‘It was a truly special place’: CMSD students, staff and alums add their school memories to time capsule

Collinwood High School seemed so far away as a long-time West Sider whose mom, Madeline Shonk Ryan, attended the integrated school in the early 1940s. She spoke with passion about the school, her classmates, and what she learned in that massive building.

Her memories were of a school where people got along and provided excellent education thanks to dedicated teachers and engaged students. She never forgave her parents for moving to Euclid, then without sidewalks and growing.

About a dozen years ago, I moved to Collinwood and often went out of my way to connect with my mother’s memories, wondering what good memories today’s children had from those same walls. Now, as a Euclid resident, I wonder what the next chapter will be for this large school in a neighborhood that has changed so much since the days my mother would step into that building to build an education where she could be employed and raise a family.

I went to old Bolton and new Bolton and have fond memories. My teachers were Mrs. Crenshaw, Mrs. Everheart, Mrs. Gaines and Mrs. Heard. Those ladies helped make me the man I am today, and I’m forever indebted. 

I was in the 1955 kindergarten class at the originally named Louis Agassiz school. I only have great memories there. Our teacher was kind, the kids were fun, but, sadly, kindergarten ended too quickly. Attached is the only picture I have from that year.

I started at Mary B. Martin in 1965. Mrs. Perry was my kindergarten teacher. It would be unfair to pin my most memorable times to a single memory – there were many. A cow being brought to the school, and each of us getting a turn at milking the cow. Getting a comb that wasn’t fit for Black hair. Meeting the city’s first Black mayor. Getting sent home from school when Martin L. King Jr. got killed. I was in the fourth grade then.

Having good – I mean really good – teachers. Mrs. Rush, third grade, Mrs. Jackson, fourth grade, Mrs. Payne, she gave you pain. All good teachers, but tough, so it’s with a sadness that I write this. The closing of a school, where I read so much, I read all the stories in our assigned book, and got to go to the school to read what I wanted. It was at Mary B. Martin where I developed my love for words, and now I’m a writer. Thank you.

Class of 1976. I started in the 10th grade, 1973, and graduated 1976. I enjoyed art class in the front of the building, third floor. This school prepared me to attend college and gain a bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University. I then obtained a masters degree from Case Western Reserve University. I enjoyed being a student at Collinwood High School.

I attended Collinwood High School during my 9th grade year back in 1978. I recall the halls being full of students making their way to class. It was an integrated environment, which I had experienced for the first time. I was bussed from [the] 105th area to Collinwood back then.

Fast forward: In 1992-1995, I returned to Collinwood High School as an adult providing students with career and job training. So I came back to give back. Before leaving there, I was able to give some students not only training but a memorable trip out of the country to Toronto, Canada. A place they never thought they could travel to. We raised the money together, and we had the greatest memorable time together touring, going to the stage play “Beauty and the Beast,” shopping and meeting people.

1981 was a year at Collinwood High.

I attended Collinwood High School during my 9th grade year back in 1978. I recall the halls being full of students making their way to class. It was an integrated environment, which I had experienced for the first time. I was bussed from [the] 105th area to Collinwood back then.

Fast forward: In 1992-1995, I returned to Collinwood High School as an adult providing students with career and job training. So I came back to give back. Before leaving there, I was able to give some students not only training but a memorable trip out of the country to Toronto, Canada. A place they never thought they could travel to. We raised the money together and we had the greatest memorable time together touring, going to the stage play “Beauty and the Beast,” shopping and meeting people.

My memories of Tremont are before it became a Montessori.  It was an elementary school with a wonderful bunch of students: a third were a mix of Ukrainian and Eastern European, a third were African-American, and a third were from Spanish-speaking countries. It was an absolute joy to teach art to these students in the 1990s to 2000s. The warm and homey wood floors, the giant windows we could throw open to get cool breezes, turning off the lights so a stray bee would fly back outside, and the cloak rooms to store supplies in. The staff was so dedicated and fun, and our principal, Mr. Larrabee, guided a strong, high-achieving ship.

Being surrounded by an art community meant that we could take walks to various galleries and churches displaying art, and many also invited our students to display work. The restaurants opened their doors for special student field trips, and our faculty meetings were occasionally at Sokolowski’s University Inn.

Going shopping or on Tremont Artwalks on Fridays, I’d often see the neighborhood kids, who would be so excited to see one of their teachers where they lived and played. It was a truly special place. We were all one big family.

In 2002 I went to East Clark, but after 5th grade I really wanted to go to Collinwood. It was rumored to have middle school AND high school, and a lot of people spoke highly of the basketball and football teams. Even though it was speculated that I would end up at Spellacy, I figured if I told enough people that I was going to Collinwood, then that’s where they would put me.

But, alas, my family ended up moving to Euclid the summer before I could find out. I remember visiting Collinwood when I was in high school back around 2006 and wishing I could attend, but by that time I was going to East Tech! I don’t know if this counts as a memory, but something I always wanted when I was a kid!

I spent four years here and met some of the most wonderful staff and students that are very dear to my heart. I still hear from some students that have graduated from Campus International High School, and we reminisce about past antics as they share what they are doing now.

One of our former students is engaged, and others are in college. It is a blessing to see them growing into confident adults.