Ohio State Senator Nina Turner to Speak at June 6 Commencement Ceremony

A few weeks ago, Senator Nina Turner participated in a panel discussion about the separation between church and state hosted at Saint Martin de Porres High School. Following this event, we extended an invitation to Senator Turner to speak at our Commencement Ceremony Sunday, June 6. We are pleased to report that we received word from Senator Turner's office last Friday that she has accepted our offer, and she will be our speaker at the June 6 ceremony. Graduation begins June 6 at 4:00 p.m. at the Slovenian National Home.

The Spirit of Junior Ring Mass Warms a Cold March Evening

Written by Steve Suding, Vice President of Mission

Despite cold and snowy weather, the atmosphere was warm and spirit-filled in St. Vitus Church as the Class of 2011 celebrated their Ring Mass March 25. Fr. Robert Marza presided at the Mass during which the junior class received their class rings, as they prepare to accept the mantel of leadership of the school community's student body.

In his homily, Fr. Marva encouraged the Class of 2011 to listen to and follow the will of God that is mediated through parents, family, teachers, and friends. Jeremiah Parks `11 also inspired his classmates with his reflections. He reminded them to not rest on their present accomplishments. Rather, as St. Paul called for, they should strive to win the race, namely obtaining their high school diploma and eventually their college diploma. The inspiring messages of the ministers, the exuberant music of the gospel choir, and the joy in the hearts of all in attendance crowned this important celebration.

The evening was clearly impactful as the email below attests. This email was sent to Principal, Mary Ann Vogel, after the Junior Ring Mass by Ms. Debbie Marks, mother of Jamera Marks `11:

Hello Ms. Vogel,
The ceremony for the children last night almost had me in tears. I can not begin to express how much the affection and caring you all show our children means to me as a mother and a part of this community. There is no other school in this city I would have my child attend. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you to Ms. Marks for these kind words, and congratulations to the Class of 2011 as you prepare to lead our student body!

Mercedes Engle's Hard Work Recognized by Her R.W. Baird Supervisor

The following email was sent to Corporate Work Study Coordinator, Molly Vaughan, and is published here with the permission of its sender, Ms. Jeslyn M. Schur, Client Relationship Associate at R.W. Baird.

I just wanted to touch base and let you know how proud I am of Mercedes! She really does a great job here at Baird, and she is such a pleasure to have in the office! She told me about making National Honor Society and I couldn’t be happier for her! She works so hard and is very deserving of her accomplishments.

I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate everything she does here (we all do) and how much she takes pride in herself as a student and as a young woman. She has a ton of determination and confidence and she’s going to go far in life!

Angileece Williams Recognized at Cleveland City Hall

On Monday, March 21, screenwriting contest winner, Angileece Williams `12, was recognized at a press conference by Mayor Frank Jackson. This press conference has received coverage on the Mayor’s website and in Scene Magazine.

In addition to the kind words shared by Mayor Jackson and writer-director and Angi’s collaborator, Malcolm D. Lee, Angi was recognized by Jill Paulsen of the Cleveland Foundation, Steph Wahome of Scenarios USA, and Saint Martin Theology Teacher, Ann Klonowski. Speaking in the Mayor’s Red Room, Ann Klonowski revealed why she has integrated Scenarios USA into her curriculum. “Saint Martin’s curriculum places great value on the dignity of the human person and respects the experiences that our students bring to their own education. Scenarios USA is a good fit with Saint Martin because their program gives our students a chance to put on those values of justice and human dignity and walk around in them, making sense of their own experience.”

Angileece Williams’s personal experience has included encountering young men who seem to be playing a role society has thrust upon them. She said in her remarks at City Hall that she had learned to accept young men as “tough, emotionless, overly confident, and violent” until Mrs. Klonowski’s theology class forced her to rethink this.

Angi’s reflections on the topic of masculinity became Life’s Poison, which Malcolm Lee described as “extraordinary work.” Mr. Lee and Angi will collaborate on this project throughout the spring and filming will take place in Cleveland in May. Angi hopes that her work “can inspire others and better their views on masculinity.”

