We are pleased to announce that Emily Benni, M.Ed., will join Our Lady of the Elms School as Principal.

As the Elms looks toward the future, Emily brings more than 18 years of K–12 education experience and more than 8 years of educational leadership experience. Her background in instructional leadership, faculty development, curriculum, school culture, admissions, accreditation, and community engagement will help guide Elms as we continue to strengthen the student experience and advance our mission of developing women leaders.

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Dr. Hess, a 1974 Elms graduate and longtime donor to the school, has served on the Our Lady of the Elms Board of Trustees for three years. She retired from Cleveland Clinic as the Executive Director of Cleveland Clinic Academy. Prior to the Clinic, she served as Assistant to the President at Case Western Reserve University and ran an educational leadership consulting firm. Dr. Hess is licensed in the State of Ohio as an academic leader at a non-profit school and, early in her career, taught mathematics at Walsh Jesuit High School. Her interim appointment has been enthusiastically approved by our School Sponsor, Dominican Veritas Ministries, and the Superintendent of Schools for the Cleveland Catholic Diocese.

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It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Our Lady of the Elms School President Deborah Farquhar Jones, effective June 30, 2026.

Deborah has made a lasting impact on our community, and we are deeply grateful for her dedication to the Elms. During her 10 years of service, she has been an unwavering advocate for our students, faculty, alumnae, donors, and families and for the advancement of the Dominican mission. Under Deborah’s leadership, we have achieved significant milestones, including celebrating the 100th year of Our Lady of the Elms School.

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Our Lady of the Elms School’s Just Write team of state qualifiers began their journey to Bluffton University bright and early at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18, ready for a full day of creativity, competition, and storytelling.

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On Friday, May 22, 2026, Our Lady of the Elms School proudly celebrated the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2026 at St. Bernard Parish in Akron. This year’s ceremony held special significance as the Elms marked 100 years of graduates, honoring a century of faith, learning, leadership, and the enduring mission of Dominican education.

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For Elms students, being part of this initiative means more than participating in a fast-growing sport. It means helping shape the future of girls' athletics while living out the values that define an Elms education: its leadership, courage, and community.

As the team begins its inaugural season, these young women are stepping onto the field with determination and pride, supported by a school community that believes in who they are and who they are becoming.

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Our Lady of the Elms School is pleased to recognize juniors Sarah Rana, Mi’Kheia Wiggins, Ciara Morissey, and Kyla Morissey for their acceptance into Cycle 11 of the All-Akron Student Engineering Program (ASEP).

ASEP is a City of Akron–funded initiative, made possible through the support of Akron Waterways Renewed, that provides Akron high school juniors and seniors with meaningful exposure to the field of engineering. The program is designed to help students develop both technical knowledge and professional skills through a six-week, hands-on learning experience.

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Our Lady of the Elms School is proud to share that we have earned recognition on the 2025 AP® School Honor Roll.

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Our Lady of the Elms has launched Elms Eats, a new Middle School program designed to teach students essential life skills through hands-on cooking experiences. From following recipes and measuring ingredients to building confidence and understanding wellness, Elms Eats empowers students with practical knowledge they can carry beyond the classroom.

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Ray served as Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach for Baldwin Park Unified School District in California, leading his teams to three consecutive state championships. Known for his motivational leadership and strategic approach, he emphasizes teamwork, discipline, skill development, and athletic conditioning both on and off the court. Ray also supports student-athletes academically, helping them achieve balance and success beyond athletics.

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Sam Smith is joining Our Lady of the Elms School as a 5th Grade Classroom Teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. With a solid foundation in English Language Arts and Social Studies, as well as extensive experience in Catholic education, Samuel brings a passion for teaching and a commitment to student success.

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Alexis Wisniewski, M.Ed., L.P.S.C., has joined the Our Lady of the Elms School community as the new Upper School Counselor, serving students in grades 6-12. In this role, Alexis will oversee both college guidance and student support, helping to guide students academically, socially, and emotionally.

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Kelli L. Hohenadel shared, “I believe it is my role and responsibility to create an environment that fosters the love of learning. Engaging and interactive lessons allow students to not just listen to a lecture but to be involved in their own learning experience.  I am looking forward to starting this school year, teaching Jr. High Social Studies as well as Elms Eats at the Elms. ”

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Mr. Eiser, Director of the Lower School, shares, “Her dedication to our students, coupled with her strong educational background and years of experience at the Elms, will make her a wonderful asset to our Lower School. We look forward to seeing her create a positive and enriching classroom environment for her students.”

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Ananya Sharma, a distinguished member of the Class of 2025, has been named a 2025 Greater Akron-Canton Star Student by the Akron Beacon Journal. The prestigious honor recognizes top graduating seniors from high schools across the region who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, service, and strong character.

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The OSDA State Finals, hosted by Austintown Fitch High School on Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1, proved to be an exhilarating weekend of intense competition for Our Lady of the Elms students.

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It’s already nearing mid-December and with the holiday season in full swing, the spirit of giving is on many of our hearts and minds. As we grow older, we learn to appreciate the fulfillment that giving to others brings. This year, as we consider ways to give back, either through gifts, service, or charity, let’s remember one other significant way that we can help – by giving the gift of life through blood donations.

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Lama joins us with a wealth of knowledge and experience from her diverse academic and professional background. She is currently completing her PhD in Computational Ecology at Kent State University and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences from the American University of Beirut.

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LaTisca Henderson-Watkins is our school counselor at Our Lady of the Elms School. LaTisca holds a Master of Education with a focus on School Counseling and a B.A. in Psychology from Kent State University, where she graduated cum laude. With her extensive background in academic and social-emotional counseling, LaTisca has already made a significant impact at schools like St. Hilary and St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

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On Monday, September 9, Our Lady of the Elms School in Akron, Ohio officially kicked-off the school year with a 'Mass on the Grass'. 

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