Celebration pictures

Here are additional photos from HOPE Academy Canton's Black History Month celebration held Friday.

School marks Black History Month

HOPE Academy Canton sixth-grader Allan Hively, not pictured above, had a huge smile on his face as he danced along with students celebrating Black History.

"This is what HOPE Academy is all about," he said.
Staff members and students at the diverse Canton school marked Black History Month with a special program on Friday.

Students shared facts about Black History Month, Black Facts, the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, Stark County's role in the Underground Railroad and Massillon educators.

In addition, biographies were shared about Stark County Black History Makers, including: business owner William Powell, educator Delores Pressley, Cleveland Cavaliers guard Eric Snow, singer Macy Gray and HOPE Academy Canton principal Tony Townsend.

An African-American dance presentation was also offered.

"This month, we're celebrating Black History, but in truth, we're celebrating American History month," Townsend said.

The principal added that the school is the most diverse in the county.

"We're not just educating children, we're preparing them for the world," Townsend said.

Canton school to mark Black History Month

HOPE Academy Canton will hold a Black History program 2-3 p.m. Feb. 22 at the school, 1379 Garfield Ave. S.W.

The event will feature songs, spotlights on notable African-Americans in the community, a discussion of the Underground Railroad, an African-American dance featuring female students in Kindergarten through second grade, the fifth-grade class will sing the Black National Anthem.

Spotlighted African-Americans will include:

William Powell --- An East Canton resident who is the only African-American to design, build, own and operate a golf course in the United States.

DeLores Pressley --- 27-year veteran of the Canton School District. She also has a modeling agency for plus-sized women and also is an author and motivational speaker.

Eric Snow --- Point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Canton McKinley graduate also has played for the Seattle Supersonics and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tony Townsend --- Principal of the school and Massillon City Councilman.

Macy Gray --- R&B and soul singer who was born in Canton.

The school will also hold a Cross-Cultural Week from Feb. 25-29 where the importance and contributions of Native Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Italians and Irish people will be discussed.

Dance will be rescheduled

Due to inclement weather this week, HOPE Academy Canton officials have announced its Valentine's Day dance will be rescheduled.

No makeup date has been announced.

HOPE Academy Canton to hold dance

Celeste Lewis talks about upcoming HOPE Academy Canton Valentine's Day dance.

Listen to podcast here

School collecting change for "HOPE Counts"

The students at HOPE Academy Canton have been collecting spare
change for "HOPE Counts."

HOPE Counts is a program that the school put together to help an area
needy family for the holidays.

Teachers at the school say they expect over $500 to be raised for the
program.

"Students are giving money they could spend on themselves to others,"
Hope Academy Family Advocate Hope Fondriest said. "They're excited to
give and be part of helping."

Presents will be delivered to the chosen family by Dec. 20.

Students at the school are also working on a food drive.

All the proceeds will go to the Akron-Canton Food Bank.

Last year, the students collected 1,340 non-perishable food items; the
school's goal is to increase that amount by at least 25 percent.

Students will also be making holiday cards, which will be given to
patients in area hospitals and nursing homes.

The school has students throughout Stark County, including Canton,
Massillon and Louisville.

Fundraiser planned for family

A Massillon church will hold a fundraiser Sunday for the family of a Hope Academy of Canton student who died in a Canton house fire July 14.

Read story in The Independent

Vigil remembers Hope Academy student

Hope Academy in Canton held a vigil Friday night in memory of student Michael Crislip, 13, who died in a house fire on July 14.

Crislip just finished sixth grade at the school.

"This is not the last time we will do this," school principal Tony Townsend told a reporter. "He was a beautiful person. We love Mike. He was a wonderful kid. He will be truly missed."

The vigil was led by Chris Cicero, a seminarian at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Canton.

"I know I'm going to miss him terribly," said sixth-grade teacher Kelly Tucci.

"Mike was dedicated to his education," Townsend said. "It's unfortunate to lose a young life to such a tragic thing."

About 75 people attended the event.

Read story from The Repository

Here was coverage on Channel 3



Here was coverage on Channel 19

School to hold vigil for student killed in fire

WHAT: Hope Academy staff and students will hold a vigil in memory of Mke Crislip, 13, a student at the school who died July 14 in a Canton fire.

WHERE: Hope Academy, 1379 Garfield Ave S.W., Canton

WHEN: 5 p.m. Friday, July 20, 2007

Crislip just finished sixth grade at the school.

"We're a small school," Principal Tony Townsend said. "We're like a family over here."

Townsend said many students have signed an online remembrance book for Crislip.

"(Mike) was an ideal student," he said.

In memory

Hope Academies across Ohio offer their condolences to the family of Mike Crislip, a 13-year-old Canton resident who was believed to have died in a fire Saturday.

Read story from July 15, 2007 edition of The Repository

Students help Hammers and Nails

Students from HOPE Academy Canton participated in a fundraiser called “Pennies for Paint.”

The students collected a total of $402.20.

The money was donated to Hammers and Nails, a nonprofit agency that helps disadvantaged Stark County homeowners with home repairs.