Greater Cleveland Better Business Bureau

Students of Integrity Awards

and Annual Meeting

December 16, 2010

BBB Mission Statement

The Better Business Bureau is a public service organization that advocates ethical, responsible conduct in the

marketplace. Through the support of business members sharing its goals and

standards, the BBB offers programs which promote informed buying and giving

decisions, truthful advertising and selling practices, and the resolution of

marketplace disputes.

Students of IntegrityThe Students of Integrity awards program

honors high school students in our area who exemplify integrity through leadership and

academic excellence, community service and strong character ethics.

2800 Euclid Avenue, 4th Fl.Cleveland, OH 44115Phone (216) 241-4476

Fax (216) 861-6365www.cleveland.bbb.org

Terry Pluto is a sports columnist for the Plain Dealer. He has twice been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the nation’s top sports columnist for medium-sized newspapers. He is a nine-time winner of the Ohio Sports Writer of the Year award and has received more than 50 state and local writing awards. In 2005 he was inducted into the Cleveland Journalism Hall of Fame. He is the author of 23 books, including The Curse of Rocky Colavito (selected by the New York Times as one of the five notable sports books of 1989), and Loose Balls, which was ranked number 13 on Sports Illustrated’s list of the top 100 sports books of all time. He was called “ Perhaps the best

American writer of sports books,” by the Chicago Tribune in 1997. He lives with his wife, Roberta, in Akron, Ohio.

Terry’s latest book is Things I’ve Learned by Watching the Browns.

Here’s a question for any Browns fan . . .Why?Why, more than four long decades after your team’s last championship . . . despite a relentless pattern of heartbreak, teasing, and more heartbreak . . . capped with a decade of utter futility . . . do you still stick with the Cleveland Browns? Good question.

A thousand fans responded—in detail. Their stories—along with interviews with former players and Pluto’s own expert analysis—deliver the answer. Answers, actually. Because like any intense relationship, it’s a little complicated . . .

Today’s Events7:30

8:20

8:30

8:50

Eat and Meet

BBB Annual Meeting

Presiding: Leslie Dickson, President, Voice Pro, Inc. BBB Board Chair

Election of Directors & OfficersMarc Blumenthal, Vice President, B&B Appliance. Immediate Past Board Chair

Board Recognition

Presentation of 2010 BBB Students of Integrity AwardsDavid Weiss, President, BBB & BBB Education Foundation

Presentors:Terry Bishop, Senior Philanthropy Coordinator, Dominion Foundation

Karen Schuele, Dean, Boler School of Business. John Carroll University

Key Note Address Terry Pluto Sports Columnist The Plain Dealer

Terry Pluto

Honorable Mention (Continued from previous page)

Garrhett ViaGeneva High SchoolAlthough character is ultimately built and developed by the values taught to children by their parents, the characteristics developed through service…cannot develop from words alone. Instead, they begin with the examples set by peers that we most admire and trust.

Renee WestWhitney M. Young High SchoolCharacter has had a significant impact in my life, I attract more friends, administrators consider me for opportunities, I continuous-ly seek opportunities. I participate more in my community and I now have the ability to make wise decisions that impact a massive group of people.

BBB Board of DirectorsMoreen Bailey-FraterWEWS NewsChannel 5

John BarnardVita-Mix Corporation

Hal Becker The Becker Group

Terry BishopDominion East Ohio

Marc BlumenthalB&B ApplianceImmediate Past Chairman

Jim DeGeronimo Jr.MPS Financial, Inc.

Leslie DicksonVoice-Pro, Inc.Chairman

Andy FiffickRad Air Complete Car CareVice Chairman

Mike FilarskiKey Bank Mortgage

Ingrid HalpertWeiss Movers, Inc.Secretary

Marlene HermanAamco Transmissions Vice Chairman

Tom HollandHolland Paving & Sealcoating

Patrick G. HurstHurst Design-Build-Remodeling

Richard P. Kasunic Jr.,CPR

Barry LeaventonPrint Communications

Bill MannJoseph, Mann, & Creed

Peter MillerCleveland ClinicFoundation

Ed MontgomeryNorth Coast Seal, Inc.

Marvin MontgomeryMarvin Montgomery & Associates

Nancy Ramsey Microsoft Corp.

