SHHS students and staff filled the Large Auditorium for the 47th year in a row to welcome 20 exchange students from Goslar during 10th period on Oct. 3.
Shaker Heights High School’s student exchange program with its sister school in Goslar, Germany is the oldest consecutive exchange program between Germany and the U.S., dating back to 1978. Each June, SHHS students head to Goslar for almost a month, and each fall, students from Goslar arrive at Shaker Heights.
The assembly started with performances by the SHHS Drumline, Raiderettes and Cheerleaders, followed by The Chanticleers singing of the Star Spangled Banner, and then a video presentation of The National Anthem of Germany.
Principal Isaiah Wyatt then greeted the exchange students in both languages. “Welcome and Guten tag,” he said.
Shaker Heights City Council Woman Nancy Moore and Chief Administrative Officer Matthew Carroll then presented the Goslar exchange students with gift bags containing SHHS merchandise.
German exchange student and SHHS Senior Ossi Uwaifo introduced the remaining international students, including those from Germany and Spain who are not part of the Goslar exchange.
The assembly also featured the 2025 Goslar Commemorative Video, introduced by its creator, SHHS senior Shay Malone.
“The commemorative video we play is a good representation of what we do on the trip, the differences in culture, and our experiences while in Goslar,” senior host student Gus Grey said.
The assembly concluded with the Chanticleers performing “Roar,” closing comments by senior Kelsey Rogers and senior Jacob Wackers, and recessional music by the Drumline and Raiderettes.
German teacher and IB Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge teacher Keith Szalay said the assembly has been student run for more than 25 years. “The kids work to highlight some of the unique programs and talents that we have to offer here in Shaker,” Szalay said.
Grey, who participated in the exchange program to Goslar over the summer, said the experience prepared him for future independence. “Goslar is a smaller city, so we got to experience everything that’s there and really get accustomed to living German life, which has now prepared me for new experiences later in my life where I’ll be on my own and more independent,” he said.
Goslar exchange student Jorin Kick, who is hosted by Grey, talked about activities he looks forward to. “I’m excited to visit games, like football or baseball. Yesterday we went to the Guardians game, and it was very cool. The sportsmanship in America is very nice,” he said.
Grey talked about trying to show his exchange partner what makes the Shaker Heights community special.
Grey’s goal now is to show Kick what makes the Shaker Heights community unique. “My goal is to show Jorin what goes on culturally in America and also what makes Shaker specifically special because that’s something they did with us while we were in Goslar,” he said.
Said Kick, “At my school, we’re very happy and proud to do this exchange.”
