Four new members added to BBHHS Gallery of Achievement

by Melissa Martin

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Gallery of Achievement grew slightly larger during the month of October as the school district celebrated the accomplishments of two graduates and two former teachers.

This year’s induction class includes Allison Glovna Clarke, class of 1988; Sherry Zak Morris, class of 1973; Gordon Boyd, faculty; and Mark Robinson, faculty.

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Alumni Association and the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools Foundation sponsors the annual induction ceremony to honor BBHHS graduates who have distinguished themselves through personal development, community service and vocational accomplishments beyond their chosen profession. Likewise, the ceremony also recognizes former faculty members who exemplified dedication and devotion to the students during their tenure with the BBH city schools.

Individuals are nominated for the honor by members of the community each spring, with final selections being made by members of the Gallery of Achievement Committee. All graduate nominees must be graduates of BBHHS, however faculty inductees are not required to have attended the school themselves.

A plaque with each inductee’s bust will be added to the Gallery of Achievement Wall in the high school and the recipient also receives a duplicate plaque of honor.

Gordon Boyd

Longtime BBHHS Band director Gordon Boyd, who passed away earlier this year, was recognized for the impact he had on the district’s music students during his 20-year tenure, from 1965-1985. In addition to serving as the head of the school’s music department, he also directed and led both the symphonic and marching bands and instructed the school’s music appreciation classes.

Boyd, whose award was accepted by his son, Eric Boyd, was named BBHHS Teacher of the Year multiple times throughout his career. He is best known as the director who accompanied the school’s marching band to London in 1980 to perform for a crowd during the World Soccer Finals and to Quebec’s Winter Carnival in 1984.

Boyd, who earned Bowling Green State University’s Kappa Kappa Psi Award in 1961 and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa, is also remembered for directing school musicals.

Outside of the high school, Boyd also directed local band and orchestra performances for the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Indians and the Veterans Administration Hospital.

Allison Glovna Clarke

After graduating from BBHHS in 1988, Allison Glovna Clarke, went on to attend Boston College, where she graduated with honors and became an Academic All-American in multiple sports, receiving multiple awards.

She went on to become a television producer at NBC Cleveland and an on-air reporter for ABC before establishing Flashes of Hope in 2001 as a nonprofit foundation with chapters in 55 U.S. cities. The organization provides photography services to children with cancer and has photographed more than 90,000 children, capturing a moment in time to honor their courage.

Clark also founded the “Kick-It” program in 2009. The organization raises funds for children’s cancer research and has since raised several million dollars.

“I have been very fortunate to do something that I’m very passionate about and help people,” Clarke said describing her greatest accomplishments.

Sherry Zak Morris

After graduating from BBHHS in 1973, and then from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in community health education, Sherry Zak Morris launched a 25-year career in technology sales and customer relations. She then became a certified yoga instructor and founder of Vista Yoga Studio, focusing on the over 50 age group, specifically chair yoga.

Morris also founded Take5Moment.com, which has been recognized for wellness innovation in creating 5-minute streaming wellness videos with over 1,000 instructional yoga and fitness videos and 25 yoga DVDs, including popular chair yoga videos with 25 million combined views on YouTube.

She is also a founding member of the Yoga Advisory Council for Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Organization.

Mark Robinson

Mark Robinson has more than 42 years of active service to Ohio education, currently serving as superintendent at Buckeye Central Local Schools in Crawford County.

As a member of the BBHCSD, Robinson served as the assistant high school principal, middle school principal, high school principals and assistant superintendent. He went on to serve as the superintendent of Ashland City Schools and Niles City Schools and president of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators.

During his time at BBHHS, Robinson was active in all fundraising, sports programs, boosters and community programs. He is also famed for Initiating the graduating class composite picture, being a founding member of the Gallery of Achievement and for reinstating the eighth-grade Washington, D.C., spring trip. ∞