Cleveland Branch ESU
16903 Fischer Road, Suite #1
Lakewood, OH 44107
216-228-3091 (phone & fax)
Updated June 23, 2009 [Text & Photos]
Contact us at:
cleveland@esuus.org |
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| Finalists in the 2009 Shakespeare Competition at Playhouse Square. In no order: 1st Place Valerie Kilmer, Runner-Up Kyle Carthens, 3rd Place Jennifer Sherman, Honorable Mentions Galya Loeb, Xavier Reminick and Andrew Rossi. |
| 2009 BUSS Scholarship recipient, Anne Peebles of Westlake High School, will attend “Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance” at London’s restored Globe Theater. |
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MISSION AND ORIGINS OF THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION
The English-Speaking Union of the United States is a non-profit, non-political, educational organization that promotes scholarship and advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community. The ESU US, in New York City, implements programs through 74 US branches. ESU US shares a common mission with International ESU’s in more than 50 nations around the world from South America to Asia, Africa and Europe.
The English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth was launched in London in 1918 by journalist (later to become Sir) Evelyn Wrench, with the aim of furthering friendship and understanding among English-speaking peoples around the world. He and like-minded American friends founded the English-Speaking Union of the United States in 1920, on the conviction that maintenance of the close personal and national ties forged during World War I was necessary for the preservation of peace. People sharing a common language would understand that they shared similar values, regardless of nationality or background.
Notable Chairmen of the ESU have included Sir Winston Churchill, of Britain, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, of the US.
ESU members provide financial support to sustain educational programs and participate in cultural and social events organized by local branches and National headquarters. Members attend branch events, host visiting speakers and scholars and coordinate branch participation in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition, scholarship and exchange programs, plus volunteer as English in Action tutors. Members can benefit greatly from the personal relationships and international contacts gained from ESU activities.
| HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CLEVELAND BRANCH, ESU
[References: David D. Van Tassel and John J. Grabowski (ed.), The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, Indiana University Press, 1987 and Cleveland Branch Archives]
The Cleveland Branch was founded in 1923. Its first president was John A. Penton, founder of the Penton Publishing Co. Branch headquarters were established in the Union Trust Building in 1925, under the leadership of officers David S. Ingalls (WWI flying ace and an early member of the law firm of Squire, Sanders and Dempsey), Charles E. Thwing (31-year president of Western Reserve University), Edith Charlesworth and Andrew Squire (founder of the firm bearing his name).
Headquarters were moved to the Citizens’ Building in 1929, under President Abram Garfield (son of US President James A. Garfield, architect with Frank Meade, VP and Vice Chairman of the Board of WRU, and son-in-law of the founder of Sherwin-Williams Co.). Abram Garfield remained Branch president through WWII. During that conflict, the ESU Committee for British War Relief supported the war effort through monetary and clothing donations, housing of exiled British children in Cleveland homes and with aid for French refugee relief.
The Branch disbanded at the war’s end, to be re-activated in 1960 under the presidency of Dr. Harlan Hamilton, Professor of English at WRU. The Branch helped sponsor the Winston Churchill Memorial Fund and the visits of HRH Prince Charles to Cleveland in 1964 and 1977.
Three years after ESU headquarters initiated the program in New York City schools, Cleveland Branch hosted the first ESU National Shakespeare Recitation Competition in 1986, with a medieval banquet honoring the young lords and ladies from all over the country. All subsequent National Competitions have been held in New York. Cleveland Branch also hosted a National ESU Conference in 1980 and two ESU Regional Conferences.
Cleveland Branch is renowned for two major fund-raisers that have over the years generated many thousands of dollars to support the Shakespeare Competition and other Scholarship programs. The “Queen’s Cuyahoga Cup Canoe Races” were 17 outrageous mad-cap boat races held from 1970-1991, spoofing the Henley-on-Thames Regatta. The elegant Beefeater’s Ball is held annually at Christmas time.
2009 SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION
Started with 500 students in New York City schools in 1983, the ESU’s Shakespeare Competition has grown to a national curriculum-based program that has now helped nearly 250,000 high school students develop their understanding of Shakespeare -- the beauty and scope of his language as well as the timeless themes embodied in his works -- and their ability to communicate that understanding. Currently the program reaches 16,000 students and 2,000 teachers annually via Competitions run by about 60 ESU branches across the US.
The Shakespeare Competition has been the primary educational program of the Cleveland Branch for over 20 years. In 2009, students from 33 Cuyahoga County public, private and parochial high schools presented dramatic recitations of selections from Shakespeare’s works. Cleveland public school participation continued to increase, with eight high schools holding In-School Competitions this year. In-School winners competed in the Branch Finals on February 21, 2009 at a great new venue -- Playhouse Square.
Many thanks to our Branch Shakespeare Chair, John Moss, his dedicated Committee and willing volunteers, plus the personnel of Playhouse Square Foundation and Great Lakes Theater Festival who made this Competition a success!
Our 2009 Cleveland Finals 1st Place Winner was Valerie Kilmer, a student of Christine McBurney at Shaker Heights High School. Congratulations to Valerie and her teacher for winning first place on their school’s very first appearance in the Cleveland branch Shakespeare Competition! Valerie then placed as a semi-finalist at the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition. The National Competition was held on April 27th at Lincoln Center in New York City for 59 winners of ESU Branch competitions nationwide.