Diana RichardsonVacuum Systems International

Cary RootALG Computer Counseling & Training

Jay SeatonApprisen/Consumer Credit Counseling

Harvey SiegelCoit ServicesTreasurer

Lawrence Slenczka Dollar Bank

Paul WadsworthP.K. Wadsworth Heating & Cooling

Charles WienMarshall Carpet One

Sherrill Paul-WittTrolley Tours of Cleveland

Bill WoodburnChoice Relocation Management

BBB StaffDavid Weiss, President

Sue McConnell, Senior Vice PresidentDick Stagneth, Business Manager

Ericka Dilworth, Director of Trade PracticesChristine Roberts, Business Development

Trade PracticesBarbara Andersen Barry ConstantinoMeg Devaty Betty Gordon Alexa KyrkosNichole Means

CustomerServiceCheryl Horton Linda Jaquays

Business RelationsCindy DavidRosemary Farnsworth

Elliot AngartBeachwood High SchoolHowever, a person of character cannot ever admit to knowing everything, because, in reality, they do not…I must remember the necessity of humility, one of the most important qualities of integrity. For others to be motivated by my character my personality cannot be tainted by arrogance or else I fail to be relatable.

Chelsea CiekerMidpark High SchoolI know who I am and who I want to become; I would like to be a role model for young children and a leader for those who need guidance. I find honesty, admiration, tenderness, and forgiveness in my soul for all.

Matthew LoganPadua Franciscan High SchoolThe mentality one must keep to truly achieve excellence is not to outdo or outrank another but rather to do honorably, wholeheartedly, and virtuously for another.

Alexandra MooneyBeaumont SchoolI know I was placed carefully on this earth to act in the benefit of others, but in what way exactly remains ambiguous. I dream of the day when I will rise and shake the hands of the morning sun in confidence, having uncovered how to best invest one of my passions for the servitude of others.

Abby ThayerRiverside High SchoolI firmly believe that having good integrity and character is something that can prove to be much more important than a specific talent or intelligence. Very few people choose to consistently exhibit good character, but I strive to be one of those people.

Noam PolsterFuchs Mizrachi of ClevelandI learned that the lessons and values that I tried so persistently to pass on to my teammates extended off the soccer field and to the rest of life…this soccer season was filled with losses [however]…the drive and passion that I have to influence others to become people of integrity is still burning inside me – and that is a victory.

Zahava Golda SchneiderBeatrice J. Stone Yavne High SchoolThere is a Jewish concept in Ethics of the Fathers that the good name a person makes for himself is the most prestigious “crown” a person can have. If integrity is what my name is, and if integrity is what I am respected for, then to me, that is the most regal crown I could ever hope to wear.

Megan SeamanSaint Joseph AcademyI never consider whether or not a choice is popular, because it doesn’t matter to me. While it is easy to not say anything, I choose to speak up because I value the truth…upholding my character and that of others is far more important, and it is this principle that guides my actions and decisions.

Megan SteinmetzBerea High SchoolI have adopted three philosophies to ensure I treat every human with the respect he deserves: 1. Recognize that there is no person who is not valuable; 2. Ask questions; 3. Take an active approach to right injustices. I believe that if I follow these guidelines, I will be taking full advantage of the life I have.

Lauren RothLou Tekavcic Rhonda Whitelock

Accredited Business ServicesLaura FitzgeraldJanice LightnerJan Stagneth

Honorable Mention

We all have our inner Hulks. We all possess giant grotesque monsters with an anger management problem. When I think of a person with great character, I think of that person as someone who successfully controls that horrible green giant from his life and managed to free himself from its ten ton weight load. And to free oneself from the weight of the world is to truly have character. Somehow, I want to say character is instilled upon us as a child. Years of learning to tame the monster within every time I yearned to sneak candy in the middle of the night or refused to share one of my favorite toys has in turn taught me subconsciously that I love how it feels to give to others and in a nutshell, quell the inner monster. It is hard to pinpoint exactly which events in my lifetime influenced my empathy or my eagerness to absorb all the knowledge in the world, but I do know how it has affected my life today. I truly believe that empathy is the key to all relationships and above all other aspects of character I value it the most. Although many traits affect my interactions with others, I believe that empathy has affected my lifestyle and actions today. My definition of empathy is that it is the ability to put myself sincerely in another’s situation, no matter how extreme or unreasonable it may seem. This, I feel, has helped me to get along well with, give advice to, and happily spend my energy aiding others. I have found the people I appreciate the most are the people who can understand my point of view, and I often hope that others are positively affected by what I have to offer. Hopefully, I can convey that empathy, along with other aspects of upstanding character, is an important and valuable thing to possess in order to truly undergo all the various experiences offered in this world. There are many ways one can teach another, but to me leading by example has always worked tremendously well. Surrounded by loving parents, understanding teachers, and remarkably kind friends has had its hand in influencing my mindset and behavior. Role models inspire others and give them the compassion they need to achieve all that they desire to achieve. I plan to provide as positive of an example as possible for others around me. Empathy, as well as respect, trustworthiness and other conducts of integrity, is a wonderful contribution to becoming a leader in a community and in getting along with others in general.

