Last year’s school year has come and gone. As we move forward to the 2017-18 school year, teachers and other staff highlight some former graduates, from preschool to high school. They provide an inspirational pathway to incoming students and parents.
Abigail Strozewski
Parkview Early Education Center, Fairview Park
Abby has been a role model student in the DAP preschool program the past two years. Some of Abby’s favorite things from preschool have been all of the field trips they went on, especially the Cleveland History Center because there was a “Tinkerbell Boat” there, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which was cool because the whole building is three floors made out of glass. Abby really liked all the science experiments she got to do in class, like building a structure with sugar cubes, putting colored water on it, and watching the sugar cubes dissolve. Abby loved all the time she got to spend playing with her friends, making new friends, and helping her friends when they were sad. She had recently been learning about recycling and has been putting that to action outside of the school, too. Abby is excited for kindergarten. She’s excited for more field trips, getting to eat lunch at school, making new friends, and learning to read all on her own.
Raja Freeman
Brush High School, Lyndhurst
Nominated By: Daniel Gray
Raja is Cleveland’s current youth poetry slam champion. Freeman represented the city of Cleveland at the Annual Brave New Voices Festival and Competition in San Francisco this summer. She is a poet, musician, and visual artist. She graduated from Brush High School this past May.
Brooklyn Fagan
Lewis Little Folks, Cleveland
Brooklyn is a kindergartner whose favorite moments this year involved math, learning to read, and making sentences. She takes ballet and ice skating classes, loves to draw, and is a very helpful and loving big sister. Her favorite moment last school year in kindergarten was the 100th day party that her teacher threw for the class. She can’t wait for first grade, especially learning her teacher’s name and riding the bus every day.
Kellen Kolozvary
Brook Park Memorial Elementary
Nominated By: Katie Stults
Kellen started preschool at age 3. He suffered a stroke that made the left side of his body very weak. As the doctors were trying to determine why he had a stroke, they discovered he had a brain tumor. He went through treatment for almost a year. Since the day I met Kellen, he’s been inspiring me. Last November, Kellen was part of a special restrictive therapy program. They casted his right arm in hopes that it would force him to use his left arm more. He remained in the cast for 6 weeks. His parents weren’t sure how he would handle all this physical and emotional stress. Kellen only missed one day of school last year — the day he got his cast on. Throughout the stress he pushed himself and worked hard. Since this therapy Kellen started to excel with his academics and language. He still has his limitations, but the growth has been amazing.
Megan Morton
Perry High School
Nominated By:
Allison Trentanelli and Mark Soeder
Megan has demonstrated a level of thoughtful, engaged citizenship that is unique among her peers. In the classroom, her quiet leadership and questions led to powerful discussions about current social issues. She then used these discussions as a springboard for social change. After researching local non-profit organizations, Megan connected with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, nominating them for a grant through the PSL Student Philanthropy Program, and collaborating with their leadership to better understand how that organization serves Northeast Ohio. She volunteered to serve in a kindergarten classroom at Perry Elementary School, closely working with the teacher to provide intervention and enrichment opportunities for our youngest learners. The work she does in this environment has created a powerful educational foundation for students in our school district. Megan’s commitment to the community will continue beyond her high school graduation this past May.
Taylor Cox
Chardon Middle School
Nominated by: Tara Kalser
Taylor will be moving up to Chardon High School this school year. She is a hardworking student who has been able to successfully balance athletics and academics. She is a team player and a positive role model for others in the building.
Mary Barrett
Cleveland School of the Arts
Nominated By: Daniel Gray
Mary is a dancer, poet, lecturer, student educator, and essayist. She has performed at Cleveland Public Theater, Karamu, and the Cleveland Museum of Art, to name a few. Her poetry merges critical race theory, feminist theory and hip hop cultural studies with spoken word aesthetics. She has also lectured at Ohio State University about literature and social justice. As an intern at Twelve Literary Arts, she teaches poetry and writing to middle and high school students. Mary graduated from the Cleveland School of the Arts as one of the Top 5 students of her class with a GPA higher than a 4.0.
Will Hach
A. I. Root Middle School, Medina
Will has been very involved in his school both through clubs and sports. While at A. I. Root, he took a computer programming class and was one of 12 students to compete on the Academic Challenge team. He sang in the choir and boys’ ensemble and participated in cross country and track. His favorite moment at school last year was the D.C. trip. He loved seeing the landmarks, museums, and hanging out with his friends. He is looking forward to trying out for Show Choir in high school.
Tiana Wilson
Cleveland School of the Arts
Nominated By: Daniel Gray
Tiana is a poet and filmmaker. She is interested in the intersection of classic Greek mythology, post-feminist theory, and hip hop. Her short film, “Dance of the Night,” appeared at the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival (2016). In 2017, Wilson will be one of 20 students nationwide chosen to attend the Kelly House Urban Writing Residency at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. As an intern at Twelve Literary Arts, she has lectured, performed and taught at high schools, universities, and cultural centers across Ohio and Pennsylvania.