SP RING /SUMM ER 2 02 2
A Publication for Tiger Nation
concerts
graduation &
reunions
we’re bringing back the best of what we’ve been missing!
ON THE COVER | Congratulations to these representatives of
IN THIS ISSUE
the Classes of 2022 & 2023, all from Career Technical Education (CTE)
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
4 | A Bequest Expands Scholarship Giving
18 | District News and Updates
for Heights High Seniors
When we receive planned donations, we’re reminded how true the saying “Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger” is for so many.
6 | Teachers Make a Difference Over the Decades
The right encouragement at the right time can stay with a student for a lifetime. Enjoy reading these memories from alumni about teachers across the decades who have inspired former students well beyond the classroom.
10 | Seven Sisters Over Seventy Years Few of us can claim the longevity or commitment that define the friendship of the Pleiades, or “Seven Divine Sisters,” from the class of 1951.
programs at Heights High. See page 3 side article for details. Cover photo by Gabe Schaffer ’94.
21 | Congrats to the Class of 1956!
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22 | Reunion Info
12 | Celebrating 100 Years of Instrumental Music at Heights High
The 2021-2022 academic year marks the 100th anniversary of the Instrumental Music Department (IMD). It only takes a single conversation with a graduate of the IMD to realize that the program is truly beloved, then and now!
16 | “Together We Rise” Mural Inspires Students & Alumni
As part of the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Heights High Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, Heights Schools Foundation commissioned an inspiring mural created by Heights High School art teacher Jermone White ’88.
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SPRING/SUMMER 2022 | VOLUME 6 | NUMBER 2
EDITORS Julianna Johnston Senturia ’87 Executive Director
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Heights Schools Foundation JJS@heightsschoolsfoundation.org
Charlie Swift ’14
Cathan Cavanaugh Supervisor of Communications CH-UH City School District c_cavanaugh@chuh.org
Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91 Abbie Nagler Sender
Jillian White DESIGN BY Drew Dallet, Boom Creative www.boom-creative.com
STAY CONNECTED TO CHUH CHUH.org Twitter @CHUHschools YouTube @CHUHschools Facebook @CHUH Instagram @CHUHschools ALUMNI INQUIRY 216-397-3871 BOARD OF EDUCATION 216-371-7171
STAY CONNECTED TO HSF Twitter
@HSFoundation1
YouTube @HeightsSchoolsFoundation Facebook @HeightsFoundation Instagram @HeightsSchoolsFoundation Read The Heights Magazine online at HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org. To comment or change an address, please email info@heightsschoolsfoundation.org or call 216-397-3871.
The Heights Magazine is published two times a year and is a joint project of the Heights Schools Foundation and the CH-UH City School District.
THE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
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WELCOME BACK MILESTONE EVENTS! We’re uplifted by the warm breezes of spring and summer and look forward to bringing back many traditions we’ve had to miss during the pandemic. Welcome back traditional Prom & Graduation. Welcome back full-scale reunions that are taking place all summer long. These milestones carry us through the seasons, through the years and stay with us for a lifetime. Enjoy this sentimental season as we cheer on new grads. On the cover, we featured six amazing Heights students from the classes of 2022 and 2023. Their Heights experience has included remote learning and lots of pandemic twists – and yet, here they are prepared and thinking big about their next steps. Their stories inspire us, and we think you’ll agree.
10 Heights Schools Foundation Trustees PRESIDENT Dr. Susan D. Carver ’78 VICE PRESIDENT Steven Haynie ’91 VICE PRESIDENT Shanice Settle ’06 TREASURER Meghan Zehnder McMahon ’90 SECRETARY Peter Shriver ’90 Rachael Collyer ’11 Dr. Carmen McGugan Daniel ’07 Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91 Dan Heintz ’85 Timothy Jones ’92 Kathryn T. Joseph ’78 Hank Kornblut ’81 Ed Long ’89 Scott Pennyman ’97 Margaret Rothschild Slesnick ’79 Jennifer Thomas Kelly Thomas ’83 Elizabeth Kirby, Superintendent
Wil’Liam Dycus-Pipkins, Class of 2023: Through the Auto-Tech program offered here at Cleveland Heights, I was able to earn two entry-level certifications, and with the help of Mr. Porter and Mr. Nachman, I have also earned two ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) industry certifications. Ultimately, I plan to become an ASE Master Technician. Faith Griffin-Hodge, Class of 2022: Once I graduate, I plan on taking real estate courses over the summer and to take the certification exam in August. After that, I am going to attend Cuyahoga Community College to fulfill my prerequisites. After completing those, I want to transfer to an HBCU and continue with my route in business and hospitality. Zoie Saleem, Class of 2022: I am in the Cosmetology CTE program. Once I graduate from Heights, I will be able to get my cosmetology license. And, In the future, I look forward to going to college and majoring in business so that one day I can open up my own hair salon. Ashley Bandy, Class of 2022: I’m a senior in the Clinical Health Careers Program. I plan on attending a four-year university to earn my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree. I also plan to work part-time as an STNA while in college, in order to gain hands-on experience in a hospital setting. I’d like to work as a travel nurse. Eventually, I’ll become a Nurse Practitioner and start my own nursing agency. Yorrick Trammell, Class of 2023: I have always liked working with my hands, taking things apart, and trying to figure out how they work. I was recommended for the Auto Tech program where I am able to apply my mechanical background to automotive repair and design. After high school, I plan to pursue these interests by studying mechanical engineering. Peyton Smith-Caffey, Class of 2023: As a student athlete, I know that the world of athletics is advancing so quickly. While in high school I was able to find a class that would let me explore the world of exercise science. I am looking towards a career as a side-line physical therapist for the NBA.
