Students Shine at the 2025 Youth Career Olympics
Another spring, another incredible Youth Career Olympics in the books!
Held on March 11 at the Huntington Convention Center, the Youth Career Olympics (YCO) is an annual event that showcases our students in our Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates program. More than 150 students across nine high schools in Northeast Ohio competed in the event. For 2025, those schools were:
Cleveland Heights High School
East Tech High School
Glenville High School
John Marshall High School - Civic and Business Leadership
John Marshall High School - Information Technology
Lincoln-West School of Global Studies
Maple Heights ECAC High School
Maple Heights High School
Warrensville High School
Throughout the morning, students competed in team and solo-based events that highlighted the business skills they learned throughout the school year. At the celebration luncheon, the top three winners in each category received awards. Check out the full list of our 2025 YCO winners!
During the luncheon, the prepared speaking winner gives their speech in front of the large crowd. This year, E’lyana M. from Cleveland Heights High School delivered a powerful speech on finding her individuality as an identical twin.
“Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates gives me the tools I need to find a job, but to also find myself,” E’lyana said. “Through JOG, I’ve learned how to communicate without another voice supporting my words, how to take initiative and how to believe in my abilities to choose right for myself.“
“Even though I may have always had someone by my side, JOG has given me the privilege and knowledge to feel that I have everything I need within me.”
Check out all of our talented prepared speaking speeches on our YouTube channel.
Other highlights included:
Students visited the Opportunity Fair sponsored by CVS Health, where they learned about more than 20 local organizations with employment opportunities.
Students and staff from our partner organization, Open Door’s Academy, were able to attend the Opportunity Fair and luncheon.
During the luncheon, Tiffany Tarpley, Anchor and Reporter from “Good Morning Cleveland”, emceed our ceremony. Kofi B, a two-time Emmy®-nominated musician and motivational speaker, inspired students with his speech.
Select winners from YCO will go on to compete at either the State or National Career Development Conference hosted by the Jobs for America’s Graduates.
Thanks to our sponsors, including our Platinum Sponsor, the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as our volunteers and staff for making another memorable event as we showcased the future workforce in action.
Congratulations to all of our participants — we know this is just the beginning of your journey!