Fall / Winter 2022

THE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

A MESSAGE FROM DR.

SUSAN D. CARVER

President of the Heights Schools Foundation

We’re extremely proud of how far we’ve come since we reshaped our historic alumni support efforts into the Heights Schools Foundation (HSF) six years ago. Many thanks to longtime alumni leaders, new community supporters, district leadership, Heights High staff and more, with whom we’ve built a stable base from which we can support our public schools.

Since 2016, Julianna Johnston Senturia ’87, has played a critical role in the founding, development and success of the organization as its executive director. We will miss her tremendously, yet we know we can count on her ongoing support as a proud alumna.

Julianna leaves Heights Schools Foundation in an exceedingly strong position for continued growth. Under her leadership, HSF has raised nearly $1.5 million dollars for our Heights Public Schools.

I’m excited to announce the selection of Laura Schwartz Loebl ’87, as our next executive director.

Laura’s strong leadership skills and fund development experience will help us grow even more to meet the needs of today’s students.

CLASS OF 2022

42nd Cleveland Heights High School DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI HALL OF FAME

On September 17, 2022, the Heights Schools Foundation hosted the 42nd induction of the Cleveland Heights High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame (HOF) by honoring ten extraordinary alumni inside the Dina Rees Evans Center for the Performing Arts. The celebration coincided with Homecoming Weekend. One of the most remarkable aspects of this year’s induction ceremony was the return to an in-person event with live-stream video capacity for those who could not join in-person. The festivities, which reached thousands of students, staff, alumni and

community members, included honoree speeches and the fun and informal After-Show talk show. The After-Show, created in 2020 in connection with the 40th anniversary of the HOF, has become a beloved tradition of the celebrations.

Visit HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org to learn more about this year’s inductees and to view the ceremony and talk show on Heights’ YouTube channel. On these pages, members of the newest HOF class express profound gratitude for being selected for receiving this school honor and community-wide recognition.

by Abbie Nagler Sender

DIANA COHEN ’97

Concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra since 2012, Diana performs in concerts across the country and globe with award-winning ensembles, such as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, at some of the most prestigious music festivals, including Marlboro and Ravinia, and collaborates with renowned artists such as Garrick Ohlsson, Mitsuko Uchida, Jonathan Biss, and members of the Guarneri, Juilliard and Cleveland quartets. A passionate chamber musician, Diana is founder and co-artistic director of the acclaimed ChamberFest Cleveland and ChamberFest West (in Calgary).

“I’m honored to join an exceptional group of people who have preceded me as inductees into the Hall of Fame. I was inspired by many of these people as a student at Heights High and was always in awe of what people accomplished after graduation. I was incredibly lucky to be a student surrounded by bright, hardworking, creative and caring peers, many of whom are still dear friends, as well as devoted and passionate teachers and mentors. I am grateful that my profession has taken me to a place where I’m able to give something of significance to my hometown community and am truly honored for being recognized for this.”

NANCY EPPLER-WOLFF, PHD ’71

Nancy is a sought-after expert in the field of child development. Using a psychodynamic approach, she has been in private clinical practice for more than 25 years in New York City working with children, adolescents and adults. She consults with parents and educators in school settings and nonprofit agencies about emotional risk-taking, social-emotional development and wellness, self-regulation, and the intersection of learning disabilities and emotional functioning. Nancy is the author of Raising Children Who Soar: A Guide to Healthy Risk Taking in an Uncertain World, a nationally recognized book on child rearing.

“I am humbled by being asked to be part of this prestigious group. I hope that my work will inspire young people to work hard to do what they love to make our world a better place, while keeping in mind the importance of balance - time for family and play.”

STAN SILVERMAN ’65

Stan’s career has been devoted to educating students, administrators, employees, business leaders, and CEOs of national corporations. As dean and professor emeritus at The University of Akron and president of Human Resource Decisions, Inc., he trained thousands of students, employees and executives in the areas of leadership, management development, organizational change, performance management, and employee training and staffing. Co-author of the book Working Scared: Achieving Success in Trying Times, Stan speaks nationally about workplace issues and about his recent research about arrogance and leadership. “I am grateful that Cleveland Heights High School prepared me for such a rewarding and successful career. I am very proud that the Foundation and the students chose to give me the honor of being inducted into the Cleveland Heights High School Alumni Hall of Fame!”

