Private donations fund Alumni Plaza at the junior high
Oakwood Schools Foundation project will be unveiled in fall.
The Oakwood school OAKWOOD — district is nearing completion of an Alumni Plaza near the south entrance to the junior high school on East Shantz Avenue.
School officials and the Oakwood Schools Foundation embarked on the project three years ago and will unveil it this fall.
The Oakwood Alumni Plaza, funded entirely by private donations, will provide a welcome addition to the most-used entrance at Oakwood Junior High and Oakwood High School, Superintendent Kyle Ramey said.
“We always appreciate the Oakwood Schools Foundation’s support for our students and staff in the classroom with grants, and are now enjoying this expanded partnership and support of our continued focus on facilities,” he said.
The foundation has been a major contributor to the district to help major building projects get completed.
“As critical members of our team, OSF has assisted us in completing Lane Stadium a few years ago, developing the Oakwood Alumni Plaza and will in the future continue to help us enhance the arts,” Ramey said.
The idea for the Alumni Plaza evolved in 2017 when a member of the OHS Class of 1967 wanted
to learn about the district’s needs and responded well to the proposal.
“The Alumni Plaza moved from concept to reality because one of our alumni provided OSF with a matching fund donation of $50,000. Many more alumni and friends generously came forward,” Ramey said
Foundation Board Chair Chris Conard said the Alumni Plaza is another example of the OSF’s strong partnership with Oakwood Schools.
“Our goal to provide quality opportunities and facilities for students and staff. The OSF will continue to explore new opportunities to privately fund district-wide improvements,” Conrad said.
The transformed outdoor space will serve many purposes for school and community groups. A point of interest will be a large brick paver circle encompassing a block “O” for Oakwood.
Within the circle, paver bricks have been engraved with the names of donors. OHS classes ranging from 1950 to 2035 eventually will be recognized on the bricks. With plenty of seating and new landscaping, the plaza will promote social interactions and define the main entrance to the building.
An official ceremony dedicating the area to Oakwood Schools and its students past, present and future will be held this fall. Contact this reporter at 937225-0586 or email Wayne. Baker@coxinc.com.