COLUMBIANA — Municipal contingents from as far as Girard were in attendance as Columbiana High School’s Creative Entrepreneurship class unveiled the process behind its latest project, the Garden of Eatin’ in downtown Columbiana.

Representatives from Struthers, Salem, Youngstown, Leetonia and Sebring filled the high school auditorium Thursday morning along with proud parents and community members.

Students from East Palestine High School made the trip as state and federal legislators were represented.

Columbiana High School principal Jeff Jackson welcomed the crowd, which then was introduced by Columbiana Mayor Rick Noel.

City manager Lance Willard thanked those in attendance for sharing a passion of his: youth engagement within their individual communities.

Looking around, he explained to the Creative Entrepreneurship class members that the students “give him hope for the future generation.”

Members of the 2024-25 CHS Creative Entrepreneurship class are Quentin Barnes, Alivia Bell, Elle Church, Reed Davis, Michael Dunn, Daniel Goehring, Danica Halas, Ava Hinrich, Maryn Hepler, Hailey Muntean, Nina Nappo, Mason Sloan, Seth Struharik, Ellie Venezia and Craig Witherow.

Willard had a little advice for those municipal officials interested in doing similar projects with youth in their community. He suggested starting with a small project — low hanging fruit — then build it from there.

Several years ago, Columbiana council formed a Progress Committee, which included community stakeholders and business owners as a think tank of sorts.

Through this partnership, this is the fourth project tackled by the city and this class.

Initially, the Columbiana Corridor was completed, converting an underutilized alley into outdoor seating for relaxation, dining and economic growth, explained Trisha Missos, Creative Entrepreneurship instructor.

Then, the students worked to add a second public ordering window for the Firestone Pool concession stand, added two murals and gave a facelift to the Columbiana Plaza parking lot before tackling the Garden of Eatin’.

A work in progress since fall 2023, the Garden of Eatin’ will provide an inclusive space for entertainment with its concrete stages, dining, leisure and economic growth on Main Street, Missos explained.

The work on a mural has been underway since April and is expected to be completed in mid-May, students explained during their presentation.

After outlining their process, Noel asked if considering the audience’s interest if class members may be interested in detailing it at other schools if asked.

Willard had explained that the class had presented to a dozen mayors in Carnegie, Pa. several years ago.

Citing the benefits of the students taking this Creative Entrepreneurship class, Missos said that they have improved communication skills as well as had the opportunity to collaborate with professionals.

During their presentation, students outlined how they learned that parking was a major hurdle for downtown business owners as well as their financing process, which included being awarded the $50,000 T-Mobile grant.

There also are plans in a later stage of the Garden of Eatin’ project to install a concession stand by placing a cargo container on a concrete base.

The students outlined how they planned to creatively tie in the mural to the road crossing by painting flowers in the crosswalks carefully not to distract either vehicle or pedestrian traffic.

The Columbiana tourism board also is installing a 55-inch tall weather kiosk at the location.

In all there are six phases associated with the Garden of Eatin’ project with the mural and stage just emcompassing the first.

Students said they hope to have the initial phase completed by June 14-15, when they hope to have a ribbon cutting in conjunction with the Music and Chalk On Main event.

At the conclusion of the event, Missos and the students fielded questions from audience members.

Probably the largest takeaway from the presentation was the number of students, who felt involved instead of apathetic with their hometown.