Our 2009 Competition Runner-Up was Kyle Carthens of Cleveland School of the Arts, taught by Scott Miller. The 3rd Place winner was Jennifer Sherman of Laurel, teacher Leighann Miles DeLorenzo; Honorable Mentions were Galya Loeb of Beachwood, teacher Sheila Hayman; Xavier Reminick of St. Edward, teacher Andrew J. Allen; and Andrew Rossi of St. Ignatius, teacher Rich Fujimoto.
OTHER CLEVELAND BRANCH ACTIVITIES
Scholarship Committee
Branch Scholarship activities have always been diverse: grants to local teachers for outstanding classroom programs in English as a Second Language (ESL), funding publication of collections of classroom essays by ESL students and travel grants for selected students, teachers and theater directors.
Our Books Across the Sea (and Across the City) program sends quantities of English language children’s books to local schools in Africa, and provides many free books to needy students in Cleveland inner city schools.
BUSS Scholarship
The Scholarship Committee was authorized by the Board to grant a British University Summer School (BUSS) scholarship in 2009 to a Shakespeare Competition teacher for study in Britain.
Teacher Ann Peebles of Westlake High School is our 2009 BUSS scholarship recipient. She will attend a three-week course, “Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance” at the Globe Theater in London.
A 2010 BUSS scholarship is under consideration, but not yet authorized. Interested Shakespeare Competition teachers may contact the Scholarship Committee at 216-228-3091 or by e-mail to the Branch for a status update on the 2010 BUSS scholarship and general information on the BUSS study programs offered in the UK.
Walter Hines Page Scholar
The ESU awards the Walter Hines Page Scholarship to promote the exchange of international educational ideas that advance teaching and learning. Educators from Britain, Commonwealth countries and Central and South America come to the U.S. to study recent developments related to their academic field. Page Scholars visit regional branches, where they are provided with home hospitality and transportation to educational institutions addressing their particular research interests. Page Scholars often speak at a branch reception or dinner meeting and later provide a copy of their finished research report to their host branches.
Our 2009 Page Scholar, Mr. Ron Fortuna, from Northampton, explored American approaches to teaching social skills to students with autism. Mr. Fortuna was graciously welcomed by Achievement Centers for Children, Lakewood City Schools and the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism. He also gave an entertaining slide-illustrated presentation on the stately homes of Northamptonshire to Branch officers, directors and invited guests after dinner at a private home.
Our 2008 Page Scholar was Mr. James Bannister, of Nottingham, who studied programs for successfully teaching English grammar and literature to disinterested youths from economically deprived backgrounds. Thanks to the Cleveland Municipal School District teachers and principals who shared their innovative personal approaches for educating inner city students in English, and to Lakewood City Academy and Entrepreneurial Preparatory School for explaining municipal school district-sponsored “charter school” approaches to intensified education of poor-performing students.
Evelyn Wrench Speaker
Evelyn Wrench Speakers address current events or subjects of cultural or historical interest. Regional tours of Evelyn Wrench Speakers are planned and underwritten by ESU National Headquarters with the cooperation and assistance of Regional Chairmen and the Branches.
Our 2008 Wrench Speaker was Mr. Oliver Everett, the former librarian of Windsor Castle, who once studied at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, OH.
The 2009 Wrench Speaker, Mr. Peter Harris, will speak on “The Americanization of England” in October.
English in Action
ESU National promotes English in Action at the branch level across the US. Member volunteers help newcomers to the US build self-confidence and skill in understanding and speaking the English language through one-on-one practice. Tutors are paired with adult learners, typically at a local educational institution. Many close international friendships have been created through English in Action contacts.
English in Action Chairperson, Marcy Nunn, is currently developing project opportunities. Information on how to participate can be obtained from the Branch at 216-228-3091.
The Tabard - Branch Newsletter
The Branch newsletter went unpublished for some time. A special edition was issued in 2006-2007 and another in 2008. We hope to continue this publication on a periodic basis as volunteer-contributed content permits. Without those valuable inputs there can be NO newsletter!
Members wishing to contribute Tabard articles reviewing Branch events or relating their travels to English-speaking lands, or personal photographs of ESU activities, are encouraged to call the Branch at 216-228-3091 or to submit copy to us by e-mail at cleveland@esuus.org.
Memorial Gift Books to Cleveland Branch
Mr. Alex Martin, founder of the Ballet Guild of Cleveland, the forerunner of the Cleveland Ballet, died in 2006 at the age of 84. His executor and protégé, Mr. John Carey, donated Mr. Martin's large collection of books about English history, art and architecture to the Cleveland Branch of the ESU. These books are distributed via raffle and auction, to members and guests -- as a way of memorializing Mr. Martin and of simultaneously raising funds for the Cleveland Branch. The books are also available for other Branch educational purposes. This gift came to us through Mr. Carey's contact with Dr. Henry Barlow, Past President of the Cleveland Branch.
A small number of English history books from the estate of the late Robert Haws was also obtained through a business colleague of Past President, John Harkness.
WANTED – YOUR BOOKS! Cleveland Branch ESU wishes to keep this repository of books on British literary, cultural and historical topics growing to further support our fund-raising and educational programs. We encourage gifts from estates as well from the personal libraries of our members and friends who are down-sizing or simply need more space. Your gifts will serve as raffle prizes and awards at Branch events, as well as be given to Cleveland city magnet schools for addition to their libraries and for teachers’ class-room use. This project is independent of our on-going Books Across the City children’s book program.
Anyone wishing to make such a unique gift may contact the Cleveland Branch at 216-228-3091. We will be happy to pick up your books. ESU is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your gift is tax deductible.
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