“I truly believe that empathy

is the key to all relationships and above all other

aspects of charac-ter I value it the most. Although

many traits affect my interactions with others, I

believe empathy has affected my lifestyle and ac-

tions today.”

A Special Thank You

Students of Integrity Judges:Terry Bishop, Dominion FoundationEarl Spurgin, John Carroll University

Jay Seaton, Apprisen/CCCS

Annual Meeting Table Sponsors: Benesch

Choice Relocation ManagementDollar Bank

Marshall Carpet OneVoice Pro

Supporters

SponsorsHonoree

Mentor High School

Rachel Tan

Annual Meeting Sponsor:

Congratulations to these outstanding high school seniors who were chosen to represent their schools in the

Students of Integrity competition

Zachary Adkins Edgewood High School Lucas Altstadt Olmsted Falls High School Elliot Angart Beachwood High School Michael Blake St. Ignatius High School Emily Bosley Wellington High School Elizabeth Cadorette Ledgemont High School Chelsea Cieker Midpark High School Olivia Dozier Garrett Morgan Campus Michael Durda North Ridgeville High School Mercedes Engle Saint Martin de Porres High School Melissa Gairing Strongsville High School Stacey Georgopoulos Brecksville-Broadview Heights HS Shombraya Goodman Maple Heights High School Claire Grgic Lake Catholic High School Dairian Heard John Hay Campus - Early College Jonathon Henry Horizon Science Academy James Holodnak North Royalton High School Harley Katz Ashtabula County Joint Vocational Grace Kelemen Kirtland High School Emily Kosuda Garfield Heights High School Rachel Krause Open Door Christian Schools Matthew Logan Padua Franciscan High School Alexandra Mooney Beaumont School Samantha Morford Jefferson Area High School Madeline Newcomb Midview High School Noam Polster Fuchs Mizrachi of Cleveland Melissa Prax Grand Valley High School Brianna Razzante Solon High School Zahava Schneider Beatrice J. Stone Yavne High School Megan Seaman St. Joseph Academy Stephanie Sprouse Brooklyn High School Megan Steinmetz Berea High School Rachel Tan Mentor High School Abby Thayer Riverside High School David Thomas Grand River Academy Kyle Thomas Success Tech Academy Shay Trotter Madison High School Garrhett Via Geneva High School Renee West Whitney M. Young High School

“What does integrity mean?” As I looked down, I saw that these words came from an eleven-year-old boy named Alex. Although he was only looking for a simple definition, I could not force the words out. In fact, I was not even able to make a single sound. As his big brown eyes looked up at me, I had to look away. To him, I was the coolest person in the world; I was “his dude.” How difficult was it for me to give a basic explanation of the word? I felt as though I had disappointed him, and he no longer thought I was special. It was then I realized that integrity is not just what you say, but more importantly, it is how you act each and every day. In my life, I have been shaped by people whom I consider special: my friends, family, and teachers. It is these people who have encouraged me to be myself and step out of my comfort zone. As a

prominent activist and Brown University graduate Cedric Jennings once said, “Human beings are like tea bags, they don’t know their own strength until they’re in hot water.” For me, this is especially true. When I am stretched beyond my limits, I find truths about myself that I did not previously know. It is in these moments that my character is developed. When I was young, I never pictured myself having lunch in a homeless shelter. Sometimes, it is just how the cards are

dealt, and I must deal with it. I had only begun to think this way because of my friend Howard. Only several weeks ago, I met him at the West Side Catholic Center during lunch. Howard was completely honest with me, and described the horrors of his life in prison and on the streets. The story of his struggles nearly broke me down, and I realized how meaningful life is. For this reason, I have come upon service, and it has enveloped my life. When I talk to men like Howard, they teach me the important things in life: passion, determination, and sincerity. Because of him, I now know that I must have goals to live a well-rounded life. As a result, my new goal is to become a better person and lead others to do the same. The only way to encourage others to change is to change myself. If I am a truly sincere person, I can be a role model for others. Even though I may not revolutionize the word, I will strive to improve the life of one person so they can be “the dude” for someone else.