JEROME T. WHITE ’88

Jerome, a long-time artist-educator at his alma mater, with a side professional artistic career, is a dynamic community artist and activist. Committed to his hometown, he initiates mural beautification projects in inner-city neighborhoods and engages community members to participate, particularly young people who are encouraged to master their own creativity and artistic talents. Jerome’s recent high-profile commissions include Heights’ Hall of Fame mural and a nine-arch series for the renovation of Cleveland’s historic League Park, a 19th century venue that hosted sports events including baseball, football and boxing.

“Being inducted into the Heights Hall of Fame means that throughout all of the ups and downs, somehow in my life journey, the blueprint for success manifested in the path choices I made. It recognizes that I did something right, something that has value to share with the rest of the world.”

AL CARR ’84

In 2007, Al was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates after a 20-year career in telecommunications. He is currently in his third term representing the 18th District serving on the Health and Government Operations committees. Al, humbled to serve and improve the lives of others, has received top ratings and awards from groups advocating for conservation, civil rights, municipal government and consumer protection and endorsements from national leaders, including U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Jamie Raskin, and organizations such as the Montgomery County Education Association, Sierra Club and the Association of Black Democrats.

“The Cleveland Heights and University Heights school community strongly values educational excellence. Because of this, there are many alumni who have gone on to make significant contributions to our society. It is a great honor to be included in this group. I feel lucky to have grown up in Cleveland Heights and to have been educated at Heights High.”

PETER BENDIX ’04

At age 37, Peter, general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, is among the youngest to hold that position in all of Major League Baseball. The Rays are among the most highly-regarded MLB organizations, having been named Baseball America’s “Organization of the Year” in 2021 for the second time in three years. While Peter’s deep passion for baseball began when he was a child, it is without a doubt that his experiences at Heights—where he honed skill sets that enable him to get along and work with others and value people for their individual qualities—propel him in his remarkable career (to date).

“I’m honored and flattered to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. Thinking back to my time in high school, I never could’ve dreamed this path would follow. Now my dreams have become a reality and I’m incredibly grateful to be here today.”

JULIANA WODA, PHD ’92

After earning her doctorate from Harvard in her twenties, Juliana became a scientist extraordinaire. She is a lab manager, an experiment designer, an evaluator and a consultant. She speaks comfortably to investors explaining why certain research is promising in the field of treating and curing diseases and finds time to mentor young women interested in STEM careers, volunteer at science fairs and speak on panels. She is the co-founder of a company that combats antibiotic resistance, making existing antibiotics more effective again, both saving lives and lowering costs of treating infections worldwide.

“It is a huge honor to be inducted into the Heights High Hall of Fame. Many of my fellow alumni and classmates have led incredibly successful lives with meaningful careers. To be nominated and to be inducted was a huge surprise and very meaningful, given the accomplishments of many of my classmates.”

HABEEBAH RASHEED GRIMES ’95

Habeebah is an experienced nonprofit leader with a demonstrated history of advocating for mental health care among Cleveland’s public-school students. Beginning her career as a psychologist for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Habeebah is currently CEO of Positive Education Program (PEP). She leads a staff of 450 professionals committed to supporting healing in children who have experienced significant adversity and mental health challenges. She has been honored with several high-profile community awards including this year’s Crain’s Cleveland Woman of Note.

“It is a tremendous honor to be inducted into the Cleveland Heights High School Hall of Fame. I am reminded in this moment of the contrasting uncertainty and confidence I felt as I moved through high school and toward my future. Adolescence is a tumultuous period of development for young people, and it was no different for me, but I trusted that if I got my education, no one could take it from me, as my mother often said. So I pursued and achieved academic excellence under the guidance of Cleveland Heights High’s educators. To this day, I am grateful to my mother for her wisdom, the friends who walked alongside me, and the teachers who nurtured my love of learning during those years. I hope that current and future Heights High students will hear my story and see themselves in it, and know that they, too, will find their own path and purpose as students and future leaders.”