E X PA N D E D S C H O L A R S H I P S FO R 2 0 2 2
A BEQUEST EXPANDS SCHOLARSHIP GIVING for Heights High Seniors
T
here is no doubt that once you are a member of Tiger Nation, the connection lasts a lifetime – and beyond. This holds true no matter how you may be connected, whether as staff, partner organization, community member, volunteer, or of course, as graduates and their families. When we receive planned donations, we’re reminded how true the saying “Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger” is for so many. Earlier this year we received a generous gift through the estate of Dr. Ita R. Kaiserman-Abramof to support scholarships for Heights High seniors. Dr. KaisermanAbramof was a longtime respected Professor of Anatomy at Case Western Reserve University from 1971-2015. She was also a Heights High parent. Dr. KaisermanAbramof’s donation was given in honor of her son, Heights alumnus Sergio Abramof, of blessed memory. Locals knew Sergio, Heights Class of 1975, as a chef and restaurateur. He created his namesake restaurant, DR. ITA R. KAISERMAN-ABRAMOF Sergio’s, in University Circle followed by Sergio’s Sarava at Shaker Square. Sergio was also known for his work building the Cleveland-area food scene until his untimely death in 2012. A portion of the gift expanded the number of awards for the Class of 2022 through The Tiger Fund for
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by Julianna Johnston Senturia ’87
Graduating Seniors. The remainder will be invested with our Heights Schools Foundation Fund at the Cleveland Foundation, with scholarships given each year in memory of Sergio. We’re grateful that both Dr. Kaiserman-Abramof and Sergio will be remembered as part of the new Legacy & Legends Society for this impactful gift. Expanding awards for graduating seniors is essential. At the 2022 State of the State Address, Ohio Governor Mike Dewine underscored the need for scholarship opportunities for our graduating seniors across the state. Parents have also let us know how much the staggering cost of college is impacting options and choices. At Heights Schools Foundation, we know that Tigers want to help the next generation of Tigers. HSF has committed to strategically growing scholarships that will incentivize achievement, engagement, and participation in activities that increase college and career readiness over the next five years. By highlighting key success criteria, we’ll help students not only to have additional funding for a career certification or college degree, but also to be fully prepared for those next steps. As we look towards the 100 year anniversary of the current Heights High building completed in 1926, HFS plans to have dozens of new scholarship opportunities available to celebrate. As part of our overall approach, we will launch a pilot project in the Fall that will help families plan for college starting when kids are still in elementary school and provide incentives to begin college savings accounts as early as kindergarten. We invite you to join us as we build even more opportunities for tomorrow’s graduates.
LEGACY & LEGENDS SOCIETY G
enerous donors who make a current or multi-year gift or who notify us that they have provided for the Heights Schools Foundation in their estate planning at the $10,000 level and above are welcomed as members in the Legacy & Legends Society. In partnership with the Cleveland Foundation, we manage legacy gifts with special care. The Heights Schools Foundation gratefully accepts both unrestricted contributions as well as designated gifts for our “Heights Schools Foundation Fund”. Bequests, gifts from trusts, other future gifts, and lifetime outright gifts (such as appreciated stock or Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs) are accepted in this ongoing program. Please contact us if you have any questions about how to make a bequest or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you as you consider making a planned gift. As our partner, the Cleveland Foundation can also work with you and your professional advisors to help you choose the best approach for your charitable goals. If you have already included Heights Schools Foundation in your estate plan, kindly let us know. We would love to thank you and recognize you for your gift.
PLEASE CONTACT Julianna Johnston Senturia | Executive Director Heights Schools Foundation JJS@heightsschoolsfoundation.org | 216.320.2203
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SERGIO ABRAMOF
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Teachers Make a Difference
r e e s h v t e O ecad D by Abbie Nagler Sender and Jillian White
O
ver the years, many CHHS teachers have been deemed impactful by students.