“When I was young, I never pictured myself having

lunch in a homeless shelter. Sometimes, it is just how the cards are dealt, and I

must deal with it. I had only begun to think this way be-cause of my friend Howard.”

Michael BlakeSt. Ignatius High

SchoolHonoree

“Thank you again. We got Kaya’s report card in the mail today and she did manage to bring up her math grade – such a relief!” Emails from the seventh grader’s grandmother evolved over time, her tone going from struggling and worried – completely unsure of her granddaughter’s future—to confident, overflowing with gratitude. Since I began working with Kaya she had undergone a massive transformation. When we were

first introduced, she had social problems, struggles to keep up with her homework, and was faced with the prospect of not passing middle school. Her guidance counselor had mentioned her to me; I was willing to meet her and do my best to tutor her. I had been warned prior to our first meeting that she would be tough because of her attention problems. She lived up to those expectations, talking back to me and refusing to do work. On my way home, I was overwhelmed. I did not think I could do it; the challenge

of handling her daily seemed impossible. I was intimidated by the prospect of her academic success being my responsibility, but I knew that I had no choice but to continue to see her—I had promised to try. Day after day, Kaya and I met at her kitchen table. After each session, I wrote a review of the lessons I planned and how much we had completed to send to her grandmother and teachers. On the bad days, I struggled to find positive things to write. I was always honest with her guardians and did my best to see every session as a fresh start. She fought me often, but I was patient. Together we battled difficult math problems, tedious workbook assignments, and trying chapter books. Occasionally, she even opened up to me enough to share her emotional struggles. I counseled her through confrontations with mean girls. We talked about her home life and the bullying she endured. I listened, always doing my best to extend a helping hand and an open ear. My experience as a tutor and mentor has proven to me what an important role my character plays. Because I was faithful to her, we developed the relationship we share today and she was able to overcome her issues in school. As a result of the consistency and routine we formed, academics became much easier for Kaya; success was predictable. I learned humility, forgiveness, and perseverance from my time with her. Because I respected the commitment I made, I was able to make a huge difference for her by helping her to turn her life around. Inspired by my experience, my sister now talks about being a teacher herself. I am most proud of the fact that my integrity had an impact on another young person, and I believe that my story is an inspiring example of the power of character. Often, the best displays of character offer no tangible reward and are made worthwhile by the satisfaction gained by making a positive change.

Grace Kelemen

“My experience as a tutor and mentor has proven to me what an important role my character

plays.”

Kirtland High School

We were approaching each other. She was with another girl and I was alone. I could feel my heart beating. The history between us proved that we did not like each other. As they passed me, they snickered and began to whisper. Not knowing why, I stopped and snobbishly said, “What’s funny?” At that moment she started screaming at me and I did the same to her. Things began to climax when she came charging towards me. I did the same, but we both were held back by our friends. That was the day I let my character slip away for the friendship of three girls. Sophomore year of high school, I began to associate myself with this group of girls. People did not like these girls because they were mean and conducted themselves as if they were better than everyone else. I was always seen as a “good girl” because I was trustworthy, excelled in school and exuded confidence. However, I did not want this to be the case anymore, which is why I decided to be friends with them. I wanted to be like them so my parents, teachers, and other adults in my life would stop expecting me to always do so well. As a result of associating with these girls, I was suspended from school for the first time in my school career. I thought these girls were my friends; however they did not want the best for me. And it took me almost being asked to leave school for me to realize that my behavior was not like me. My junior year of high school, I was determined to turn my life around and show who Mercedes Engle really was. I began to volunteer and join school clubs, which let my real character prevail. With the Campus Ministry department at my school, I went on Labre, which is when you make and deliver food to homeless people and develop friendships with them at the same time. It was the most humbling experience of my life. It helped me realize that being of service to others is what life is about. I proved that I had character and that I possessed characteristics of a leader. My character is something I am grateful for because it was the very thing that saved me from being asked to leave Saint Martin just as every one of those girls from sophomore year was. There are students who look to me as an example of how to be a person of character and integrity. I want them not to be like me but to be better. I will motivate others to join me in advocating for personal character and integrity by furthering my leadership skills. I will continue to take on significant responsibilities in my extracurricular activities. I will be confident and have the courage to not follow the crowd. My goal is to show others that we need more leaders and hopefully when they see me stepping up they will be inspired and do the same. I want others to see my character and how it has helped me become who I am, so they can take pride in their character to better themselves as I did.

Mercedes

“There are students who look to me as an example of how to be a person of character and integrity. I want them not to be like

me but to be better.”

Saint Martin De Porres High School Honoree Honoree

Engle