The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Students to pay tribute to their superhero
Fifth-grade Drama Club students at Garfield Elementary School in Mentor are working on a musical production of “Superheroes: How to Interact with Human Beings.”
The purpose behind the musical is to pay tribute to Jacob Goss, a Garfield Elementary student who lost his battle with a rare brain cancer in 2016, and to raise $2,000 to assemble 50 backpacks for children at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.
The production of “Superheroes” is an effort to promote healing and closure for the students, staff and families of Garfield, said Julie Douglas, retired Mentor teacher and Garfield Drama Club adviser.
Douglas, a retired teacher, was Jacob’s firstgrade teacher when he initially was diagnosed with the cancer in 2012. She has returned to Garfield to help with the production.
“Jacob’s classmates viewed Jacob as a superhero ... Jacob’s fight is not over, but he needs your help to continue a legacy and message
The purpose behind the musical is to pay tribute to Jacob Goss, a Garfield Elementary student who lost his battle with a rare brain cancer in 2016, and to raise $2,000 to assemble 50 backpacks for children at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.
of never surrendering,” Douglas said.
In a partnership with Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, those involved with the “Superhero” production are working on developing a superhero-themed program to encourage other children who face the same struggles that Jacob did, Douglas said.
“I’m touched that they would do this for him and to teach others bravery,” said Heather Goss, Jacob’s mother.
“It’s touching that the school and the community still does things for him. He left a legacy behind with many people and touched more people than I am probably aware of.”
A $2,000 goal has been set for the partnership program between Rainbow Babies Children’s Hospital and the Garfield Drama Club.
The club is asking community businesses or members for a suggested $100 to $200 donation, which will list the contributor’s name as a donor in the productions program for both performances. A contribution of any amount will be appreciated, Douglas said.
Performances will be held April 21 and 22 at Memorial Middle School.
The April 21 performance is more centered toward the Garfield Elementary family, while the April 22 performance is for the entire community. Invitations for the Saturday performance will be sent out to City Council members, and to the police and firefighters who visited Jacob during his illness.
The doors open an hour prior to the start of the show on both days. There will be face painting, characters from Imaginos Productions, a remembering station with photos of Jacob, and an opportunity for guests to write out a memory of Jacob and list their superpower on a banner.
There also will be a Chinese auction at the performance for additional fundraising. Although the performance is free to attend, a $5 donation is suggested.
Any donations can be made payable by check to Garfield Elementary School and can be mailed to or dropped off at 7090 Hopkins Road, Mentor, OH 44060, attention: Drama Club.
Anyone wishing to donate baskets for the Chinese auctions can drop those off at the same location.
For additional questions about the performances or how to donate, contact Julie Douglas at kadoug@windstream.net.