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News

Leveling the Playing Field: ABC on Panel for National Girls & Women In Sports Day

ABC's Sally Grimes Invited to Speak on "Women In Sports" Panel at the University of Cincinnati

On Saturday, January 28, 2023, the University of Cincinnati celebrated National Girls & Women In Sports Day at Fifth Third Arena, before their women’s basketball team competed against Wichita State. UC Athletics honored the occasion by hosting a “Women In Sports” panel, with prominent women around Cincinnati who work in the sports industry. ABC’s Sally Grimes had the honor of being invited to speak at the event, along with other distinguished women from around Cincinnati.

Other panelists included Madison Mullinger of the Cincinnati Bengals, Jackie Regruth and Emily Robinson of FC Cincinnati, and finally Betsy Ross, the President and Founder of Game Day Communications, who also previously worked 5 years as an anchor at ESPN.

The panel was lead by Jen Strum, the Associate Athletic Director of Leadership and Learning at UC. Strum asked each panelist several question about their careers, such as what strengths they find important, challenges they have overcome, the work environment they currently encounter, and what led them to pursue a career in sports. In addition, the panel gave advice to and took questions from the young women in the audience, many of whom are looking to pursue a career in athletics. 

Thank you to the University of Cincinnati for hosting such an amazing event! ABC is honored to have our own Sally Grimes included on this panel, acknowledging National Girls & Women in Sports Day!

News

Alpha Delta Boule Adopts Winton Hills Academy, Provides Enrichment Opportunities to Students

A Plaque Dedication Ceremony was held on 11/22/2022 to honor Alpha Delta Boule's adoption of Winton Hills Academy. The crowd is addressed by Kenneth Parker, United States Attorney for the Southwest District of Ohio and Sire of the Alpha Delta Boule

Alpha Delta Boule is a national non-profit organization, with a local chapter that is heavily involved in helping students at Cincinnati Public Schools through various programs and opportunities. Alpha Delta Boule has been very active at Winton Hills Academy over the past few years, forming a strong relationship with Shelby Zimmer, ABC’s Resource Coordinator at Winton Hills.

In Cincinnati, the name Jim Anderson is commonly associated with the Bengals, given his 29-year tenure as the running backs coach. However, since retiring, he works tirelessly with the Cincinnati chapter of Alpha Delta Boule. Coach Anderson has been an incredible advocate for the students of Winton Hills Academy, showing great dedication to the students and families in the area.

This connection between Shelby and Coach Anderson has created numerous opportunities for students at Winton Hills, such as Donuts With Dudes and Muffins With Mom events, the Achievement Behavior Consistency Awards Ceremony, providing students with the opportunity to attend the Men of Honor Ceremony, leading a coat drive for students in need, and many more endeavors that benefit the students, families, and community of Winton Hills.

Alpha Delta Boule Adopts Winton Hills Academy, Honors School with Plaque Dedication

On November 22, 2022, the Alpha Delta Boule (ADB) held a ceremony to formally adopt Winton Hills Academy. Kenneth Parker, the United States Attorney for the Southwest District of Ohio and Sire Archon of the ADB, spoke to the crowd and presented Winton Hills Academy with a plaque, commemorating Alpha Delta Boule’s adoption of Winton Hills Academy.

Coach Jim Anderson gave an introductory speech, welcoming the audience and thanking them for their attendance. Coach Anderson pledged Alpha Delta Boule’s support of Winton Hills, making sure everyone in attendance knew that this adoption is more than just a display, but a vow that the Alpha Delta Boule will do everything in their power to support Winton Hills for years to come.

Following Coach Anderson’s introduction, Attorney Parker addressed the audience, speaking of how excited he is to try and reach students at a young age, and provide them with programs that instill hope. Attorney Parker said that in his work, he sees that many of the troubled individuals face socio-economical conditions that impact their ability to achieve a quality education. Because of this lack of education and lack of opportunity, too many times students lose hope.

Attorney Parker stressed that the staff in attendance are community problem solvers, helping to keep students focused and motivated to pursue their education. He also stressed how important it is to keep the students from losing hope, and “keeping the light from going out in their eyes.”