JAMES WYBAN, PHD ’69

Jim developed SPF (specific pathogen-free) shrimp and is the world’s foremost authority in this field with some of the world’s most influential organizations, such as the World Health Organization and NASA, seeking his expertise. Through his innovation, shrimp farmers use SPF stocks, which are high quality and produce both good survival rates and high yields without relying on antibiotics to boost growth and prevent disease outbreaks. The quality of his SPF shrimp stock transformed the industry leading to five-fold production and adding $225 billion to the global shrimp economy.

“This is a great honor. My excellent education at CHHS prepared me for an interesting life in innovation, science and entrepreneurship. Heights was a competitive environment and trained me to handle competition and not to be defeated by life’s many challenges. Successful people have grit or determination and I learned that at Heights.”

TENESSA GONZALEZ-JENNINGS ’98

Tenessa, an Emmy-award winning executive producer for E.W. Scripps Company in San Diego, garnered the prestigious National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence in Television in 2021. To get to the top of her field, Tenessa propelled herself towards a fast-paced trip around the country working at numerous stations acquiring essential skills and expertise. Many watched and marveled as she broke barriers while staying connected to home and committed to training the next generation of broadcast journalists.

“This is everything—to be recognized for all my hard work. Sometimes you don’t realize all of your accomplishments because you are always in grind mode. Always up against the odds, this accolade truly shows I’ve been setting myself up for success since I was young. I wish my grandparents were alive to see this moment. They loved me unconditionally and always pushed me to be the best. I can’t even describe how happy I am to be recognized by Cleveland Heights High School for my accomplishments.”

More than 1,000 people marched in the Homecoming Parade, a communitywide celebration of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, following a three-year hiatus. The parade kicked off the 2022 Homecoming Weekend celebrations, which included a watch party, football game (Heights defeated Lorain 5518!), open house and tours of Heights High, the 42nd annual Cleveland Heights High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, numerous alumni reunions, and the student dance, a masquerade ball. Parade judges Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren, CH-UH BOE Member Dan Heintz, and Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby selected the Transportation Department as the best parade performer. Fairfax and Boulevard elementary schools were runners up.

TIGER FUND FOR GRADUATING SENIORS Growing Scholarships for Heights High Graduating Seniors

We need your help to make this commitment possible. That’s why we’re growing our efforts to expand scholarships for Heights High students of today. Thanks to generous donations from alumni and supporters, every spring the Heights Schools Foundation has been able to make awards. In fact, thanks to your support, nearly $170,000 has been awarded just in the last five years. But we know the need is much, much larger. The Tiger Fund is for Heights students thinking big about their future, but who need support financially to make their dreams come true. Candidates must have plans to attend an accredited college or

university for a career certification program, or a 2- or 4-year degree program and be graduating in good standing having attended Heights High for at least two years.

Heights Schools Foundation (HSF) is the internal nonprofit partner supporting the CH-UH City School District. Our mission is to engage alumni and community members to celebrate our past, embrace our present and support our future. One of our top strategic priorities is to support graduating seniors with increased access to scholarships. Your donations are helping to bring students’ dreams within reach. Thank you!

Our pledge: We stand behind all students ready to take their next steps into the future. If you’ve done your part, we’ll be there for you.

A beautiful new mural has been installed at Heights High across from the media center on the first floor. The letters H-E-I-G-H-T-S are 4 feet tall and together the word is 22 feet long. Each letter is filled with images in a collage of our history.