A Story of the Power of the Corporate Work Study Program Partnership

A Reflection by Executive Vice President, Tom Bennett

On Thursday, March 18, I had a meeting at Parker Hannifin Corporation with their Legal & Tax Departments to discuss the year and to look forward to next year. At this meeting, we also discussed the possibility of expanding the program into other departments. During this wonderful meeting we discussed all of the successes that our students have had over the past five years at Parker. Whether it was Gary Martin ’08 at Fairfield University, Jasmyne Lewis ’09 at Baldwin Wallace, Ariel Powell ’10 waiting to hear from Oberlin College and Brown University, or Christian Robinson ’12 who recently read the Parker Annual Report and thoughtfully connected what he read with his career goals. It was clear from the conversations that we all have learned far more from our students than we have taught them. Saint Martin and Parker Hannifin are better because of our students.

It was around 1PM and the meeting was wrapping up with a commitment for the upcoming year when Janet LaBant, Legal Specialist, and Christine Vance of the Tax Department told me I needed to stay for a surprise they had planned for Ariel at 1:15. Two departments had chipped in and purchased a laptop for Ariel and wanted to give it to her today. They also told me about the other three things that they were going to do for her before she went off to college in the fall. (I can not reveal what these items are in case Ariel is reading this!)

So Janet, Christine, Senior Attorney Joe Pophal, and I took the elevator to the third floor legal conference room to give Ariel her present. Immediately, I was blown away. In this room there were at least 25 of Ariel’s colleagues at Parker Hannifin eagerly awaiting her presence. While we were waiting, everyone was gushing about the impact that Ariel has had on their respective departments as well as them personally.

Finally, at 1:20PM Ariel arrived and assessed the situation. Ariel, eyes darting nervously around the room, appeared as if an intervention of sorts was about to take place. Joe then announced to all in the room that Parker Hannifin would like to give Ariel an early graduation gift for all of her hard work over the past four years. Nestled in an oversized gift bag, beneath many layers of tissue paper, was a very nice backpack. Ariel was ecstatic about the backpack and thanked everyone for it. “Ariel,” said Christine, “there’s something inside the backpack.” After looking through four or five different compartments, Ariel found the brand new laptop!

The smile on Ariel’s face and on the faces of everyone in the room said it all. Several of us stood silently, wiping away tears, and marveling at the young woman before us. Reflecting on the course of events over the past four years – Ariel choosing to attend Saint Martin, Parker Hannifin meeting her for the first time in 2006, and now discussions about where she will attend college – is a humbling experience.

I am humbled by the power of the partnership between Saint Martin, our students, and our corporate partners. Ariel is better because of Saint Martin and Parker Hannifin. And Saint Martin and Parker are certainly better because of Ariel.

Latino Leaders Meet with Our Heritage Spanish Students

On Thursday March 4, Saint Martin hosted a luncheon for leaders of the Latino community. In attendance were Diana Centeno-Gomez of NASA Glenn Research Center, Carlos Chinchilla of the Hispanic Alliance, Magda Gomez of Cuyahoga County’s Office of Early Childhood, Jessica Gonzalez and Victor Ruiz of Esperanza, Cathalina Gutierrez of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, and Luis Martinez, who is Project Director for the City of Cleveland. Ms. Santiago, a parent of one of our students, prepared a delectable meal of arroz con habichuelas, pastelon de amarillos, biftec encebollado, ensalada, and flan de queso to celebrate this gathering. This event was an opportunity for our Heritage Spanish class and teacher Claudia Botoulas to lead a presentation of the projects they have participated in this year. Among those students were:

Teresa Arteaga
Angel Caban
Christine Cruz
Nicole Diaz
Jason Medrano
Michael Medrano
Heiry Perez
Kiara Perez
Loreann Santiago

The luncheon provided an opportunity to share the mission of Saint Martin with important Cleveland leaders and strengthen our partnership with the Latino community. The outpouring of support from our guests was incredible and greatly appreciated. Mr. Chinchilla talked about the importance of building and maintaining relationships and Mr. Martinez emailed after the event to let us know that “Your Heritage Spanish Program should be emulated for the public good!”

The Saint Martin de Porres High School Community heartily thanks our guests and looks forward to future collaboration!

