VASJ student interns with City of Euclid

VASJ junior Harrison McCreight is an aspiring politician so when he was deciding how to spend his summer, he was hoping to find a job that would provide him with valuable experience in local government.

“I have always been interested in local politics and national politics and that type of thing,” Harrison says. “At one time I had the ambition to be President of the United States, but personally, I would like to stay here. I have more of a personal connection with Euclid since I’ve lived here my entire life.”

After receiving advice from VASJ President Bill Cervenik ’72, who previously served as mayor of Euclid for 12 years, Harrison sent letters of recommendation to mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail ’85 (also a graduate of VASJ) and was able to secure a summer internship with the City of Euclid.

“I told her I wanted to work primarily with her because I am interested in the mayorship as I have ambitions to take her job one day,” Harrison says. “I did mention that I kind of wanted to see the big picture of what it’s like working for the government.”

Harrison started interning with the city in mid-July and ended with the start of the school year in mid-August. He spent time shadowing with Mayor Gail, several of her directors, and spent a day observing criminal court.

“It was a delight to have Harrison work with us over the summer,” Gail says. “He demonstrated great energy, intellect, and passion for learning about government and our community. Harrison is a great representation of VASJ and I have no doubt he will go on to serve our community in a positive way in the near future.”

One project Harrison had the opportunity to work on was the making of a video to promote the Euclid Historical Society Museum. Given that he is camera shy, it was something he never saw himself doing. But knowing a good opportunity when he sees it, Harrison did it anyway.

“It sounded like a project I really wanted to be a part of,” Harrison says.



Under the direction of Matt Mizak, Euclid’s community programming specialist, Harrison and Evan Botzki, a Euclid High School student, wrote the script, recited the script on camera, and edited the video footage.

Watch the video here.

The project pushed Harrison outside of his comfort zone and helped him grow as a person.

“I gained a little bit more self-confidence,” Harrison says. “I’ve broken out of my shell a little bit more.”

Another exciting project Harrison was able to take part in was the designing of a new city flag for Euclid. He helped design nearly 15 different flags before asking for feedback from city members.

“I did a survey in the Euclid Public Library about what design of flag the people there liked best.”

The flag project is still in the works but Harrison is excited about the design of the flag which received the most votes.

He will never forget his summer working with the city of Euclid and the valuable experience he gained there.

“It was definitely worth my time,” Harrison says. “I wanted to gain a more cohesive idea of what local government is all about and if I really wanted to get into it. I have proven to myself that I would actually really like to be a part of it.”

He is gaining government experience during his time at VASJ and has already participated in one election when he ran for class secretary at the end of last year. He distributed “Vote Harry for Secretary” buttons to students, faculty, and staff, and was the only person to have professionally printed campaign materials made.

He won the election.

“I’m thinking of saving them so If I ever get to the presidency I can say this was the first election I ever won,” Harrison says.

He plans to run for the Junior Class President as well as Student Council Secretary.

Harrison is also involved with AV Club, Student Ambassadors, National Honor Society, Board Game Club, a member of the varsity Bowling team, and recently started a book club at the school.

He is taking AP Government this year: A natural choice for an aspiring politician.

As for his path to his political career, he has it all figured out.

“I plan to go to college, The Ohio State University is my top choice, become a history teacher, move back to Euclid, teach at VASJ, run for city council, get into city council, and then run for Mayor.”

Cervenik commends Harrison for his desire to pursue a career in public service.

“I’m personally very happy that he wants to go into public service,” Cervenik says. “It’s a wonderful, honorable career to choose and we need people of his quality, commitment, and integrity.”