MURAL HOLDS DECADES

DECADES OF HISTORY

Created by Heights Schools Foundation (HSF) via a special gift from the Class of June 1952, the mural contains more than 200 scanned photos. The photos were found in Caldron yearbooks from Heights High history, beginning in 1924 and continuing up to 2020. The final mural represents how our history is woven into who we are today. The past is ever present, even as we are poised for the future.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS

KA’REEMA ABASIYA

HELEN BARR

PAIGE COLBERT

MARYAM ABDUL-HAFEEZ

KEONSHAE BOYD BEY

MARIUS COLEMAN

CECILIA ADAMS

ISABELLA BRADLEY

ALYANA CUNNINGHAM

KATERINA ALDEN

ALEXIS BROWN

ASHTON EVERETTE

ASHLEY BANDY

ALIYA BROWN

ALLANA FAIR

JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING THESE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS

THALIA LISOWSKI

MARIA FEHN

ROBERT OAKS

ANDREW TEETS

RA’SHAE DANIEL-MCGUGAN

EMMET FLUHARTY

NOAH PEREIRA

NATHANIEL TYLER

MICHAEL MOORE

TROY GENTRY

NORA LEE REINHARDT

JADE WILLMORE

ASHLEY MURCIA

JAMES HUFF

CASSANDRA SISSON

CORA YOUNG

NATALIA NICOL

SOPHIE KRAMER SOLANA TABOR

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR 2022 SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Tiger Fund Award Winners

The Tiger Fund for Graduating Seniors initiative makes awards of $1,000 to help close the gap in funding for graduating seniors working hard to make their dreams come true.

Tiger Fund for Graduating Seniors

Nathalie Nicol, Robert Oaks, Noah Pereira, Nora Lee Reinhardt, Cassandra Sisson, Solana Tabor, Nathaniel Tyler, Jade Willmore, Cora Young Legacy Award

Andrew Teets, Allana Fair Academic Leadership Award Thalia Lisowski

Career Technical Education Award Ashley Bandy

In Memory of Sergio Abramof ’75 Ka’reema Abasiya, Cecilia Adams, Emmanuel Adeyemon Tate, Helen Barr, Keonshae Boyd Bey, Alexis Brown, Aliya Brown, Alana Cunningham, Ra’Shae McGugan Daniel, Ashton Everette, Maria Fehn, Troy Gentry, James Huff, Michael Moore, Ashley Murcia

Molly Manring Memorial Award for Vocal Music Recipients

Katerina Alden, Isabella Bradley, Sophie Kramer

“Being a student at Heights has opened so many doors for me. I’ve accomplished my goal of classifying as a sophomore in college while being a senior in high school, and I also got a head start on applying to colleges and scholarships because of the AVID program at Heights.” ~ Ashley Bandy

“Through my struggles in life I have always known that my school has my back and wants nothing more than for me to succeed. When I was in eighth grade my mother tragically and suddenly passed away, the unwavering support I received from my teachers is something I will always be thankful for.” ~ Helen Barr

“I am grateful for all the experiences Heights has shown me and opportunities I have received by being a student here.” ~ Jada Willmore

Dr. Michael Arnold Glueck Memorial Scholarship for Writers Finding Their Voice Award Winner: Cora Young

“As I get jobs and move on to greater things, I will continue to represent Tiger Nation. This community always has and always will be a part of me.”

~ Cora Young

Dr. Sydney J. Goldstein June Class of 1952 Scholarship Award Winner: Ashley Murcia

“As a child, I suffered from severe nose bleeds and asthma attacks, which caused me to spend hours in the emergency room. My experiences have led me to want to make an impact on the lives of future pediatric patients during tough times by pursuing a career in the medical field… Heights gave me the opportunity to be the first in my family to even be able to complete college classes, especially at my young age.” ~ Ashley Murcia

Marian Katz Magid

Memorial Scholarship for

Creative

Writing

Award Winners: Troy Gentry, Nathanial Tyler, Ka’reema Abasiya

“Being with this family I’ve become stronger and more confident than when I started out…I love each and every member of my team, my coaches, my family, and friends who’ve had my back along the way.” ~ Troy Gentry

“While life at Heights High has been made difficult by the ongoing pandemic, I still have many fond memories of the athletics and musical programs I participated in…Tiger Nation means memories, the good and the bad. It means community, making friends and meeting all kinds of people. It means determination, it means family, it means integrity.” ~ Nathanial Tyler

