This is the big year for Beachwood. The city turns 100 and the City Recreation Department is holding events every month.

“[The residents] are very proud of their community,” Community Service Director Karen Carmen said.

There will be events such as Olaf’s summer splash, which is an event full of games, crafts, and swimming on Sunday June 28th for children 3 to 7. Another event will be the swim under the stars. This is an opportunity for people to swim at the Beachwood Family Aquatic Center after hours. There will also be a summer concert series at the Beachwood pool and the community center.

The Beachwood Historical Society is holding its first inaugural bicycle tour.

“They’re going to historical places on June 28, and if you can’t ride a bike, don’t have a bike or don’t want to bike, there is a driving and a bus tour available too,” Carmen said.

Along with all of these events, Beachwood’s  junior achievement marketing class had the task of selling 6.5 foot fiberglass leaves to local businesses and businesses around Cleveland. Some of these companies include American Greetings, Beachwood Place, Cleveland Clinic and many more.

“We pitched to major businesses in Beachwood and Cleveland,” wrote senior Lexi Stovsky, who is co-CEO of the junior achievement marketing class.

“The 100 leaves project was extraordinarily successful,” marketing teacher Greg Perry said. “We’re so happy that we’re able to work  in conjunction with the City of Beachwood for their centennial celebration.”

The students sold 37 leaf sculptures in total. Apart from these sculptures, the students sold living beech trees.

“[They] will be planted on school grounds later in 2015,” Perry said.

The trees are expected to live for 200 to 300 years. Perry explained that they will add economic and environmental benefits to the city.

“[The weekend of May 2-3] is the major event showcasing the 100 leaves project and the six foot tall beech leaves,” wrote Stovsky, “It is also a birthday party for the city.”

Even younger Beachwood students participated in the celebration.

“Because these leaves were more expensive than an average person could [afford], almost all the Beachwood school children designed a [paper] leaf and those are being hung on display in the community room along with the fiberglass ones,” Carmen said.

All involved seem to feel that the celebration is about bringing the community together and celebrating the City of Beachwood. It is about embracing the past and looking to the future.

“There is a major focus on creating a citywide environment…come and see everything that Beachwood has to offer,” wrote Stovsky.