William Jones `09 Returns to His Alma Mater to Mentor

A Reflection on Mentoring by Keith Laschinger

As I read Margaret Bernstein’s article, “Mentors Wanted,” in the Sunday, March 7 Plain Dealer, I found myself nodding in agreement and thinking of the many powerful examples of mentoring I have witnessed as a member of the community at Saint Martin de Porres High School. I thought of professionals who serve as mentors through our school’s unique and innovative Corporate Work Study Program. I also thought of faculty members, coaches, and many others I work with and am inspired by on a daily basis. Finally, I thought of the most powerful mentors in our building: peers.

Our Assistant Principal for Student Life, Mrs. Joanne Lewis, clearly understands the power of young people mentoring other young people. She recently observed that too many of our underclass students seem to be experiencing some “cabin fever.” She concluded that the best way to address this would be to have William Jones `09 visit with students. William graduated from Saint Martin this past June and received the St. Martin Award during the ceremony. This award is given annually to the young person who best exemplifies the qualities of our patron. St. Martin was known for his diligence, his graciousness, his generosity, his humility, and his ability to unify people.

On Thursday, March 5, William addressed freshmen and sophomores at Saint Martin in small groups and in classroom settings. He spoke with students about recognizing the opportunity they have been presented with at Saint Martin and about taking pride in the way they present themselves. The credibility of his message was strengthened by virtue of the fact that he was able to say that he did not always understand the value of what was being offered at Saint Martin, but he does now.

William is now a freshman at Notre Dame College and plans to study physical therapy. He currently works in the administrative office for residence life at Notre Dame College and is applying to become a resident assistant next year.

At his residence life job, William works closely with assistant director for residence life, Mrs. Tera Johnson. Tera happens to be married to an administrator at Saint Martin, Mr. Treye Johnson. Treye and William developed a nice relationship during William’s senior year at Saint Martin because Treye’s office was a quiet place where William could get his work done. Over time, Treye and William had many conversations about college and life goals and aspirations.

Treye and Tera live on campus at Notre Dame and William is able to come to their apartment any time for advice, to watch television or play video games, or for a meal. When asked about his relationship with William, Treye indicated that he thinks he has benefited more than William. Treye’s humility and his acceptance of his responsibility to serve as a mentor to William can be clearly seen when watching William’s approach to mentoring.

100% of the Members of the Class of 2010 Have Been Accepted to College

The Class of 2010 has done it! Each member of the Class has been accepted to a college or university, marking the third year in a row the Saint Martin community is able to celebrate this accomplishment.

On Wednesday morning, we celebrated this accomplishment by inviting each member of the Class to stand before their underclass peers and announce where they plan to go to school next year. Baldwin Wallace College, Case Western Reserve University, the University of Cincinnati, Clark-Atlanta University, Denison College, Howard University, John Carroll University, Miami University, Oberlin College, Ohio University, and Spelman College were among the schools named. After making their announcement, each student walked (or ran) through a receiving line of extraordinarily proud faculty and staff members who applauded, high-fived, and hugged our soon-to-be-graduates.

Congratulations to the Class of 2010 and to all those who helped make this accomplishment possible. This accomplishment represents another opportunity and we look forward to working with all of our graduates to help them take full advantage.

Panel on the Separation between Church and State Sparks Debate among Saint Martin Seniors

In collaboration with the Cleveland Executive Fellowship program, Saint Martin hosted a distinguished panel Friday morning to discuss the separation between church and state and how this impacts the delivery of social services. The members of the Class of 2010 were prepared for this discussion by senior teachers and asked challenging questions of Dr. Dave Collings of Christ Church, the West Side Catholic Center’s Jerry Skoch, Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, and Hugh Williams of the Cleveland Food Bank.

All four panelists provided their audience with a lot to consider, and spent time after the panel discussion meeting in small groups with our seniors. Students and panelists discussed the Food Bank’s mission to feed the hungry, the West Side Catholic Center’s commitment to justice and the preferential option for the poor, and Dr. Collings reviewed the concept of the social contract with students.

