and her Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a certification in Autism. She is a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). She is currently the Director of Implementation at Lumery, a healthcare tech company that sells software solutions to organizations working with individuals with autism.

Faith earned her Bachelors Degree in Education from Loyala University of Chicago and received her Masters of Education in Instructional Coaching and Teacher Leadership this spring. She is a Language Services Facilitator at the middle school level. She teaches students who are new to the United States and/or speak another language, helping them bridge to the English language. Many of her students come from Ukraine and Russia. She is in charge of modifying and advocating for that student population. She engages multilingual families in the school community by organizing and executing events like Newcomer Thanksgiving.

The family values community involvement and volunteering. Laura and Rich co-chair the McKinley Band Dinners, along with Jennifer Anderson, through a mission of Christ Presbyterian Church. This mission provides dinners for the McKinley Marching Band and cheerleaders throughout the season.

As Alumni, Rachel, Sarah, Anna and Faith continue to represent the spirit, pride, and excellence of McKinley and Canton City Schools in all they do.

From the classrooms and fields of CCSD to the courtroom, this Christopher Daniels has truly made his mark.

As a dedicated member of both McKinley's Speech and Debate team and McKinley's Track and Field team, he learned early how to use his voice and push beyond limits. He credits his success to the unwavering support of his family and the exceptional educators at CCSD, especially his Speech and Debate teacher, Mr. Halkias, and Track and Field coach, Mr. Pappas, who helped shape his journey.

He didn’t just face obstacles. He hurdled over them, both literally and figuratively, demonstrating resilience, determination, and purpose every step of the way.

At the heart of his journey is a deeply personal mission. He dedicates his success to his grandfather, Andrew “Bob” Smith, who was never given the opportunity to attend school and had no more than a third-grade education. When asked what he would have become if given the chance, his grandfather answered simply: a lawyer.

Inspired by that dream, Christopher pursued law school with the goal of making it a reality, not just for himself, but for his grandfather.

In a powerful moment, he received word that he passed the bar exam on his grandfather’s birthday. It was a full-circle achievement, a legacy honored, and a dream fulfilled.

Congratulations, Chris! We are proud of you and look forward to all you will accomplish.

*Special thanks to Tiana Walker, CCSD Counselor and Aunt of Christopher Daniels for the Alumni Spotlight submission.

MentorStark continues to be a valued community partner, creating meaningful connections between our Career Technical Education (CTE) classrooms and the broader community. Through mentorship, career exploration, and hands-on experiences, MentorStark helps prepare our students for success beyond high school.

In addition to facilitating ongoing trips to connect with local employers and having a staff member embedded to mentor CTE students, their impact has been felt across multiple initiatives. In November, MentorStark created Senior Resource Day specifically for our CTE students, providing guidance on financial aid, college planning, employment opportunities, and career pathways in the trades. That same month, they partnered with the Stark Community Support Network to support a Community Health Worker Project, giving students in Nursing, Exercise Science, and Law and Public Safety hands-on experience in communication, problem-solving, and connecting families with community resources through real-world role-play scenarios.

More recently, in April, MentorStark hosted the Walk & Talk: A Mega Mentoring Event at the Bulldog Activity Center, where any CCS student ages 14 and older had the opportunity to connect with more than 40 professionals representing 13 different industries.

These opportunities bring learning to life, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in meaningful ways. MentorStark serves as a bridge between education and community, ensuring our students are prepared, connected, and confident as they take their next steps.

Did you know that Canton City Schools has an Adult Education program that offers a comprehensive program providing a nontraditional pathway to learning and personal growth? Designed for individuals seeking new opportunities, this program empowers students with the knowledge and skills needed to build a brighter, more promising future. Canton City Schools Adult Community Education Center offers the following: Nail Technician, Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Practical Nurse Program, Welding and Certified Nurse Aide. Below are some testimonials from nontraditional students in the program. For more information, call 330-438-2556 or visit www.ccsdistrict.org/AdultEd.

As we plan for the summer months, we are pleased to share a resource list of summer programs and opportunities available for students and families. This document brings together camps, enrichment activities, learning experiences, and other offerings from our valued community partners that support student growth and engagement over the summer.

We hope this resource makes it easy for families to explore and connect with meaningful opportunities that keep students learning, active, and engaged throughout the break.

Please feel free to email information to Linnea Olbon at olbon_l@ccsdistrict.org.

Several of our school buildings have a food pantry designed to help students and families bridge the gap during a few days of food insecurity. The food pantries are graciously funded through Feed Kids First, and are available for CCSD families experiencing a need for temporary or emergency situations. Please note that these pantries are intended to provide short-term assistance and are not a continuous source of food.

Schools with Food Pantries: Cedar Elementary, Compton, Crenshaw Middle School, Early College at Lehman, Early Learning Center @ Schreiber and Youtz Intermediate

If a school does not have a pantry and your family needs short-term assistance, you are welcome to visit the Timken Career Campus and speak with Linnea Olbon, or email her at olbon_l@ccsdistrict.org. All information is kept confidential.

Click here to learn more about our Family, Community, and Partner Engagement Department and Team.