Executive Director laura@HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org
Cathan Cavanaugh
CH-UH Supervisor of Communications c_cavanaugh@chuh.org
Betsy Friedlander ’90 Marketing and Development Coordinator betsy@ HeightsSchoolsFoundation.org EDITORIAL
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2024-2025 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
TRUSTEES
Anna Brandt ’04
Rachael Collyer ’11
Dr. Carmen Daniel ’07
Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91
Dan Heintz ’85
Timothy Jones ’92
Jeff Johnson ’91
Kathryn T. Joseph ’78
Hank Kornblut ’81
Dr. Matthew McPheeters ’07
Margaret Rothschild Slesnick ’79
Kelly Thomas ’83
Elizabeth Kirby, Superintendent
THE HEIGHTS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Dear Heights High Alumni & Friends,
As I reflect on this past year, I’m filled with deep gratitude and pride in all that the Heights Schools Foundation (HSF), our Board of Trustees, and alumni community have accomplished together. Whether you walked the halls of Cleveland Heights High decades ago or just a few years back, your legacy continues to shape the future of our schools and students.
It’s been a remarkable year—full of growth, reconnection, and generosity. Thanks to outstanding fundraising efforts, HSF raised more than $700,000 to support programs that directly impact our students and families.
Our scholarship program continues to grow, awarding $88,000 to graduating seniors this year. We were proud to introduce several new scholarships, including the Kraus Family Scholarship, The Mills Award, Michael Dixon Scholarship Award, and the Scholarship in Memory of Jake Nees—each created to honor and support the next generation.
The new Heights Family Resource Center, serving families in financial need, received $3,000 in support from alumni and friends. HSF also awarded more than $20,000 in Shark Tank Grants and nearly $7,000 to our Vocal and Instrumental Music Departments to fund enriching student travel experiences.
Our students and programs were featured throughout the year in local media, highlighting the spirit and innovation that define the CH-UH School District. We also welcomed back Betsy Friedlander to our team and modernized our accounting systems to ensure greater transparency and impact tracking.
We brought back beloved traditions and celebrated meaningful milestones: the return of the Pancake Breakfast, a joyful Hall of Fame Ceremony and Dinner, and our largest reunion to date—with over 450 members of the Class of 1974 returning to celebrate. Special community events including Heights Nights with the Cavs and The Cleveland Playhouse gave us even more reasons to gather and celebrate.
And we’ve doubled the reach of this magazine—from 6,000 to 12,000 homes—to keep even more alumni connected to the people and programs that shaped them.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to celebrate a major milestone: the 100th Anniversary of Cleveland Heights High School at the corner of Cedar and Lee during the 2025–2026 school year. Stay tuned—there’s much more to come.
It’s been a busy, impactful year. None of it would be possible without you—our alumni, supporters, and friends. Thank you for being part of this incredible legacy. Together, we are not only preserving the past—we are building a bold future.
With gratitude and Tiger pride,
Laura Schwartz Loebl ’87 Executive Director
by Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91
oming home has done my heart so good.”
That’s what Heights High’s new head varsity football coach Bryce Jones said recently about his return to his alma mater.
A 2012 Heights grad, Jones is one of many alumni who’ve chosen to coach athletic teams in the district. And it’s not a choice any of them take lightly.
“I wouldn’t do this anywhere else,” said head swim and dive coach Dan Budin, class of 2002. “[The University of] Texas could come calling and I wouldn’t go. Everything I do is very specifically for this place.”
Roxboro Middle School baseball coach Kevin Horter, class of 1994, feels similarly. “We made a very conscious decision to come back here,” he said of moving his wife and two kids from New York City back to the Heights during Covid. “This is where we want to be.”
High school hockey coach Jared Lavender, class of 1994, was blunt about his choice to return to rebuild the hockey team, which has suffered from a loss of experienced players in recent years: “Would I have taken on a high school coaching job elsewhere?” quipped the former NHL player. “Not a chance.”
Sharing their passion for their sport with the next generation is a motivating factor for all the alumni coaches. Andrea (Garrett) Briggs, who is an alumna, teacher, parent and coach in the district, is one of many graduates involved in Heights lacrosse
programming. “I developed my roots through athletics in high school. I want to make sure that my kids and the kids in this community can have that through lacrosse.”
For Jones, his route from high school cornerback to high school coach was a circuitous one. After graduating in 2012, he played for two and a half years at Boston College, earning All-ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) honors his sophomore year, before transferring to the University of Akron where he graduated in 2016. Then it was two years with the Houston Texans of the NFL, followed by time in the spring leagues and the XFL. Mix in injuries, college coaching stints everywhere from Charlotte, NC to North Dakota to Penn State to Northern Iowa, Covid and the birth of his daughter, time spent (unhappily) in a sales job, earning a Master’s degree from Penn State, and finally, finally, a triumphant return to Cleveland Heights High School for what he called “a dream job for a Heights kid.”