Ohio State Senator Nina Turner, who also teaches at Cuyahoga Community College, reviewed Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and our moral obligation to work together to satisfy the basic needs of all people. She also spoke personally and inspirationally as a first generation college graduate, and challenged the Class of 2010 to “do something unique and distinctive, because if you don’t, no one will.” Finally, Ms. Turner called students to graduate from college and come back to Northeast Ohio to actively participate in our transformation.

Special thanks to Seth Kujat and Christine Zuniga Eadie of the Cleveland Executive Fellowship program. Seth and Christine worked with Saint Martin Vice President of Mission Steve Suding and our team of senior teachers to deliver a thought-provoking and inspirational discussion.

Keyoni Rates `08 Accepted into Alpha Kappa Alpha

Congratulations to Keyoni Rates `08 for her acceptance into the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha. News of this acceptance first arrived via an email sent out by fellow sister and Saint Martin Counselor, Gwen Howard. Assistant Director of Admissions, Monica Lawson, and Assistant Principal for Student Life, Joanne Lewis, are also members of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Keyoni is a sophomore at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and is also a member of the Miami University Gospel Singers.

Devon Lynch-Huggins-Szep Reflects on Sustainability Conference

Rich Clark and I had the opportunity to spend this past weekend (March 5-7) with three of our students at the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s Teach-In on Sustainability and Environmental Justice. LaDonna Duncan, Bianca Fellows and Daie Garrett travelled to Wheeling Jesuit University with us for this weekend trip. We spent much of the weekend listening to keynote speakers, student advocates for environmental justice and attending break-out sessions on specific environmental justice issues. We also had the opportunity to interact in two small group discussions with students and teachers from Jesuit schools where we discussed how sustainability factors into our schools’ priorities and why each of us wanted to attend the teach-in. Although our students were great throughout the entire weekend, it was in these small group discussions where they (and our school) really stood out.

When asked what brought them to the teach-in, our students reflected on how sustainability and environmental justice are key components of many of their twelfth grade classes. They spoke about becoming personally attached to the local environmental issues that they are researching for their capstone projects. They reflected on their experiences in the garden. Daie spoke about writing and sending letters to members of Congress in her social studies class, and how she felt empowered by encouraging them to write and enact more environmentally friendly legislation. (I think she wrote about a specific topic—maybe her capstone issue, but at this point I was reveling at our students’ thoughtfulness and eloquence and forgot to listen for the details) Our students mentioned the efforts to be more sustainable in our cafeteria. When a disgruntled science teacher from another school pressed our students about the feasibility of creating a school garden that administrators would support and by which students would be engaged, Daie replied that “it should probably be a part of your curriculum—then it has to happen.” When he brushed her off by saying that the students would probably spend time throwing dirt at each other rather than gardening, she pointed out that if it’s directly tied to one or more of the students’ classes and if their time in the garden affects their grades in those classes, then students will work hard. I wish that the senior team (Chet, Michelle and Chris in particular) and the curriculum writers could have been flies on the wall during this conversation. Our students commanded the attention of everyone in the room as they reflected on ways in which they live out their grade level theme of “Care for the Earth.” At the end of the group discussion, after listening to everyone’s remarks, our students commented that they were proud to be from Cleveland, because things are happening here. I left feeling enormously proud of being their teacher.

On Sunday we ended our weekend by participating in a local environmental action. Our task was to spend a few hours in a community garden in Wheeling, pulling out old plants and laying down compost to prepare the garden for spring. Our students jumped right into the experience and even though they were getting their shoes dirty while trudging through mud and partially melted snow, they were upbeat and happy. They spoke to our leaders and the community members who stopped by to ask what we were doing.

I know that our students are smart and capable and motivated. Sometimes I forget. Sometimes even they forget. This weekend was a beautiful reminder of how our students bring our curriculum to life and how, because of that, they graduate from our school prepared to be successful in college and beyond—and the world will be better for it.

Devon Lynch-Huggins-Szep earned her undergraduate degree at Loyola University Maryland and her Master’s from John Carroll University. She teaches World Theology and Environmental Theology at Saint Martin. Additionally, Ms. Lynch-Huggins-Szep has led students on various service learning projects including a service trip to New Orleans in 2008 and 2009 to participate in on-going relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Angileece Williams `12 Wins National Screenwriting Contest

A few weeks ago we notified followers of our blog that Angileece (Angi) Williams `12 had been named a finalist for the Scenarios USA screenwriting contest. Today, we are pleased to notify you that Angi won!

