Firestone High School

Wednesday, 20 November 2019 07:42

Student Athletes of the Week: Alison Zupancic and Clay Peets: Firestone HS

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Alison Zupancic, a junior volleyball player from Firestone.

Alison says that she likes the family and team aspect of playing volleyball with her teammates and friends.

In 2019 she was chosen as the Player of the Year at Firestone and earning that award was a testament to her hard work.

“It showed me that I really am giving a lot to the team and how much I’m putting in is being received,” she said.

Also in 2019, she was named as the 2019 top setter, named to the All City Academic Team, and was named First Team All City amongst other awards and honors.

She explained that being a Firestone student athlete is a great experience all around.

“I think everybody on the team is there to have a good time and to win and put everything out there,” Alison said.

Coach Stacey Evans said she is the epitome of a student athlete.

“She carries above a 4.0 while serving as a team captain,” she said.

“Ally is not only skilled on the court, having earned 1st Team All City, but she is caring, helpful, responsible, and principled.”

Off the court, she volunteers at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and also helps with different elementary and middle school programs in athletics and other activities.

Alison is also involved in the arts program at Firestone in addition to being a student athlete for the Falcons.

Our next Male Student Athlete of the Week is Clay Peets, a junior cross country runner from Firestone.

He says that even though it’s an individual sport, the team aspect is present at all times.

“We’re all brothers,” he said.

“We all push each other, whether we’re running on the Towpath or running a speed workout on the track we try to push ourselves to not only bring success individually, but as a team.”

This year, Clay qualified for the state meet in Hebron, Ohio and was also named City Series Champion, Academic All Ohio, and was a team MVP.

Aaron Varner, Clay’s coach, said that his work ethic sets him apart

“He’s a great young man, he’s driven, he’s focused, and he’s a great leader for our team,” he said.

“Clay’s done something that hasn’t been done at Firestone since 1985, and that’s qualify for the state meet and that speaks to his work ethic and his leadership.”

Away from the cross country trails, Clay is involved in the engineering program at Firestone and is a member of YoungLife, a Christian youth group in the area.

We wish Alison and Clay the best in all of their future endeavors.

Published in SAOTW

Monday, 19 August 2019 13:46

2019 Camp Report: Firestone Falcons

On another edition of our Camp Reports on 1590 WAKR, we head over to Firestone HS and catch up with coach Eric Mitchell.

Trovon Davis and Kevaughn Lee also joined us as well.

The Falcons open up the 2019 season with the Green Bulldogs.

Published in Sam and Brad

Friday, 26 April 2019 15:42

G&G Fitness Coach of the Week Eric Mitchell of Firestone

Our G&G Fitness Coach of the Week this week is Eric Mitchell the Track & Field coach of the Firestone Falcons.

"The track team is looking really good, we've finished the City Series undfeated in both the boys and the girls side, so we're moving in the right direction," he said.

In addition to coaching track and field, he is also the head coach of the football team over at Firestone.

Stay tuned for next week's 1590 WAKR Coach of the Week from G&G Fitness!

Published in Sam and Brad

Tuesday, 02 April 2019 14:34

Student Athletes of the Week Mary Rohrer and Max Erisey Firestone HS

This week our 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete of the Week is Mary Rohrer, a senior softball player from Firestone High School.

Mary said softball was something she got into from an early age and it has stuck with her ever since.

“My parents put me in it, I liked it and stayed with it,” she said.

She’s a two sport letter athlete in both soccer and softball in addition to being in the choir, the school musicals and dance.

Her softball coach Joe Moxon said that Rohrer exhibits great leadership both on and off the field.

“Mary is an exceptional student athlete who is very well rounded. She excels in the classroom, on the stage and leads on the field in practice and games,” he said.

“She is one of the hardest working players that we have. She is very well liked by her coaches & teachers, teammates and peers.”

Upon graduation in the spring, Mary plans on attending Ohio University and majoring in business.

Our next male Student Athlete of the Week is Max Erisey, a senior baseball player from Firestone High School.

He says he’s been engrained in the game of baseball from an early age.

“My older brother got me into it, he played, my dad played for Firestone, and it's been a family thing," he said.

He's been a four year letterman and a 2-year captain at Firestone and he's enjoyed every minute of it.

He says being a student athlete at Firestone has been a true honor.

