Devil Doings Summer 2022 Newsletter
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Executive Director's Note
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Hello all! It has been quite some time since our last alumni newsletter was sent out, but we are so thrilled to get back on track and continue with our Devil Doings updates in our new e-newsletter format!
To many, I probably look unfamiliar, so let me take a moment to introduce myself! My name is Leah Reese, and I was brought on as the WSAA Executive Director in September of 2021. In an interesting turn of events, I am actually not a Wickliffe grad, but rather a native of Canton, Ohio, and a 2016 graduate of Perry High School in Massillon.
Following my 2019 graduation from The Ohio State University, I soon after found myself in the role of Service Coordinator at the Wickliffe Family Resource Center (located at Door 18 of Wickliffe High School) where I have really developed a passion for serving the Wickliffe Community.
I am excited continue serving the community in my position as WSAA Executive Director by fulfilling our mission, "To engage with and celebrate past, present, and future Blue Devils, and to work to preserve the history of the Wickliffe City School District for generations to come."
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- Susan Skufca Bell,
- Class of 1982, Secretary, Newsletter
- Gail Shindly Bencina,
- Class of 1981, Social Media
- Mark Cline
- Class of 1975
- Frank Foti,
- Class of 1974, School Connection, WWBD Network
- Dave Hintz
- Class of 1982, Chairman, Achievement HOF
- Dave Krych
- Class of 1971
- Chris May
- Class of 1977, Treasurer
- Nancy Krihwan Perlic
- Class of 1966, Social Media, Newsletter
- Connie Kosanovich Powall
- Class of 1983, Legal Counsel
- Leah Reese
- Executive Director
- Teri DiMattia Shine
- Class of 1972, Memorabilia
- Bob Smith
- Honorary Board Member
If you are interested in getting involved with the WSAA, have any questions, or want to get in contact with any of our board members, please email us at wickliffealumni@gmail.com.
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The Wickliffe City School District has been ambitiously planning the new educational Wickliffe Campus to house students in a Preschool through 12th-grade facility which will replace the aging city school buildings.
Engaging with the community, the district is pleased to share its educational vision which seeks to reimagine education by addressing the challenges that students face, preparing them for success in life, and ensuring they receive the best educational opportunities possible.
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2020/2021 Achievement
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Recap
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The 2020/2021 Wickliffe Schools Alumni Association Achievement Hall of Fame returned to Pineridge Country Club on October 14, 2021. This year’s inductees were Pete Wolfgram (teacher/coach), Bill Eberhard (1970), and Chris Lambert (1972).
Even though the event was delayed a year due to Covid concerns, it was well worth the wait. The evening was full of memories shared by both the presenters and inductees. Frank Foti, 1974 alumnus and member of the Achievement Hall of Fame, presided over the festivities. It was also the first time the event was live-streamed, so if you weren’t able to attend in person, the event is still available to view: https://youtu.be/8Pk-6IwRdqU
Rondelle Cicirelli (1982) spoke of Pete Wolfgram’s contributions to the Wickliffe School System both inside and outside of the classroom. She described him as the embodiment of the Renaissance man, Wickliffe’s own Leonardo DaVinci. He worked 43 years in the school district in multiple roles: math teacher, football coach, wrestling coach, softball coach, tennis coach, guidance counselor, and theatre director. For 29 years, he wrote, produced, directed, and performed in the Rockefeller Road Review (Rock). Each show was unique, in that it was performed five times and then retired. Rock became a popular tradition at WHS. Post retirement, Pete continued as softball coach and the assistant athletic director for six years. “Wolf” had a positive impact on the entire community. He was previously inducted into 2011 Wickliffe Community Hall of Fame. This award is long overdue, and our love has finally been given back to Pete. Coach Wolfgram was unable to attend due to health concerns. Pete’s wife, Karen, accepted the award stating, “His life was here, thank you."