The AVI Community Excellence Scholarship

Award

Winners: Katerina Alden, Paige Colbert, Maria Fehn, Emmet Fluharty, Marius Coleman

“Growing up in Cleveland Heights and attending public school has tremendously shaped my perspective on the world around me. Through surrounding myself with a diverse community of classmates and neighbors, I have learned the value of honoring those with different points of view and identities than mine.” ~ Katerina Alden

“The diverse community taught me about all different cultures from a young age. Small-shopping districts, such as Lee Road and Cedar-Fairmount, taught me the importance of supporting small businesses. Fighting to pass the levy so that my school could have enough funding taught me the importance of public education.” ~ Maria Fehn

“I witnessed the true spirit of Tiger Nation a few weeks ago when my swim team competed at sectionals…Friends, family, teachers, and even alumni from decades before, wearing black and gold, were waving Tiger Nation flags and cheering each and every one of us on.”

~ Emmet Fluharty

“I take so much pride in where I am from, and I want people to know how wonderful Heights High and the Heights community is. I’m a believer that hard work pays off…My teachers have been very supportive of me since my freshman year. Words cannot explain how grateful I am of them pushing me and guiding me to be a better me.” ~ Marius Coleman

The Donna Chernin Kurit Memorial Scholarship Award Winner: Ka’reema Abasiya

“I am grateful to be part of a community that is committed to helping each and every student.” ~ Ka’reema Abasiya

The Geneva Family Memorial Scholarship Award Winner: James Huff

“The Cleveland Heights Swim Team taught me what it was like to be a part of a massive family, where everyone comes from many backgrounds but loves each other just the same. The qualities of perseverance, selflessness, and responsibility I’ve learned from the team have led me down my path of success.” ~ James Huff

The George F. Strickling Memorial Scholarship Award Winner: Cora Young

“I joined the Vocal Music Department my freshman year at Heights High. Since then, I have been a part of the musicals, women’s chorus, a capella choir, singers, and women’s barbershop, and have served as an officer in the Vocal Music Department. My experience has continued to nurture the flame of my passion for musical theater.” ~ Cora Young

The Johnson-Scott Scholarship Award Winners: Ka’reema Abasiya, Isabella Bradley

“Without the Vocal Music Department I wouldn’t be as confident and as sure of myself as I am today. It was a real confidence booster to know that I was a part of a group—to know that I was needed and had a group of people to connect with; it lit a fire within me.”

~ Isabella Bradley

“Graduating as a Heights Tiger has helped me explore and understand other cultures and experiences I don’t think I’d get from any other school, and this not only makes me genuinely feel joy but it also makes me appreciative of the opportunities this school has given me. I can’t remember a time I didn’t feel welcome…I am thankful and happy that the Tiger Nation let a person like me thrive and set me up for success in my life.” ~ Robert Oaks

The Lewitt Music Scholarship Award Winner: Isabella Bradley

“Bringing new life to a character that people have seen before and making them feel like they can relate to or even know this person in a new light through my performance is a trait I strive for when I’m up on stage. Big or small audience, well-known play or not, I want to be on stage and express myself to whoever is watching and put a smile on their face.” ~ Isabella Bradley

The Coach Jim Cappelletti Memorial Scholarship Fund Award Winner: Marius Coleman

The Deb Delisle Scholarship Award Winners: Ashley Murcia, Troy Gentry (Honorable Mention), Robert Oaks (Honorable Mention)

BOULEVARD

ELEMENTARY Library Receives Grant from Laura Bush Foundation

Boulevard Elementary School is one of 300 schools across the country to receive a $5,000 grant through the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. According to Ms. Gray, the school’s library media ancillary, the grant money will be used to “add books to our collection specifically celebrating cultural diversity. This better reflects our student population and gives them a window into the world around them.” The new books will include stories of and nonfiction texts about Indigenous People, Black History, Latinx culture, LGBTQ people, Arab Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Jewish Americans. The nonfiction section will be updated to provide books about a variety of religions and religious celebrations. “We are both appreciative and excited upon being awarded this grant. It will enable us to engage resources and programming for students. Our vision, propelled by the Laura Bush Grant, is to increase learning opportunities within our media center,” said Boulevard Principal Dr. Michael Jenkins.

