January 31, 2025 - Issue 399 | |
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Catholic Schools Week was a great success at CCCHS! Throughout the week, we celebrated community, vocations, and creativity, while taking time to show our appreciation for both students and staff. CCCHS students joined their prayer partners from St. Stanislaus Elementary for fun, community-building activities. Students also wrote letters of thanks to those who’ve inspired them.
On Thursday, we hosted a special luncheon to honor our teachers and staff, followed by a community basketball game between CCCHS and St. Stan's. On Friday, we celebrated our students! They dressed in red, white, and blue, enjoyed a special snack with their lunch, and the week wrapped up with an exciting Teachers vs. Students basketball game.
As we reflect on this joyful celebration, we’re grateful for our CCCHS community and its commitment to Catholic education. Go Ironmen!
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RECONNECTING WITH A BRILLIANT ALUMNA! | |
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This week, we had the privilege of welcoming back Portia Booker, Class of 2010. Portia couldn’t help but smile and said, "Talk about a walk down memory lane!", as she stepped into the halls of Cleveland Central Catholic High School (CCCHS), It was clear that her time at CCCHS left an indelible mark on her heart, as she eagerly shared stories from her classroom days, recalling specific moments with teachers who helped shape her journey. With a nostalgic gleam in her eye, Portia even pulled out her phone and proudly showed off a few photos from her prom at CCC—cherished memories that still hold a special place in her heart.
Portia Booker, often hailed as "Portia The Producer," is a celebrated TV host, visionary producer,
and a resolute grief awareness advocate. After enduring the profound loss of both parents within a heart-wrenching nine-month span, Portia uncovered a silver lining in her pain, with gratitude
shining brightest. Further showcasing her versatility, Portia penned her deeply personal audiobook, "Finding Grace within Grief: Her Transition...My Transformation," a testament to finding light in the darkest of times.
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Now she's leading the charge to redefine societal views on grief through her transformative TV Show,
"The Grief Grantor," airing Sundays on E360 TV, reaching an impressive 800,000 homes. This isn't her maiden voyage into broadcasting; many recall her popular radio show, "Groove with Portia," which aired on WOVU from 2019 to 2022.
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Her media journey began at Cuyahoga Community College, leading The Voice newspaper and earning accolades for her outstanding news coverage. At Kent State University, she honed her craft in TV and radio, contributing significantly to TV-2 and Black Squirrel Radio. A pivotal internship with PBS NewsHour during the Republican National Convention allowed her to work alongside journalism greats like Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill. Her early professional strides included producing gripping news segments for NBC.
With a compassionate heart and an unyielding spirit, Portia continues to inspire, connect, and heal
through the power of her voice and experiences. Welcome back Portia and thank you for making CCCHS proud! Go Ironmen!
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CCCHS TEACHER MR. CLAYTON GLASGOW
FEATURED IN NORTHEAST OHIO CATHOLIC MAGAZINE
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We’re excited to announce that CCCHS teacher Mr. Clayton Glasgow was featured in the January/February 2025 issue of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine! Be sure to check out the article by clicking the image on the right.
Mr. Glasgow is pictured second from left.
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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT DE'MICHEAL WARNER `25 | |
As graduation approaches, Senior, De'Micheal Warner `25 reflects on his high school journey with confidence and gratitude. "I feel confident and grateful," he shares, proud of the growth he’s experienced throughout his time at CCCHS. From the beginning of his high school career to now, De'Micheal has made significant strides both academically and personally. | | | |
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When looking back on how he’s changed since freshman year, De'Micheal points to three major ways he has grown. "I am now a lot more confident in myself, I can socialize with my peers more easily, and I’ve become much wiser in my decisions," he explains. These changes have been crucial to his success as a student and his ability to navigate the challenges of high school. | | |
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One of his most exciting memories at CCCHS was receiving his college acceptances. "Waking up one morning and seeing my college offers was an amazing feeling," he says. This milestone, along with his consistent hard work, has helped him achieve accomplishments like being on the Honor Roll, which he proudly notes as one of his biggest achievements.
De'Micheal offers this advice to incoming freshmen: "Be yourself, stay humble, and understand that whatever dream you have, you’re the only one who can see it. Don’t worry about what others think of it or you along the way." This piece of wisdom has served him well as he navigated his high school experience.
