Harrison Central highlights graduation goals, student café at Business Advisory Council meeting

Inside the press box at Wagner Field in Cadiz, Harrison Central High School administrators and the school counselor hosted the Business Advisory Council meeting on Nov. 4.

The agenda included a review of Ohio’s graduation requirements and an overview of the origin and operation of the PAWSitivity Café.

Attendees representing local businesses and community interests included John and Donna Koch, Brittany Mattern, Mariah Kuryn, Javeria Henry, Stacie Brown, Karry Lazure, Caitlyn Romshek, Megan Strader, Lewis Sutherland, Phil Reed of PNC, Pamala McCort, Steve Daley, Albert Peters, Holly Williams, Judy Brur, Patrick Hiber, Jon Kirkland, Kristen Willis, Keila Ferguson, Kelsey Atkins, Katie Norris, Kay Moore, Anna White, Milo Baker, Callie Anderson, Emily Freese and Deb Kenny.

Harrison Hills City School District Superintendent Duran Morgan opened the meeting and welcomed guests with an overview of the day’s agenda. He also discussed partnerships with the Belmont-Harrison Joint Vocational School, individualized development plans, and the importance of addressing mental health services in the curriculum.

Assistant Principal and Director of Information, Curriculum and Assessments Todd Dunlap presented on what students must accomplish to graduate in 2026.

“There are three major things that a student must complete before being able to graduate in 2026,” Dunlap said. “Course completion, demonstrating competency and demonstrating readiness.”

Course completion includes earning a minimum of 20 credits and required units in each content area. Demonstrating competency includes achieving a score of 684 or higher on the English Language Arts II and Algebra I exams or meeting alternative pathways such as College Credit Plus, career-focused activities, qualifying ACT or SAT scores, or military enlistment. Demonstrating readiness consists of earning two Ohio graduation seals.

School Counselor Ashley Doren joined Dunlap in presenting information on Ohio’s core graduation requirements and the process for earning two graduation seals. The curriculum includes English, history, mathematics, science, health, financial literacy, service learning and fine arts courses across four years, totaling a minimum of 20 credits.

Students are also required to complete testing in Algebra I, geometry, English, biology, American history and American government.

To earn an honors diploma, students must meet criteria including two years of advanced science, a fourth year of advanced math and social studies, three years of a foreign language, an ACT score of 27, a 3.5 GPA, experiential learning, and two additional seals.

Students can earn graduation seals in areas such as citizenship, science, college readiness, military enlistment, OhioMeansJobs readiness, honors diploma, biliteracy, technology or industry. Local seals available include community service, fine and performing arts, or student engagement.

Harrison Central senior Vitto Parziale, manager of the PAWSitivity Café, presented on his role and the purpose of the café. He explained the café’s origins, its progress to date, and shared that it received a $700 Best Practice Grant. The café operates as a senior service and learning project, and Parziale discussed his leadership role and the student perspective involved in planning and reflection.