Attorney Parker echoed many of the same statements as Coach Anderson; that this formal adoption of Winton Hills means that the Alpha Delta Boule will be truly dedicated to supporting students at Winton Hills. He stressed that the faculty can come to the Alpha Delta Boule when they have a need or can create an opportunity, and the Alpha Delta Boule will utilize their expansive network of connections to make something happen.  

Attorney Parker then presented a plaque to the faculty at Winton Hills, with ABC Resource Coordinator Shelby Zimmer on-hand to accept the honor. The commemorative plaque is on display in the main atrium of Winton Hills Academy.

ABC Resource Coordinator Shelby Zimmer accepts the plaque on behalf of Winton Hills

ABC is incredibly humbled to by the abundant support of Winton Hills Academy from the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Alpha Delta Boule. We are very grateful to have allies in the Cincinnati community like Alpha Delta Boule, who share our mission to provide opportunities for students in need.

And of course, we are grateful for Shelby Zimmer, our amazing Resource Coordinator at Winton Hills! Shelby helped foster and grow the relationship with Alpha Delta Boule, and is a valued advocate for the students of Winton Hills Academy. 

ADB Supports Donuts With Dudes Event on 10/20/2022

Joe Kelly, of the Cincinnati Bengals, addresses the audience at Winton Hills Academy

On Thursday, October 20th, Winton Hills Academy hosted a former NFL great, as well as 130 students and paternal figures for the 2nd Annual Donuts With Dudes event.

The mentorship and guidance of parental figures can be profoundly impactful on the development of children. Studies have shown that more parental involvement can directly contribute to increased confidence, better communication skills, and positive cognitive and social adjustments. With this in mind, Shelby Zimmer, ABC Resource Coordinator at Winton Hills Academy, teamed up with Alpha Delta Boule (ADB) to create an event called Donuts with Dad.

The inaugural event took place in October of 2021, and the concept for the event was so popular, that all of the 50 registration slots were filled within four hours, and a second session was added. The first event was well received, with nothing but incredibly positive feedback from the staff, students, and parental figures.

After the success of the 2021 event, Shelby and the Alpha Delta Boule teamed up to bring it back for 2022, with one small tweak. Shelby and the ADB wanted to make an effort to include paternal figures such as grandfathers, step-fathers, and other men who have stepped up to mentor and inspire the children at Winton Hills. For this reason, the 2022 event was renamed Donuts With Dudes.

Upon arriving at Winton Hills for the event, students and their fathers chose what items they wanted for breakfast from a large assortment of Servatii’s donuts, juices, coffee, and water. After a greeting and introduction, the speaker took the stage.

The speaker for the Donuts with Dudes event was former linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Kelly. Born in south-central Los Angeles, Kelly shared the great amount of adversity in his life on his way to the NFL.

Kelly spoke of how his mother stressed the importance of getting an education, and would not let him participate in sports if he did not have the grades. Kelly stressed the importance of an education to the students, sharing how he utilized his education to start his own business, Kelly Youth Services, when his 11-year playing career came to an end. He encouraged the children to listen to the advice of their parents and paternal figures, and encouraged each to pursue their own dreams.

Kelly continued by speaking about the influence of caregivers, stating that the paternal figures in the audience can be more influential than any celebrities. He commended the paternal figures for their active attendance at the event, and commented on how excited the children were to see them arrive. Kelly stressed that little things like this can go a long way, and urged the adults in the audience to continue to support and be actively involved in the lives of their children.

After he was done speaking, Joe Kelly cordially took questions from students before participating in a photo session with the audience. The high level of engagement from the students and the nature of their questions made it very clear that they had taken the messages from Kelly to heart.

This event would not have been possible without the tremendous efforts of Coach Jim Anderson, Marty Dunn, and the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Alpha Delta Boule. Coach Anderson was vital in arranging Joe Kelly to speak at Winton Hills, and the Alpha Delta Boule supported the event financially as well. 