Recently, Heights Schools Foundation
invited responses to an alumni query about sharing memories of favorite educators. Overwhelmed with wonderful responses, only a fraction are included here. Enjoy reading these memories from alumni about teachers across the decades who have inspired former students well beyond the classroom. The right encouragement at the right time can stay with a student for a lifetime. Thank you to all mentioned throughout the project for their impactful work, and to all of today’s educators adapting to this pandemic life.
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Delores Ballard (English) She was a phenomenal teacher that impacted generations. She taught my aunt, my sister, and me. She exposed us to Black literature and made us feel seen, heard, and valued. She allowed us to express ourselves creatively and shared her wisdom and life lessons in her teaching style. Her legacy at Heights was insurmountable. – Katrina DeCosta, 2006
Anthony BiFulco (Social Studies) Mr. BiFulco was the first teacher I ever had who taught history in a way that was both compelling and didn’t shy away from the ugly truths about our country’s history of racism, violent colonization, and oppression. His class shaped and informed my worldview and is one of the few classes I can actually recall specific content from, thanks to his animated storytelling and the way he pushed us to critically engage with history, rather than just recall dates and facts by rote. – Rachael Collyer, 2011
Thomas Englert (Mathematics) He was my home room teacher and he gave me the confidence that I could understand math, despite a couple of less than stellar teachers. That was a message I shared with many students once I became a guidance counselor. – Pete Scriven, 1967
Mary Gardner (Social Studies) Officially, Mary Gardner was my 12th grade social studies teacher for a class called Social Problems, but her impact extended well beyond that role. In class, we tackled difficult societal issues through books that still sit on my shelves and with open, honest and difficult discussion, sometimes with guests who gave a very real face to the topics. Mary exposed us to an awareness and respect of different perspectives to incorporate into our lives going forward…There was no question about Mary Gardner’s commitment to education which sometimes took place in the classroom, but many times not. To this day, Mary has remained an important influence in my life – as a teacher and a friend. – Sherri Appleton, 1975
Sven Eric Hammar (Social Studies)
Dr. Lois Hutchings (Biology)
Mr. Hammar stands out in my memory because he treated his students as (young) adults and respected our budding ability to think critically. One day he wrote on the blackboard, “There is no such thing as Truth.” 55 years later I am still grappling with the meaning and layered implications of that simple statement. That lesson was a lifelong gift. – Bruce Ente, 1967
Dr. Hutchings loved Biology in every way--and showed her students how to do the same. She taught us to draw what we see, label what we draw, use correct terms, identify function, and shake hands with our diagram to get left and right in order. There are other memorable and good teachers. Somehow, though, they were imitations. Lois M. Hutchings was the real deal. Her impact on me? I got a Ph.D. in Biology. – Gary Ellis, PhD, 1972, HOF 1986
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Dr. Clair Thomas Mcelfresh (Vocal Music) Dr. McElfresh was unusually demanding, so much so that some students avoided him. Despite the fact that CHHS was a non-specialized, public high school, teachers set high bars for excellence such as one might only expect to encounter in a dedicated High School for the Arts, if that, or even a college setting. – Robert Simon, 1972
Miss Ruth Monett (French) She immersed us in French learning, to the point that she did not allow us to speak in English. Whenever we slipped into English, she would say, “Je ne spick pas English!” To this day, I am able to carry on a conversation in French, thanks to that initial immersion. – Anne Hooper Webb, 1965
Mr. Nachman (Engineering)
Dr. Dina Rees Evans (English)
I’d like to thank Mr. Nachman for inspiring me to study engineering. Now, in part because of the education I received from teachers like Mr. Nachman, I’m studying Materials Engineering in university. – Sylvie Crowell, 2019
She was in charge of Heights Players and I had her for English also. She was very caring and helpful and gave her own time to help and drive students. – Erika Taubner Gold, 1952, HOF 2019
Dr. Leatrice Rabinsky (English And Holocaust Studies) She was a true pioneer in the area of Holocaust education in public school in the 1970s… Dr. Rabinsky was a tough but fair teacher. She had a ‘no-nonsense’ approach in her classroom and she had high expectations for every student who was part of her class(es). Dr. Rabinsky also understood the value of having students personally meet and engage with Holocaust Survivors and with these encounters she greatly enhanced the lives of both groups…The truth be told, my experiences with Dr. Rabinsky got me more ‘grounded’ at Heights during my senior year and kept the athletic success I was experiencing as part of the basketball team in perspective. I can remember that my college application essays were mainly about my intellectual and emotional growth that came about through her class. Lastly, the honor Dr. Rabinsky bestowed upon me to be a speaker at the community-wide Warsaw Ghetto Memorial event in the spring of 1976 served as a springboard for my desire to further study the Holocaust… and for the past 10 years I have taught the ‘Lessons of the Holocaust’ at Heights High…I owe a lot to the late Dr. Rabinsky and think of her often. – Mark Sack, 1976, JD