William Eberhard was introduced by friend and colleague, Joe Denk. Bill had decided at the age of 13 that he wanted to be architect as sports was not his forte. Joe described how Bill’s intellect and creativity ideally suited him for the world of architecture. He brings creative and distinct design to corporate workspaces and has raised the practice of interior design to a new level. He has received 58 awards (8 international, 28 regional, 22 local) and has been published nationally over 20 times. Bill shared that success requires talent, effort, and luck. He credits Mrs. Bell at Wickliffe Elementary for the open, interactive learning experience; the Willoughby School of Fine Arts for the path toward looking at possibilities; his visit to the TWA terminal as a youth to spark the question, “Who thinks up this kind of stuff?”; junior high teacher Lowell Grimm for teaching him mechanical drawing, orthographic projection, perspective, and isometrics; Wickliffe High School teachers, Mrs. Fuller, Mr. Lemay, Mr. Benz and especially Mr. Frank for being the best mentor and educator on so many levels.
Chris Lambert was introduced by Chad Wacha. Chris was writing for Cleveland Scene Magazine while still in high school and had to be driven downtown to do interviews with rock stars. Kenny Loggins even wore a Wickliffe Blue Devil t-shirt thanks to Chris. Chris has written 30 books, has had a News Herald column for 10 years, has written for the White House, and gives talks about science fiction and fantasy writing. He has also performed an Orson Welles one man show and written a book about Mr. Jingaling. Chris thanked Mr. Ranallo, Mr. Dolan, Mr. Grillo, Miss Smaldone, Miss Schaefer and Mr. Charles Fatica. He quoted Sam Rolfe, “Teachers are very important, for without them every generation would have to rediscover fire and recreate the wheel.” He dedicated his award to his friends Johnny and Winnie and said, “Our hearts (young and old Chris) are anchored deeply into the wonderful city of Wickliffe.”
Some amazing alumni and teachers have blossomed from our own little 44092.
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2020/2021 Achievement Hall of Fame Inductee Bios:
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Pete Wolfgram - Faculty, Coach
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Pete “Wolf” Wolfgram taught 43 years in the Wickliffe School District. He was a math teacher, coach and guidance counselor. Pete coached football, wrestling, softball, tennis and theatre.
His legacy continues to thrive with the annual Rockefeller Road Revue. For 29 years Pete wrote, produced, directed and performed in the revue. “The Rock” was an original show consisting of skits, music, dancing and plenty of Wolfgram humor. To this day, it continues to be one of the most popular traditions at Wickliffe High School.
Upon retiring, he spent six more years as a softball coach and assistant athletic director. Pete was and is a multitalented individual who did a variety of things, but he didn’t just “do” them, he did everything with a touch of perfection. Pete is a beloved teacher, coach, counselor and colleague to students, staff and the Wickliffe community.
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Chris Lambert - Class of 1972
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Starting his professional writing career at the age of 16, Chris Lambert began as a staff feature writer while still in high school. He interviewed rock stars such as Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and Kenny Loggins (who went on a national tour in 1972 wearing a Wickliffe Blue Devil tee shirt).
Upon graduation, Chris wrote for national magazines delving into pop culture and film studies. This led him to teaching at area colleges in the 70s and 80s on these subjects. His writing on more subjects led to his contributing work towards First Lady Barbara Bush’s Project Literacy and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Television work on VH1’s Behind The Music followed as well as radio work and a 12-year stint as a News-Herald columnist.
Lambert now writes research books on pop culture, mainstream adventure novels for those 13 and up, continues to lecture and has toured for the last 11 years with a one-man Orson Welles play.
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William Eberhard - Class of 1970
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After deciding to be an architect at age 13, Bill obtained his BArch from the University of Cincinnati. He first worked as a junior designer co-op at Visnapuu & Gaede Inc. He attended the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London and upon returning was named Director of Design while still at UC.
After ten years, Bill was recruited to open the Cleveland office of Oliver Design Group. The first registered architect in the firm, he created an integrated practice model with architects and interior designers working together on each project team. His first Oliver project for McKinsey & Company received national honors and publication, the first of his 58 awards - eight national, 28 regional and 22 local. Bill’s practice model is used today by over two dozen firms and 600 professionals in the region.