CANTERBURY ELEMENTARY

Teachers, Community Make Book Fair Special

The week of the school book fair can feel magical. But for some children, it can be a time when their own family’s tight budget renders them feeling left out, ashamed or just plain sad. CH-UH teachers Nicole Zubik and Becky McDonald realized that they could use their own resources to do something about it. With nothing more than a Facebook post, they collected $775 in two days from friends, family, neighbors and their fellow colleagues. They hand delivered the cash to Canterbury book fair, so teachers could get it in the hands of children. This meant that the students had actual money to use when their class went shopping.

As a high school teacher, Ms. Zubik can see the importance of early reading. “Readers are more empathetic and a little kinder; they’ve experienced different worlds and different cultures through books. They’re the ones who want to know what happens next.” Ms. McDonald agrees. “As a parent myself, I can see how kids who read have a curiosity about the world. Even in Algebra 1, that curiosity matters.”

FAIRFAX ELEMENTARY Students

Compete in Neighborhood Clean Up

NOBLE ELEMENTARY

Celebrating 100th Anniversary with Two New Murals

Students at Noble Elementary School’s STREAM Summer Camp spent a week learning about graffiti – its history, techniques and varied uses – and were inspired to create some of their own. Their vision led to two new murals hand painted by Heights High alumnus and local artist Jimmy Hayden ’04, one in a main hallway and another in the cafeteria. Both murals, which were funded by the 21st Century Grant that also funds Noble STREAM, represent the school’s diversity and students’ eagerness to explore and discover, showcasing children playing instruments, conducting science experiments and writing in journals.

According to Principal Patrick Carpenter, “They’re both a celebration of our students and of Noble’s 100th anniversary,” which is being celebrated this entire school year. The mural in the cafeteria includes the phrase “Show your Noble pride,” which Principal Carpenter says they repeat often at the school. Meghan McMahon, who helps coordinate 21st Century Grants for the district, says that Mr. Hayden “wanted the kids to sit in the lunchroom and be inspired by their surroundings.”

And they are. Principal Carpenter reports that in the past week many students have told him that they hope to be artists someday.

OXFORD ELEMENTARY Teacher Revamps Classroom for Connection

There is no question that teaching during the pandemic has been enormously challenging, requiring teachers to completely adapt their teaching methods all while dealing with emerging technologies. But for Oxford kindergarten teacher Millie Litten, there’s been a silver lining. “I became a more resourceful and better teacher for it, and I’m seeing those results in my kids.”

All the procedures and policies that she had perfected in her 15 years of teaching had to be revamped. She had to learn how to use new technology herself while teaching it to her students. “But I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel,” she says, “there were things I didn’t think kindergarteners could do, but then they learned how to do them.”

She enrolled in professional development over the summer to further perfect the integration of technology into the kindergarten experience. There are challenges, no doubt, but through so much trial and error, she’s learned new procedures and new curricular tools. “I was forced to step out of my comfort zone… but I really think that I became more knowledgeable and more excited to pass on that knowledge.”

The 4th grade classes at Fairfax Elementary completed a neighborhood clean-up that consisted of photographing and documenting every piece of trash they collected. Each class was split into small groups accompanied by a teacher or parent volunteer and given maps detailing the section of the school or surrounding streets they were to clean up. Before the students headed out to complete their challenge, each class met with a representative of the Soil & Water Conservation District, learning about the danger that litter poses to birds, animals and the water system. In addition to beautifying their neighborhood, they were motivated by competition; the class who collected the most pieces of trash would win a pizza party. That honor went to Sharon Meaders’ students, who collected a whopping 1,025 wrappers, drink bottles, cigarette butts, straws and face masks. Students were surprised and a bit dismayed by the amount of garbage they found on the streets surrounding Fairfax School. When asked about their thoughts on this project, one student said, “It’s important because we’re saving the Earth and if we didn’t do this program, there’d be more trash in the world.” Two thousand, three hundred, twenty-three more pieces to be exact.