One of his favorite quotes is: "It's not what happens to you, it's how you react to it that matters." This mindset has undoubtedly helped him overcome challenges and stay focused on his goals.
During his time at CCCHS, De'Micheal was also involved in Link Crew, a club that had a meaningful impact on him. "I loved Link Crew because it was a change from what I usually do, and I enjoyed the overall experience," he says. After high school, De'Micheal plans to continue pursuing his interests in basketball and join the Black Student Union.
When asked what he will be remembered for, De'Micheal says, "I will be most remembered as a highly regarded student who worked for all he had obtained." His dedication to his studies and growth as an individual are qualities that will leave a lasting impact on his school community. As for why he chose
CCCHS, De'Micheal simply says, "I believed it was in my best interest to attend here, and I have an older brother who is an alumni of this school." It seems that his time at CCCHS has certainly lived up to that expectation.
As De'Micheal prepares to take the next step in his academic journey, we have no doubt he will continue to build on the strong foundation he has established at CCCHS. Best of luck, De'Micheal, as you move forward into the next chapter of your life!
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ORDER YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE
BLACK HISTORY MONTH SHOWCASE - 2/21/2025
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The Cleveland Central Catholic High School Drama Club is excited to announce the Black History Month Showcase, set to take place on Friday, February 21 at 6 p.m. at the St. Stanislaus Social Center. The Showcase will feature a collage of acts promoting the importance of Black culture and historical figures. Acts include skits, praise dancing and original poetry written by students.
Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased HERE. Tickets may also be purchased at the door! All ticket sales will support the Drama Club.
We look forward to seeing our talented students shine in this incredible celebration of Black History Month!
Center photo: Students pictured include: (Top row, left to right) Haleigh Moore '25, Heaven Scott '27, Brooklynn Montgomery '26. (Bottom row, left to right) RayVaugn Jones '27, Chenel Eutsey '27, Carlos Gil '27. Not pictured: Desiree Wilks '25, Braylah Straight '27, Autumn Martin '28
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JOIN OUR AFTER SCHOOL ALL-STARS PROGRAM | | |
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Cleveland After School All-Stars has launched a new program in partnership with Cleveland Central Catholic High School and St. Stanislaus Elementary School, geared toward students in grades 5-12. This fun opportunity offers programming in culinary arts, fashion/design, DJ/Music, homework help and more. The program runs Monday through Thursday from 3-5 p.m. at St. Stanislaus Elementary School through June 27. See flyer for details. Click HERE to register. Contact Marissa Alvarado, Program Coordinator with any questions, malvarado@ccc-hs.org. | |
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Monday, 2/3 - 6:00 PM: Girls Varsity Basketball Senior Night! CCCHS will host John F. Kennedy (Warren).
Monday, 2/8 - 7:30 PM: Boys Varsity Basketball Senior Night! CCCHS will host East Technical HS.
For a full list of upcoming athletic events and to keep up with the current results, click HERE to view the team pages on our athletics website and follow Ironmen Athletics on X (formerly Twitter) at @CCCHSIronmen.
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FREE FAFSA & TAX FILING RESOURCES | | |
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Attention all seniors...Have you completed your FAFSA? So many families are intimidated by completing the necessary documentation for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) Help is on the way with our FREE FAFSA Workshop! FAFSA is required for college-bound students in the United States to determine their eligibility to receive student financial aid. | | |
College Now Greater Cleveland is hosting a FAFSA workshop at Cleveland Central Catholic on February 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents and students are encouraged to attend. Sign up HERE or in the Guidance Office at CCCHS. To complete the FAFSA, you will need a valid ID, 2024 W-2(s), email address and social security card(s). | | |
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It's Tax Time! In addition to filling out the FAFSA form, CCCHS will be hosting free tax preparation services on February 8 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. See flyer HERE with all of the details.
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Do you know someone who would enjoy the Ironman Minute? Perhaps an alumni, incoming student or family, etc. Please let us know and we can add their email to receive our next issue! | |
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Cleveland Central Catholic High School
6550 Baxter Avenue
216.441.4700
Cleveland, OH 44105
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