Barberton Student Opportunity to Participate Fund

The Barberton Student Opportunity to Participate Fund helps keep financial barriers from standing between eligible Barberton students and the activities that help them learn, grow, build confidence, and stay connected to their school community.

Created in 2026 in response to the introduction of pay-to-participate fees for middle and high school athletics, marching band, and color guard, the fund provides charitable support for eligible students when the cost of participating creates a barrier.

The fund was made possible through the generosity of original donors Ronald Conrad, Dan Durbin, Joe Giovanini, Dr. Douglas Gormley, Kiwanis Club of Barberton, Landon Nyako, and the Slovak Catholic Sokol Club of Barberton, along with additional community supporters who have joined the effort.

Donors may support the fund in general, designate their charitable gift to Barberton High School or Barberton Middle School, or direct their support to an eligible activity, such as marching band or a specific athletic program.

Gifts help create opportunities for students today while growing a fund designed to become a permanent resource for future generations of Barberton students.

At its heart, the fund reflects what can happen when a community sees a barrier and chooses to create opportunity.