ROXBORO ELEMENTARY Committed to Making Reading Fun for Students

Roxboro Elementary’s literacy committee has been trying to put the fun back into reading, by exposing students to more and more genres of literature and getting more and more books into their hands. They want kids to want to read, not just do it to fill in their twenty minutes on a reading log each night. The school is making thoughtful decisions about how to stock its free Book Vending Machine. For example, after classrooms read the first book in a series, the second books in those series are placed in the vending machine.

The school launched after-school book clubs clustered by grade level where books are chosen by the students themselves, who all receive copies to take home plus extras for their classroom and school libraries. Students engage in lots of games, hands-on activities and art projects that go along with the books they are reading. 4th and 5th graders were surprised with a visit from middle grades author Justin A. Reynolds, whose latest book It’s the End of the World and I’m in my Bathing Suit was released by Scholastic.

GEARITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL Students Spend the Day Learning in School Garden

Elementary students from the 21st Century Adventure Camp took a trip to Gearity PD School this summer to enjoy a day of summer learning and outdoor recreation. Students made full use of the school’s large playgrounds and had the opportunity to tour its garden and high tunnel (similar to a greenhouse). Gearity’s garden is full of learning opportunities. It is full of a variety of plants including a huge, fruitful fig tree that typically cannot be sustained in Ohio’s climate.

The school’s elaborate outdoor areas, which also include a cob oven, were added to school grounds to give students outdoor learning spaces back in 2015. Gearity teacher Steve Warner, who was part of the team that created these outdoor spaces, has ever since looked forward to using the spaces with students. This summer the oven was in full use serving campers plenty or s’mores. “I like seeing the kids enjoying themselves outside at Gearity. Hopefully the kids can enjoy the outdoors during the school day as well.” Warner said.

MONTICELLO

MIDDLE

Students Research, Take On Community Projects

Monticello’s 8th graders capped off their middle school International Baccalaureate experience by engaging in multi-week community projects. Working alone or with a small group, students identified a problem in their community and then performed volunteer service in order to meet the need, conducting research along the way. Instead of looking at broad and sometimes vague societal problems, they instead focused on smaller but manageable issues in their immediate neighborhoods, like litter and a lack of school volunteers.

Students in Kristie Marbury’s advisory period walked to Oxford Elementary School every Friday for three weeks where they volunteered in classrooms, helping kindergarteners and 1st graders with their reading and writing. The experience was eye-opening for the middle schoolers, who proclaimed a newfound respect for their teachers. The students in Brock Hoover’s advisory period also had their perspectives shifted, but this time about the prevalence of litter. “Before we weren’t focused on it but now we see it everywhere,” said one of his students who partnered with the Noble Neighborhood Litter Busters.

Students spent hours picking up litter at Denison Park “because no one should have to play on a playground that’s covered in trash.” They suggested installing extra trash and recycling cans as a more permanent solution to the problem of littering, with motivational signage like “It starts with you.” And that right there is one of the core tenants of an IB education: Action and positive change start with you.

ROXBORO MIDDLE MSAN Students Meet With Renowned Surgeon

Roxboro Middle School’s Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN) advisors are always trying to expose their students to examples of Black excellence. So when they learned that the grandfather of one of their students was a world-renowned surgeon and inventor, they jumped at the opportunity to connect with him.

Students met with Dr. James “Butch” Rosser remotely through video chat. Dr. Rosser is an internationally-recognized leader in minimally invasive surgery and has given more than 350 invited lectures around the world. But what the kids related to most was the fact that some of his unique surgical techniques were gleaned from playing video games. “The kids were mesmerized,” said MSAN advisor Anna Gregory, “they could really relate to him.”

She reports that the students were also shocked to learn that Dr. Rosser had been offered a full scholarship to college to play football, but opted instead to focus on his studies and pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. Having grown up in Mississippi and seeing few, if any, doctors who looked like him served as his lifelong inspiration. “It was really a powerful lesson to the children about building a foundation for their futures.”

