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Updated: May 7, 2025 @ 2:10 pm
Six high school students, children of city of Beachwood first responders, each received $2,500 college scholarships from the not-for-profit group Beachwood 100, at an event at Heck’s Cafe on May 1.
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Beachwood 100 scholarship recipients were Tim Kemer, from left, Allison Combs, Hailey Brooks, Mackenzie Thompson and John Lessick. Recipient Luke Holtzman is not pictured.
Beachwood 100 scholarship recipients were Tim Kemer, from left, Allison Combs, Hailey Brooks, Mackenzie Thompson and John Lessick. Recipient Luke Holtzman is not pictured.
Six high school students, children of city of Beachwood first responders, each received $2,500 college scholarships from the not-for-profit group Beachwood 100, at an event at Heck’s Cafe on May 1.
The scholarship program this year was named after Beachwood 100 co-founder Irving Berger, who died in March. His grandson, Josh, who joined the board of Beachwood 100, following in the footsteps of his father, Alan, who was on the board for many years, said his grandfather, a World War II veteran, taught him many lessons, especially the importance of giving back to the community.
“Tonight we’re honoring some exceptional students, but we’re also honoring their families,” Ivor Kiwi, president of Beachwood 100, said. “Behind every great student are great parents, and in this case, heroic first responders.”
The organization, founded in 1969, continues to support first responders in Beachwood and their families. Through corporate sponsorships and dues, the goal is to aid first responders in times of personal emergency, fund scholarships and purchase safety equipment for the police and fire departments.
“Public safety is my top priority,” Beachwood Mayor Justin Berns, who has served as a volunteer firefighter, said. “The commitment from Beachwood 100 reflects the best of our community.”
Beachwood 100 scholarship recipients were:
• Tim Kemer from Avon Lake will attend Ashland University. He participates in football and track and field, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
• Allison Combs from Mentor Christian School will attend Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C. A member of the National Honor Society, she is active in volleyball, basketball, drama and math clubs, and robotics.
• John Lessick from Kirtland High School will attend The Ohio State University in Columbus. He is a member of Key Club, and active in football, baseball, lacrosse, track and field and Empower Sports.
• Mackenzie Thompson from Nordonia High School in Macedonia will attend Walsh University in North Canton. She is active in soccer and is a member of the National Honor Society of Scholars and National Technical Honor Society.
• Hailey Brooks from North Ridgeville High School will attend Kent State University. She is a dancer and musician, active in track and a member of the cheerleading squad.
• Luke Holtzman from Avon High School will attend Lorain County Community College in Elyria. He is active in baseball, serves as a youth baseball camp volunteer and is a member of the school’s business club.
Cleveland Jewish News Sports Columnist Andy Baskin, who served as master of ceremonies, said the first time he hosted the event and heard the stories by the children of first responders, “it’s hard not to walk out without being impacted.”
In essays the scholarship recipients read to the audience, they spoke about what they learned from their parents about sacrifice, dedication, strength, compassion, selflessness and hard work.
Beachwood Fire Chief Steven Holtzman stood in for his son, Luke, who was unable to be at the event. Luke wrote in his essay, “You may think that my dad wasn’t around much when my sisters and I were kids, but it is actually the opposite. Even though he was working at two different fire departments, he made sure to make time to make it to every single event, if it was my first day of school or my Little League games. People may take all the firefighters’, first responders’ and police officers’ sacrifices for granted, but as a son of a firefighter, these sacrifices were very real.”
The CJN was the media sponsor for the event.
S.A. McSherry is a freelance journalist.
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