Chagrin Falls School News
In recognition of her passion for literature and outstanding contributions to the world of reading, Chagrin Falls High School student Natalie Nemunaitis has been named a recipient of the 2024 READ On! Ohio Award for Children & Teens in the Northeast 9-12 division...
Student Honored with READ On! Ohio Award
In recognition of her passion for literature and outstanding contributions to the world of reading, Chagrin Falls High School student Natalie Nemunaitis has been named a recipient of the 2024 READ On! Ohio Award for Children & Teens in the Northeast 9-12 division.
The prestigious award, presented by the Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA), celebrates enthusiastic readers nominated by school and public librarians across the state. Nemunaitis was nominated by Angie Jameson, the library media specialist at Chagrin Falls High School, who commended her “passion for literature, coupled with her academic excellence, makes her an outstanding candidate who will undoubtedly continue to make significant contributions to the world of literature.”
As the president of the school’s book club, Nemunaitis has cultivated an inclusive and vibrant environment, attracting a diverse array of students. Her dedication to literature extends beyond her extracurricular activities, as she recently completed an AP research project investigating the impact of e-books and TikTok on library circulation in schools nationwide. According to Jameson, this project “showcased her ambition and ability to bridge technology and contemporary culture with traditional literature. Her study provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of library services.”
Nemunaitis will be recognized at the 2024 OELMA Conference and Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Oct. 2-4 at OCLC, 6565 Kilgour Place, Dublin, Ohio. During the event, she will receive her certificate and Barnes & Noble gift card, acknowledging her outstanding achievements and passion for reading.
Iron Giraffe Challenge Super School Winner
Chagrin Falls Middle School has been named the Super School Winner in the 2023-24 Iron Giraffe Challenge, organized by Water for South Sudan. The prestigious recognition comes with an exciting reward – a video call with Salva Dut, the founder of Water for South Sudan and a celebrated philanthropist. Last spring, the current eighth-graders raised more than $19,000 to win the award. They finished first out of the entire United States and 12 other countries. The school is planning the call with Salva Dut for either the end of this year or the beginning of next school year. It is the second time the middle school has won thd award and the only school that has won it twice.
The Iron Giraffe Challenge is an annual fundraising campaign that encourages schools across the country to raise funds for the vital cause of providing access to clean water in South Sudan. Chagrin Falls Middle School’s outstanding efforts and unwavering dedication to this noble cause have earned them the coveted title of Super School Winner.
The video call with Salva Dut, scheduled for a mutually convenient date and time, will provide students with a unique opportunity to interact with the man whose inspiring story has touched countless lives. Salva Dut, a former “Lost Boy” of Sudan, has dedicated his life to ensuring that communities in South Sudan have access to clean water, a basic necessity that millions still struggle to obtain.
Through their participation year after year, the students of Chagrin Falls Middle School have not only raised funds for a worthy cause, but also gained valuable lessons in empathy, compassion and global citizenship.
The current seventh-graders have launched their fundraising campaign. Donations can be given at the website: tigersbringchange24.
