The Class That Clicked Wraps Up an Unforgettable Year with a Powerful Closing Retreat

April 30th marked a deeply emotional and inspiring milestone for The Class That Clicked as they gathered for their Closing Retreat, graciously hosted and sponsored by RPM. The day was filled with laughter, tears, meaningful reflection, and the unmistakable energy that comes from being surrounded by individuals who are passionate about making a difference in Medina County.

The morning began with a warm welcome and a delicious breakfast, followed by an engaging keynote from Randell McShepard, Vice President of Public Affairs and Chief Talent Officer at RPM. Randell shared valuable insights about RPM’s impressive 50+ years of sustained success and spoke from the heart about the importance of being part of a community. His words set the tone for a day centered around connection, impact, and future possibilities.

One of the most anticipated moments of the retreat was the presentation of this year’s Nonprofit Projects. Each class group had the opportunity to highlight their collaboration with local nonprofits and the change they were able to spark through their work. This year’s partners included:

• Integrated Community Solutions

• The Medina County Community Foundation

• The Free Clinic of Medina

• The Medina Personal Care Pantry

We extend our deepest gratitude to these organizations for opening their doors and working hand-in-hand with our class. The impact was not only tangible for the nonprofits themselves, but also transformative for the participants who poured their hearts into each project.

The day continued with moments of reflection as the class looked back on the year—celebrating milestones, personal growth, and the bonds formed through shared purpose. Graduation preparation followed, along with another delicious meal courtesy of RPM.

The afternoon brought a thought-provoking session titled after the book “Life in the Gap” led by Terri Greene, offering a glimpse into the next step of leadership development through the LEAD Institute. Committee Chairs from alumni-led initiatives also spoke, igniting excitement for the opportunities that await as class members transition into active alumni roles.

Following a moving closing address from Jennifer Bilek (tears included!), the group gathered one final time for a cocktail reception, where memories were shared, laughs echoed through RPM’s back courtyard, and a goose made an appearance to bid farewell to the class in true fashion of this animal-loving class.

As we wrap up this unforgettable journey, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to RPM for their generous support, to our class members for their dedication and spirit, and to our community partners for their unwavering commitment to progress.

The Class That Clicked is now ready to step into the next chapter—not just as graduates, but as changemakers, collaborators, and community leaders. May your leadership inspire, your actions uplift, and your service endure.

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Media from our Graduation Ceremony on May 14th.