Cuyahoga Heights High School (CHHS) sophomores Nathan Tommer, Arianna Wittingen, Caleigh Rusch, Joee Cichocki, and Drayden Whitlow participated in the first of eight workshops at Cleveland State University on October 15 as members of the 2025-26 First Ring Student Leadership Institute (FRSLI). They were among sophomore students from 17 local districts chosen to participate in this year’s round of workshops.
FRSLI is a program sponsored by the First Ring Schools Collaborative that charges Northeast Ohio high school students to lead change in their schools and communities. Over the program’s eight sessions, the students will participate in activities aimed at building leadership skills and broadening their awareness of community issues.
At Wednesday’s session, participants were challenged to identify issues within their own schools and then collaborate to develop creative solutions. Over the next several sessions, they will learn critical-thinking and problem-solving skills as they conduct research and analyze data to better understand the issue’s nature and develop potential solutions – ultimately make a positive impact within their home districts.
About the First Ring
The First Ring Schools Collaborative (FRSC) is an association of school districts within and surrounding the City of Cleveland, Ohio. The Collaborative was established in 2000 with the goal of helping school districts address the common challenges related to poverty, mobility, diversity, and the achievement gap.
Pictured at CSU sign left to right: Joee Cichocki, Arianna Wittingen, Drayden Whitlow , Nathan Tommer, and Caleigh Rusch.
