MAGNOLIA – Sandy Valley Local School District has named Beau Balderson, the district’s athletic director and assistant principal, as the Sandy Valley High School principal for the 2026-27 school year.
Before becoming athletic director two years ago, Balderson spent 24 years in education, primarily at the high school level as a social studies teacher and coach. Throughout his career, Balderson served as head football coach at Jackson Local, Marlington, Southeast, Parma, and GlenOak, while coaching multiple other sports programs.
Current Sandy Valley High School Principal Alivia Stamp has accepted a position with the Stark County Educational Service Center.
Minerva honors teachers
MINERVA – Minerva Local Education Association honored its educators at a May 18 event at Tee House Social at Great Trail Golf Course.
First-year teachers – Kamryn Bondoni, Nadia Gray, Natalie Hinkle, Maggie Masl, Mason Middleton, Mackenzie Scott, and Zachary Slates
10 years – Lisa Anthony and Jacalyn Woods.
20 years – Robert Carle, Aimee Davis and Allison Wukotich.
30 years – Debra Imler.
Retiring: Michele Harris, Minerva Elementary School; Debra Imler, Minerva High School; and Valerie Slaton Minerva High School.
Karen Johnson, a first grade teacher at Minerva Elementary School, received the 2026 Golden Apple award for teaching excellence. A committee selected Johnson from about 77 nominations submitted by students, colleagues and parents.
MLEA Legacy Scholarships were awarded to Paisley Imler and Alora Boldon.
Canton student is finalist in anti-violence essay program
COLUMBUS – Canton STEAMM Academy student Xzhaun Lytle is a finalist in the “Do the Write Thing” essay contest. The contest was established in 1994 by the National Campaign to Stop Youth Violence. Middle-schoolers share through essays how violence has touched their lives and how they chose peace.
Representatives from Canton City Schools, Cleveland Metropolitan Schools, Springfield City Schools and Youngstown City Schools will take part in a national recognition event in July in Washington, D.C. Business leaders and community members served as judges in each community.
Read Xzhaun’s essay and those of 11 other Canton City School District middle-school students at tinyurl.com/3e6t88kt, on Pages 5-18.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost commended 42 middle-school finalists. Since 2021, Yost’s office has partnered with the nonprofit to bring the program to Ohio schools.
“I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of each and every one of you,” Yost told the student finalists in a video played at each of their award ceremonies leading up to the end of the school year. “You’re tackling tough topics and making a difference with your words − and that’s amazing. Keep using your voices, keep pushing for change, and keep making a difference. Your words matter, and so do you.”
Strausser student 2nd in engineering coloring contest
JACKSON TWP. – Strausser Elementary School second grader Joy Schiffer placed second in the 2026 Imagine Engineering Coloring Contest out of 10,269 students statewide.
At a June 13 award luncheon in Columbus, Joy will receive the second-place prize, a National Geographic dual microscope.
The Engineers Foundation of Ohio founded the Imagine Engineering program and coloring contest in 1999. Since then, EFO’s partner, the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers, has enlisted its chapter members statewide to visit local classrooms and explain to second graders what engineers do for a living.
Walsh University’s Cavalier Soirée raises more than $250,000
NORTH CANTON – Walsh University’s 2026 Cavalier Soirée Dinner and Auction raised more than $250,000 in support of students facing financial hardship. The amount surpassed this year’s goal and brought the event’s five-year total to more than $800,000. This year’s event, at Hoover Park Lodge, welcomed the most attendees to date, a 70% increase since the event’s inception four years ago. Hosted by Walsh President Tim and Drenda Collins, it featured dinner, raffles and silent and live auctions.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Sandy Valley names Balderson high school principal | Education Roundup
Reporting by Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