Jones’ love for Cleveland Heights goes “way past the football field. This is about family ties, it’s about the weight and the pride that comes with the Cleveland Heights name. This was always the place for me.”
He has high hopes for the football program next fall both on and off the field. “I want to give back everything I’ve learned in college and beyond, show
COACH DANBUDIN
these kids someone who walked these same hallways” and found success. “I want to be a stable figure in these kids’ lives,” he said, “trusted, trustworthy.”
Wrestling coach Willie Newton, class of 1999, also believes coaching is all about relationships. Skills and pins and wins will come and go but the relationships among teammates and between athletes and their coaches are what drive him every day. “I want every young man or woman I work with to know that somebody cares, somebody loves them.”
Relationships and place – that’s what drives Bryce Jones too. “I’m not just from Cleveland, not just from Ohio,” he said. “I’m from The Heights.”
Once a Tiger,ALWAYS a TIGER! Alumni Teachers
LORI(LAKE)MURPHY
Tby Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91
here are Heights alumni working in every aspect of the district. From leading schools as building principals to serving lunch and driving buses to teaching the next generation of young Tigers, more than 100 graduates of Heights High have chosen CH-UH as their professional home.
For many, the choice was about honoring the experiences – and especially the educators – they had growing up. Jeannise Andres, a 2001 graduate who is a Title I support teacher at Noble, credits her own mother who taught in the district for 30 years along with several other “phenomenal women who positively impacted the lives of countless students in many ways, every day” as her inspiration.
“My experiences in our public school system, throughout my youth, motivated me to create positive changes for future generations,” she said. “It has been a goal of mine to consistently create classroom environments that are welcoming, safe, and inviting places where learning is fun and growth is celebrated.”
Lori (Lake) Murphy, class of 1991, feels similarly. “Upon graduation
from college, I wanted to give back to the district that helped shape me,” said Murphy, who has taught kindergarten, first and third grades at Fairfax for the past 28 years.
Many current teachers cite the diversity and culture of the Heights community as important factors in both their personal and professional lives. Gearity STEM educator and soccer coach Sean Sullivan, a 1989 Heights High grad and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, recounts how his biracial, adoptive family moved into Cleveland Heights for its “diversity and acceptance” in 1978. “The district embraced me and I never looked back. Growing up in CH-UH, I encountered many educators and
coaches who became heroes to me. I wanted to follow in their footsteps and give back to the school district that has given so much to me.”
Heights High math teacher Cassandra (Ritzmann) Budin, 2002, is one of several staff people who are both graduates and current
JULIE (DEVINEY)WALKER
RON HOLLAND
About the Author SEANSULLIVAN
Krissy Dietrich Gallagher jokes that she “bleeds black and gold.” But she’s serious about the roles the District plays in her life. A former Coventry School teacher, parent of two recent grads (2022 and 2025), founding president of Heights Athletic Boosters, and Board Trustee for the Heights Schools Foundation, Gallagher is a freelance writer for the CHUH Communications Department. She also writes for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and about the history of the military dictatorship in Chile. Gallagher believes that public schools are the foundation of our nation’s democracy and that Heights Schools are unique in their proactive approach to diversity and cultural inclusion. She is proud to be one small piece of the puzzle that makes this District such a special place to live, work and learn.
ROCHELLEKLEIN ELENA RINALDI
CASSANDRA(RITZMA BUD I N
parents in the district.
“It’s amazing to see my kids [elementary students at Fairfax] mirroring a bit of my childhood … from amazing teachers and classroom experiences to a wide variety of friends. I can already see friendships forming that will be lifelong, just like some of my Heights friends.” She, like fellow teachers
ANDRES
Julie (DeViney) Walker and Mikia (Byers) Searcy, both members of the class of 1996, and Ron Holland, a counselor at Monticello from the class of 1991, also married Heights High grads.
While many have been working in CH-UH for more than 20 and even 30 years, some recent grads are also choosing to return. Elena Rinaldi, who graduated in 2020, is currently teaching art at Canterbury and Oxford. “I loved growing up in Cleveland Heights and I knew post undergrad that I wanted to return. It was my dream job teaching art and being back in Cleveland Heights.”
Rochelle Klein, a member of the class of 1989 who’s been an
intervention specialist at Fairfax for 23 years, put it succinctly: “I love the work I do. Being able to give back to the community I grew up in is special to me. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger!”
Although Monticello Title I Literacy Lead Mikia (Byers) Searcy didn’t know it at the time, the closing of Taylor Elementary School at the end of her first grade year would have lifelong consequences. When she transferred to Fairfax as a 2nd grader, she met Charles Searcy, with whom she remained friends until they graduated in 1996.
They stayed in touch when she went off to the University of Akron and he to the Pennsylvania Culinary Arts School, and that friendship only grew when they both returned to Cleveland after finishing their studies. “We were best friends and would often hang out or go to the movies together as friends,” she said.
After realizing they preferred each other’s company over anyone else’s, they decided to try dating. Six months later they were engaged and are celebrating their 19th anniversary this summer.