We are also grateful for Shelby Zimmer, ABC’s resource coordinator at Winton Hills, who was vital in organizing the event. From helping organize the sign-up process, coordinating the staff at Winton Hills, and being the point-person to ensure that the event went well, Shelby did exceptional work in the organization of the Donuts with Dudes event, and we are incredibly grateful to have her on the ABC team. 

Jim Anderson, of the Alpha Delta Boule
News

ABC Adds Staff for 2022 School Year

ABC has undergone major growth for the 2022-23 school year. We are expanding the number of schools where we offer our ABC programs, as well as expanding the number of CPS schools where we will provide direct support to athletics and act as the lead agency. In order to properly support our mission, ABC has created new positions within our organization. 

We are very excited to introduce our new staff members. You may also see some familiar faces in new roles within our organization. 

Program and Office Staff

  • Ricky Miller is the new Senior Manager of Athletics at ABC. This new role at ABC oversees, manages, and assists ABC’s high school athletic directors at Cincinnati Public Schools.
  • Vanessa Macy has been hired as the Member Services Manager. In this role, she will provide direct support to the members of ABC’s Fiscal Agency program (formerly known as Donor Directed accounts), such as the Ben Carlson-Berne Fund and Fourthwall Youth Studios.
  • Kaitlin Schiltz is the new Enrichment Coordinator at ABC. In this role, Kaitlin will advocate for children in the foster care system, attempting to connect 340 children with extracurricular activities. This includes managing the Kids In School Rule! program at Cincinnati Public Schools.
  • Austin Gullett has started a new role at ABC as the Athletics Coordinator. Austin works closely with the programs staff to execute ABC’s elementary athletic programs, such as soccer, martial arts, cross country, and more.
  • James Lacey has also begun a new role with ABC, in which he will be the Senior Manager of Resource Coordination. This new position oversees, manages, and assists ABC’s resource coordinators at Cincinnati Public Schools. James is also still very active at Woodford Paideia, where he previously served as resource coordinator.

Athletic Directors

  • David Miller (Gamble Montessori) and Chris O’Brien (Oyler) are not new to their positions, but starting this year, they are both now a part of ABC’s staff. We are honored and thrilled to have them both join our team, and excited to support athletics at Gamble and Oyler.
  • Gage Bley is the new Athletic Director at Riverview East Academy. ABC is excited to support athletics at Riverview East, starting this school year.
  • Davis Schaefer is the new Athletic Director at Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students. ABC is excited to begin supporting athletics at Spencer as well.
  • Jake Buchannan and Elijah Bugg are the new Assistant Athletic Directors at Walnut Hills High School. They will support head AD, Shauniece Steele, in her work at Walnut Hills.
  • Chloe Mayfield-Brown is the new Assistant Athletic Director at Western Hills/Dater. Chloe will support head AD, Phil O’Neal, in undertaking the athletics at Western Hills and Dater.

Resource Coordinators

  • Ashley Davis is the Resource Coordinator at Woodford Academy. She will work with ABC and the community to organize and support enrichment activities at Woodford.
  • Angel Griffin is the Resource Coordinator at Frederick Douglass Elementary School.  She will work with ABC and the community to organize and support enrichment activities at Douglass.
  • Karen Hordinski is the Resource Coordinator at Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students. ABC is delighted to be the new lead agency at Spencer Center, starting this school year. We look forward to supporting Karen and extracurriculars at Spencer Center.
  • ABC is thrilled to be the lead agency at LEAP Academy and Hartwell Elementary. We are currently looking to hire a resource coordinator to support enrichment activities at both of these schools. Please visit the “Join Our Team” page of our website for more information on these openings.
News

ABC and Adopt A Class Reaffirm Partnership Heading Into New School Year

As students and families embrace a new school year, ABC is excited to strengthen our partnership with Adopt A Class throughout the 2022-2023 school year. Adopt A Class connects teams of volunteer mentors from local corporate organizations and civic groups with schools in the community. Through their group mentoring program, Adopt A Class exposes students to a breadth of life and career readiness experiences, enabling thousands to engage in enrichment activities they otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience. They share ABC’s goal of bringing extra opportunities to students in need and inspiring students to explore new career paths that they may not have ever thought possible.

