External Activities and Awards

SGORR has been recognized for many accomplishments and various awards over the past decade:

• Members of the Shaker Heights High School's Student Group on Race Relations (SGORR) have appeared at sold-out City Club Forums in 2000 and 2001. Their presentation, modeled after SGORR's work in elementary school classrooms in Shaker, was initiated by the City Club's youth advisory group, which brings in speakers for high school audiences. SGORR's March 2000 presentation marked the first time students have addressed the forum to which several area high schools are invited. Most of the other invited schools are in the early stages of addressing diversity issues and have responded overwhelmingly to the program. The 2001 program was presented with support from Bellefaire-JCB.
• In 1999, SGORR and member students were featured in a one-hour national television special, "Opening the Door to Diversity," produced by Court TV in partnership with the National Middle School Association, the Anti-Defamation League, and the US Department of Justice.
• In 1997, SGORR figured prominently in "The Struggle for Integration," a PBS documentary produced by Shaker alumnus Stuart Math. Mr. Math also produced a separte video and curriculum guide ("Building Bridges") for schools wishing to replicate SGORR. Each of the several times the program has aired on public television, Shaker has received numerous calls from communities all over the country for more information about starting local groups.
• SGORR has been replicated in dozens of schools throughout the United States (including Ann Arbor, Michigan; Cincinnati, Ohio; and at the collegiate level at John Carroll University in Ohio) and adopted by adult organizations such as the National Conference for Community and Justice, the League of Women Voters, and the Shaker Heights Parents Teacher Orginization. It has been used as the basis for activities to further understanding among Israeli and Palestinian youth in Israel.
• SGORR was the motivating influence behind the creation of "It's Your Move," the widely praised human relations program sponsored by the National Conference.
• In 1998, to accommodate the growing number of request for presentations to community and adult groups outside of the Shaker schools, SGORR formed a special outreach committee.
• SGORR has been recognized for its work both within Shaker Heights and externally with a special citation from the Shaker Heights Human Relations Commission; the Ohio Governor's Youth Award for Peace; and four nominations for the American Jewish Committee's Isaiah Award.