Celebrating Generations
of Shaker
As we celebrate special milestones for the Shaker Schools Foundation we are telling the stories of families whose love for Shaker spans multiple generations. Share your Shaker Story at shakeralumni@shaker.org.
Jones Family


Freiberg Family
The Freiberg family spans three generations in the Shaker schools, which includes 12 students since 1937! Their clan includes 12 Shaker students over 3 generations who attended Moreland, Sussex, and Fernway Elementary Schools.
Why do they love Shaker?
As Glen Freiberg, ’70 says: “Shaker prepared us for college!” Glen’s immediate family includes several Shaker grads, including his father Elmer, ’48; brother Ian, ’73; and daughter Morissa, ’04. Ian’s late wife, Paula, ’70, also taught at Fernway Elementary for 30 years.
Krasnoff/
Stein/
Kopf/
Shuler Family


Jordan Family Offspring
The Holmes Family Legacy


Stout Family
Celebrating three generations of the Stout Family!
Warren/
Libman/
Brodsky
Family


Weitzner/
Wasman Family
Buis/
Gardner
Family


Heinlen/
Strang/
Uth Family
Klein/
Behrens/
Whay
Family


Tillman/
Paci/
Lowery Family
This Shaker family attended Moreland and Boulevard Elementary Schools. They most recently celebrated a Shaker graduation in 2021 and the next student will graduate in 2026!
Five words that describe Shaker:
As shared by Ramona Paci Lowery, Class of 1989 and member of the Shaker Schools Foundation Board of Trustees, Shaker Schools to her and the family are:
“innovative, diverse, opportunities, community and caring”.
Johnson/
Williams/
Garrison
Family
Celebrating 2 generations of the Johnson/Williams/Garrison Families: Raiders Since 1966
Eight members of this Shaker family attended Moreland, Mercer and Onaway Elementary Schools. They most recently celebrated a Shaker graduation in 2018 with upcoming Shaker graduations in 2022 and 2025!
Five Words that Describe Shaker:
As shared by Darlene Garrison, Class of 1988 and Woodbury 6th Grade teacher, Shaker Schools are:
“Tight-knit community, educational excellence, life-long relationships, diverse school district, warm and welcoming.”


Dyer/
Wilkinson
Family
Five words that describe Shaker:
On behalf of the family, Mary Wilkinson shared that Shaker Schools are: smart, fun, inclusive, diverse, and textured.
Kelley/
McWilliams
Family


Chin/
Gendreau
Family
Horowitz/
Ratner/
Weisberger
Family


Taylor
Family
Polster Family


Schwartz/
Mayers/
Hollander
Family
This Shaker family has deep roots! The story begins in 1933 when Jack Schwartz, Class of 1941, entered Boulevard Elementary School. This 4 generation family is proud to have 11 Shaker graduates spanning nine decades with two future Shaker students! As shared by Ruth Schwartz Mayers, Class of 1970, Shaker Schools are: Foundational, excellent, diverse, innovative, and exemplify strength. The family looks forward to celebrating the next Shaker graduation in 2022!
The flag-raising picture captures a beautiful occasion at Mercer Elementary in 2007 with then kindergarten student Maya Hollander, Class of 2020, her mother, Debra Mayers Hollander, Class of 1992, grandmother Ruth Schwartz Mayers and great-grandfather Jack Schwartz, OBM. In fact, except for the patriarch of the family, everyone has attended Mercer Elementary School.
Wyman/
Luzar
Family


Green Family
Claytor
Family


Markt Family
Celebrating 4 Generations of the Markt Family: Raiders Since 1938!
The Cohen/Pollack’s have 18 family members that span over 3 generations. They started their journey at Fernway Elementary and continued at Sussex and Mercer. The most recent family member graduated in 2018 with the next to graduate in 2027!
Five words that describe Shaker Schools:
As shared by siblings Stuart Cohen, Class of 1979, Beth Cohen Pollack, Class of 1981, and Leslie Cohen, Class of 1985, Shaker Schools are: enlightened, diverse, intellectual, welcoming and a place of excellence


Hobbs
Family
Celebrating 2 Generations of the Joyce/Hobbs Family: Raiders Since 1963!
For the Hobbs’ family, Shaker teachers had an extraordinary impact on their lives. SHHS Art Department Chair, Keaf Holliday, is how Justin, 2014, discovered he had talent in the visual arts. He graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art and is enjoying a career as an Industrial Designer today. Scott Sumerack and Christine McBurney helped further Class of 2016, Lauryn’s love of musical theater, Shakespeare and playwriting. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Lauryn has performed alongside many Broadway performers and now lives in New York, continuing to pursue a career in the performing arts. Finally, for Brinson, 2018, Emily Shrestha’s “Anatomy of Writing” class was one of the toughest classes he ever had, but really boosted his writing skills and helped him during his time at Cuyahoga Community College as he pursued his Associate’s degree in Business.
Five words that describe Shaker Schools:
As shared by Gina Hobbs, Class of 1981, Shaker Schools are: trailblazer, academically rigorous, amazing arts and culture, invigorating and welcoming.