Over the years, they’ve returned to the place that brought them together: Fairfax Elementary School.
ANNISE
by Betsy Friedlander ’90
Sherrie Duerr, a lifelong resident of the district and member of the Heights graduating class of June, 1964, wears her tiger stripes proudly!
HEIGHTS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
2024 Volunteer of the Year
After years at Coventry Elementary School, Duerr transferred to Belvoir in 5th grade. A transfer, which at the time, felt like the “end of the world,”she remembers. Like most resilient schoolage kids, the world did not end and Duerr went on to form lasting friendships at Belvoir, then Wiley Junior High and onto Heights High! At Heights, Duerr was a member of the debate team and loved cheering on her fellow classmates at football and basketball games.
After attending The Ohio State University and a brief stint with Ohio Bell, Duerr settled on a rewarding career of assisting veterans with job placement at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for 42 years. During this time, Duerr was an active board member of the Heights Alumni Association, helping with events throughout the year. In 2019, an opportunity to volunteer at the district’s historical archives department was presented. Never
one to turn from a project or challenge, Duerr responded with a resounding, “I would love to!”
Since then, Duerr has spent 300+ hours
organizing, cataloging and maintaining the precious artifacts of our district dating back to the early 1900s. From photos and yearbooks to PTA notes and blueprints the task was anything but small! A favorite for Duerr was organizing the Black & Golds and reading every edition from her senior year. The biggest surprise came by happenstance… when unpacking a box of archives that had previously been kept at the old Coventry Elementary School. Duerr found her own hand-written calendar from 1958 at Wiley Junior High! “Mathematically what is the percentage of odds of finding that?” laughs Duerr.
by Jasmine (Ivory) Martin ’07
The Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) program is part of the national Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) initiative. This multi-year program supports high school juniors and seniors by focusing on workforce development and employability skills. Students participate throughout the academic year and receive elective credit for their engagement.
At Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), we believe in empowering young people to succeed in school, graduate, and prepare for economic self-sufficiency. The JOG program plays a central role in this mission by removing barriers to success and guiding students toward graduation, meaningful work experiences, and long-term career goals. JOG is currently offered at nine schools, including Cleveland Heights High School, where I serve as a Career Specialist Instructor.
Each spring, Y.O.U. hosts the Youth Career Olympics (YCO), a dynamic event where students showcase the skills they’ve developed throughout the year. Categories include Community Service, Decision Making, Employability Skills, Visual Display, Cover Design, Financial Literacy, Prepared Speaking, and the NCA Knowledge Bowl. My role involves preparing students for these events and supporting them alongside the year-long JOG curriculum.
This year, several students advanced beyond the local competition to the state Career Development Conference (CDC) and the National Career Development Conference (NCDC). Cleveland Heights High School juniors Dana Hagesfeld, E’lyanna Moody, and Jordan Settle were among four local students who proudly represented our region at the national competition in Indianapolis this past April. It has truly been an honor serving as their Career Specialist Instructor and personal and professional development mentor.
About the Author
Jasmine Martin, an undergraduate of The Ohio State University, holds a Master’s Degree in Education from Florida International University in Miami. A self described “hometown girl at heart”, Martin always envisioned her life and career in the Heights and this is precisely why she returned. Crediting the rich diversity of this school district for shaping her values and understanding of equity and inclusion, the decision to return and work within the community has been deeply fulfilling for Martin.
What influenced her decision to work here as opposed to other districts? Martin proudly explains, “It’s an honor to contribute to the growth and development of the youth in the very place that nurtured my own potential”.
TUESDAY, MAY 6TH, 2025
SCHOLARSHIP NIGHT
by Krissy Dietrich Gallagher ’91
The evening of Tuesday, May 6th was a profitable one for Heights High’s graduating seniors. More than 100 members of the class of 2025 walked away from the Senior Recognition Awards Program with a combined total of $147,000.
The annual event, hosted jointly by the high school College Readiness Department and the Heights Schools Foundation, recognizes students for their academic, athletic, artistic and personal achievements with scholarships and awards.
After recognizing several National Merit Scholarship Finalists, 33 Advanced Placement Scholars, and dozens more academic and career technical honors recipients, the high school staff presented $58,750 through its Community Scholarships.
One highlight of the evening was the announcement of The Jon Lewis $15,000 Award, the only recipient whose name is not printed in the program ahead of time. Marley Lewis told the assembled guests about her uncle Jon, who died mere weeks before starting his freshman year at Cornell University in a 1952 car crash. The award, which was designed to “help students realize their full potential” was given to Antonia Cassuci, whose “ambition, grit and self-awareness impressed” the Lewis family. Antonia is headed to Carnegie Mellon University in
the fall to study studio art, a talent that Heights High art teacher Sarah Cooper helped her hone. “She is such an amazing mentor and pushed me to try new things,” said Antonia. Receiving The Jon Lewis Award was “so shocking. I was completely not expecting to be chosen. I feel so honored to receive an award that provides so many incredible opportunities to its recipients.”
