Veteran and Lifelong Resident
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Dr. George Vourlojianis
George, a lifelong resident of Beachwood graduated from Beachwood High School in 1966. He then attended and earned his BA from John Carroll University. Upon graduation from JCU, George was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Army. His Service took him to Ft. Hood, Texas and Europe. After the Army, he received a Master of Arts Degree from JCU and his PHD from Kent State University. Dr. Vourlojianis’s specialty is nineteenth Century US History with a concentration in Civil War and Slavery Controversy. George was the Senior Historian and Acting Dean of Social Sciences at Lorain County Community College. He retired from this position and went on to teaching at JCU. Since 1997, he has taught US Military History at his alma mater. In addition, he was inducted into the JCU ROTC Hall of Fame. He has received four Teaching Awards. George is an active member with the American Legion of Veterans Affairs. He is a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Cuyahoga County Sailors and Soldiers Monument. Dr. Vourlojianis has written two books about Ohio’s rich military history. He conducts Tours of Gettysburg. He lives in Beachwood with his lovely wife Sally. |
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Paula Rollins has integrated herself into the fabric of Beachwood all the decades of her life. As a resident of Beachwood for almost 60 years, she has championed the school district’s and city’s causes in so many ways. Her dedication to improve and enhance the Beachwood community exemplifies the qualities of a Hometown Hero.
Since 2018, Paula has served as president of Beachwood Arts Council, a 60-year-old non-profit organization that nurtures, promotes, and celebrates the visual and performing arts in northeast Ohio. Also, since 2003, she has been the coordinator of Beachwood High School’s Gallery of Success, an honor roll of alumni selected and celebrated because of their extraordinary accomplishments. In 2013, Paula was recognized as Beachwood Chamber of Commerce’s “Citizen of the Year,” a result of her strong civic support for our schools, community, and city. Over the years, she has served as PTA president for 10 years and has contributed her leadership to countless committees and organizations, including Beachwood Schools Foundation, Beachwood Citizens for Quality Schools, Beachwood Boosters, Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) Coalition of the Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau, and many scholarship, advisory, and staff search committees. Additionally, Paula was a founding member and trustee of the Beachwood Alumni Association and the Beachwood Historical Society, and she assisted in many political campaigns throughout the years. A true community builder, Paula has brought people together in both big and small ways – from organizing annual block parties on Bernwood Road to orchestrating a heartfelt reunion for former Edgewood Road neighbors spanning decades and generations. She is also the head of her Beachwood High School Class of ’71 reunions and is the contact person for her classmates. Throughout the years, Paula has received numerous accolades for her service and dedication, including “Most Dedicated Parent to the Class of 2004,” Golden Achievement Awards for public relations excellence in support of Beachwood levy campaigns, Spinney Awards for educational excellence, Commemorative Bricks recognizing her service to the Beachwood Schools Foundation and PTA, and The Crystal Apple Award for extraordinary dedication to the Beachwood School District. Paula enjoys time spent with her family and friends, entertaining, and traveling the world. Her family includes her husband Mike, with whom she has been married for 50 years, her daughter Lauren, and her son Gregg, daughter-in-law Jill, and grandchildren, Miles, Ollie, and Logan. |
Resident and Hero-Paula Rollins |
Crystal Apple Winners/Master Teachers
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Mia Kovalsky
Mia is a Special Ed Parapro for Beachwood City Schools. As a teacher and caregiver, she makes sure that the educational, emotional and medical needs of her students are met. Mia has been given the nickname of "Poppins" because of how much she cares about the children. She has been with the district since 2011. Dedication, willingness to share her expertise knowledge, warmth, commitment and student focus mindset describe Mia best. Mia loves her amazing coworkers too. She said that the custodians, transportation and the Board all work together to ensure that the needs of the students are being met. Mia has educated other students outside of her classroom and indirectly the entire Beachwood Community has been taught lessons about inclusiveness for all students. In addition to working for the Schools, Mia also is employed by the City of Beachwood's Community Services Department. Spending time with her friends and people are very important to Mia. Mia has touched many lives. She is a true people person and hero. 
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Robert Ristau
Robert Ristau is known for his infectious enthusiasm as a 6th Grade Science Teacher at Beachwood Middle School. His classroom provides a safe place of discovery and curiosity. He creates an environment where questions are encouraged and mistakes are a part of the learning process, a process that highlights both learning and learning how to learn. According to Tony Srithai, the Beachwood Middle School Principal, “Students feel valued and inspired. Robert also has a strong influence on teachers at the Middle School as well.” Besides teaching, Robert has been a football and tennis coach, Robotics Club Advisor and 6th Grade Team Leader. He has an unwavering commitment to nurture the minds of his students. His knowledge, teaching skills, his kindness, patience and genuine care for each student impacts the entire school community. Mr. Ristau is extremely grateful to be part of such a supportive community for over 22 years, allowing him to be forever be connected to Beachwood families. |
Karen Berger Williams
Karen has served Beachwood as a camp counselor, Executive Camp Director, an alumni, Intervention Specialist at BMS and a Crystal Apple recipient. Currently, Karen volunteers in the Beachwood community with her therapy dog, Rylie. Karen Berger Williams continues to make a difference in the lives of many Beachwood children.
Karen has served Beachwood as a camp counselor, Executive Camp Director, an alumni, Intervention Specialist at BMS and a Crystal Apple recipient. Currently, Karen volunteers in the Beachwood community with her therapy dog, Rylie. Karen Berger Williams continues to make a difference in the lives of many Beachwood children.
