Chagrin Falls Middle School has announced its February Students of the Month, recognizing four exceptional students who exemplify Tiger Techniques...
CFMS Students of the Month
Chagrin Falls Middle School has announced its February Students of the Month, recognizing four exceptional students who exemplify Tiger Techniques: Think, Integrity, Grit, Effort and Responsibility. The mission of the Chagrin Falls Middle School Students of the Month is to acknowledge and reward students for exemplary performance. Each month, the seventh- and eighth-grade teams collaborate and choose a male and female “Tiger of the Month,” and the students receive tiger water bottles from the PTO.
They are eighth-graders Molly Quigg and Danny Flaiz and seventh-graders Izzy Igoe and Zayne Hamid.
Molly is a respectful and polite student who strives to complete all things to the best of her ability. Her quiet leadership shows her character traits of being humble, empathetic and considerate of others. Molly’s observations and questions are insightful, and she does a great job learning and building after mistakes. Molly is a very active member of the Yearbook Club. She is an amazing photographer and a valuable member of the design team, and editor of the CFMS Yearbook.
Danny is a critical thinker in the STEM classroom. He is a leader and always willing to help those in need. Danny is consistently respectful of both his peers and teachers alike. He strives to complete everything with accuracy and diligence. Also, he is reflective and insightful as he analyzes his progress in class. Danny is focused and intentional in doing his very best academically and is a kind and helpful resource in helping others in the classroom.
Izzy is a responsible and hard-working young lady. She comes to class prepared and is always willing to help others. When absent, she always makes sure to get her work turned in on time and never needs to be reminded. Izzy is a leader in and outside of the classroom. She always ensures everyone feels included. Her positive attitude makes our classroom a better place. It is a pleasure to have Izzy in science and STEM this semester. She is a hard worker and eager to learn. Her smile brightens the room.
Zayne brings a positive and fun energy to the classroom. He comes prepared, asks insightful questions, and works well with everyone. He is not afraid of a challenge and often chooses it. His curiosity and willingness to grow set him apart. Zayne did an excellent job in STEM. He was an asset to the class with his critical thinking skills and helpful nature. Zayne is sincere, polite, and dedicated to success in class. A born leader who is up for any challenge and loves to ask “why.”
Freshman to Perform Solo with Contemporary Youth Orchestra
Chagrin Falls High School freshman Oliver Anderson will showcase his musical talent as a featured soloist in the Contemporary Youth Orchestra’s “In Chambers” concert on March 7 at 4 p.m. at the Florence Harkness Memorial Chapel at Case Western Reserve University. Anderson has been a member of the Chagrin Falls Orchestra program since fifth grade.
Anderson, a cellist and member of CYOverture, the orchestra’s beginning ensemble, will perform Largo (I) from the Sonata in E Minor by Antonio Vivaldi. The concert will feature CYOverture in a full ensemble performance, as well as solo performances by several members showcasing diverse repertoire ranging from Vivaldi’s Summer to Saint-Saëns’ L’Elephant from Le carnaval des animaux.
Contemporary Youth Orchestra is committed to the study and performance of exclusively contemporary and new orchestral music, with a focus on introducing students to careers in the creative arts industries. CYOverture provides students who play string instruments the opportunity to play advanced string orchestra music and develop important skills required to play in full symphonic ensembles.
Being selected as a soloist is a significant achievement that recognizes Anderson’s dedication to his craft and his developing artistry as a young musician. The performance opportunity allows him to share his talent with a wider audience while gaining valuable experience performing classical repertoire.
The concert is open to the public.
National Merit Recognition
Noah Beatty, Marie Cain and Westley Quintin have been named National Merit Scholarship finalists, one of the highest academic honors available to high school students nationwide. All students from Chagrin Falls who were recognized as Semifinalists this fall have advanced to finalist standing.
The National Merit Scholarship Program identifies top-performing students based on their scores on the PSAT, along with a comprehensive review of their academic record, leadership, and school contributions. Fewer than one percent of high school seniors nationwide are named semifinalists, and approximately 15,000 students advance to Finalist status each years
To become a finalist, students must submit a detailed scholarship application that includes an essay, a record of consistently high academic performance, and a recommendation from school leadership. Finalists must also confirm strong SAT or ACT scores and maintain their academic standing throughout senior year.
National Merit finalists will be considered for approximately 7,000 scholarship awards. Beginning in April and continuing through July, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will announce recipients in several rounds. Scholarships may be sponsored directly by the corporation, by colleges and universities or by corporate partners. About half of all finalists nationwide will ultimately receive a scholarship award.