"To be able to represent Firestone, the green and gold, it's nice."

Coach John Sloan talked about his prowess both in the classroom and on the field.

"He has a 3.8 gpa and a 30 on the ACT in addition to being a member of the soccer, bowling and a 4 year starter on the baseball team," he said. "As a person he is an extremely polite people person. He has been a co captain and this year the sole captain of the baseball team. He is a student amabassador of the Lebron James Family Foundation."

Upon graduation in the spring. Erisey plans on studying anthropology at the University of Akron.

Published in SAOTW

Friday, 29 March 2019 16:40

G&G Fitness Coach of the Week Mike Dies

This week our G&G Fitness Coach of the Week is Mike Dies, co-head coach of the Firestone Falcons and President of the West Akron Baseball & Softball League.

Dies says that coaching is truly a labor of love for him.

"It is, I grew up in family where we always helped kids and we enjoyed it," he said.

The WABL organization has over 700 kids in both baseball and softball and has a board of 26 members.

Stay tuned next week for our announcement of the G&G Fitness Coach of the Week!

Published in Sam and Brad

Thursday, 15 November 2018 14:12

Student Athletes of the Week Logan Johnson and Madeline Dyer

This week our 1590 WAKR Male Student Athlete of the Week is Logan Johnson a senior wrestler from Firestone.

Logan says that he got into the sport of wrestling at an early age and has loved it ever since.

A team captain and a letterman for the Falcons, Johnson says working with his coaches and teammates is something he enjoys.

“You make good friends when you wrestle, you meet a lot of people in tournaments, it's fun but it's hard work."

His coach Dan Sandy had some great words for Logan and the work he puts in on the mat and in other aspects of his life.

“Logan was the 2018 Akron City Series Heavyweight Champion and was also a member of the Academic All-City Series Team,” Sandy explained. “He is the rock of our team.”

In addition, he also helps with other activities when he has time.

“He (Logan) helps volunteer at our community youth league events with concessions and doing score tables at times. He is also a member of our school's prestigious Akron School of the Arts Visual Arts Program. “

Logan says the Firestone community is like one big family and one he’s glad to be a part of.

“No matter where you go, you're always saying hi to people, no matter what."

Upon graduation in the spring, Johnson plans to attend The Ohio State University to study Agriculture.

Our next 1590 WAKR Female Student Athlete is Madeline Dyer, a junior swimmer from Firestone.

She says swimming has always been a part of what she’s done, and she wanted to follow her older brother, who swam as well.

“I kind of wanted to do what he was doing, so my parents put me in swim lessons and it grew from there,"

She says being a part of the Firestone swimming tradition is an honor and a privilege.

“It's such an incredible thing to have that kind of tradition," she says.

Her coach Cindy Dial says she is a hard worker in and out of the pool.

"Madeline is a great role model and she has a passion for her academics as well as her athletics and it is very contagious," she explained.

A returning letterman, All-Ohio Award Winner and All American, Madeline says she sets high goals for not only herself, but her team as well.

When she’s not in the pool or studying, she’s volunteering at One of a Kind Pet Shelter and hanging with friends.

We wish Logan and Madeline the best in all of their future endeavors.

Published in SAOTW

Monday, 29 October 2018 12:15

Summa Names Dr. Cliff Deveny President, CEO

(Summe Health) – The Summa Health Board of Directors today announced that Cliff Deveny, MD, has been named president and CEO. Dr. Deveny rejoined Summa in March of 2017 as interim president and CEO.

Since returning to Summa, Dr. Deveny has been instrumental in guiding the turnaround of the health system, both culturally and financially. Through August of 2018, the organization experienced an operating margin of $17.5 million. This reflects a turnaround of more than $50M in operating income improvement, when compared to the same time period in 2017.

“Dr. Deveny has done an outstanding job of transforming our culture,” said Anthony Lockhart, chair of the Summa Health Board of Directors. “As a graduate of Firestone High School and a longtime member of the Summa family, he clearly understands the communities we serve and the importance of a positive, thriving workplace environment. His collaborative style, coupled with his deep understanding of our vision for population health, makes him the perfect choice to serve during this vitally important time as we search for a potential partner and solidify our future.”

