Class of 2023
Throughout the 2022-23 school year we will be introducing members of Birchwood’s Class of 2023.
“A Birchwood graduate is not simply someone who finished their eighth grade year at Birchwood. Rather, they are a student who is hard-working, productive, eager to grow, willing to take on new challenges, and aspiring to serve purposes greater than themselves.”
– Head of School Charles Debelak
Joshua G
Favorite Birchwood Memory
This year's Poetry Show. It was really exciting to be able to perform in-person again. Everyone had a really fun time celebrating poetry.
Proud Accomplishment
Winning a Gold Key in the Scholastic Writing Awards. I spent so many hours perfecting my story. It was really gratifying to see the time and effort pay off.
Proud Accomplishment
Winning a Gold Key in the Scholastic Writing Awards. I spent so many hours perfecting my story. It was really gratifying to see the time and effort pay off.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. That could be entering competitions and even though it could take a lot of extra work it will almost always be worth it.
Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. That could be entering competitions and even though it could take a lot of extra work it will almost always be worth it.
Sofia
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Making props for the Poetry Show.
Proud Accomplishment
My greatest accomplishment at Birchwood is making more progress in math and art.
Proud Accomplishment
My greatest accomplishment at Birchwood is making more progress in math and art.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Keep organized and make a schedule for your homework after school.
Keep organized and make a schedule for your homework after school.
Maaz
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Going to Cleveland Public Library. I found good information for my History Day project and had fun with my friends.
Proud Accomplishment
My growth in math and language arts since coming to Birchwood School.
Proud Accomplishment
My growth in math and language arts since coming to Birchwood School.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Be respectful of others.
Be respectful of others.
Manya
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Practicing for History Day! It has been really fun and I learned something new.
Proud Accomplishment
Making it to the state tournament in Power of the Pen (POP) in seventh grade.
Proud Accomplishment
Making it to the state tournament in Power of the Pen (POP) in seventh grade.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
As you are growing as a student only compare yourself to your past self. This helps you measure your growth.
As you are growing as a student only compare yourself to your past self. This helps you measure your growth.
Haadeya
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Poetry Show! I really enjoyed practicing the lines and actions.
Proud Accomplishment
Winning Platinum Pen in Power of the Pen in seventh grade.
Proud Accomplishment
Winning Platinum Pen in Power of the Pen in seventh grade.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Don't procrastinate and save all your work for the last minute as you will probably be stressed if you do.
Don't procrastinate and save all your work for the last minute as you will probably be stressed if you do.
Ashton
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Our seventh and eighth grade field trips to Cleveland Public Library to conduct History Day research. It was really fun and productive.
Proud Accomplishment
Winning a Gold Key in the Scholastic Writing Awards competition for my story about two kids playing baseball.
Proud Accomplishment
Winning a Gold Key in the Scholastic Writing Awards competition for my story about two kids playing baseball.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Use your time wisely. It is really important that you make a schedule or have a plan for what you will do in your free time.
Use your time wisely. It is really important that you make a schedule or have a plan for what you will do in your free time.
Sabrina
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Coming back to school in-person after being remote for such a long time.
Proud Accomplishment
Going to the Power of the Pen (POP) State Tournament.
Proud Accomplishment
Going to the Power of the Pen (POP) State Tournament.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Take time for yourself so that you do not get stressed. It can be hard to manage schoolwork and extra-curricular activities.
Take time for yourself so that you do not get stressed. It can be hard to manage schoolwork and extra-curricular activities.
Sana
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Going downtown to Cleveland Public Library for History Day research. I had fun researching my topic and spending time with my friends.
Proud Accomplishments
Receiving a first place in the Regional History Day contest.
Proud Accomplishments
Receiving a first place in the Regional History Day contest.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Write out goals for yourself and take small steps to achieve them.
Write out goals for yourself and take small steps to achieve them.
Yara
Favorite Birchwood Memory
The class party we hosted in sixth grade to celebrate our homeroom teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.
Proud Accomplishments
Making it to the nationals of National History Day in sixth grade with my group.
Proud Accomplishments
Making it to the nationals of National History Day in sixth grade with my group.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Make a schedule. It will help organize all the things you need to get done.
Make a schedule. It will help organize all the things you need to get done.
Stephen
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Young Astronaut Day! We placed first as a team and earned top places in some of the individual events. We did really well and it was fun.
Proud Accomplishments
Competing at the national level in History Day two years in a row.
Proud Accomplishments
Competing at the national level in History Day two years in a row.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
You should always stay on top of your work and put in a good amount of effort so you do not fall behind your peers as your academic career progresses.
You should always stay on top of your work and put in a good amount of effort so you do not fall behind your peers as your academic career progresses.
Ishika
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Going downtown to the Cleveland Public Library for History Day research. It was really fun.
Proud Accomplishments
Earning a first place at District Science Day and a second place at State Science Day.
Proud Accomplishments
Earning a first place at District Science Day and a second place at State Science Day.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Make sure you have distinct times between your homework time and your free time so that you do not get distracted while working on homework.
Make sure you have distinct times between your homework time and your free time so that you do not get distracted while working on homework.
Joshua C
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Going to Columbus to speak to Ohio Senators in support of a bill establishing Ohio Native Plant month.
Proud Accomplishments
Earning a place to compete in National History Day twice.
Proud Accomplishments
Earning a place to compete in National History Day twice.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Never be afraid to ask questions. Your teachers can give you valuable information or help with your assignments.
Never be afraid to ask questions. Your teachers can give you valuable information or help with your assignments.
Caroline
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Last year's Field Day. All of the girls got together and painted each other's faces in the color of our team.
Last year's Field Day. All of the girls got together and painted each other's faces in the color of our team.
Proud Accomplishments
Science Fair. Last year I worked really hard and was very happy with the outcome.
Science Fair. Last year I worked really hard and was very happy with the outcome.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it be a classmate or a teacher they're all here to help you.
Don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it be a classmate or a teacher they're all here to help you.
Ayat
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Singing with Mr. Debelak. I really like the songs and singing with my class.
Singing with Mr. Debelak. I really like the songs and singing with my class.
Proud Accomplishments
Making it to the national contest of History Day and also winning first place in the district contest of Power of the Pen.
Making it to the national contest of History Day and also winning first place in the district contest of Power of the Pen.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Take advantage of every opportunity given to you.
Take advantage of every opportunity given to you.
Ted
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Birchwood Reading Days! I like the monthly half days when we get to read a good book while sitting alongside friends. It is very enjoyable.
Birchwood Reading Days! I like the monthly half days when we get to read a good book while sitting alongside friends. It is very enjoyable.
Proud Accomplishment
Competing in History Day and Future Problem Solving (FPS) at states.
Competing in History Day and Future Problem Solving (FPS) at states.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Not to procrastinate. Do your homework the day it is assigned.
Not to procrastinate. Do your homework the day it is assigned.
Jonathan
Favorite Birchwood Memory
Going to Columbus to interact at the Ohio Statehouse.
Going to Columbus to interact at the Ohio Statehouse.
Proud Accomplishment
Placing 3rd in the state competition of National History Day.
Placing 3rd in the state competition of National History Day.
Advice for Students in Grades 5-7
Create a schedule of all of your hobbies and sports activities so that you know how much time you have to do your homework.
Create a schedule of all of your hobbies and sports activities so that you know how much time you have to do your homework.