Dr. Rosalind Rehor (English) She inspired love of literature and promoted clear and organized expression with love of the language. – Itzhak (Jack) Rosner, 1967
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Sylvia Stewart (English) I have had a lifelong love of Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays thanks to Ms. Stewart’s English class. She made the work come alive with students playing parts and reading aloud. She helped us understand that challenging text is worth the struggle. – Julianna Johnston Senturia, 1987
George Strickling (Vocal Music) He expected perfection in dress, stance and attitude. I often refer to his “you hear but you don’t listen” admonishment. Our spring vacation choir trips allowed me to experience the very different south in 1961 and the New York City area in 1962. Traveling with classmates solidified life-long friendships as well as my marriage. When we graduated, a required “Swan song” speech under the choir room clock gave us poise. – Beverly Guttman Schenker, 1963
William Tarter (English)
Barbara Townsend (Advisor)
He helped me to get on the right path as far as my school work. – Rynton Wanton 1977
Ms. Townsend was my student council advisor at Heights High. We really got to bond my junior and senior year at Heights and she became a second mom to me. When she learned that I had a daughter, she was one of the few teachers or administrators at Heights that actually saw me as more than another teen mom and statistic. Mrs. Townsend helped me to develop my leadership, communication, advocacy and parenting skills… She spoke life into me and did everything to make sure I not only graduated from Heights but made it to college… I will forever be grateful for her love and kindness. – Dr. Carmen Daniel 2007
Deborah Turner (Social Studies) She taught us to stand on our word and that the truth will withstand scrutiny, but a lie, no matter how skillfully crafted, will wilt and wither under the intense heat of an inspection. This was not her quote but it made a huge impact. – Desi Stewart, 1997
Bernice Van Sickle (Journalism)
Shawn Washington (Social Studies)
Her journalism class opened the door for me that led to a successful career in newspapers. – Dennis Shere, 1959, HOF 1988
Ms Washington has been such a supportive mentor to me. I feel lucky to have teachers like her, who not only believe in students’ ability to succeed, but also provide encouragement and guidance along the way. – Ashley Bandy, 2022
Read even more memories and learn how to add your own to this Alumni Voices project of the Heights Schools Foundation by visiting HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org.
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70 SEVEN SISTERS OVER
10
YEARS
THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE
by Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91
M
any of us found our lifelong best friends on the playgrounds at Noble or Canterbury, in the cafeterias of Roxboro or Monticello, or in the hallways, classrooms, fields and stage of Heights High. But few of us can claim the longevity or commitment that define the friendship of the Pleiades, or “Seven Divine Sisters,” from the class of 1951. Frances (Benovitz) Gellin, Phyllis (Birnholtz) Melnick, Eileen (Gisser) Gold, Sally (Katzel) Rich, Lois (Klein) Goodman, Joanne (Waxman) Lewis, and the late Sally (Schagrin) Rich have been meeting at least monthly for the past seventy years. All born in 1933, some met in CH-UH elementary schools, some on their neighborhood streets in Cleveland, all becoming friends when they began Heights High together in the fall of 1948. Named by Joanne’s late husband Robert Lewis, a Greek classicist, the Pleiades are a constellation of seven stars, the world’s most visible star cluster. Except only six stars are actually visible in the night sky with the seventh considered “the lost sister,” fitting for this group who lost one of their own in a tragic accident decades ago. Sally Schagrin Rich, known to many as “Sally 1,” was visiting her daughter Nancy in Michigan when she was struck and killed by a driver at the age of 54. But her connection to her divine sisters didn’t end. As Joanne said in her eulogy at Sally’s 1988 funeral, “we must come to understand that, like the
constellation, we are inevitably fixed in a pattern together.” And they were indeed fixed together as Sally Katzel, herself a widow, eventually married Sally 1’s husband cementing her nickname “Sally 2.” The Pleiades, whether six or seven of them, have taken sixteen trips together over the years, from Vermont and Charleston to Italy and England. These trips were always taken without their husbands or children, as part of their deep commitment to one another. They still plan monthly get-togethers, usually over lunch, which carried on virtually during the pandemic. Several married Heights grads, many had children go through the schools, and two (Joanne Lewis and Lois Goodman) are members of the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, along with Joanne’s daughter Clea. Sally Katzel Rich was the school psychologist at Heights High for many years, where her stepdaughter Nancy has long been head of the Art Department. Nancy considers all of the women “mother figures” who’ve been fixtures in her life for as long as she can remember. According to Lewis, “We’re such different people but it’s like we’re sisters. We’ve just been there for each other through whatever happens. We have grown up together; made a commitment to share life’s story together.” And share it they have. Making their own story along the way, eternally linked, a constellation of stars sparked to light in the halls of Heights High.
