Wadsworth Community Radio

Ruth Ozbolt ClearyIt was 10th grade at Wadsworth High School when Ruth (Ozbolt) Cleary was clear on the direction she wanted to take her career: TV production. She credits her media vocation program at WHS, taught by Rich Barnett, to her success.

“WCTV used to have their studio in the old Wadsworth High School building. I remember seeing a flyer for a new class coming to the high school outside the WCTV studios. Something just clicked and I thought I do want to do TV production. Wadsworth High School fostered my love for television,” Ruth explained.

She called it the most educational experience she had.

From there, Ruth went on and studied electronic media production at Kent State University. When she graduated in 2005, a drive to New York City with some friends landed her an internship at MTV.

The knowledge and skills Ruth gained through all of those experiences led her to where she is now: working for Jane Street Productions where she’s currently filming a show for TLC about online dating makeovers.

“They profile and give makeover tips so that people have the best online presence they can have,” Ruth explained.

This past summer, Ruth worked as a story producer at MTV for the special “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word,” a story about transgender youth. The show producers followed seven people’s lives as they realized they were transgender. It showed how they dealt with family, media, violence and illustrated what is means to be transgender. The special was nominated for and won a Daytime Creative Arts Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Ruth directed shoots, edited the story and wrote the narration.

We asked her if other family members had followed in her media footsteps. Ruth has eight other siblings, and their careers range from physicists to stay at home moms.

“Growing up with a big family was loud!” Ruth laughed. “I wouldn’t trade it. I now have eight built in best friends.”

As for what she loves about Wadsworth: the community.

“I love the Blue Tip Festival and parade and seeing everyone come together for it. I like that Wadsworth is very open, it’s not a close-minded community. There’s a real sense of openness to me. People are very inclusive of other cultures and of other people. I appreciate that. Anybody will do anything for you.”

Keep up the talented work, Ruth! And stop by our studio next time you’re in town!

Categories: Wadsworthians

Tina Heiberg

Tina happily lives in her princess palace with her husband, 3 young sons and dog.