The Shakerite

06/01/2026

Need some summer reading? Pick up your copy of The Shakerite's May 29 print edition, the first to be published under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Emma Barker and Managing Editor Claire Joyce. It's available at the Shaker Heights Public Libraries, Heinen's, Dave's Cosmic Subs, Ben and Jerry's and Van Aken Market Hall and features coverage of the unprecedented number of retiring teachers this year.

05/30/2026

“What I have to do a better job of, and what the media has to do a better job of, is connecting why voting matters to people’s lived experience." Shakerite staff attended the City Club of Cleveland forum "A Free and Fair Press in Cleveland" May 27. Raider Zone Editor Maizy Machmer-Wessels and Politics Editor Charlie Howell filed this report.

The mayor of Cleveland and one of the city’s longest-tenured journalists agree that each institution is doing a good job when it comes to coverage, but could do better. Eleven members of The Shakerite attended “A Free and Fair Press in Cleveland” forum at the City Club of Cleveland May 27. The...

05/28/2026

Elementary, middle school and high school MAC students gathered among advisers and alumni in the large auditorium May 22 for their annual end-of-year ceremony. Today's web story is a photo gallery, compiled by Editor-in-Chief Emma Barker, that offers a look into the celebration of excellence.

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05/26/2026

Editor’s note: "Shaker in Profile: Najee Hardaway," by Sports Writing Reporters Ethan Scheer and Julian Vaquera-LIttle, first appeared in print June 1, 2025 on page 27 of “Shaker in Profile,” The Shakerite’s first-ever profile edition. Yesterday, the district shared via email that Mr. Hardaway, a grade 4 teacher at Lomond Elementary School, had passed away. “Mr. Hardaway was an outstanding educator who cared deeply for our students. He was a Shaker Heights graduate and beloved staff member who was recognized as a leader among his colleagues. Mr. Hardaway was a cherished member of our Lomond and Shaker Heights Schools community both inside and outside of the classroom,” Dr. David Glasner wrote. The link to this story appears in a comment below.

05/14/2026

It’s a cliche to say that “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” But that expression applies to being a sports fan, especially in Cleveland – and in every small market. Each year only one team can win a title. But does that mean every other team was unsuccessful? Not at all. Enjoy today's web story, in which Raider Zone Editor Ezra Epstein explains why the Guardians are worthy of appreciation.

The Cleveland Guardians’ April 3 home opener was a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs, played before a sellout crowd. This new season, like every new season, brings endless possibilities for what a team can achieve. Except, for the Guardians, and many other small-market teams, anything is really not po...

05/13/2026

"Becoming a manager is the perfect way to get involved and grow school pride. I always try to promote the team, and I’ve learned new lacrosse rules at every game." Opinion Editor Gabe Moulthrop filed today's web story: an appreciation of managing a team and of those who managed his.

As a proud manager of the women’s lacrosse team, I look forward to every game. When Addie Huff scores a game-winner, or Lauren Jalics makes a Lebronesque stop on defense, I feel so much adrenaline and excitement I could practically run a marathon. Instead, I settle for a few passionate hive fives ...

05/11/2026

"He showed care for everyone who stepped in his weight room, and if you bought in while he was there, it’s no way you could walk away with nothing." For today's web story, Raider Zone Editor Ezra Epstein spoke to student athletes, alumni and staff about how they grew in Strength and Conditioning class under the guidance of Joeseph Schlesinger, SHHS head of sports performance.

The day head strength and conditioning coach Joseph Schlesinger sent a short email asking all student athletes to meet him in the weight room after school, he thought maybe 50 kids would attend. More than 100 showed up. “I was not expecting that,” Schlesinger said of that April 15 meeting. “Ki...

05/08/2026

"Because of my four years at The Shakerite, I’m a different person. I don’t think of myself as a quiet student who tends to sit passively in the back anymore, but instead as someone who has the ability to lead. I’ve learned to make tough calls on the spot, trust my judgement, and lead a classroom." Outgoing Editor in Chief Isabel Siegel ('26), offers her final notes on her experience in the newsroom.

My four years at The Shakerite have taught me more than any other class in the high school. I was afraid to do interviews in my first journalism class. Approaching random students in the hallways and hunting down administrators for comment terrified my introverted self, accustomed to crafting essays...

05/06/2026

“The Shaker Heights Police Department responded by blocking off the oval, checking nearby vehicles and investigating the source of the call." For today's daily web story, Lucas Tcheurekdjian and Tate Polatz have the details about the latest shelter-in-place and the threat that caused it.

At 12 p.m. yesterday, the high school’s main office received a phone call stating that there was an armed individual outside the building. At 12:10 p.m., Principal Isaiah Wyatt announced over the PA system that the school was going into a shelter-in-place. A shelter-in-place is administered to pro...

05/04/2026

“Exchange programs give Shaker Heights High School a diverse set of experiences, and that these programs allow both foreign students and our own Shaker students to see an important glimpse into the world." Read today's daily web story, by Spotlight Reporter Charlie Howell, for a glimpse into the opportunities, hardships and benefits of the high school's exchange programs.

Exchange programs foster cultural exchange, new connections, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities – but only if enough families agree to host. This year, the Japanese exchange program at the high school struggled to find enough host families for students travelling from Takatori Kokusai High Schoo...