Grant A Guitar Essay Contest
We are having an essay contest to honor Grant Wilson who was a senior at Chagrin Falls High School. He tragically passed away on Dec. 23, 2016.
Grant loved music, especially the guitar. The essay question is “How does music act as a peacemaker in your life?”
The essay should be 500 words or less. The competition runs until May 1 and is open to Chagrin Falls, Kenston, Solon and Orange high schools.
The winner will receive a new guitar and lessons at Warren Henry Music School in Chagrin Falls – combined value of $1,000.
Submit the essay or questions to GrantAGuitar@ethicalstudio.com.
March Super News is Online
Residents can read the latest issue of Chagrin Falls Schools’ digital magazine, Super News, at this link: bit.ly/March_SuperNews2017. Residents also can access it from the homepage of the district website at: www.chagrinschools.org.
The publication features a message from the superintendent, updates on Board of Education meetings, “Super Spotlights” of students and staff, as well as many stories and photos of happenings in the school buildings.
CFIS Mock Trial Teams Compete in Columbus
On March 24, the Chagrin Falls Intermediate School Mock Trial teams headed to Columbus to compete in the 2017 Middle School Mock Trial Showcase. Led by coach Katherine Owen and supported by Thomas Perrotti, a Chagrin Falls attorney, the students did an outstanding job for their first-ever competition. The 20 sixth-graders from Chagrin Falls competed against eighth-graders from schools all over Ohio.
The students included Katie Azzolina, Christina Bencin, Benjamin Broz, Isaac Copley, Hannah DiGiampietro, Reilly Gogul, Kendall Guddy, Mira Haines, Ryan Heater, Nathan Hill, Ryan Hill, Sophia Lewis, Anna Mee, Maddie Perotti, Michaela Plante, Elizabeth Rankin, Maya Rooney, Sophia Stephenson, Grace Svette and Rose Zabik.
Students prepared for the competition since the beginning of the year during STRETCH period classes and after school. They began with fairy tale mock trials and learned about all aspects of courtroom procedure. Mr. Perotti shared his expertise and helped guide students and answered their questions. In October, all documents related to the Mock Trial Showcase were shared with students and roles were determined. The book that their case was based on was “Johnny Tremain.”
Students tried out for attorney roles by preparing and delivering a speech on a topic of their choice. Once the students received their binders of information, the real work began. They prepared opening and closing statements, studied witness affidavits and prepared direct examination and cross examination questions and answers.
Ryan Hill and Grace Svette won “Best Witness” awards. Mira Haines won a “Best Attorney” award. The “Chagrin Falls Black Mock Trial Team” received an “Outstanding” rating and the “Chagrin Falls Orange Mock Trial Team” received the highest rating of “Superior.”
“Hard work truly pays off and these students are living proof,” says Owen. “We are so proud of these amazing attorneys and witnesses. These ‘first timers’ made a very impressive showing.”
Student Elizabeth Rankin said, “I will always remember the feeling of stress right before the trial, then the feeling of ‘Wow we did better than eighth-graders. That was easy.’”
“The best thing was having the experience of being in court and doing it with friends,” said student Sophia Stephenson.
“I will always remember the absolutely amazing Supreme Court experience. When we were rehearsing, I never realized how cool this whole experience would be. I think everyone enjoyed it very much and we all wished it never ended,” said student Maddie Perotti.
Middle school mock trial cases are literature-based, with cases constructed from books most commonly read in the middle grades. Students learn first-hand about the law, court procedures, and the judicial system while also building critical 21st Century skills. The program was designed with Ohio’s New Learning Standards for social studies and English/language arts in mind. Students read and analyze witness statements drawn from the characters in the books and then act as witnesses and attorneys to argue cases involving their favorite characters. Students then work collaboratively to develop arguments for both sides and develop strategies to question the witnesses.
Seville – The Place to Learn Spanish
A group of students from Chagrin Falls High School participated in a Spanish immersion program in Seville, Spain, over their spring break. The program involved various trips and cultural excursions.
Students experienced the Spanish language and culture at a whole new level. They took classes at the language school Centro MundoLengua in the mornings and had diverse cultural programming in the afternoon. Group activities included Salsa and Sevillanas classes (both popular Spanish folk dances), a paella cooking class (a traditional Spanish rice dish) and a final weekend trip to the capital of Spain – Madrid. During their stay in Seville, the students lived with Spanish host families to ensure a complete Spanish language immersion.
Class of 2017 Cum Laude Society
On April 6, Chagrin Falls High School inducted 34 students into the Cum Laude Society. The keynote speaker for the event was Matthew Stanton, a Chagrin Falls High School 1988 graduate who is a screenwriter, actor, director and producer.
Stanton’s background in theatrical productions, while studying at the collegiate level, and his contributions in delivering impactful, professional industry showcases in Hollywood, Calif., has proven instrumental in generating valuable preparation experience and proven production delivery. His message to the students included a personal story about how he got to where he is today with the underlying message to pause and enjoy life, to get outside your comfort zone and to take advantage of good opportunities when they present themselves.
Cum Laude is among the oldest academic honor organizations for high school students in the country. Dr. Abram W. Harris, director of the Tome School in Maryland, organized it in 1906. He believed that scholastic achievement of students in secondary schools should be accorded as much recognition as that given to other accomplishments. He envisioned a Society, modeled on Phi Beta Kappa that would encourage and recognize true scholarship. During the Society’s existence there has been no deviation from the original objective of the founder – namely the recognition of superior scholarship. Student membership is limited up to 20 percent of the senior class and represents significant scholarship. The Cum Laude Society is based on three key core values that come to us from ancient Greece: Arete – meaning excellence and moral goodness or the act of living up to one’s full potential; Dike – refers to the concept of justice; and Time – being true to what is right – conducting oneself with honor.
Congratulations to the Chagrin Falls High School Class of 2017 Cum Laude inductees: William Bartlett, Daniel Berlin, Daniel Brown, Sarah Bullen, Claudia Bunker, Molly Carroll, Madigan Copley, Danielle Currey, Annabella DeBernardo, Mia DiSanto, Patrick Emery, Leah Gillespie, Jane Goble, Pearson Gottschalk, Trevor Gravely, Grace Hass-Hill, Benjamin Karyo, Karl Koenig, Katherine Malik, Thomas Mallak, Halle McClintock, Charles Moyse, Samira Reddy, Sarah Relyea, Carter Riegel, Mia Rizzo, Ellen Szymkowicz, Rem Weber, Aiko Wessels, William Westbrook, Georgia Westcott, Kate Weston, Jacey Workum and Julia Workum.
The Chagrin Falls Booster Club provided a breakfast.