From the top, left to right: Frances (Benovitz) Gellin, Phyllis (Birnholtz) Melnick, Eileen (Gisser) Gold, Sally (Katzel) Rich, Lois (Klein) Goodman, Sally (Schagrin) Rich, Joanne (Waxman) Lewis
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CeLEBRATinG 100 YeaRs By Jillian White
of Instrumental Music at Heights High
I
t takes a single conversation with a graduate of the Cleveland Heights High School Instrumental Music Department to realize that the program is truly beloved. Aside from producing generations of distinguished professional musicians, whether they played strings like solo cellist Alisa Weilerstein ’99, woodwinds like bassoonist Loren Glickman ’41, or even percussion, as did jazz vibraphonist Ceclia Smith ’78, the department has provided mentorship and fond memories to alumni who pursued careers outside of music. The 2021-2022 academic year marks the 100th anniversary of the Instrumental Music Department (IMD). The IMD’s founding is fully documented in the 1922 yearbook. The volume records that in October of 1920, three students petitioned Principal Russel Burtt to form an orchestra. Mr. Burtt acquiesced, stating, “Starting an orchestra in the school is an admirable venture. Prove yourselves to be in earnest and credits will be given for orchestra work.” And prove themselves they did. The orchestra made its debut performance in the fall of
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1921 under the baton of Mr. E.B. Downey, a science teacher at Heights. The group existed as an extracurricular activity until February of 1926, at which point the first full time music director, Mr. Percy, was hired and the orchestra became an accredited course. The orchestra even performed at the 1926 opening of the school’s current home on Lee Road. The next decade heralded a flourishing of Heights’ instrumental music program. While at it’s 1921 founding, the orchestra had numbered only 15 members- a motley array of instruments lacking the requisite sections for standard repertoire (for instance, the group possessed neither violas nor celli), by 1929 it had grown large enough to be divided into a separate band and string orchestra. This year also marked the entrance of a new director, Mr. Mark Hindsley, under whose tenure the instrumental department
continued to blossom. In 1932, the department reached another milestone in its growth: the founding of the Heights Band and Orchestra Parent Organization, affectionately shortened as “BOPO.” The organization, which is still active today, supports the IMD, helping to plan and chaperone trips, providing volunteers for performances, and creating a sense of community for student musicians and their parents. Scrapbooks and other records donated by the BOPO to the Heights Schools Foundation’s historical archives provide fascinating insights into the history of the department, including information about many of the key leaders of the IMD. John Farinacci, who began his tenure at Heights in 1949, was well loved by his pupils and continued the legacy of excellence in instrumental music at the school. Heights alumna Marcia Hileman Clark, of the Class of 1963 recalls that, “Playing violin, then harp in the Heights High Orchestra was definitely a highlight of my years at CHHS. Our travels and performances were so inspirational especially playing at the Boston Conservatory and in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Canada, and more. Mr. John Farinacci was our inspiration, as he challenged us to perform Sibelius, Beethoven, Mozart, and so many others.” When Mr. Farinacci went on to become a principal at Heights High in the early 1960s, his position was filled by another well-regarded director, Kaarlo Mackey. Though his time at Heights was short, as his life ended in a tragic car accident in 1967, Mackey’s impact is still felt at the school today. According to alumna Lanie (Leni Lewitt) Veenstra, of the Class of June 1967, Mackey was a stickler for intonation and expected excellence from his students. Mackey’s legacy is preserved at Heights through a scholarship recently established by the aforementioned alumna, the Lewitt Music Scholarship. The award, to be first awarded
in 2022, will support a graduating senior who has plans to pursue higher education and a career in music. In addition to the marching band, concert band, and orchestra, a number of smaller ensembles have flourished in the instrumental music department since its inception. Among them was the eminent Jazz Band, directed in the 1980s by James Bane, which hosted a yearly “Jazz Nite,” performed at festivals, and toured the country along with the other large ensembles. By this time, Heights’ instrumental music department had become so popular that it was necessary to employ multiple directors. One such director, Robert Bergantino, taught at Heights High for nearly two decades. Ronna Caplan, of the Class of 1970, reflects, “I credit [Bergantino] for impacting my career path for the remainder of my professional life. He helped provide me with a focus and he enabled me to integrate my professional values with my personal ones.” Bergantino, as is documented in BOPO records, was in addition to being an excellent educator, a ceaseless advocate for the importance of the arts in public education. It is through the advocacy of teachers and staff like him, parent groups, and our incredible students that Heights High’s music program not only survives, but continues to grow and develop.
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There is no better way to close this article than with the words of Cleveland Heights High School’s current band director, Dr. Nicholas Marzuola: “The Heights IMD has one of the most storied and rich histories of instrumental music education at the high school level in the United States. I am delighted that Heights High students are still thriving in this program a century after its founding; we’ve been through an ongoing pandemic, personnel changes, and challenges from outside forces such as EdChoice and budget cuts at the state level. Despite these obstacles, the Heights High IMD programs including Orchestras, Concert Bands, Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Combos, and Chamber Ensembles are not only still performing, but are doing so at a high level. I think that is a testament to this community and most importantly, the passion, dedication, and love for music performance that our students exhibit every single day.”