She plans to use the gift to supplement her education and especially to help purchase expensive art supplies.
The second half of the evening was facilitated by the Heights Schools Foundation, who gave away a total of $88,250 scholarships. Board President Dr. Susan Carver, of the class of 1978, facilitated this portion of the evening as she welcomed students who would soon “join the ranks of a very elite group: the alumni of Cleveland Heights High School.”
A particularly touching moment came when high school history teacher Patrick Fisher presented The Juantez “T.J.” Anderson Memorial Scholarship to three young people who, like T.J., who passed away in 2023 as a Roxboro 8th grader, are known for their acts of kindness and selflessness. He went on to say that “while this scholarship honors T.J. ‘s memory, it also serves as a reminder that we really have amazing kids at this school,” like the three recipients, Cailah Cofield, Jasmine Gamble and Brookelynn Peacock
The most exciting moment of the night, however, was the very last award – The Mills Award, established and presented by David and Michael Mills, who had attended Coventry and Roxboro Middle Schools before moving away, in memory of their parents, Elisabeth and Richard Mills. This first-year award was unique not only because it was a whopping $20,000, “the largest award we’ve ever given” according to Heights Schools Foundation
Executive Director Laura Loebl, but also because the winner was not selected from among the submitted applicants but was chosen directly by teachers and administrators.
from the gym where he was assisting the boys’ volleyball team, was recognized for always “lifting others up with his warmth, respect and quiet leadership in the classroom, court, field and building.”
Carter, who will be attending Kent State University in the fall to study business and finance, described the entire evening as “a shock. No one told me anything until I was on the stage.” He plans to put the money towards his education and is especially proud to have been honored for something beyond academics.
“This is just how I carry myself,” he said of his reputation as a good Samaritan.
David Mills explained that they wanted to find a “really special person who embodied the ideals of our parents, which were really about looking out for other people.” While neither the brothers nor their parents graduated from Heights High, they “loved Cleveland Heights” and worked with the Foundation to create this very special honor.
As 12th grade principal Taylor Smith explained, the winner is “a student who exemplifies the core values of Cleveland Heights High School: kindness, empathy, and a genuine commitment to making our school a more inclusive and compassionate community.”
A very surprised Carter Armstrong, who moments before was lured to the auditorium
While Michael Mills was stuck on a runway in Newark during the Awards Ceremony, he and his brother enjoyed a casual lunch with Carter the following day. “It was immediately apparent why a number of people thought he was such a worthy candidate,” said David. “He has a certain maturity that I’m not sure I had at the age of 18. It’s clear he’s an independent thinker, not a follower.” As evidence of that, Carter later reflected that if awards like this encourage other students to act with kindness and compassion, that’s a good thing. He said when he achieves his goal of becoming a successful business person, he “sure will” return to Heights High and create a scholarship for the next deserving student.
When he’s ready to do so, he can reach out to the Heights Schools Foundation.
Unlocking Futures, Shaping Careers
by Dr. Carmen (McGugan) Daniel ’07
The Heights Career Tech Consortium (HCTC) is revolutionizing education by uniting Cleveland Heights, Maple Heights, Shaker Heights, and Warrensville Heights school districts to deliver exceptional CareerTechnical Education (CTE). Serving over 650 students across these districts, we empower learners to explore their passions and gain hands-on experience in industries that are shaping tomorrow.
At Cleveland Heights High School, HCTC proudly offers nine cutting-edge programs: Audio Engineering, Auto Tech, Clinical Health Careers, Cosmetology, Digital Video Production, Engineering Project Lead the Way, Marketing, Pharmacy Tech, and Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. These programs are designed to ignite curiosity and fuel ambition while equipping students with in-demand technical skills, industry-recognized certifications, and built-in college credits.
Why CTE? Because it works! Nationwide, students in CTE programs boast an impressive 95% graduation rate—well above the national average of 86%. Over 80% of these students report that CTE has helped them connect their studies to future career goals. Locally, 75% of HCTC students participate in internships, co-ops, or work-based learning experiences before graduation, giving them a head start in the job market and a competitive edge.
We are thrilled to announce an exciting milestone: this past December, the Heights Cosmetology Program reopened its doors to the community for the first time since COVID-19! This long-anticipated moment highlighted the program’s dedication to hands-on learning and community engagement. Come witness our talented students in action, as they showcase their skills and creativity.
An exciting new project is also underway!
Our Digital Video Production and Audio Engineering students will be working on the Coventry Peace Park Documentary, earning IMDB credit for their contributions. This project exemplifies our commitment to providing real-world experiences that prepare students for success in the creative and technical industries.
At HCTC, we believe in bringing industry into the classroom. Through strong partnerships with local businesses and organizations, students gain invaluable mentorship and real-world experience. These collaborations not only enrich the learning process, but also create a pipeline of skilled, workforceready graduates eager to make a difference.
CALL TO ACTION!