Over 700 young men and women made submissions to the Scenarios USA screenwriting contest and only three were selected to have their stories made into a film.

Angi will meet with members of the media in early March and will spend much of the next several weeks meeting with a Hollywood director and writing team to put her story into screenplay form. Her story will be filmed in May right here in Cleveland and the students of Saint Martin will be involved in the project as actors and crew interns.

We are extraordinarily proud of Angi. We are also incredibly blessed to have teachers like Ann Klonowski. Ann, who is our founding Theology Teacher, noticed Angi’s strong writing and encouraged her and Khalil Brown `12 to submit an entry to the contest.


Congratulations to Angileece and Ann! Please look for coverage of Angi’s project in the media. To learn more about Scenarios USA and to see some of the movies they have already made, go to their website, www.scenariosusa.org and take a peek.

Keri Grady Recognized for Innovative and Inspiring Teaching by the College Board

Saint Martin English Teacher, Keri Grady, was selected by the College Board to receive the Bob Costas Grant for the Teaching of Writing. She received this impressive distinction for the work she has done in her Multimedia Journalism course. The grants recognize “exceptional teachers for using innovative methods to inspire their students to write.” Keri is one of only six teachers selected nationwide each year for the award.

She traveled to Chicago February 19 and 20 to attend the College Board Midwest Regional Forum to receive this distinction. In addition to receiving the grant, Keri’s “best practices” for teaching will be published on the College Board’s website.

Keri is a founding faculty member of Saint Martin de Porres High School. She served on the school’s pioneering curriculum committee, and has taught freshmen and seniors at Saint Martin. Keri is a graduate of Miami University and has a Master’s in Education from Johns Hopkins University as well as a Master’s in English Literature from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English. Prior to teaching at Saint Martin, Keri taught with Teach for America and at Saint Ignatius High School. Keri and her husband, Tim, have a two-year-old daughter, Clare, and a 12-month old son, David.

Congratulations, Keri!

Student Summer Plans Include Brown, Case, Cornell, and Georgetown

Saint Martin sophomores and juniors have received a lot of good news from universities recently!

Ashley Campbell `11 was recently accepted to participate in Brown University’s Pre-College Summer@Brown program. Ashley will learn with and from other talented high school students while being taught by the university’s preeminent faculty and staff. This experience will surely further Ashley’s social and academic college preparation and will give her an opportunity to experience life on an Ivy League campus.

Summer@Brown’s decision committee was surely impressed by the fact that Ashley is already a published poet. Her poem, “What Do You See When You Look at Me?” is featured on page one of Collected Whispers, a compilation of poetry published in 2008 by the International Library of Poetry.


Matthew Smith `11 has been accepted to participate in the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Summer Legal Academy on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. According to the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation’s website, Matthew and other area students will participate in a two-week intensive law institute. The Academy presents a case and takes students through the discovery, interview process, and development of both the prosecution and defense sides of the case, and culminates in a mock trial experience, under the supervision of lawyers and judges.


As a sophomore, Sarah Taylor `12, has been accepted to study this summer at Cornell University. She will have an opportunity to spend time on this storied Ivy League campus, meet other top students from around the country, and earn college credits. The course offerings for this award-winning college readiness program include various liberal arts and science and medicine offerings.


Another sophomore, Alexis Johnson `12 has been accepted to the Junior Statesman Summer Program at Georgetown University. Alexis will join other top high school students from around the United States and will attend college-level courses on constitutional law, engage major political figures on Capitol Hill, and debate her fellow attendees on many current legislative issues.


At Georgetown, Alexis will be a representative of Saint Martin as well as Minds Matter Cleveland. Along with Iesha Barnett and Jazmine Kirkland, Alexis was accepted into Minds Matter, which also has offices in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, and Portland. The goal of Minds Matter is to help students of modest economic means achieve academic excellence and gain admission to leading colleges and universities.

Congratulations Ashley, Matthew, Sarah, and Alexis. We can’t wait to hear about your experiences this summer!