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YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
STRATEGIC SUPPORT TO
HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP MUSICAL TALENTS In honor of the Centennial Celebration of the organized Instrumental Music Department, Heights Schools Foundation has made a special investment for new instruments at the middle school level. After the challenges of the pandemic, HSF is proud to further develop the stream of students ready to play in the full range of opportunities at Heights High. Further, a new partnership with a local music shop offers a way for
recently-played student instruments that are no longer needed to be donated, refurbished and put back into use. You can join our efforts to build the band and orchestra programs after COVID-19 dramatically impacted instrumental music. Heights Schools Foundation offers several opportunities to invest in inspiring the next generation of musicians.
THE CENTENNIAL MUSIC FUND
JOHN F. FARINACCI MUSIC FUND
This all new fund is created in honor of the many talented music directors who have served to make Heights music programs such an integral part of ‘The Heights Experience.” Gifts can be made in memory of/ honor of any of the music directors in Heights history and funds will be used to strategically advance the programs now and well into the future. The fund will ensure that today’s students have the same (or better) opportunities that alumni, former parents and community members know well.
Established in 2012, the fund supports music lessons for promising students as well as targeted initiatives that create a pipeline of players to support a high functioning band and orchestra program. Named for the esteemed Heights High band director from 19491964, many alumni came together to remember and extend his legacy through this special fund.
THE BRADLEY ROY LARSON MUSIC EDUCATION FUND Created in memory of Bradley R. Larson, class of ’05, by his parents Brian Larson and Laurie Albright, this fund helps foster a love for music through support of music education. Starting in elementary school, Brad played the trumpet and later guitar and drums as well. Because his love for music began in early grades, the fund supports musical efforts at all Heights Schools.
PLEASE ACCEPT MY DONATION IN THE AMOUNT OF_ $______________________________________________
Fund
The Centennial Music Fund
John F. Farinacci Music Fund
The Bradley Roy Larson Music Education Fund
Name_____________________________________________________________________________ Class of________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________________ Phone_________________________________________ City / State / Zip__________________________________________________________________ Email__________________________________________ Mail your donation to: Heights Schools Foundation - 2155 Miramar Boulevard, University Heights, Ohio 44118 or make your donation online at: HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org
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As part of the 40th Anniversary of the Cleveland Heights High Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame program in 2020, Heights Schools Foundation commissioned the new mural titled “Together We Rise”, by alumnus and artist Jerome White ’88. The mural is located in the Heights High lobby across from the main auditorium on the first floor.
by Charlie R. Swift ’14
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YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
MURAL INSPIRES REFLECTION AND CONNECTION
F
rom the minute we step foot into high school, our minds are filled with optimism for all of the new things we look forward to experiencing and wonderful memories we hope to make. Learning new things, discovering our passions, tapping into our potential, making lifelong friends who will always be by our side. That’s high school. Ironically, the most anticipated moment of it all is actually the end, graduation – an accomplishment that seems so far away in the beginning. But year after year,
as we find our footing and rise to be top dogs, the day finally comes. In the final moments before we turn our tassels to the left, we look to see our classmates sitting beside us, and we understand what our time at Heights truly was: the foundation of an everlasting family. Artist Jerome White ’88 captures the essence of the Tiger Nation family, our commitment to excellence, optimism for the future, and the support of each other in the 2022 mural installation, “Together We Rise.” The symbolism of the piece
inspires optimism in the viewer and promotes the notion of the sky being the limit for a Heights High graduate. The tiger logo sits beautifully in the center of the piece representing the support of our richly diverse alumni network and that school pride that runs deeply in Tigers of the past, present, and future alike. When students look at this mural, they will know that they are capable of achieving anything that they set their mind to and that Tiger Nation will always be here to support them on their journey.
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DISTRICT NEWS BOULEVARD ELEMENTARY
FAIRFAX ELEMENTARY
School counselor Betsy Race and social worker Caryl Yoo visit classrooms weekly teaching students how to recognize and regulate their feelings using a social-emotional learning curriculum called The Zones of Regulation. The Zones include four color-codes, green, blue, yellow, and red, which represent a multitude of emotions. Teachers help students understand how to recognize which zone they’re in (and how they got there,) and ultimately how to develop strategies for dealing with the potential negative consequences of their feelings. Guiding children through the process, especially the specific events that triggered those feelings, is a main part of this work. They hope to conduct parent sessions in the future so that families will use the similar strategies at home.
