Ta-Rel Franklin, MBA
Class of 2012
Hello, my name is Ta-Rel Franklin and I am a 2012 graduate of Lutheran High School East. I am honored to have the opportunity to share my story with you. In 2008 my parents and I decided that Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School was the best high school fit for me both academically and athletically. After spending two years at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School I felt in my heart that it was time for a change. My parents and I spent a lot of time researching many schools in the Cleveland area and after roughly a month we decided to transfer to Lutheran High School East. The next two years of my high school career turned out to be a life-changing decision.
Throughout my life, I was accustomed to being the “new kid” due to transferring to several schools early on. I walked into Lutheran High School East like every other school, not knowing many people and feeling like I was starting all over again. The students were welcoming and I felt a deep connection with the faculty and staff. I enjoyed the small classroom size and the teachers did an excellent job spending one on one time with me along with other students. My teachers challenged me academically, personally and spiritually. For that, I thank them.
During my time at Lutheran High School East, I learned some essential core values: integrity, accountability, respect, and toughness. I want to thank my teachers and all faculty and staff for teaching me these life values. As my senior year was coming to an end, Lutheran High School East put me in a position to be accepted by several colleges and universities nationwide. I decided to attend Alderson Broaddus University where I graduated in four years with a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing in 2016. After graduating, I was accepted into graduate school at Bluffton University. There, I graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration in 2018.
Throughout my college years, my relationship with the staff at Lutheran High School East grew. It was easy for me to call Mr. Chris Steinmann, Mr. David Jabs, Mr. Ben Triplett or Mrs. Nicole Chiles. I hosted a field trip while at Bluffton University facilitated by Mrs. Chiles for Lutheran High School East students. It was a thrill for me to work with Mrs. Chiles in this capacity and it helped me realize how valuable my Lutheran High School East relationships had become. The same can be said for Mr. Steinmann; as a student Mr. Steinmann was a key resource. His leadership and foresight propelled him to lead our school forward and he has always been a mentor to me.
Mr. Jabs is another staff member I consider a mentor. During my transition from high school to college and then to graduate school, Mr. Jabs has always been available for late-night chats about life, education, sports, and encouragement for me to continue forward. Relationships push each of us forward and I am happy to have cultivated meaningful connections through Lutheran East that have guided me forward.
I am currently the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Alderson Broaddus University and I continue to live my life by the core values I learned at Lutheran High School East. I believe it is my responsibility to spread these core values to others. I truly want to thank the Lutheran High School East community for welcoming me with open arms and molding me into the young man I have become today.