Doctor and Resident
Joseph Baskin is a forensic psychiatrist who grew up in Cleveland, returned here in 2010.
His wife, Revital graduated Beachwood High School.
In 2019, Joseph worked for the Cleveland Clinic specializing in suicide risk assessment.
A year prior saw multiple deaths at the Cuyahoga County Jail and an investigation by the
US Marshals service.
MetroHealth took over the jail contract in April 2019 and Joseph reached out to them to be a
part of their plan. He began working at the jail in August 2019 as a psychiatrist and became
medical director in October 2020.
The jail is a pre-trial detention facility housing up to 1600 inmates, many of whom suffer from
mental illness. Mental health clinicians at the jail quickly identify the population Joseph calls
the "but for" folks. But for their mental illness, they might not be in jail.
Working closely with the courts and their exceptional liaison, Lottie Gray, mental health helped facilitate
the appropriate disposition of myriad individuals who passed through the system - whether diversion to a
community mental health system, an outside hospital, prison (if convicted) or Northcoast Behavioral Health,
the designated forensic facility for Northeast Ohio.
In his spare time, Joseph is married, has four children, two dogs, and writes thriller novels available on Amazon.
Firefighter of the Year-
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Chief Holtzman presented Firefighter Ben Welsh with the Firefighter of the Year Award.
Ben sets the standard for what it means to be a Beachwood Firefighter. He brings great knowledge, strong work ethic, and always leads by example with a good attitude. FF Welsh constantly puts others before himself, and is a true asset to the department and community.
He is truly dedicated as he serves as a SWAT Medic, department mentor, Social Media Committee Member, Union Executive Board Member, and
Interview Committee Member.
Ben is married to Alyssa and has a beautiful baby girl named Liv.
Congratulations! Well deserved, Ben! Thank you for your service!
Ben sets the standard for what it means to be a Beachwood Firefighter. He brings great knowledge, strong work ethic, and always leads by example with a good attitude. FF Welsh constantly puts others before himself, and is a true asset to the department and community.
He is truly dedicated as he serves as a SWAT Medic, department mentor, Social Media Committee Member, Union Executive Board Member, and
Interview Committee Member.
Ben is married to Alyssa and has a beautiful baby girl named Liv.
Congratulations! Well deserved, Ben! Thank you for your service!
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Officer Nolan Majewski is a true hero. As a first responder, police officers jump in immediately. He responded with an AED on a call for service. Officer Nolan’s quick actions and without hesitation helped to save a person’s life. Beachwood Fire Department arrived on the scene and transported the male to the hospital. The hospital acknowledged that it was because of the excellent pre-treatment care that was provided with the use of the AED by Officer Nolan, that the person is still with us today. Beachwood is so lucky to have First Responders like Officer Nolan. Nolan is married and has two lovely daughters. |
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Rosemary Nemeth
Rosemary, Pres. of Beachwood Historical Society promotes our City’s dynamic history by educating people of all ages. She loves sharing the collection of artifacts and telling the stories of our City’s past and present with residents and non-resident visitors. She has lived in our City for over 60 plus years. She remembers Beachwood as a village with farms, barns and apple trees. Her mission is to share Beachwood from when it was Beechwood Village to today Beachwood, one of the best cities to live in. Camp Director, Art and Science Teacher, Lifeguard, and Pickleball Monitor are some of the many jobs that Rosemary has done as part of the amazing Beachwood Recreation Department and Community Services. As Pres. of the Beachwood Historical Society, Rosemary wants to celebrate our City and its Residents by sponsoring Hometown Heroes,Veterans Day Ceremonies, Homes and Garden Tours and the Beachwood Garden Club. Rosemary has taught for over 43 years, is the Science Olympiad Coordinator for Gesu and John Carroll University. She has a passion for Archaeology and takes students and adults on “digs” every summer. She loves being connected to our history. Reading, Gardening and playing pickleball are some of the things that she also likes to do. "Famiglia" is very important to Rosemary. She has a loving husband and wonderful daughter Maria and son in law Andy. |
Beachwood Historical Society-Residents and Heroes-
Beachwood Archives and Veterans Day Ceremony |
Homes and Garden Tour and Beachwood Cemetery
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Jim Nemeth
James was a Data Base Administrator for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Ohio for 41 years. In addition, he always helps coordinate activities that the Beachwood Historical Society sponsors. In recent years, Jim was one of the members of the Beachwood’s Watershed Committee. Jim helped with the grass roots group that brought Pickleball to our City. He enjoys dinking and monitoring the Pickleball Games all year round. He helps coordinate the Beachwood Historical Society’s Pickleball Tournament as well. Jim loves to get new people on the court, serving, dinking and staying out of the kitchen.
Loving father to Maria, he helps his daughter as a volunteer with the Gliding Stars Skating of NEO for skaters with disabilities. Loving husband to Rosemary. Jim always is willing to help our City and offer service to those in need.
James was a Data Base Administrator for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Ohio for 41 years. In addition, he always helps coordinate activities that the Beachwood Historical Society sponsors. In recent years, Jim was one of the members of the Beachwood’s Watershed Committee. Jim helped with the grass roots group that brought Pickleball to our City. He enjoys dinking and monitoring the Pickleball Games all year round. He helps coordinate the Beachwood Historical Society’s Pickleball Tournament as well. Jim loves to get new people on the court, serving, dinking and staying out of the kitchen.
Loving father to Maria, he helps his daughter as a volunteer with the Gliding Stars Skating of NEO for skaters with disabilities. Loving husband to Rosemary. Jim always is willing to help our City and offer service to those in need.