Ashley Spellman is no stranger to the kitchen. For seven months, she worked daily rolling out dough to make pies. She learned how to cook them just right – with a bubbly filling and a golden-brown crust.

She enjoyed her job, but she also knew her future held more than transforming apples into a perfectly baked pastry. She attended college once, shortly after graduating from Waterloo High School. She dropped out within two weeks. The university was too big, and “just too much” for this once self-described shy teen. 

Communicating hope.

Ashton Blake briefly peered into the crowd gathered at the E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall.

The stage was his. 

Saxophone in hand, Blake began to play the solo he knew so well. Practicing for this day was an honor and privilege for the 20-something who was a skilled musician before he had reached middle school.

World-class experts bring valued research to Stark County.

Kent State University at Stark’s faculty are a force in the community, working to better the region by offering their academic expertise in a tangible way. Kent State Stark brings immeasurable value to community organizations, the health care industry, environmental groups and more.

Survivor.

Acres away from the farmer’s home, Jennifer Peterson stared hard at the bright blue sky. Then, darkness. In and out of consciousness, she tried to move. Only pain.

She tried to scream. Her cries for help were mere whispers.

The tractor came from a distance. Had the farmer not remembered his dream during the night, Peterson is sure she would have died that day. 

Nichole Ross dreamed of living in the Big Apple before she set out of Tiger Country. But, eight days in, reality hit this Massillon native as she resided in her tiny apartment with five roommates in Chinatown.

“Why did I move here?,” a tearful Ross, on the phone to her mother, asked while walking down Park Avenue. “They don’t like my address; they don’t like my resume. I’m going to be coming home real soon.”