We’re looking for mentors and business partners to join us in this mission. Whether you’re an industry professional, entrepreneur, or community leader, your involvement can inspire and transform lives. Together, we can prepare the next generation of skilled professionals to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Dr. Carmen (McGugan) Daniel, Business and Community Engagement Specialist, Cleveland Heights Alumni Class of 2007, at c_daniel@chuh.org. Let’s build the future, one student at a time!
Follow us on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn: @heightscte
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Carmen Daniel credits being a student at Heights for teaching her how to advocate for herself and others. For Dr. Daniel, this instilled her strong sense of responsibility to give back. With a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Innovation, Dr. Daniel devotes her career to bridging the gap between K-12th grades and college access.
Returning to the Heights and working for her alma mater means everything to her. A motivating factor is supporting the students who often get overlooked. “ It’s easy to feel lost at Heights, so being that consistent adult who shows up and believes in them… that’s powerful!”, Dr. Carmen Daniel.
Heights High Musicians
Take on the Big Apple
by Diana Drushel ’11
The Heights High Instrumental Music Department traveled by bus to New York City this past March for their annual Spring Tour. Forty students spent four jam packed days focused on music. They had a music exchange with another high school, went to Brooklyn College for master classes, attended a Broadway performance of Hadestown, and visited tourist attractions. The students who attended the tour are in the Symphonic Winds and Heights High Symphony.
The musicians made their first stop at the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania at Austintown Fitch High School where the students were able to perform for and listen to another high school’s instrumental program. “People learn so much just getting outside of their normal routines and seeing how other people do some of the same things in other places,” said Orchestra Director Daniel Heim, “or even how they have entirely different traditions and ways of life.”
The master classes were hosted by Brooklyn College where two music professors conducted a class specialized for each ensemble. These master classes proved to be an enlightening experience for the students where they could receive
insightful feedback from college educators on how they could improve the pieces they perform.
“I felt honored that an esteemed musician was taking the time to listen to our ensemble and offer very specific feedback,” said sophomore Lina Szpak. “The comments we received were minor changes that greatly increased the piece’s impact.”
But the musical highlight for many of the students, and the adult chaperones, was seeing an outstanding Broadway performance of Hadestown. “The Hadestown music is super musically interesting to listen to,” shared senior Stella Stawovy, “and having the band on stage when the actors were performing was fun.” Musicals hold a special place in tubist Mena Morris’ heart and being able to experience it with her friends made it all the better.
“It was a spectacular production, and the show spoke so poignantly to the moment that we are in right now,” shared Mr. Heim. “It was simply amazing, and I’m so glad we did it!”
The tour also included a guided tour of New York City and Carnegie Hall, a visit to the top of the Empire State Building, a chance for the students to explore Times Square and Central Park, and a visit to Ellis and Liberty
Islands. “I found NYC to be a cool city,” shared senior Gabe Dodson, “and I feel like we saw some very awe inspiring things.”
The students also greatly appreciated that they were given the opportunity to experience and explore everything that the city had to offer, especially during their free time at Times Square and Central Park. Directors Daniel Heim and Dr. Nicholas Marzuola as well as the IMD’s paraprofessional, El Wynne accompanied the students. Parent chaperones were Robert Barr, Katrina Heinzen, Sharilee Walker, and Summer Watterson
About the Author
For Diana Drushel, working at the High School with some of the same teachers who taught her and her sisters is like a dream come true. Drushel credits them for inspiring her love of history, writing and desire to teach. She attended the College of Wooster with initial plans to teach Social Studies. In her current role as Parent and Community Liaison, Drushel is able to support the district’s students, families and staff from behind the scenes. A position which she believes to be even more rewarding! One of the biggest lessons learned from her own time as a student in the CH-UH City School District was “keeping an open mind and being able to look at situations from different perspectives”, says Drushel. “I am able to connect and inform past, current and future Tigers about all of the amazing opportunities that Heights High continues to offer.”
The Gift of Giving
This incredible trip was made possible by the generous donation of a Heights alumna and matched by HSF. Wanting to give back to current students, rather than just providing a scholarship, this donor found the perfect fit for her philanthropy! After the trip, the students wrote personal notes of gratitude and details of the trip with photographs to match and sent them to the former Heights graduate who made this trip possible. “Giving back is what it’s all about, it felt like a blessing to do so”, says the donor who was blown away by the gratitude she received. “My generosity mattered!” Her message to fellow alumni is clear, there are plenty of opportunities available to benefit today’s students. Looking for your perfect fit, just contact Heights Schools Foundation!
44th Cleveland Heights High School DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI HALL OF FAME
Heights Schools Foundation inducted the following individuals into the 44th Annual Heights High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
This extraordinary class joined the ranks of nearly 450 members since the CH-UH District held the first ceremony in 1981. Created by Dr. Patricia A. Ackerman, former CH-UH School Administrator and Principal, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals of all fields at varying stages of success in career, philanthropy and humanitarian efforts. Mark your calendars for the next Alumni Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
ANDY BASKIN ’86
Baskin has worked with Fox Sports Ohio, Channel 3, and served as the Sports Director at WEWS-TV. He has also been a sideline reporter and pre and postgame host for the Guardians, Cavs, Browns, and Ohio State Football. Baskin is well-known as the Co-Host of Baskin and Phelps at 92.3 The Fan. He can also be heard on the Browns Radio Network. He writes for the Cleveland Jewish News and appears on Spectrum News 1. Baskin was honored by Kent State University as Distinguished Citizen of the Year for his philanthropic work.
