CLEVELAND — We are three months out from the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, but in Cleveland a career-related spinoff of the Games wrapped up today.
The event was Youth Opportunities Unlimited’s annual Youth Career Olympics, and nearly 100 students took part in contests that tested their job-readiness skills.
This year, Youth Opportunities Unlimited rolled out the annual competition in a new and exciting way – through an online portal. This feature transformed the experience into a virtual convention that included interactive videos, a virtual job fair and more.
Youth Opportunities Unlimited is a Cleveland-based nonprofit that focuses on workforce development. It serves young people ages 14-24.
The organization offers a 4-credit course called Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) to local high school juniors and seniors. The program focuses on career development, employability, and leadership skills. Every April, Youth Opportunities Unlimited hosts the Youth Career Olympics, an event where JOG participants showcase what they have learned in the JOG program and compete in nine business categories.
“It’s an opportunity for [students] to show others what they have been able to achieve,” says Missy S. Toms, Vice President of Development & Communications at Youth Opportunities Unlimited. “In our public speaking [category,] these youths share some really astounding stories. The fact that they are brave enough to get up in front of people and talk about some of their deepest feelings, fears and things that have happened to them. It’s incredible. And, I think it’s good for people to see what amazing youth we have in Cleveland.”
The event kicked off Monday, April 12 and the competitions ran throughout the week. 3News reporter Marisa Saenz hosted the kickoff event. Winners were announced today. Each first-place winner received a $100 gift card and is placed in a raffle to win $1,000 they can use toward work or college expenses.
2021 Virtual Youth Career Olympics Winners are:
Community Service
1st Place: Oberlin High School – Jacquelyn Sirocky & Kelise Trotter
2nd Place: Maple Heights ECAC – Stephon Arale & Evvie Chisler
3rd Place: Euclid High School – Patrice Calvin & Eriona Kirksey
Corporate Team Challenge
1st Place: Euclid High School – Lloyd Sandosfsky & Janiya Parrish
2nd Place: Oberlin High School – Mya Edge, Jennah Ortiz & Andre Yarber
3rd Place: Maple Heights ECAC – Walter Ogletree & Rakiya Tilman
Decision Making
1st Place: East Tech High School – Jaheem Hameed
2nd Place: Euclid High School – Delonte Thorton
3rd Place: Oberlin High School – Casey Amato
Employment Application Review
1st Place: John Marshall School of Civic & Business Leadership – Adlih Gonzalez
2nd Place: Oberlin High School – Catherine Eichelberger
3rd Place: John Marshall School of Civic & Business Leadership – Inaya Abdus Salaam
Employment Interview
1st Place: Glenville High School – Jerrell Jones
2nd Place: Euclid High School – Alaysia McKinney
3rd Place: Oberlin High School – Raquel Eisom
Employment Skills Test
1st Place: Euclid High School – Stephanie Russell
2nd Place: Glenville High School – Va’shon Gandy
3rd Place: Maple Heights ECAC – Ronnie Hawkins Jr.
Program Cover Design
1st Place: Euclid High School – Aaliyah Ingram
2nd Place: Oberlin High School – Timothy Henderson
3rd Place: Maple Heights ECAC – Diyonna Hudson
Public Speaking
1st Place: Euclid High School – Michael Patterson
2nd Place: Maple Heights ECAC – Makeyah Franklin
3rd Place: Oberlin High School – Risa Jackson
Visual Display
1st Place: Oberlin High School – Anna Dedecek
2nd Place: Oberlin High School – Briana White
3rd Place: Maple Heights ECAC – Dajohn Sowell-Easley