Notable Alumni

Michael 'Buck' Harris - Class of '66

Activist. Advocate. Educator. Entertainer. Ahead of his time. Michael ‘Buck’ Harris made a difference in Ohio - and led the way nationally - for the LGBTQ community in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Buck’s involvement at LHS in student council as chair of the social committee, student recreation director, and prom chair would set the stage for what would be his life’s calling. After college, first at Cleveland State University and then Antioch College, followed by a stint in Maryland working and teaching on a farm, Buck made his way back to Cleveland. Buck’s professional career began in the late 70’s with training and speaking for Planned Parenthood and teaching sex education at the Cleveland Health Museum and CSU. He would introduce himself to the university classes as a ‘card-carrying homosexual’ and then proceed to educate them on what it meant. In 1984, Buck was appointed by Governor Dick Celeste to be the Ohio Gay Health Liaison, the first position of its kind in Ohio and possibly, the U.S. “At that time we did not have a roadmap, let alone a job description – just a destination: an informed gay community,” noted Governor Celeste. Buck was the right man at the right time for the job. Buck initiated a series of programs focused on HIV prevention, AIDS awareness, and safe sex in the gay community. He also worked with the ACT-UP organization in order to provide anonymous HIV testing to closeted gay men and women in Ohio. He made numerous appearances on Cleveland’s Morning Exchange show as well as TV and radio appearances around Ohio to raise awareness. Buck’s work was not well received by some, including former Governor James Rhodes who, in a bid for re-election, took out newspaper ads stating that his first act if elected would be to fire Buck Harris. Buck was not deterred by this or frequent death threats. He was chosen as the Grand Marshall of Cleveland’s first pride parade and was the first interim director and served on the board of the Cleveland LGBTQ Center, as well as a founding member of the Ohio AIDS Coalition. In 1993, Buck transitioned to entertainment as advocacy, creating his groundbreaking “The Gay 90’s” radio program, which was the very first commercial radio show in the country that focused on gay themes/issues. Despite attacks including a bomb threat on the night of his first show, he broadcast for 6 years on WHK and WERE and interviewed a broad spectrum of people, including celebrities, closeted gays and lesbians, parents of gay children and people with HIV/AIDs. In 1989, Buck and his husband, Mike O’Connor, became ‘urban pioneers’ when they moved into the Ohio City neighborhood and renovated a burned-out home on Bridge Ave. Buck organized a block club known as the Bridge Brigade and led neighbors to fight back against the area’s crime and blight, essentially igniting the renaissance of Ohio City which continues to this day. In 1999, Buck continued his commitment to the community with a dog-friendly restaurant endeavor, followed by a yoga studio. Buck died in 2018 at the age of 70 of complications from lung cancer. His memorial service, held at the Capitol Theatre in Gordon Square,featured local celebrities, entertainers and elected officials who gave moving tributes to Buck’s life of activism and advocacy. The Buck Harris Collection of artifacts, media and memorabilia is now housed and maintained at Cleveland State University. In support of Buck’s Hall of Fame nomination, Governor Celeste said, “Buck Harris was a public health pioneer and an unsung hero in the fight against AIDS in Ohio. He saved many Ohioans by his matchless work in the 1980’s.”

Elizabeth Roche - Class of '93

‘The will to prepare to win.’ This is the motto that described the years-long success and domination of the LHS Girls’ Cross-Country team under Coach Rick Ventura. LHS’ legacy of success in Cross-Country as well as Track and Field would not be where it is without the contributions of Elizabeth Roche. Coach Ventura called Liz, “the standard by which all future LHS runners will measure themselves,” and the 1992 LHS Cross Country record book described her as “the best runner in LHS history.” Lizzie set herself apart with hard work and determination that included training an average of 55 miles per week. Lizzie’s freshman year was a successful learning experience in which she earned top 10 runner status on the Cross-Country team. As a sophomore, she cut her time by over 2 minutes and moved to #1, with the team going 8-1 for Lake Erie League (LEL) dual meets and grabbing an 8 th straight LEL championship. Over the course of the 1990-1992 seasons, the accolades that Liz gathered included: 3 state meet appearances, #1 Runner on state teams in 1990 and 1991 (7 th and 5 th place finishes), All-Regional Team, All-District Team, Plain Dealer All-Scholastic Team, All-Sun Team, All-Sun MVR 1992, All-LEL, All-LEL MVR 1991 & 1992, LHS MVR, and Plain Dealer Player of the Week. Her 5th place finish at the Ohio State Meet was the 2 nd fastest time by an LHS runner and she holds the LHS school record in Cross-Country for the 5K at 18:53. She held the LHS Edgewater home course record as well. As a 4-year letter Senior and Co-Captain, she led the team to another LEL championship with a 6-0 dual meet season and individually qualified for the State meet where she earned All-Ohio honors with her 14 th place finish at States. In Track and Field, where ‘Every Day [was] a Great Day’, Liz experienced similar success, running everything from 400-3200M. During her four years, her accomplishments included: 4 letters, All-LEL 1992 & 1993 (undefeated in the 800M/1600M), 1992 & 1993 District Meet Champion 800M/1600M with a record in the 1993 1600M at 5:10, LEL 800M/1600M Champion, 1992 Regional Meet Champion 800M, 1992

State Meet 3 rd place 800M in 2:17.07 (personal best), anchored the 4 x 1600 relay to a school record (twice) Her awards included the 1993 Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award, presented every year to the athlete who has been most outstanding in their efforts to promote sportsmanship in the school and community, 1992 LHS Most Valuable Track and Field Athlete and the 1992 LHS Athlete of the Year – the only Junior in LHS History to win the award. Her success at LHS was followed by a full scholarship offer to run Track and Cross Country at Ohio University, where she lettered every season. Lizzie was instrumental in her OU’s MAC Cross Country championship. With a BFA in Art History, Liz started her career at the Cleveland Museum of Art as Assistant to the Artistic Director in the Department of Community Arts and made her mark as Production Assistant for Parade the Circle, Chalk Festival, Winter Lights Festival and many other

successful community art events in Cleveland and abroad. Liz decided to change career direction and in 2020 earned her B.S. in Nursing from Cleveland State University. She currently works at Metrohealth Hospital in Oncology and as well as with Hospice of The Western Reserve Ames

Family Hospice House in Westlake. Liz lives in Lakewood with her husband Stephen, and their three children, Helen (18), Lillian (11), and Olive (8) all of whom attend Lakewood City Schools. She still runs when she is able to and says, “I still love running more than any other activity... nothing hurts more than running but nothing makes me feel quite as good and grateful as

running.”

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