RABBI SHARYN H. HENRY ’77
Rabbi Henry has served in various rabbinic roles at Rodef Shalom Congregation, in Pittsburgh, and was named the senior rabbi in 2021. She was awarded Doctor of Divinity by Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion in 2013 for her 25 years of service to the Jewish community. Rabbi Henry has received multiple humanitarian awards for her commitment to helping individuals with disabilities and her work as an advocate for equality and inclusion.
DR. ROBERT E. BRAYLOCK ’07
AHMAAD CRUMP ’94
Dr. Braylock is a Writer, Healthcare Professional, Educator, and Unity, Equity, and Justice Practitioner. He is the President of Release Heaven On Earth (RHOE CORP) and Principal and COO, Braylock for His Kingdom (BHK Consulting). Dr. Braylock is experienced in developing hundreds of initiatives that enhance the educational, employment, and economic wellbeing of both individuals and communities. For his work and impact, Dr. Braylock received the Henry Cade Memorial Award from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, one of the most prestigious awards within the field of pharmacy.
Crump has been the voice of the Cleveland Cavaliers since 2005. Not only is he the electric voice heard at every home Cavs game, he has been selected by the NBA seven times for the All-Star Weekend and hosted the first ever NBA China Games. When not hosting NBA games, Crump can be found hosting community events and visiting students and teachers at schools in the community.
RANDY HIBSHMAN ’68
Hibshman is now retired from a successful career in electronics, but his most rewarding work that continues today is his contribution and development of Challenger Baseball in Broward County, Florida. For more than 30 years Hibshman has been in charge of the program which created adaptive baseball for all children and young adults with special needs. The program is designed to teach sportsmanship, develop friendships and social skills and improve self esteem.
DANI MERRITT ’00
STEVE POTASH ’70
Merritt is the Founder and CEO of Elusion Clothing, which was later rebranded as EC77. Through Merritt’s dedication and vision, the once urban t-shirt company became a full-fledged menswear brand. Worn by many celebrities, professional athletes, musicians and more, the brand has also been featured in many major television shows and films. Merritt is a member of the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network, assisting other entrepreneurs in launching their own brands and is an advocate for mental health and wellness.
Potash is Founder, President and CEO of OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital media for over 92,000 libraries, schools, government agencies, corporate learning centers, colleges, and universities worldwide. Potash is the co-founder of BelieveinReading.org which provides grants and funding to non-profit organizations dedicated to improving all forms of literacy. Through his foundation, The Steve and Loree Potash Women & Newborn Center at the University Hospital Ahuja Medical Center was created. It is a family-focused medical center for expectant mothers and newborns.
DR. VANESSA MAIER ’91
Dr. Maier is a Family Physician and Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and was named one of Cleveland’s Best Doctors in 2022 by Cleveland Magazine. She serves as the Medical Director of MetroHealth’s School Health Program, the Director of Health for the City of Shaker Heights and Director of the Advocacy and Public Health Pathway at CWRU School of Medicine. Dr. Maier was instrumental in the creation of The Heights Wellness Center located in Cleveland Heights High School which serves CH-UH students, their families, and staff members and where she also sees patients. The Center is funded by a generous grant from the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Health.
DR. BENJAMIN PIPER ’95
Dr. Piper is Director of the Global Education Program, at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Based in the foundation’s Nairobi office, Benjamin supports grantees that work to improve foundational literacy and numeracy in low- and middle-income countries. Before joining the foundation, Dr. Benjamin was the Senior Director for African Education for RTI International and the chief of party for the Kenyan National Literacy Program Tusome, doubling the number of kids who could read in one year across the country.
NEAL A. SMITH ’91
Smith, a percussionist, is a Grammy Award winner for Best Classical Compendium for his contributions to Passion for Bach and Coltrane. He is currently a Professor at Berklee College of Music and Longy School of Music. Recognizing the need for a record label that focuses exclusively on the production of jazz recordings, Smith founded the NAS label in 2004. He leads his own musical group, which performs original compositions, as well as classic arrangements of jazz standards. Smith performs regularly with internationally recognized artists.
When I graduated from CHHS in 2006 heading for Capital University to major in Music Education, I knew that returning to CHUH to teach was my dream. I had no idea that adulthood would take me from teaching to administration, and that I would actually return in 2023 as a building principal. I also had no idea that when I returned to CHUH to lead Roxboro Middle School, what would become the most meaningful thing about my return would be the literal streets and landmarks in Cleveland Heights and University Heights.
by Rebekah L. Sharpe ’06
When I go to Delise, I always look towards Cain Park and smile fondly at memories of sledding with my older brother on that hill. The last time we went sledding was the week before his wedding in November of 2008, just to get away and have fun together as kids one last time before he became a “real adult.”