This school year, Adopt A Class will place teams of volunteer mentors at six elementary schools where ABC is the lead agency: Cheviot, Hartwell, Rockdale, Silverton, Woodford, and Winton Hills. Over 45 classrooms of students at these schools will get to explore a wide array of career paths through engaging, educational activities focusing on college and career readiness, STEAM, and essential employability skills, provided by mentors the volunteers during classroom visits. Students will also experience enriching field trips back to mentor teams’ places of employment or with an Adopt A Class community partner. Organizations such as VEGA Americas, Kroger, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Paycor, Cintas, Macy’s, and many more, participate in the Adopt A Class program, supporting students throughout the entire school year.

Adopt A Class Supports Cincinnati

In addition to the 6 CPS schools where ABC is the lead agency, Adopt A Class has also connected over 240 teams of corporate volunteers to classrooms across 36 schools in the Greater Cincinnati area, including 23 CPS schools. With the help of over 140 partner organizations, Adopt A Class reaches over 6,500 students in our communities.

At the end of the previous school year, Adopt A Class named ABC’s Cheri Jordan the 2022 Resource Coordinator of the Year for her exemplary work at Silverton Elementary. Cheri was honored during their end of year awards ceremony on June 7, 2022, at the Greenacres Arts Center.

ABC is grateful for the work of Adopt A Class and we look forward to a prosperous partnership this year and beyond!

News

Cincinnati Public Schools’ Middle School Jazz Combo to Perform at International Jazz Festival in Spain

The CPS Middle School Jazz Combo was the only student group invited to perform from the United States

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) Middle School Jazz Combo will perform at the JAZZING Sant Andreu International Jazz Festival in Spain. The group, led by Dr. Isidore Rudnick, is the only student group from the United States invited to perform at the festival.

Eight sixth-grade students and three seventh-grade students from seven schools across the district, along with two CPS teachers and six parent chaperones will head to Barcelona, Spain to jam with their European Jazz counterparts, take jazz workshops with prominent guest artists from Europe and South America, and perform in two concerts on the Education Stage.

“Our students have worked extremely hard over the summer to prepare for the festival,” said Dr. Isidore Rudnick, CPS Fine Arts Curriculum Manager and Jazz Academy Director. “They will have a truly life changing experience performing on an international music festival stage and exploring the unique Catalonian culture of Spain”.

The middle school combo is part of the Youth Jazz Cincinnati partnership between CPS, Activities Beyond the Classroom and Kennedy Heights Arts Center. CPS students in the jazz academy, which has grown to over 100 students, range from grades four to 11. They receive weekly high quality jazz instruction at no cost at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center’s Lindner Annex. The program is funded in part by a grant from Impact 100. Additional ongoing support for the program is provided by the Mayerson Foundation Artistic Excellence Fund.

The CPS Middle School Jazz Combo group leaves for Spain on September 1, 2022 and returns on September 8, 2022. Students will perform on Sunday, September 4 at 12:00 p.m. and on Monday September 5 at 12:00PM. For more information about the festival, please visit: https://jazzingfestival.com/jazz-education-stage/.

News

Thank You to Athletic Director Steve Ellison for Your Tenure at ABC

Steve Ellison served the past five years as the Athletic Director at Walnut Hills High School.

ABC was heavy hearted to learn that Steve Ellison would be stepping down from his role as Athletic Director of Walnut Hills High School, effective June 30, 2022, but we are incredibly grateful for his tenure. Since taking the position in 2017, Ellison dedicated himself to serving the student athletes of Walnut Hills High School. Under his leadership, he shifted core values within the department, increased awareness of student athletes in the community, and implemented the Student Athlete Leadership Team, as well as countless other initiatives that helped provide student athletes with support and mentorship.

Steve was recognized for his amazing work as Athletic Director in 2019, when he was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Southwest Ohio Athletic Director Association (SWOADA) and Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA). In 2020, he was named the recipient of SWOADA/OIAAA’s Distinguished Service Award, in recognition of his length of service, special accomplishments, and contributions to athletic administration at the local, state, and national levels.

