Cleveland Branch ESU
John Rampe, President
1246 High St., Fairport Harbor OH 44077 (440-352-8995)
Website: John Harkness (216-228-3091)
Updated September 16, 2009
[Text only -- photo updates in progress]
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, attended “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. There are 74 branches of the ESU US, as well as International ESU’s in more than 50 nations around the world.
The English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth was launched in London in 1918 by journalist (later, Sir) Evelyn Wrench, to further friendship and understanding among English-speaking peoples around the world. The English-Speaking Union of the United States was founded in 1920, in the belief that 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 sustain educational programs and participate in cultural and social events. Members also 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 through ESU activities.
| HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CLEVELAND BRANCH, ESU
[Sources: David D. Van Tassel and John J. Grabowski (ed.), The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, Indiana University Press, 1987; and Cleveland Branch ESU Archives]
The Cleveland Branch was founded in 1923 under President John A. Penton of the Penton Publishing Co. Branch headquarters were established in the Union Trust Building in 1925, under David S. Ingalls (WWI flying ace), Charles E. Thwing (President of Western Reserve University), Edith Charlesworth and Andrew Squire (founder of the law firm bearing his name).
Headquarters 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 French refugee relief aid.
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. All subsequent National Competitions have been held in New York City. Cleveland Branch also hosted a National ESU Conference in 1980 as well as 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 ESU 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 in New York City schools in 1983, the ESU’s Shakespeare Competition has grown to a national program that has helped nearly 250,000 high school students develop their understanding of Shakespeare and their ability to communicate that understanding. Currently about 60 ESU branches across the US sponsor Competitions.
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 new venue -- Playhouse Square’s IdeaStream Studios.
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 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 Competition! Valerie then placed as a semi-finalist at the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition. The National Competition was held on April 27th in New York City for winners from 59 ESU US Branches.
Our Runner-Up was Kyle Carthens of Cleveland School of the Arts, taught by Scott Miller. 3rd Place 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
Books Across the Sea (and Across the City)
ESU, in collaboration with Third World Books, 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. A collection of books on American political institutions and leaders was sent, on request, to the St. Petersburg, Russia ESU. A shipment of children’s books is being readied for the Philippines ESU.
BUSS Scholarship
Cleveland Branch has granted British University Summer School (BUSS) scholarships to Shakespeare Competition teachers for study in Britain.
Teacher Ann Peebles of Westlake High School is our 2009 BUSS Scholar. She attended a three-week course, “Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance” at the Globe Theater in London. The Branch formed a close bond with Ann, stocking her with ESU pens and bookmarks to share with other BUSS teachers, linking her with the sister of member Mary Hamlin for a lunch at a country estate near London, maintaining contact via e-mail, and providing recognition and speaking/teaching opportunities for her at Branch events. Other BUSS teachers at the Globe were quite envious.
Both Ann and our 2008 BUSS Scholar, Al Bogigian of Independence High School, will present a free on-stage workshop for Shakespeare teachers on what they learned at the Globe on Saturday, October 3. For information call the BUSS Scholarship Chairperson at 216-228-3091.
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 in their academic field. Page Scholars visit regional branches, receiving home hospitality and transportation to educational institutions.
Our 2009 Page Scholar, Mr. Ron Fortuna, from Northampton, explored American approaches to teaching social skills to students with autism. In May he visited Achievement Centers for Children, Lakewood City Schools and the Cleveland Clinic Center for Autism. He also gave an entertaining illustrated presentation on the stately homes of Northamptonshire to the Branch.
Evelyn Wrench Speaker
Evelyn Wrench Speakers address current events or subjects of cultural or historical interest. The 2009 Wrench Speaker, Mr. Peter Harris, will speak on “The Americanization of England”, October 1, at a joint dinner meeting with the Cleveland City Club.
English-in-Action
ESU promotes English-in-Action at the branch level across the US. Member volunteers pair with newcomers to the US to help build self-confidence and skill in understanding and speaking the English language through one-on-one practice. Many close international friendships have been created through EiA contacts. Cleveland’s first EiA tutor/student pair includes member Ruth Severiens and Marna Reimer, wife of a relocated German executive.
Information on how to become a participating “Tudor Tutor” can be obtained from the Branch at 216-228-3091 or cleveland@esuus.org.
The Tabard - Branch Newsletter
A new edition of the Tabard was published on September 13. We hope to publish future editions more frequently. But we need YOUR INPUTS to do so. Members wishing to contribute articles or photographs of ESU activities are encouraged to call the Editor 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. 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. A small number of English history books were also received from the estate of the late Robert Haws.
Cleveland Branch wishes to keep this repository of books on British 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. This project is independent of our on-going Books Across the City children’s book program. Please call the 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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