When I’m traveling from Roxboro Middle to Monticello, I always drive through Coventry, and have fond memories of sitting in my Kindergarten classroom, watching grown ups, including my own mother, build the new playground. I pass Tommy’s and smile remembering our class field trip to have milkshakes and french fries there.
When I travel to the Board of Education, I frequently loop through Gearity’s oval, and reminisce about Bike Rodeos on the playground and how I was a terrible bike rider. I also
remember sitting on the front steps of the building when the statue of Lauree P. Gearity was unveiled, and the school’s name was formally changed to from Belvoir Elementary School to Laurie P. Gearity Elementary School.
When there is a meeting or event at CHHS, I always look at Wendy’s and laugh about the hundreds of dollars I spent there getting Dollar Menu fries, frosties, and chicken nuggets after school, and before attending a football, hockey, or basketball game. The memories, much like my gratitude for being a born and raised “Heights Girl,” are endless.
Principal life is not easy. There are tremendous joys that come with leading a school building, and stressors like you would not believe. While I anticipated this challenge on some level, I had no way of anticipating just how intense the challenge would be. What I also did not anticipate, and still struggle to put into words, is how walking and driving the streets of the very community that raised and made me K-12, would bring a level of peace, calm, joy, and pride in me that is inexplicable. There is not a single challenge that I can’t face once I drive around the city, reflect about my own amazing upbringing in CHUH, and remind myself of why I came home. It helps me to never tire of the hard work and dedication that it takes to help CHUH be amazing for the next generation of students.
A ‘Legends Luncheon’ was held to celebrate these four extraordinary Tiger Team members as they prepare for life after Tiger Nation. Three are retiring and one, Dr. Paul Lombardo, is taking the role of Superintendent of Geneva Area City School District. With a combined total of nearly 100 years of service, to say their presence will be missed, would be an understatement. Their legacy will continue to set the standard of excellence throughout Tiger Nation. Thank you gentlemen and congratulations!
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 1965, 1966 and 1967
60TH REUNION & FOOTBALL TEAM CELEBRATION
Friday, August 29
6:00pm: Heights High Tour & Football Game Post game at Acacia Party Room
Saturday, August 30
3:30pm: Landerhaven
6:30pm: Dinner
For more information
Tracy Schermer
E: schermer@kenyon.edu
Larry Dindia
E: larrydindia@yahoo.com
Marta King Stone
E: marta.stone09@gmail.com
CLASS of 1975
50TH REUNION
Saturday, September 6
6:30pm: The Bertram Inn
Sunday, September 7
10:00am: Heights High Tour
For more information
E: clevelandheights1975@gmail.com
Reunion Planners
Please update us on any changes to events or to add your new event to our magazine and website listings.
CLASS of 1985
40TH REUNION
Homecoming Weekend
Friday, September 12
5:00pm: Parade, Football Game & Lee Road Pub Crawl
Saturday, September 13
10:00am: Heights High Tour
Evening: The Grog Shop
For more information
Andy Tuzzeo
E: atuzzeo@gmail.com
Marlene Sparks
E: cutiesparks@sbcglobal.net
CLASS of 1990
35TH REUNION
Homecoming Weekend
Friday, September 12
5:00pm: Parade & Football Game
Saturday, September 13
11:00am: Heights High Tour
7:00pm: The Wine Spot
For more information E: CHHS1990reunion@gmail.com
CLASS of 2005
20TH REUNION
Friday, August 1
7:00pm: B-Side Patio
Saturday, August 2
10:00am: Heights High Tour
7:00pm: Nuevo
Sunday, August 3
11:00am: Top Golf
For more information W: www.CHHS05reunion.com
DISTRICT NEWS
OXFORD & NOBLE ELEMENTARY Students Roll Up Their Sleeves for Service Project
Oxford and Noble students recently rolled up their sleeves to help with a service learning garden project in partnership with Cleveland Heights police cadets and Heights High School students. Heights High’s 21st Century TASSEL Coordinator, Steve Walker, and Worklab instructor Will Brown teamed up with Cleveland Heights police academy cadets and invited 4th- and 5thgrade students from Noble Explorers, Oxford HUB, and Heights High to help with the project. Phase one of the three-phase beautification project occurred in September at the police academy on Noble Road. Before getting to work, students toured the building and learned it was previously a fire station until the trucks were too big to fit the premises.
After the tour, students, staff, and cadets worked together to place decorative stones, spread mulch, and plant perennial flowers.
“Mr. Walker did such a great job organizing this service project for our afterschool students,” said Oxford HUB Coordinator Erin Hill. “Helping our community, meeting officers and community members, and getting a pizza lunch was a wonderful way to kickstart our year.”
