Cleveland’s I ❤️ My School Contest Prizes Awarded

In February, the Cleveland Transformation Alliance launched a video contest for high school students in Cleveland’s public high schools. Students attending any Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), or charter high school were eligible to submit a video explaining why they loved their school.“We felt that we needed to take a moment to lift the good happening in our public schools every day,” said Meghann Marnecheck, executive director of the Cleveland Transformation Alliance. “Our students, teachers, and families continue to navigate complicated and difficult times due to the pandemic. We wanted to offer an opportunity for students to thank their teachers and shine a light on all the positive that is occurring in our classrooms.”  In April, the Transformation Alliance announced the three top prize winners on their social media platforms. Over the last several days, they provided the prizes to the winners, including $500 scholarships sponsored by Calhoun Funeral Home for the first and second place winners.The first-place winner also received an iPad provided by Z107.9, and the second-place winner received a prize package from the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The third-place finisher received a $250 scholarship by Calhoun Funeral Home and a $250 Visa gift card furnished by the Cleveland Transformation Alliance. Complements of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, four student runners-up received a four-pack of tickets for admission to the museum. Beckham’s B&M BBQ restaurants also donated meal gift cards for student winners.“These students are amazing,” said Marnecheck. “The students we have awarded over the past few days will attend Ohio University, Akron University, or will finish their high school careers in the fall. We could not be prouder of these students, and we hope that these prizes will help make their next academic step a little bit easier. We look forward to hosting the contest again and plan to focus on K-8 schools during the 2022-2023 school year.” 2nd Place Winner, Nathan Parish, John Marshall Civic & Business Leadership 3rd Place, Xavier Mims, Northeast Ohio College Preparatory School