Viking Spotlight

Interactive Media is a popular Career Tech (CTE) class at Hoover High School because of the many skills students learn in the course that provide numerous opportunities for their future. Mr. Gary Bodenschatz, the instructor, brings a wealth of experience to the classroom and offers sage advice to his students. He uses his talent and wit to guide students into making good choices in both design and...

Hoover's Ryan Shaffer has been a highly successful tennis coach for over three decades, and in this week's Viking Spotlight , he shares his background, his principles of coaching, and his thoughts about the impact that sports have on young people. He is a Stark County legend in the tennis world, and this podcast shows he is not only a great coach, but also a man of integrity. 

Hoover Associate Principal Rob White talks to NCCS Superintendent Jeff Wendorf about the Career Tech Pact, which includes GlenOak, Hoover, Jackson, and Lake High Schools. He explains how Career Tech Education (CTE) offers high school students, as well as eighth graders from North Canton Middle School, can explore paths to a successful career. Hoover offers nine outstanding CTE programs, and the fo...

Superintendent Jeff Wendorf and Hoover High School Marching Band Director Ron Varn discuss the successes of the marching band season, the lessons learned from participating in band, and the upcoming state competition at Hilliard Bradley High School, as well as the "Thank You" concert Tuesday, October 25, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the main gym of the high school.

In this week’s Viking Spotlight , Superintendent Jeff Wendorf and Athletic Director Tom Oakes discuss the fall sports season, as well as the shortage of officials, updates to athletic facilities, and upcoming schedule changes.

In this episode of Viking Spotlight , Mrs. Sandy Stambaugh talks about a new class on wellness that has been implemented at North Canton Middle School for all seventh-grade students. The Ohio Department of Education has established Social Emotional Learning Standards for students, and the new class addresses those standards. Mrs. Stambaugh covers the thoughts behind its creation, curriculum, and g...

This week the Viking Spotlight is on the Special Services Department of North Canton City Schools. The Director of Special Services, John Welch, is joined by the Coordinator of Special Services and Response to Intervention Team leader, Julie Stingel, to share the mission of the department as they help 600 students experience growth and achievement. Mr. Welch and Mrs. Stingel provide information wi...

This week’s guest on Viking Spotlight is Aidan Kirkbride, a Hoover High School junior who is working towards his Eagle Scout Rank in Scouts BSA, Troop 1012, out of North Canton, Ohio. His Eagle Scout Project is creating a commemorative patio dedicated to the military at the MAP’S Air Museum. The project has three phases. Phase 1 is a seat wall set upon a retaining wall, Phase 2 is a paver patio wi...

In this episode of Viking Spotlight , NCCS Superintendent Jeff Wendorf talks with John Kirkpatrick, a co-partner in Hammond Construction, and Jeff Adams, a Vice-President of Hammond. Hammond is currently building a new primary school (pre-k to grade 2) on Charlotte Street in North Canton and a new elementary school (grades 3-5) on Maple Street, close to the current Clearmount Elementary School. Mr...

North Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Wendorf talks to Kosta Volas, the President of the Hoover Class of 2023. Kosta is a talented speaker who recently welcomed back the 600 employees of the school district. He is active in speech and debate, theater, vocal music, Student Council, the award-winning Viking Views , National Honor Society, and Link Crew. Kosta has also taken numerous advanced...

North Canton residents that attended the football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, August 19, saw Legacy Landing for the first time. In this podcast, Superintendent Jeff Wendorf talks to Tim Walker about the origins of Memorial Stadium, the creation of Legacy Landing, and other projects related to the renovation of the stadium. Interested in becoming a member of Legacy Landing? Go to https://ho...

North Canton City School District is excited to welcome students and families to the 2022-2023 school year! To begin the school year on the Viking Spotlight podcast, Superintendent Jeff Wendorf interviews Food Service Director Jill Lauter about changes from the last school year when all student meals were free, thanks to legislation involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The free meal progr...

On Wednesday, June 22, the teen entrepreneurs of Brain Wave, a JA Student Company from North Canton, Ohio, representing Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio, were selected from among 15 JA student companies as the JA Company of the Year while participating in Junior Achievement's (JA) 2022 National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS). The competition took place in Washington, D.C. In this podcast...

In his interview with North Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Wendorf, Hoover High School Principal Eric Bornstine discusses the recent commencement and offers a review of the 2021-2022 school year.

The pandemic impacted every department of North Canton City Schools, and the Food Service Department, under the direction of Jill Lauter, met the challenge of feeding North Canton students head on. Jill shares a behind the scenes look at food service and talks about the steps she and the other extraordinary "Lunch Ladies" pulled together to prep and distribute meals to the children and young peopl...

In the second part of the State of the Schools podcast, North Canton Superintendent Jeff Wendorf takes a look at academics, the arts, and athletics through interviews with Dave Pilati, Ron Varn, and Tom Oakes.

In part one of this podcast of the annual State of the Schools, NCCS Superintendent Jeff Wendorf is joined by Tim Walker, Todd Tolson, and Todd Henne to talk about facilities, finance, and operations of the school district.

May 2-6, 2022, is National Teacher and Staff Week at North Canton City Schools. Who better to discuss what it means to be a teacher and share her experiences over 37 years than Mia Thomas, the NCCS Educator of the Year for the Stark County Educational Service Center's Education Celebration. Mrs. Thomas is an exceptional teacher who recognizes the importance of reaching every child in her sixth-gra...

North Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Wendorf talks with Kathy Snyder and Michelle McAllister in honor of Administrative Professionals Day. Mrs. Snyder works in the Hoover Guidance Department, and Mrs. McAllister works in the main office of North Canton Middle School.

North Canton Deputy Director of Administration Catherine Farina talks to NCCS Superintendent Jeff Wendorf about Dogwood Park, which will be dedicated April 23, 2022.

Emily Shaub and Taylor Sowers, both NCCS science teachers, will run their first Boston Marathon Monday, April 18. Superintendent Jeff Wendorf talks to Emily and Taylor about their backgrounds in running, their training regimen, and their goals for Monday. Interested in following their progress at the marathon? The following link will give you a chance to track them:  https://boston.r.mikatimi...

Often the first NCCS employees to greet students in the morning and the last to say good-bye in the afternoon, bus drivers play an important part of the school day. You don't want to miss this episode as 30-year bus veteran Pam Lazarites talks about her job with Superintendent Jeff Wendorf. After you listen to this podcast, you'll understand why Mrs. Lazarites is loved and respected by parents, st...

Hoover Interact Club advisors Sarah Jackson and Janice McCarthy join Superintendent Jeff Wendorf to talk about the upcoming Senior Citizens Prom that will be held April 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hoover High School Commons. To download the form to make reservations, go to https://www.northcantonschools.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6Y2BGUY&dasi=32UB.

On this week's Viking Spotlight podcast, Superintendent Jeff Wendorf talks to Hoover Vocal Music Director Doug Beery about the storyline, music, students, and background of the high school's performance of Grease . The musical will open Thursday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. in the Hoover Hall for the Performing Arts. Subsequent performances will be Friday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. with two shows Saturday...

Superintendent Jeff Wendorf and Gretchen Leckie-Ewing discuss the history of the Summa Scholars Celebration and the thoughts behind the recognition. The celebration for 2022 was held at the Barrett Center at Walsh University Tuesday, March 15. A special thanks to the Hoover Sideliners for making this event possible. To watch the video of the program, please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy...