“The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition” will be presented on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and Feb. 2 at 2 p.m...
The Wizard of Oz
“The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition” will be presented on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m., Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. All performances will be at the Chagrin Falls Intermediate School auditorium.
Under the direction of Pat Haynish, Craig McGaughey and Bill Gordon, this classic musical follows the story of the 1939 film and features a cast and crew of 62 students in grades 4-8 with the roles of Dorothy, Glinda, Aunt Em and the Wicked Witch/Miss Gulch double cast.
Tickets are available at: tinyurl.com/WizardofOz25. Cost is $13 for adults and $10 for students.
Cast members include fifth-grader Dean Kosteas as Toto; eighth-grader Scarlett Beech as Aunt Em, seventh-grader Zoe Zabell as Dorothy, sixth-grader Isabel Igoe as Dorothy, seventh-grader Finley Neumore as Aunt Em, Kenston seventh-grader Natalie Frankfort as Glinda, Twinsburg sixth-grader Violet Hersh as the Wicked Witch, seventh-grader Dylan Nelson as the Scarecrow, eighth-grader Dimitri Kosteas as the Lion, sixth-grader Jack Thompson as the Tin Man, seventh-grader Madelyn Jewell as Miss Gulch and seventh-grader Avery Gebler as Glinda.
Rotary Student of the Month
Chagrin Falls High School senior Charlie Pollock has been selected as the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club’s Student of the Month for January. Pollock, a distinguished student-athlete, has made significant contributions both on and off the golf course while maintaining excellence in academics.
A four-year varsity golf letterman and two-year team captain, Pollock has established himself as one of Northeast Ohio’s premier high school golfers. His achievements include being named the 2023 News Herald Golfer of the Year and earning first-team recognition from the Northeast Ohio Golf Coaches Association in both 2023 and 2024. He is a three-time OHSAA State Golf Qualifier and two-time district medalist. His sportsmanship has also been recognized with two Frank Phillips Sportsmanship awards.
Beyond athletics, Pollock demonstrates a strong commitment to academics and service. He has consistently earned Honor Roll recognition while taking numerous Advanced Placement courses, including World History, US History, Language and Composition, Environmental Science, US Government, Spanish, and Statistics. His academic excellence was acknowledged with the 2024 Academic All-Ohio award.
Pollock’s leadership extends into various school organizations. He is an eight-year member of the Orchestra where he plays cello and belongs to the Tri-M Music Society. He is also active in the Interact Club, Business Professionals of America (BPA), and Connect Club.
His dedication to community service is exemplified through his role as a Folds of Honor Student Ambassador, where he volunteers at the Northeast Ohio Folds golf tournament and promotes the organization that provides scholarships to families of fallen or disabled military members. He also serves as a board member for H(e)arts for Guatemala, supporting need-based projects in underserved areas of Guatemala. Additionally, Pollock volunteers with Parkside Church’s youth group, participates in service projects, and assists with Scranton Road Church’s annual Thanksgiving box project providing meals to Cleveland families in need.
Outside of his academic and service commitments, Pollock enjoys snowboarding, pickleball, fishing, and strength training. He has also gained valuable work experience through three years of employment at ETalian Pizza.
Looking ahead, Pollock plans to attend The Master’s University, where he will pursue a business administration degree while continuing his athletic career as a member of the golf team.
“Charlie’s journey is a testament to what can be achieved when talent is paired with hard work and a deep sense of purpose,” said Principal Amanda Rassi, “He has not only brought pride to our school but has also set an example for his peers about the importance of pursuing one’s passions while making a positive impact on the world.”
Pollock will attend the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club’s monthly meeting as a guest, providing him the opportunity to connect with local business and professional leaders who serve the community.
Students Learn Traffic Stop Procedures
Criminal justice students at Chagrin Falls High School gained real-world law enforcement experience this fall through an interactive lesson on traffic stop procedures. The hands-on demonstration was led by police officer Baldwin and social studies teacher John Scott, who walked students through the complex dynamics of vehicle stops from both law enforcement and civilian perspectives.
The lesson provided students with practical insights into proper police protocols while also emphasizing citizens’ rights during traffic stops. Assistant Superintendent Jared Mulheman participated in the educational simulation, volunteering as a driver in mock scenarios to help demonstrate proper procedures and interactions.
The experiential learning opportunity gave students a comprehensive understanding of this common law enforcement interaction, combining classroom instruction with practical application. Through this immersive approach, students learned valuable lessons about law enforcement procedures and civil rights in a controlled educational environment.