HEIGHTS HIGH Clinical Health Student Earns Full Scholarship

Alyana Cunningham originally thought about being a doctor, but decided she could actually do more good as a nurse. “I want to help people, not just physically, but emotionally.” The class of 2022 graduate is well on her way, having earned a full scholarship to attend the Ursuline College Breen School of Nursing as part of the ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program. The partnership between Ursuline and the Cleveland Clinic enrolls high school juniors in a pre-nursing enrichment program.

Alyana was also enrolled in Heights High’s Clinical Health Careers courses, one of the many Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings at the high school. Her teacher, Nancy Ballou, helps students apply for the ASPIRE program, knowing it can lead to a full ride to Ursuline for one student each year in addition to exposing them to the real world of nursing.

Alyana is grateful that Ms. Ballou introduced her to the ASPIRE program, among other things. “She’s an open ear, an open mind, and helps us whenever we need it,” she said of her teacher’s interactions with the nursing students. “We’ve created a community.”

Throughout each year, we track all individual alumni and class donations to Heights Schools Foundation’s “Highest Need Fund” that helps ensure today’s students succeed. Each month, we make awards to the top three classes who are the most generous.

Your donations will go to the highest priorities that help students thrive. Whether it is classroom grants to make teaching more effective and engaging, transportation to increase equity and access to programs after school, or scholarships for graduating seniors – the “Highest Need Fund” is there to meet those strategic needs. Scan the QR code below to learn more and make a donation in honor of your class or visit HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org.

REUNITE WITH OLD FRIENDS

_

Check below to see if your class has reunion plans. In addition, many classes have Facebook Groups or websites, which are the easiest and most up-to-date way to stay connected. Planning a reunion event? To update us on the details, send a note to info@HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org.

CLASS OF 1970

CLASS of JUNE 1963

60TH REUNION

July 22-23, 2023

For more information

Bonnie Spiegle E: bspiegle@roadrunner.com

FORM A COMMITTEE

Gather a diverse group of motivated peers to brainstorm, make decisions and divide and conquer. Schedule your first meeting as soon as possible. The more diverse the planning group is, the better the attendance.

CHOOSE A LOCATION(S)

Downtown or in the Heights? If you are planning a weekend of events, it is nice to offer free option(s). Consider a cookout at Forest Hills or ‘Pub Crawl’ down Lee Road. Not everyone will want to buy a ticket, no matter how great the event may be. The informal gathering is often some of the most meaningful for people, so don’t think that the only way to do a reunion is with a sit-down formal dinner.

CLASS OF 1982

CLASS of JAN. 1966

CLASS REUNION

August 11-12, 2023

For more information Joyce Lerman E: joys4@aol.com

CLASS of 1973

50TH REUNION September 2, 2023

For more information Janice Rinald E: starrbear@yahoo.com W: Clevelandheights1973.com

Tips for a Successful Reunion

SELECT LEADERS

Chairperson and Treasurer are common roles. These positions are crucial in planning, so should be held by responsible and organized committee members. We recommend co-treasurers, so there are always two people checking and supporting each other if you will be collecting money or managing tickets in advance. Co-Chairs can also be great, as long as it’s clear who is doing what (and the two work well together!). Having someone in charge of communications / notes is also extremely helpful. Sometimes people use the titles “secretary” or “communications chair.” Finally, an overall “planning team” without specific titles can work as well, as long as everyone knows their roles.

PICK A DATE

CLASS OF 1962

CLASS of 1983

40TH REUNION

July 1-2, 2023

For more information David Bonder E: dbonder@ beaconplanners.com

Whether your reunion will be one night or a weekend, the sooner you narrow down a date and get the word out, the larger the turnout will be. One great option is Homecoming Weekend. With an impressive parade down Lee Road, alumni watch parties, Friday night football game and Saturday open house at the high school, your class can re-live the experience all over again.

UTILIZE SOCIAL MEDIA

Start a Facebook group for your class and encourage others to locate classmates. Use Instagram to drive people to your page.

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