Steve is the President and co-founder of the Minority Athletic Director Association (MADA), a group of men and women that serve as mentors to the next generation of athletic directors and share information and strategies to facilitate success in high school athletic administration. MADA seeks to bring racial equity to Athletic Directors, providing support, professional development, and social strength to minority AD’s in Southwest Ohio. MADA currently has 21 members, representing 13 different schools. 

We are incredibly grateful for his nine-year tenure at ABC, which began when he started as the Athletic Director of Woodward High School. During his tenure at Woodward, Steve oversaw the addition of programs such as softball and wrestling, increased student participation on all levels, and implemented an academic accountability program.

On behalf of everyone at ABC, we would like to send our most sincere thanks to Steve Ellison for his nine years with our organization, and would like to wish him the very best at Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy, and all of his future endeavors.

Steve was a Co-Captain of the ABC Kickball Team in 2019
News

ABC Honored With Cincinnatus Association’s 2022 Spencer Award for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

ABC's Rachel Stallings (Deputy Director), Sally Grimes (Executive Director), and Sophia Scott (Director of Operations) accept the Donald and Marian Spencer Award on May 10, 2022

On May 10, 2022, the Cincinnatus Association honored Activities Beyond the Classroom during their 7th Annual Donald and Marian Spencer Spirit of America awards dinner at the Hilton Netherland Plaza. ABC was one of six local businesses and non-profit organizations selected as a recipient of the Cincinnatus Association’s distinguished Spencer Award, honoring organizations that deliver conspicuous and enduring contributions that have created greater diversity and inclusion in our community.

Activities Beyond the Classroom was recognized for its equitable and inclusive programs throughout the community, as well as its recently adopted new organizational values. The core concept of these values is to exemplify IDEA: an acronym standing for inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility. 

“It is such a privilege to receive this award,” Executive Director Sally Grimes shared. “The staff here at ABC is dedicated to creating accessible and equitable opportunities for all kinds of families throughout our community. This award recognizes all that hard work, and is a great reminder of how much work there is yet to do.”

ABC Video Created for Spencer Award Banquet

In 2019, ABC had the honor of sharing the accomplishments of filmmaker Xander Wynn. At the time of the article, Xander was a student at Walnut Hills High School and had been a participant ABC’s partner program, Fourthwall Youth Studios, since the summer of 2014. Now a graduate of CPS and running his own film production company, ABC is honored to share a video Xander created for the Spencer Awards on behalf of ABC. 

Please click below to check out the video created by CPS and Fourthwall alum, Xander Wynn:

A Distinguished Cohort

Activities Beyond the Classroom is honored and humbled to have shared the honor of receiving this years award alongside the following distinguished partners, nonprofits, and community-minded thinkers:

  • Avondale Development Corporation was founded in 2011 for the purpose of improving the quality of lives of the residents of Avondale, the largest African American neighborhood of Cincinnati. ADC’s mission is to direct the revitalization of Avondale by developing housing, real estate, and economic initiatives while collaborating with residents and partners to address priorities that promote the well-being of Avondale residents. 
     
  • Clifton Cultural Arts Center is the only multi-disciplinary arts center in the racially and socioeconomically diverse Uptown neighborhoods of Corryville, Clifton, Avondale, Clifton Heights-University Heights-Fairview, and Mt. Auburn. CCAC’s mission is to build a community-created place where people of all ages, races, culture, and socioeconomic status connect with one another through art. CCAC’s average attendance is over 40,000.  
  • Lighthouse Youth Services empowers young people and families to succeed through a continuum of care that promotes healing and growth. Serving clients ages 0-24 and the families that surround them, Lighthouse is a “trauma-informed” agency that serves 4,000 diverse clients annually in their various programs. 
  • Santa Maria Community Services is a catalyst and advocate for Cincinnati’s Greater Price Hill families. Santa Maria focuses on promoting family and individual wellbeing. 
  • TriVersity Construction is a for-profit organization and is among the largest commercial construction companies in the tri-state region. TriVersity is known for their focus on the customer experience during the construction process, their investment in ongoing innovation, and their deep commitment to the communities in which they operate. They have an active commitment to various community service organizations by encouraging their employees to volunteer. 
News