Science teacher Eric Cohen organized a morning full of fun and hands-on learning during Fairfax R.I.S.E. Students visited learning stations hosted by community partners that supported the science curriculum on life cycles and natural environments, and provided an opportunity for students to connect with their classmates outside of the classroom. Students gathered acorns from around the building and conducted float tests at the Soil & Water Conservation station to determine which acorns would be good for germination in classrooms. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History brought in fossils for students to examine organisms that existed then versus now. Heights Libraries brought their mobile library for story time and gave students themed books to add to their personal collections. Shaker Lakes, whose annual programming covers organisms and ecosystems, brought in a live turtle who quickly became a student favorite!
CANTERBURY ELEMENTARY
NOBLE ELEMENTARY
There are plenty of good deeds that students do outside of school that often go unnoticed. But Canterbury is remedying that with its new Take Action initiative. Families are encouraged to submit stories about the actions their children take, both large and small, in their homes or neighborhoods. So far, nearly 90 parents have participated, sharing tales of raking leaves for an elderly neighbor or donating books to a Little Free Library. “This is about living the IB Learner Profile at home,” said International Baccalaureate Coordinator Melissa Garcar. A main tenet of an IB education is Choose, Act, Reflect promoting agency among children – the idea that they have the power to create positive change in the world.
CH-UH is piloting a Community Learning Center (CLC) at Noble Elementary. A CLC is a strategy in which schools partner with local agencies to integrate a focus on academics, health and social services, and youth and community development. While the CLC isn’t a designated, physical space, it is a centralization of resources for students, families, and residents. The creation of a CLC in the District is a component of the District’s 5-Year Strategic Plan. Kristiaun Copez-Minor has joined CH-UH as the center’s organizer.
Boulevard Focuses on Emotional Wellbeing with “Zones” of Regulation
Students “Take Action” to Help Others
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THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE
R.I.S.E. Promotes Hands-On Learning
Noble Launches Community Learning Center
DISTRICT NEWS ROXBORO ELEMENTARY
Roxboro Celebrates International Education Week With Purpose
OXFORD ELEMENTARY
Encouraging Family Engagement & Goal Setting
Oxford’s Building Leadership Team welcomed nearly 60 families to meet teachers face-to-face and enjoy dinner and giveaways at Oxford’s Fall Festival. At the event, each family received a personalized Data Folder with their student’s scores from two baseline assessments, including their areas of strength and weakness, and target goals for the year. Also included were lists of games, websites, and other resources “to empower families with the tools they need at home for their child to reach their goal,” according to Principal Jackie Taylor. While Principal Taylor was most excited to share the data folders and resources with families, she knows that the majority of parents and children were just happy to see each other. “People were very appreciative to have the time to get to know one another in a safe, outdoor environment,” she said.
GEARITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL
Gearity Tiger Council Hosts ‘STEM Capstone Carnival’ For ten years, Roxboro Elementary and Middle students and staff have been raising funds for their sister school, the Dougbe River School, in Liberia. The Liberian school has grown dramatically in that time and is now educating over 230 children from multiple villages in grades pre-K through 9. This year, Rox El’s Student Council planned a series of spirit days in celebration of International Education Week and requested small fees of $0.50 from students who participated each day. “Of course, some kids dress up without paying which is totally fine and some families give much larger amounts,” said Student Council advisor Karen Willmitch. On one of the spirit days, students were invited to bring in something from home that represented their (or another) culture or nationality. Everything from books and flags to traditional clothing, art and instruments made their way into the Rox El building.
Gearity’s annual STEM capstone was a student-led effort this year, hosted by the Gearity Student Tiger Council. Students and families were invited to the carnival themed event to enjoy engaging STEM based games and activities that were uniquely designed by members of the Tiger council. Students applied their scientific understanding to the design of carnival style games that showed various principles of physics at work, such as the gravitational force and magnetism. Stations encouraged players to follow steps of the scientific method to solve the games and win a prize.
SPRING/SUMMER 2022
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DISTRICT NEWS ROXBORO MIDDLE
Student-Run L.O.L. Store Helps Serve Student Needs
MONTICELLO MIDDLE
Monticello Hosts ‘SWAG,’ Saturday Work and Games
Monticello Middle School leaders know how much kids have missed over the past year and a half, both academically and social-emotionally. So they decided to give them some SWAG: Saturday Work and Games. The twice monthly event welcomes students into the building on a Saturday morning for 45 minutes of games. They then have an hour of work time, not as punishment but as an opportunity to receive instruction individually or in small groups, helping them to catch up on work and understand new concepts. “We recognized that staying after-school can be hard for some kids,” said Monticello Principal Dr. Jeff Johnston. “So we wanted to offer them another way to get help. And to socialize!”
HEIGHTS HIGH
A Focus on Improving College Readiness Roxboro Middle School’s L.O.L. Store is a lot more than meets the eye. At first glance, it looks like a fun chance for the female students at Rox to select some vintage clothing or pick up a new lip gloss. But it is also serving needs and teaching lessons in the process. The store provides the girls enrolled in Ladies of Leadership (L.O.L.) important practical skills as they’ve had to plan and manage the project. The store can meet some of students’ basic needs discreetly and without any stigma because every girl in the building gets to visit and choose two clothing items and two personal care items each month. Anyone who would like to contribute girls’ clothing, shoes, jewelry or personal care items (or cash to purchase such items) can deliver to the Rox Middle School main office. All donations should be clean and age appropriate.
