Staff report

LEAVITTSBURG — Three new members will be inducted Dec. 19 into the LaBrae Local School District’s Hall of Fame, including two graduates and a former teacher / coach.

The LaBrae Hall of Fame recognizes distinguished alumni of LaBrae Local Schools, including Leavittsburg and Braceville High Schools; student-athletes who’ve had distinguished athletic accomplishments; and members of the school community who have made significant contributions to benefit students and LaBrae Schools.

JAMES G. MITCHELL

James G. Mitchell, a 1972 graduate of LaBrae High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Kent State University. After joining M+A Architects (now MA Design) in 1981, he dedicated 40 years to the firm, steadily rising through the ranks to become a major contributor in its growth.

In 2000, he became second-in-command, leading marketing and operational efforts when he was appointed partner, executive vice president and principal architect of the firm. Under his leadership, and in collaboration with his partners, the firm grew to a 120-person powerhouse by the time he retired at the end of 2020. MA Design is recognized as one of the Top 10 largest architecture firms in Columbus, with annual sales in excess of $10 million.

Mitchell has played a formative role in the development of numerous young architects, designers and construction professionals. Initially, the firm did some residential and church projects with Mitchell playing a major role in expanding the firm’s capabilities into additional markets, accounting for the majority of its growth during his tenure. As a result, the firm opened a satellite office in Cincinnati to complement the main office in Columbus.

He has emeritus status with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is certified by the State of Ohio as a Chief Building Official and Master Plans Examiner. His many accomplishments include public works projects throughout Ohio, including Columbus, Hilliard, Delaware, Westerville, Worthington, Dublin, Norwalk, Troy, Union County and Delaware County.

Mitchell and his wife, Leslie, established the James G. and Leslie A. Mitchell CAED (College of Architecture & Environmental Design) Scholarship in 2022. This $3,000 scholarship is available to a graduating student in Trumbull County who wishes to enter the Kent State College of Architecture & Environmental Design in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, interior design or construction management.

He has provided pro bono services to numerous startup churches and missions in Central Ohio. He is an active member in COCOA (Central Ohio Code Officials Association) and an active member and president of The Holy Cross Orthodox Church.

JULIANNA POLITSKY

Julianna Politsky is a 1997 graduate of LaBrae High School. Now living in Los Angeles, California, she is the co-owner of Redbird Entertainment and has built a career in entertainment rooted in her Midwestern upbringing and Mexican heritage.

During her time at LaBrae, she was involved in numerous clubs and activities. She served as Class of ’97 vice president; was a member of the Letterman, Yearbook, Beta, Spanish and Mock Trial clubs. She was also a member of the cheerleading squad and high school band.

After high school, Politsky attended Kent State University, where she graduated in 2002 with degrees in marketing and psychology. After graduation, she worked in the fashion and real estate industries, but deep down was a cinephile and fascinated with the film industry. She decided to move to Hollywood to pursue her passion. She started her entertainment career at a Hollywood Talent agency, then beat out hundreds of candidates for a position with Legendary Entertainment, staying 10 years with the company and helping to build their first production department.

She worked on 25-plus films in production, finance and VFX with budgets ranging from $5 million to $200 million like “Dune,” “Enola Holmes,” “Godzilla,” “Pokemon Detective Pikachu,” “42,” “Crimson Peak” and “Pacific Rim.”

In 2016, she began hosting events in Los Angeles, New York City and London for Women in Entertainment to combat a lack of representation on both sides of the camera and in the writer’s room. These events were to encourage women to make connections and business deals, propelling themselves on to greater success in a male-dominated industry.

Politsky has executive produced Sundance-premiered, Independent-Spirit Award nominated “La Leyenda Negra,” and co-produced Gotham-winning, Independent Spirit- and NAACP Image Award- nominated “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” that both aired on HBO. She now independently produces and is co-owner of Redbird Entertainment. In 2022, Kent State wrote an article highlighting her success, which can still be found on the Kent State University alumni website.

PAUL PARIDON

Paul Paridon retired from LaBrae Local Schools after teaching in the district for 36 years, 33 of which he also coached. He taught 6th grade at Bascom for two years before moving to the junior high school where he taught for 34 years.

A graduate of Akron University with a B.S. in education, he was voted “Outstanding Man of the Year” by the LaBrae Football Boosters in 1986 for his dedication and service to the sports programs of LaBrae High School. He served 19 years as assistant football coach; 18 years as assistant basketball coach; one year as assistant baseball coach; one year as track coach; and continued coaching for many more years.

He was also active in his church community as a member of the choir, a reader of Holy Scripture, a minister of the Eucharist and a festival booth captain for many years, and a co-chairman during some of those years, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.