Shauniece Steele Joins Walnut Hills High School as Athletic Director on July 1

On July 1, Shauniece Steele will join Activities Beyond the Classroom as the new Athletic Director at Walnut Hills High School. Steele has been an Assistant Athletic Director at Walnut Hills since 2016, and was named SWOADA (Southwest Ohio Athletic Director Association) Middle School Athletic Director of Year for the 2020-21 school year. 

Steve Ellison, previous Walnut Athletic Director, will be the new Athletic Director at Cincinnati College Preparatory Academy beginning July 1.

A graduate of Walnut Hills High School in 2010, Steele lettered in volleyball, indoor track, and outdoor track (becoming both a state and national champion during her tenure). She earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from The University of Akron and her master’s degree in Sports Administration from The University of Cincinnati. 

“Walnut Hills is home to me,” Steele shared. “In addition to being a student athlete at Walnut, I also participated in the marching band, held office in student government, and was a member of many different student groups. I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to the school that helped shape me. I look forward providing the same, if not better, experiences and opportunities for the current generation of students.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Shauniece to this new role,” said Sally Grimes, Executive Director of Activities Beyond the Classroom. “Not only will she be an excellent Athletic Director who cares deeply about the kids at Walnut, but she already knows the Walnut students and their goals for athletics and extracurriculars. She’ll be ready to jump into the role at 100% on July 1.”

Josh Hardin, CPS Athletics Manager, added “Cincinnati Public Schools is beyond proud to announce Shauniece Steele as the next Athletic Director of Walnut Hills. Shay is a product of CPS, an exceptional former athlete of Walnut Hills High School and is the right leader for her alma mater. We look forward to supporting her as she continues to build and grow the legacy of excellence at Walnut Hills.” 

News

Cincinnati Architectural Mentoring Program Brings Back Summer Program for 2022

The Cincinnati Architectural Mentoring Program (C.A.M.P.) is excited to announce that they are bringing back their in-person Summer CAMP for the summer of 2022! Throughout this week-long program beginning July 10th, students entering the 7th and 8th grades in the fall will be exposed to the world of architecture. The Summer CAMP program will be hosted at University of Cincinnati’s Design, Architecture, Art and Planning facility, where students will explore UC’s campus and beyond. This marks the second time that CAMP will offer this program since COVID forced things to come to a halt in 2020.

During Summer CAMP, students will be introduced to the discipline of architecture, learn about influential architects of color, and be given instruction in drawing and design through presentations and hands-on group projects. They will also have the opportunity to work alongside architectural educators and professionals, allowing them to gain first-hand knowledge of working in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and design.  At the conclusion of the week, students will host an exhibit where they will welcome family and friends to display their final projects and creations.

This year, Summer CAMP is partnering with Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens to give students the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills in a real-world environment.  Activities Beyond the Classroom is proud to serve as fiscal sponsor for Summer CAMP, and is excited about their collaborative efforts with many outstanding local architectural organizations making this summer camp experience possible for local area youth.

A Week of Immersive and Engaging Activities

This week-long Summer CAMP kicks off on Sunday, July 10th, with an online orientation for both students and their parents. For the remainder of the week, students will meet at the UC, where they will be introduced to various design and building techniques.

A few activities during the week include:

  • Habitat Design – Students will have the opportunity to visit the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens to learn about animals that live at the zoo and how humans can help their environment. Campers will work together and participate in Animal Encounters and explore different parts of the zoo for inspiration on design projects.  
  • 100+1 Exercise – A “mystery box” style challenge where students will be tasked to create structures using multiples of common household items.
  • Architects of Color – students will be introduced to the many talented architects of color that have made significant contributions to local, national, and international buildings and structures.
  • Perspective Drawing & Presentation – Students will learn to apply various perspectives to present their ideas to “clients” and various stakeholders.