Bill has been published nationally over twenty times. He has been an outspoken leader in the community, serving on the boards of Vocational Guidance Services, AIA Cleveland and the Building Envelope Council. He is a founding member and President of the Cleveland Architecture Foundation.
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Ray Milavec Memorial Scholarship
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On Sunday, May 22, at the Wickliffe High School Senior Awards Ceremony, the Wickliffe Schools Alumni Association awarded two (2), one-time, nonrenewable scholarships to two Wickliffe High School seniors in the amount of $1000.00.
Candidates for this scholarship submitted applications to the Wickliffe Schools Alumni Association Scholarship Committee.
Selection of the recipient was based on the following criteria:
- Senior Student at Wickliffe High School and planning to attend college, trade or technical school in the fall of 2022.
- Submission of transcript/current report card. (No Minimum GPA Required)
- Personal achievements in extracurricular activities, special clubs, both within and outside the school.
- Two (2) character references--one from a WHS faculty member and one other.
- Neatness and grammar
- Essay question
We are please to announce that the Scholarship Committee selected Mia Bernardinetti and Madison Armstrong as our 2022 scholarship recipients.
We wish our recipients the best of luck in all of their future endeavors. Congratulations to the Class of 2022!
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Madison Armstrong has plans to attend The Ohio State University to study Nursing/Athletic Training.
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Mia Bernardinetti plans to study Accounting at Baldwin Wallace University.
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- Class of 1972 50th Reunion
- 50-Year Reunion which will be held at the Wickliffe Italian-American Club (Main Hall) in Wickliffe. Dress is casual.
- The cost will be $40 per person, with a cash bar available. Trevi Catering will be providing heavy hors d’oeuvres & desserts by Carrao’s Cassatas.
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Buy tickets at https://wick1972.planningpod.com/ OR make checks payable to Theresa Shine and mail to 2141 Garden Drive, Wickliffe, OH 44092 by July 15, 2022.
- The party continues Saturday with That 70’s Reunion at Deeker’s Bar and Grille, 8455 Station Street, Mentor on July 30, 2022 @ 7:00 pm. This is a great event that combines alumni & friends from all graduating classes of the 1970’s.
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There is no cost to attend – food and beverage are on your own. In the past, there have been up to 400 people attending this outdoor event. It’s a great way to see more friends and rekindle acquaintances from days gone by. We hope you will be able to join us at one if not all events. Questions can be emailed to wickliffe72@aol.com.
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Class of 1982 40th Reunion
- The Class of 1982 will be hosting its 40th reunion the weekend of September 9th and 10th.
- September 9th - We will be celebrating at Wickliffe's own I&A Club. We have a fun night planned with music, food, bocce, a trivia host, games and more! Approximate cost will be $25 per person. We know it is still early, but we need to get an initial headcount to help in our planning.
- September 10th - still working on a few things - we will announce plans soon
- Please join our Facebook page (Wickliffe Class of 1982) to RSVP and get all information and updates. Not on Facebook? No problem - email Susan Skufca Bell at skufca82@gmail.com.
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The Wickliffe Schools Alumni Association database is the heart of the organization. In order to reach each alumni with important web blasts and for each of you to receive the most recent Devil Doings newsletters, the database must be current and accurate.
This is where we rely on the class representative to help the WSAA. Should a classmate need help to log into the website to register their profile, they can go to their class rep for assistance. Also, if your class is having a reunion, the WSAA would appreciate an updated class list from the class rep, so we can edit our database to keep it current.
The class representative is the conduit for address lists between his or her class and the Wickliffe Schools Alumni Association. An updated class rep list will soon be available on the WSAA website.
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Looking for more information? Our newly-updated WSAA website is coming soon! Click the link below for a preview of what we have so far! Soon, you'll be able to view HOF applications and previous inductees, scholarship info, class rep contact info, and much more!
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PO Box 195 Wickliffe, Ohio 44092
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