CFIS Students Showcase Year of Service
Members of Chagrin Falls Intermediate School’s PAWS (People Always Willing to Serve) program presented their impressive array of community service initiatives to the board of education during its regular meeting on Jan. 15. The student-led organization, guided by advisors Amy Acton and Caroline Brosnan, demonstrated how intermediate school students are making a significant impact in both the local community and beyond.
PAWS, which includes students from grades 4-6, has undertaken numerous service projects during the 2024-25 school year. In their presentation, students highlighted several successful initiatives, including their work at St. Pat’s Hunger Center, where they served dinner to approximately 90 people during two Tuesday evenings in October and November 2024.
The group’s innovative “Got Sneakers!” collection drive proved particularly successful. PAWS members organized a school-wide collection of used sneakers, with all proceeds benefiting the Chagrin Falls Park Community Center. Since fall 2023, their efforts have generated over $200 for the center.
In November, PAWS members collaborated with the High School Interact Club during their lunch periods to create laser artwork on bamboo lids for Humble Designs, an organization that helps furnish homes for individuals emerging from homelessness.
The organization’s commitment to helping local families was evident in their December Adopt-a-Family initiative. Working alongside the Student Council for the third consecutive year, PAWS members helped support two families through Geauga Jobs & Family Services. The students coordinated a gift card collection that raised $1,800, organized a Target shopping spree and held a gift-wrapping party before delivering the presents to grateful families.
Looking ahead, PAWS has planned several upcoming service projects, including distributing meals, snacks, and personal hygiene items to homeless individuals in downtown Cleveland; hosting the third annual Hamlet Village Variety Show in February; participating in an Earth Day cleanup with CHGreen; and supporting Harvest for Hunger and the Bainbridge Food Bank.
The presentation by students Rowynn Waddell, Paige Lower, Henry Erdman, Frances Jewell and Kate Hively highlighted how PAWS members are learning to lead, collaborate, and make time for service while showing their peers that community service can be both important and enjoyable. The dedicated group of 24 students also includes Clara Longnecker, Parker Lower, Cemil Morton, Emerson Morton, Isla deLeon, Ellie Sheridan, Gigi Giordano, Gabby Radomsky, Liam Dixon, Claire McElyea, Harper Kruse, Camille Cirino, Gino Wetzel, Stella Wetzel, Luke Bennett, Elsie Wakefield, Abigail Hellner, Denis Shapiro and Ryerson Henry.
Board members commended the students for their leadership and dedication to serving others, noting how PAWS exemplifies the district’s commitment to developing caring, engaged citizens who positively impact their community.
O’Mara Named Interim Principal at Gurney
The Chagrin Falls Board of Education has approved the appointment of Eva O’Mara as interim principal of Gurney Elementary School. The decision was made during the board’s regular meeting on Jan. 15. O’Mara will begin her transition into the role starting next week and officially assume her duties as interim principal on February 1, 2025.
Having retired in 2019 from the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District, she taught at every level as an art teacher and finished her career as the principal of Highland Drive Elementary School. She had served as an assistant principal at the high school and middle school as well. While principal of Highland Drive Elementary, the school was named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Ms. O’Mara’s caliber joining our administrative team at Gurney Elementary for the remainder of this school year,” said Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski. “Her extensive experience in elementary education and proven leadership skills make her an excellent choice to guide our school community through this transition period.”
During her expansive 48-year career in education, O’Mara has earned numerous accolades, including the Northeast Ohio Education Association’s Educator of the Year Award and the PSO Friend of Education Award. Her diverse experience includes teaching art at every level in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District and serving as an assistant principal at both the high school and middle school levels.
Since her retirement, O’Mara has remained active in education, serving as an interim assistant principal in the Twinsburg City School District and supporting classroom instruction at Dodge Intermediate School. She also was asked back by the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District to facilitate the transition of Highland Drive Elementary School students to a newly constructed elementary school building.
“Education isn’t just my profession—it’s my passion. I’m thrilled to collaborate with such a talented staff and can’t wait to get to know the incredible students and families of Gurney Elementary,” said O’Mara. “My goal is to support the amazing work already in place while keeping the focus squarely on student growth and success during this time of transition.”
Beyond her professional duties, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service through her involvement in various volunteer organizations, including the Yuletide Hunger initiative. She serves on the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Board of Education.
O’Mara holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Baldwin Wallace University and is credentialed in both the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) and Ohio Principal Evaluation System (OPES), demonstrating her commitment to educational excellence and professional development. She also was named the 2016 Northeast Ohio Education Association’s Friend of Education.
The district has already begun planning for long-term leadership at Gurney Elementary, initiating roundtable discussions with staff and families for the selection of a permanent principal to begin in the 2025-26 school year. O’Mara’s appointment followed a thorough selection process that included input from a committee of Gurney teachers and administration.