CANTERBURY ELEMENTARY
1st Graders Visit Patterson Fruit Farm
On a recent field trip to Patterson’s Fruit Farm, Canterbury’s first graders were staring out the windows of their bus, searching for where the sidewalk ends.
Not as part of some mythical Shel Silverstein-inspired scavenger hunt, but because it would help them recognize when they had moved from a suburban community, like Cleveland Heights, to a rural community, like Chesterland where the fruit farm and apple orchard are located.
The students in Pat Dooner and Kate Duhanich’s classrooms had been studying the three different types of communities – urban, suburban and rural – along with roles in those communities as part of their social studies curriculum.
FAIRFAX ELEMENTARY
Hosts Cabaret Show
On February 7th Fairfax prepared for a night of dazzling performances, artistic expression, and creativity.
Imagine the following acts all performing on one stage in one night: ten and eleven-yearold boys playing high school-level pieces on the violin and cello, groups of third-grade girls singing and dancing to the latest pop song, a favorite male lunch aide singing a solo, a level five gymnast tumbling across the floor, a family band and, of course, a grand finale featuring 20 teachers dancing in unison.
There’s nowhere else this could happen than at the Fairfax Cabaret; a 30-year tradition that brings together the bravest and most talented students, teachers, and parents of Fairfax School.
ROXBORO ELEMENTARY 4th Graders Create Robots
Roxboro Elementary’s 4th graders are using empty tissue boxes, old water bottles, and paper towel rolls to solve the world’s problems. The project tied together English language arts, science and social studies instruction, while allowing the children to get creative and build something with their hands.
After reading the novel The Wild Robot, and even watching the newly released film in the theater, students from Robyn Greenberg and Karen Hodsen’s classrooms worked at home to create their own robots. Using household items that were otherwise destined for the trash or recycling bin, students built their own 3D creatures, each designed to address a specific environmental issue or natural disaster, which the students had been studying in science.
MONTICELLO & ROXBORO MIDDLE
Host Power of the Pen Writing Tournaments
Both Monticello and Roxboro Middle School students have power in their pens. The two schools hosted successful Power of the Pen writing tournaments in January and February, with both sending multiple students on to the next round of competition.
Monticello’s tournament was on January 11th, when they hosted 18 schools and nearly 150 7th and 8th writers who competed in three rounds of timed writing where students respond to a given prompt before being evaluated by a panel of judges. Meanwhile, Roxboro Middle hosted their own District Tournament on February 1 with similar success. Fourteen schools and 126 writers visited the Heights on a cold and windy Saturday to put their creative writing abilities to the test.
Advisor Jeannise Andres worked with countless school staff and volunteers to run a smooth event that included both a light breakfast and lunch for coaches and volunteers and giant board games and basketball for students to enjoy during their downtime. “We received so much positive feedback,” she said, including from Principal Curtis Walker who said it was “one of my favorite events of the school year.”
HEIGHTS HIGH
Inducts 58 Members into the National Honor Society
The Heights High School chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) inducted 58 new members in April, recognizing students for their dedication to scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The event began with a reception for inductees, their families, and guests, where the Heights High Barbershoppers performed to welcome attendees. The formal ceremony took place in the school auditorium, beginning with a greeting and congratulations from NHS advisor Nicole Zubik. Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of the four pillars of NHS.
Senior NHS members shared personal reflections on each pillar: Mykaila Davis and Sheridan Sweeney spoke about Leadership, Sweeney also addressed Service, Milo Goldmark discussed Scholarship, and Karis Wilson highlighted Character. Excitement filled the room as new members were called to receive their certificates. To conclude the ceremony and mark their official induction, students recited the NHS Pledge, committing themselves to uphold the values and high standards of the organization and their school community.
HIGHTS HIGH & OXFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Bryce Jones Named Head Football Coach, Oxford Dean
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District has selected Bryce Jones to serve as head football coach for Heights High School and dean of students at Oxford Elementary School.
Jones is a 2012 Cleveland Heights High School graduate, where he played quarterback and defensive back and ran track for four years. In 2012, he was named the Lake Erie League MVP for both football and track. Jones went on to play football for Boston College before transferring to the University of Akron for his final season. He began his professional football career in 2017 with the Houston Texans, later playing for the San Antonio Commanders (AAF) and the New York Guardians (XFL).
Most recently, Jones was the cornerbacks coach for the University of Northern Iowa football program. Prior to that, he served as assistant cornerbacks coach for Penn State University, assistant defensive back coach for University of Mary, and cornerbacks coach for Johnson C. Smith University.
Jones holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron in Organizational Supervision.
“We are excited to welcome Bryce back to the Heights to serve our students both on the field and in the classroom,” said Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby. “With his experience and energy, I anticipate that he will make a hugely positive impact.”
Jones began as the Oxford Elementary School Dean of Students in January.
“This community has made me who I am, so it’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to mentor and guide Heights kids. I look forward to helping them grow and succeed,” said Jones.
Jones succeeds Mac Stephens as head football coach, who resigned the position in December.