Research has consistently shown that the earlier a student starts on the road to college, the more successful that journey will be. That’s why CH-UH has strengthened its partnership with College Now of Greater Cleveland to include a specific focus on first generation students. The school district has been awarded a seven-year federal grant to identify and support 500 students in grades 6-12 as they prepare to be the first in their families to attend college. GEAR UP and College Now advisors have expanded the programming and outreach to include both middle schools and Heights High. Programming will include planning for a future college or career based on students’ strengths, challenges, and interests, preparing for school applications and tests, and applying for financial aid and scholarships. Advisors help families fully understand the costs of post-secondary education, so that once students get to college, they have the ability to stay there.
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THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE
THE GREAT HEIGHTS GIVE BACK
CLASS OF JUNE 1956! In 2021, we debuted “The Great Heights Give Back,” a friendly competition of generosity amongst graduates. Throughout the year, we tracked alumni and class donations that allow us to fund strategic priorities that help kids thrive. The response was so great that we’re bringing the race back for another year! It was a delight to watch alumni embody the giving spirit of Heights – fostering community across generational lines, and ensuring today’s students have the same – or better- opportunities than we did.
The most generous class across all of 2021 was the Class of June 1956! Donations of leftover reunion funds made the winning difference in more than one month, and secured victory for these Golden Tigers. In honor of the winning class, here are some scans from the 1956 Caldron. We were blown away by the generosity of #TigerNation in 2021. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the inaugural Give Back! Don’t worry - the race continues into 2022. Now is the time to give your class the boost they need to win!
SPRING/SUMMER 2022
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REUNION INFO
REUNIONS ARE BACK! Many reunions that had to be postponed are back on the calendar for a summer of reconnection. CLASS OF 1987
CLASS of JAN. & JUNE 1960
CLASS of 1970
CLASS of 1982
July 30, 2022 Pinstripes Cleveland
June 10-12, 2022 Pinstripes Cleveland
For more information
For more information
For more information
Alan Goodman 216-456-2486 Email agoodman@aiglaw.com Sharon Leiberman Email Levey shrnlev@aol.com
Enid Gurney Email enidgurney7@gmail.com
Facebook ../groups/759248388083441
60TH REUNION +2 80TH BIRTHDAY REUNION June 25, 2022
CLASS of 1961 60TH REUNION June 24, 2022 Landerhaven For more information
Linda Margolis Barnett Email linbar0617@gmail.com
CLASS of 1962 60TH REUNION
July 23, 2022 Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Branch
50TH REUNION
CLASS of 1971 50TH REUNION July 1-2, 2022
For more information
David Bonder Email dbonder@beaconplanners.com
CLASS of 1975
45TH REUNION +2 September 10, 2022 Beachwood Embassy Suites For more information Website clevelandheights1975.com
40TH REUNION
CLASS of 1991 30TH REUNION
September 16-17, 2022 Homecoming Weekend For more information Facebook ../groups/CHHS1991
CLASS of 1992 30TH REUNION
June 15-16, 2022 Pinstripes Cleveland July 15: The Social Room on Lee Rd. July 16: Proximity Golf
For more information
Joyce Katz Wasserman Email jwspec@aol.com
CLASS OF 1969
CLASS of JUNE 1965 55TH REUNION + 75TH BIRTHDAY REUNION August 12-13, 2022 For more information
Elaine Silver Email esilverRN@roadrunner.com Website clevelandheights65.com
Reunion Planners 22
THE HEIGHTS MAGAZINE
Please update us on any changes to events or to add your new event to our magazine and website listings.
CLASS OF 1998
REUNION INFO
THE GREAT HEIGHTS GIVE BACK
A Friendly Competition of Generosity Amongst Graduates
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 have the same opportunities (or more) that we had. 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.
MAKE A DONATION TODAY IN HONOR OF YOUR CLASS! $________________________________________________
Name______________________________________________________________________________ Class of_________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________ Phone___________________________________________ City / State / Zip___________________________________________________________________ Email___________________________________________ Mail your donation to: Heights Schools Foundation - 2155 Miramar Boulevard, University Heights, Ohio 44118 or make your donation online at: HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cleveland, OH Permit No. 4114
2155 Miramar Boulevard University Heights, Ohio 44118 HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org
SAVE THE DATE FOR #HOCO2022
HOMECOMING WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER 16-17, 2022 Friday Night Parade & Football & Watch Party Saturday Morning Heights High Open House & Alumni Hall of Fame Induction
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@HeightsSchoolsFoundation
@HeightsFoundation
@HeightsSchoolsFoundation
