KATIE KAGLER

Katie was born and raised in Hudson, Ohio. After graduating from Ithaca College in New York, she worked in marketing for The CBORD Group in Ithaca, and then as a marketing specialist for Diebold, Inc., first in Canton, Ohio and later in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She then went on to run and co-own several rental real estate holdings with her mother (Marnie Carabell ’57). Currently, she co-owns (with family) and sits on the Board of Belle Holdings, Inc., a multi-franchise restaurant group begun by Marnie in 1997. She volunteers around Hudson in various positions and is an avid gardener. Her home’s garden in Hudson was featured on the Hudson Garden Tour in 2007, and will be featured again in 2023. Katie and her husband Rob’s son, George ’17, is a sophomore at American University in Washington, D.C.

You have chosen to serve Old Trail in so many ways. What does the school mean to you? (Please elaborate on your mom, her love of Old Trail, and why it was a special place to her.)

I can hardly begin to describe how much Old Trail means to me and to my family. My mom, Marnie Carabell, graduated in 1957, so she was able to attend all through high school at the time. She had so many fond memories of OTS and lifelong friendships that she developed there. My grandfather worked at Goodyear, so she would reminisce about her dad driving her to school from their home in Hudson every morning when the school was located in Akron. She loved that time with him. Even into her 70’s, she was still meeting a small group of Old Trail friends for lunch in the valley in the summer.

When our son, George ’17, was of school age she really encouraged us to look at Old Trail. She was amazed at the new location and transition of the school since she had graduated. I was skeptical, because we knew our public school system was rated very highly. When my husband, Rob, and I walked into the school for the initial tour, we were completely in awe of the warm and caring environment, the peaceful settings and the small classes. It only took that one visit to convince us that this was the right choice. When George came for his day visit he not only loved the school, but his “buddy” from that very first day became a lifelong friend. It made my mom so happy to have George at Old Trail. Sadly, my mom did not live to see him graduate, but she was so proud and happy that she had that in common with her grandson.

What impact did OTS have on George’s life?

Old Trail was such a wonderful learning environment for George. He flourished under a more challenging academic program versus what a public school is able to provide, and with teachers who were devoted to learning in a much smaller environment. George attended (and graduated from) Western Reserve Academy and the transition from OTS to WRA was seamless because he was used to a challenging curriculum, knew how to study, loved to learn, and hit the ground running from day one.

Why do you continue to support Old Trail in so many ways?

I am grateful for the education and experience that not only George had at Old Trail, but also my mom. I want to continue to be a part of making sure OTS is here for generations to come. I know my mom would be proud of our continued support, as she supported Old Trail during her life as well. In addition, the school’s commitment to excellence in teaching, curriculum, sports, coaching, music and other activities is unwavering. The beautiful location in the valley is so unique and truly magical for these students to see every day. OTS has taken advantage of this location to teach students about the outdoors, planting and keeping a garden, hiking, protecting these natural resources and so much more. This is so vitally important in the world in which we live today and an experience that certainly cannot be found just anywhere.

The Alumni Association Honorary Alumni award is presented to a person who has made an important contribution or given extraordinary service to Old Trail School. Nominees must have contributed significantly to the welfare of Old Trail (parent, trustee, volunteer or benefactor), deserved the respect of both Old Trail alumni and future Old Trail students and shown a continued loyalty to Old Trail School.