• What constitutes Chagrin Falls Schools alumni status?
A Chagrin Falls High School alumnus is defined as any person receiving a degree from Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools. We also include retired members of the Chagrin Falls Schools and others that have been close to the Schools to be a part of the CFAA.
• How do I get proof of graduation or a copy of my transcript?
A transcript can be obtained from the CFHS Guidance Department. Please contact them at 440-247-5500 ext. 4406.
• How can I update my address listing or personal information?
You can email the Alumni Office at alumni@chagrinschools.org or call at 440-247-4387.
• Where can I find contact information for a classmate?
We will forward on requests to those person(s) you are searching. We do want to respect the privacy of our CFHS graduates.
• Is there an official group for Chagrin alumni on Facebook?
We do have a Chagrin Falls Alumni Association Group on Facebook. There are also many classes with group pages as well. Due to the number of schools with CFHS, we recommend searching with Chagrin Falls High School in your search or look at the listing of pages we have at the CFAA Communications page.
How do I submit information for the Tiger Tales?
You can email the Alumni Office at alumni@chagrinschools.org or call at 440-247-4387.
• Can I get a tour of the school and/or Chagrin Falls Schools Tom Mattern Historical Room?
The CFAA offers personal and class tours of the Chagrin Schools by appointment. Please email or call us.
• How do I get my transcript?
You can go to this link to complete the form to obtain your transcript.
Do you have a question not on this list? If so, then please email or call the CFAA Office. We would certainly like to help.
Nagging Questions
(1) What happened to the “Victory Bell” at the high school? It disappeared sometime in 1970 or 1971. The bell might date to one of Chagrin’s first schools, the Asbury Seminary. It was located on Philomethian Street (1842).
The Victory Bell Saga as reported by Tom Mattern ‘55 (4/04)
The obsession to retrieve the Victory Bell remains.
Recently, I received the following correspondence from John Blazer, class of 1967, adding bits and pieces to the bells earlier history.
John writes: “I have followed with interest your occasional articles in Tiger Tales about the Victory Bell. Let me fill in some additional details.
As you point out, for many years the bell had been stored in the boiler room of the Philomethian Street school. I don’t recall how the idea for the Victory Bell originated; it could have been something as simple as are mark by the building’s custodian John Hlad to my mother Naomi Blazer, who worked in the middle school principal’s office at the time. Regardless, it became a topic of discussion in the high school Student Council of which I was a member. The job of planning fell to me. The construction labor for the pad and piers was donated by my neighbor Stuart Wendl, a mason.
You date the installation to the early 60’s but I believe it was later than that, most likely 1965.
Enclosed are pictures I took of the bell when it was still in the boiler room. I think the clapper was removed and kept in Coach Quesinberry’s office so that the bell would only be rung at the appropriate times. I recall one football game victory rally in the fall of 1965 or 1966 when a well-meaning, spirited, but misguided classmate couldn’t wait for the clapper and he rang the bell by striking it with a brick, leaving scars that should aid in the bell’s identification if a similar-appearing one ever materializes. I hope that you find the bell.”
Like John, many other alumni hope for the return of the bell. It would be fantastic to build a bell tower in front of the high school with our beloved historical (1854) bell once again, ringing in celebration of another Tiger victory.
(2) When did the “end of the year” junior and senior car caravans begin and end?
(3) When did the powder puff football game begin?
(4/04)We have received more memories on the beginnings of the powder puff football game. Bette Stark Gibson ’71 reports “Wow. It is amazing to think back 32 years. I recall the powder puff game in 1970 played at the High School Stadium. I believe that this was the first game, since I am sure that we would have played a game our junior year if offered. The senior class practiced at the Polo Grounds in the Chagrin Reservation. Bill McSherry was our practice coach, but he could not attend the game in the stadium, so his younger brother Jimmy coached that fall day. I played on the offense and defensive line, so I was in almost every play. Libby Jennings was the quarterback for the Class of 1971. I recall we wore blue jeans and a white T-shirt with the Class of 1971 and a number on it. We did not have male cheerleaders, but the football team was there on the sidelines cheering us on. (or just tossing the football on the sidelines)
I do not recall the final score, I only know that we lost, and we did score only one touchdown. The game was very disorganized and confusing. Libby, as quarterback, ran the ball the entire length of the field for our only score of the day. I recall this, since I believe it was Wendy Russell, who was trying to catch Libby, so I ran the entire field right behind Libby, so no one would be able to pull her flag. I was fast, but definitely not the speed of those two athletes.”
Thanks, Bette for the great description and memories of this powder puff game.