At the end of the week on July 16th, students will present their work to family, friends, and event attendees during the project exhibit. The CAMP will conclude with a graduation ceremony for campers to celebrate their week-long journey and accomplishments.  

About the Cincinnati Architectural Mentoring Program

Founded in 2005, the Cincinnati Architectural Mentoring Program (C.A.M.P.) is a volunteer organization created with the mission to diversify the field of architecture, by opening doors for children who normally might not think of it as a career option. C.A.M.P. was developed by a collaborative effort of a diverse group of five architectural professionals who all shared this common goal. These partners include the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP School of Architecture and Interior Design (SAID), the American Institute of Architects, and the National Organization of Minority Architects.  

C.A.M.P.’s immersive summer camp experience helps bring the world of design to life for students in the Cincinnati-area. The summer program provides building blocks for students to explore their creativity and passions while exploring this exciting new career path.

How to Apply to Summer CAMP

Applications are open now through May 1st on C.A.M.P.’s website at www.cincyarchcamp.org. Summer CAMP tuition is $75 per camper. Tuition assistance is available for students in need. For questions about tuition assistance or Summer CAMP, contact the Cincinnati Architectural Mentoring Program at info@cincyarchcamp.org. Spots are limited so make sure to get your applications in early.

News

ABC and CPS Fine Arts to Host CPS International Jazz Festival 2022

Performances by Internationally Renowned Jazz Artists and CPS Student Musicians

Jazz-loving Cincinnatians are invited to the 2nd CPS International Jazz Festival, hosted by Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC). The event is at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 at Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St.

The festival will feature over 100 student musicians from the Cincinnati Public Schools Jazz Academy performing with internationally famous jazz saxophonist Joan Chamorro from Barcelona Spain. Also featured on the program will be some of the finest jazz artists from the tri-state area. 

The pre-COVID inaugural Jazz Fest (October 2019) was a successful celebration of music education; watch a recap of the first event at https://youtu.be/DrynhYWv01w.

“This evening will be a spectacular showcase of the student talent we have in CPS”.  said Dr. Isidore Rudnick, Jazz Festival Director and CPS Fine Arts Curriculum Manager.  “The CPS International Jazz Festival provides CPS students with the unique opportunity to perform with, listen to and learn from some of the best professional jazz artists here in Cincinnati and from around the world,” he added.

Tri-State professional jazz artists include:  

  • John Zappa (Northern Kentucky) trumpet
  • Angie Coyle (Cincinnati) alto saxophone, flute
  • Jordan Pollard (Cincinnati) piano
  • Justin Dawson (Cincinnati) double bass
  • Taylor Nelson (Cincinnati) guitar
  • Josh Strange (Cincinnati) vibraphone
  • Brad Klein (clarinet)
  • Terry Twitty (trombone)
  • Myles Twitty (trumpet)

Special performances by:

  • CPS Elementary Jazz Academy Orchestras
  • CPS Junior High School Jazz Academy Combo
  • CPS High School Jazz Academy Orchestra
  • CPS Jazz Academy Faculty Ensemble

“ABC is thrilled to host the 2nd CPS International Jazz Festival,” said Sally Grimes, Executive Director of Activities Beyond the Classroom. “COVID required cancelling the 2020 and 2021 events, and we’ve been eager to showcase CPS’s student musicians again. We look forward to sharing our city’s talented children with the public, and hope to fill the house to support the students and their musical endeavors.”

The event is FREE but tickets are required for entry. Tickets will be available in the P&G Hall lobby starting at 6:00PM (one hour before showtime on May 7th). 

For more information, visit ABCCincy.org/cps-jazz-festival

Thank You Supporters of Jazz Fest

The event is presented by Activities Beyond the Classroom, a nonprofit that provides extracurricular and enrichment activities to CPS students at no cost to the students or their families. Event sponsors include Flip & Sheila Cohen, Cincinnati Arts Association, the Mayerson Foundation Artistic Excellence Fund, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Willis Music.