Waite graduate surprised with new vehicle

Daron Webb, a 2025 Waite High School graduate who has overcome challenges such as homelessness, depression, and being a family caregiver, was rewarded with a new red Honda vehicle on Feb. 12 at Industrial Power Systems (IPS) in Rossford.

Webb thought he was just going to work, but he was stunned to see the crowd and then the vehicle appear in front of him.

“They were telling us they had a conference in here yesterday, so I thought we were going to have to be in here for a minute because I was going to go in the other shop over there and do some work,” Webb said. “Then he pulled in here, and I'm just like, 'What are we doing?' And then I saw everybody pointing their phones, and I'm like, 'What the heck is going on?' I was just so surprised.

“It’s thrilling. I'm just still too stunned. I don't even know how to feel right now.”

Webb worked hard to finish summer school before graduating in the fall. He now works for a local electrical company with aspirations of becoming an electrician. Through all that, he was walking more than a mile to get to work, no matter the weather.

That’s where Toledo Public Schools CEO/superintendent Dr. Romules Durant, the community, and Yark Automotive Group stepped in.

“Daron is a very resilient, grateful person,” Durant said. “At the end of the day, he shows great pride in being self-sufficient in the way of having great instinct, whether he's homeless or just trying to figure out day-to-day operations. When I saw that he was willing to be receptive to having support and help, that goes a long way.”

Durant said the first goal he had for Daron was getting him graduated from high school and then headed toward a career path.

“When I saw him walking to work every day, that made it very simple for me to make call to the IBEW,” he said. “And when they interviewed him, they were completely impressed. They hired him immediately. They established for him to be here because he lived on the East Side, so they figured it'd be an easy commute. If he had to walk, he could get there.

“It took a team of individuals, took an automotive company such as Yark. State Farm stepped up with the insurance. I was able to get an anonymous donation to purchase the vehicle. Fees were paid for. These aren't your likely situations, but I can tell you that there's no one more deserving than Daron in terms of what he's been through. We're all just happy to see him really take those great steps to success.”

At IPS, Durant said there is a signup sheet to assist with rides for Daron and that it’s all a part of what goes into making the Toledo community so great, as well as the kind of person Daron is.

“People ask why you stay in Toledo and everything,” Durant said. “I said, listen, Toledo is a loving place, very supportive, embracing. I've seen it. I grew up on the East Side, and I see it continuously in the position that I'm in. When it comes to a call to action, people step up.

“When people see individuals who are going above and beyond, there is always someone there that's saying, 'Listen, I will support you.' And it's those type of characteristics that Daron holds onto. This entire business signs up to take him home. They have a sign-up sheet. Who's taking him home?

“That just tells you that being a likable person and having great social skills means well. You can see they're a family, and Daron has only been here for a few weeks. He has blended into the family very quickly. I'm just excited for him. As you can see, everyone's excited for him. A lot of people got choked up.”

Webb started working at IPS in December while also working at Dollar Tree.

“I would walk from the East Side of Toledo all the way down Navarre, probably like an hour walk,” Webb said. “I don't know how many miles it is, but I'd do that and then walk home every day. When I started working here, I'd take the bus over here, and then I'd take the bus back. Then eventually, my co-workers started giving me rides and stuff.

“It means a lot. It's just, I feel so inspired, just because I feel like I inspire people so much to the point where they want to help me, but also I'm just so grateful. I don't know how to describe it. It's just surreal.”

Durant said his next goal is to help Daron’s mother because of how closely the two are connected.

“She’s seen his success, so it lended her to be sober,” he said. “Her sobriety is as long now as it's ever been because of what he's been able to do. So we're taking small, rewarding steps with her to really get her back into what she was wanting to do before she fell into addiction.”

Durant hopes this will serve as an inspirational story for others going through a similar path to Webb.

“It's just an inspiration to other kids who are going through the same challenges and maybe not realize that they need to connect with me, and Daron did that,” Durant said. “I'll get kids all the time and this might be the story where someone does reach out. ‘Hey, I heard you helped this kid, can you help me because this is what I’m going through?’”

Webb just had an interview on Feb. 11 to be an electrician for an apprenticeship. His goal is to be a licensed electrician and do a five-year apprenticeship.

“I've always been very goal-oriented,” he said. “I find challenges very fun. Problem solving is something I love. I desire to learn a lot, so it's just a perfect career. I like the practical knowledge of it.”