“Returning to Summa has been a gratifying experience and a tremendous honor,” said Dr. Deveny. “Working in partnership with the board of directors, Summa’s leadership team, the medical staff and our dedicated employees across the organization, we have made tremendous improvements in the delivery of care. This is a time of great opportunity and I look forward to continuing my work as president and CEO to ensure the very best care for the people of our community, now and well into the future.”

Dr. Deveny’s leadership also has resulted in many other successes. These include continued improvement in engagement with employees and physicians; innovative and meaningful approaches to those struggling with opioid addiction; increased treatment options for patients; ongoing investments and enhancements in the Barberton and Akron campuses; and a 4.5-star rating for SummaCare’s Medicare Advantage plans.

Published in Local

Wednesday, 08 February 2017 14:55

AUDIO Firestone Ladies Prepare For City Title Game

The City Series Girls Basketball Championship is just one day away, and the Firestone Lady Falcons will be ready for a stiff challenge in the form of the Buchtel Lady Griffs.

Head coach of the Falcons team, Theresa Clere joined Sam and Brad in studio to talk about her team and her first season with Firestone.

Published in Sam and Brad

Wednesday, 01 February 2017 12:48

Email Threat Sent To Firestone Teacher

Firestone High School was on heightened alert Wednesday morning after a "non-specific" threat was emailed to a teacher Tuesday night.

Akron Public Schools Director of Student Support Services and Security Dan Rambler confirmed that the email was sent to a specific teacher, but was so vague and non-specific in nature that they couldn't pinpoint any specific threat. "It's an email address that nobody has been able to determine the source yet," Rambler tells 1590 WAKR.

While non-specific, Akron Public Schools, the high school, and Akron Police were not taking any chances. A robo-call was made to parents of Firestone High School students Tuesday night to notify them of both the threat and security measures being taken at the school.

Those security measures, Rambler said, were mobile metal detectors the school has on site, placed at entrances and throughout the school. He confirmed they will likely remain in place throughout the remainder of the week.

No arrest has been made and Akron Police Lieutenant Rick Edwards says detectives are working to determine the IP address of the email.

We'll have updates on this story as they are made available.

Published in Local

Thursday, 06 October 2016 12:39

Former Firestone PTSA Treasurer Charged W/ Theft, Forgery

The former treasurer of the Parent, Teacher and Student Association at Firestone High School CLC is accused of stealing more than $6,600 from the association.

Police say Stacy Walker, 42, of Akron, forged checks from the association (previously known as the PTA) and deposited the money into her own account during her time as the PTSA's treasurer.

The fraudulent transactions were allegedly made between December 2015 until the account was audited in late July. The total loss to the association was $6,671.55.

Police say Walker turned herself in Thursday morning. She was booked into the Summit County Jail.

Published in Local

Wednesday, 17 August 2016 07:36

AUDIO: APS Superintendent Previews Firestone/Litchfield Project

The finishing touches are going into the new Firestone High School. Though not everything will be completed by the first day of school, according to the superintendent of Akron Public Schools, the bulk of the project will be all done.

David James, the APS superintendent, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to gloss over the Firestone/Litchfield project. James says this has been a process directly from listening to the community as far as input in the school. He believes this building will serve a larger purpose for the surrounding community, not just for the students.

The open house at the new facility will be on August 28th.

Published in WAKR RAY HORNER

Friday, 19 February 2016 16:12

Pot Found At Firestone High School, Brief Lockdown

Firestone High School had a short lockdown Friday morning, after tips led to the discovery of marijuana at the school.

Two Firestone girls were found possessing a small amount of marijuana.

APS spokesman Mark Williamson tells WAKR.net that a third student, a boy, was found with drug paraphenalia in his locker. They say that discovery was not related to the other drugs found.

School resource officers took about 25 minutes to search for the drugs, and all three students were suspended.

Williamson says classes were not affected during what the district calls a "safe school watch".

Published in Local

Thursday, 24 December 2015 10:53

Firestone HS Teacher Accused Of Having Relationship With Student

Akron Public Schools are looking into allegations that a Firestone High teacher had an improper relationship with a female student.

According to the Akron Beacon Journal, the unnamed teacher was placed on paid leave a few weeks ago.

Firestone staff and APS administrators are working with legal counsel to look into the matter, though there's no word yet how it came to the attention of Firestone staff.

There's also no word on the length of the alleged improper relationship or the age of the student.

The allegation could be presented at the Akron school board's next meeting next month.

On the web: www.ohio.com

Published in Local