The advancement of all three Chagrin Falls semifinalists to finalist status reflects both individual academic excellence and the strength of the district’s rigorous curriculum and culture of high achievement.
“This prestigious honor is a testament to their hard work, intellectual curiosity, and consistent academic record,” said Principal Amanda Rassi. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements.”
Beatty, Cain and Quintin now join a distinguished group of students across the country eligible to compete for National Merit Scholarships.
Drama Club Brings Alice by Heart to the Stage
The Chagrin Falls High School Drama Club will present “Alice by Heart,” a World War II-era musical reimagining of the classic “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” with performances running March 5–8.
From the Tony and Grammy award-winning creators of “Spring Awakening,” Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, and co-written by Jessie Nelson (“Waitress)”, “Alice by Heart” sets the beloved story against the backdrop of the London Blitz. When teenager Alice Spencer and her ailing friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station amid the bombing, Alice draws him into their favorite book — escaping down the rabbit hole into Wonderland to outrun the harsh realities above.
The musical explores the poignancy of first love, coping with loss, and finding the courage to move forward — themes that resonate far beyond Wonderland. At its heart, “Alice by Heart” is a celebration of the transformational power of imagination, even in the darkest of times.
Performances are scheduled for March 5, 6, and 7 at 7 p.m., with a final matinee on March 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at https://cur8.com/projects/40030. “Alice by Heart” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Rotary Student of the Month
Senior Layla Hauserman is the Rotary Club of Chagrin Valley Student of the Month for March. Described by those who know her best as hardworking, dedicated and charismatic, Hauserman has built an exceptional record of achievement across academics, athletics, the performing arts and community service throughout her high school career.
Hauserman has demonstrated a consistent commitment to leadership in virtually every activity she has pursued. She served as a two-time varsity captain of the football cheer squad during her junior and senior years, and as band president during her senior year. In speech and debate, she rose steadily through the ranks, serving as squad leader in tenth grade, treasurer in eleventh grade, and vice president in twelfth grade, while also earning the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Degree of Excellence. She was also a founding member and treasurer of the Mock Trial team.
For Hauserman, leadership is more than a title. “One of the most important things a leader can do is lead by example,” she explained. “If you can’t do the things you are asking of others, then you need to either reevaluate what you are asking or your own actions. It is also important to be understanding. You don’t always know everyone’s situation, and it is important to be empathetic to other circumstances.”
Hauserman has maintained a grade point average above 4.0 while participating in three seasons of athletics, a feat that speaks to her extraordinary work ethic. She has earned the AP Capstone Diploma, AP Scholar with Distinction recognition, and has been a consistent High Honor Roll student. A standout among her academic accomplishments is her 24-page AP Research paper analyzing Spotify’s algorithm and its influence on teenagers’ opinions, a project that showcases both her intellectual curiosity and her ability to tackle complex, real-world questions.
On the athletic side, Hauserman has cheered for both football and basketball and played softball. As a two-time varsity cheer captain, she earned honorable mention in the Chagrin Valley Conference during both her junior and senior years, was selected for the Chagrin Valley Leadership Conference as a junior and received the CVC All-Academic honor as a senior. She was also named an Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association Scholar Athlete during her junior year.
Equally impressive is her involvement in music. As a member of the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble, Hauserman has performed at distinguished venues including Walt Disney World and New York City. She was also selected to participate in the American Music Abroad Red Tour, a program founded by a high school band director to share the experience of European culture and performance with students. The experience began with a three-day intensive orientation consisting of 18 hours of rehearsals to learn 11 songs, followed by an international tour across six countries: France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, where the group performed seven concerts.
Hauserman’s service to her community is rooted in gratitude and a genuine desire to give back. She has served as a coach for the Middle School Speech and Debate team, a counselor for Little Tiger Cheer Camp, and a junior counselor for band camp.
Of all her service experiences, she considers her work with the middle school speech and debate program to be the most meaningful. “When I was in middle school, I participated in speech and debate, and many high schoolers would volunteer their time to come back and help coach,” Hauserman reflected. “When I reached high school, I knew that I too wanted to continue this.” During her freshman and sophomore years, she took an active role mentoring younger students, teaching them how to write and cut speeches, build a case and conduct research efficiently. “I learned a lot from this volunteer opportunity,” she said, “and it’s rewarding that so many of these students continued these activities in high school.”
Following graduation, Hauserman plans to enroll in a bachelor’s program in sports management or sports operations, with a long-term goal of working as an operations manager for a major sports team. “I have a passion for sports,” she said, “which, when combined with my skills in organization, logistics, and relationship-building, draws me to sports management.”
She is currently awaiting responses from several colleges and has not yet committed to one.
