Queen And King Selected For Light Up Lakewood 2017

Congratulations to Greg Medley and Erin Black for being named Light Up Lakewood 2017 King and Queen!

Lakewood High School Juniors Erin Black and Greg Medley Honored December 2

It’s good to be queen and king of Lakewood’s signature holiday community event.  LakewoodAlive announces that Lakewood High School juniors Erin Black and Greg Medley were named Queen and King for Light Up Lakewood 2017 sponsored by First Federal Lakewood. 

Students chosen for this honor have demonstrated their love for Lakewood through providing outstanding service to the community. In addition to reigning over the Light Up Lakewood Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 2, Erin and Greg were both awarded $500 scholarships courtesy of Plantation Home in Downtown Lakewood. Both winners have agreed to provide at least 24 hours of service to the community during the coming year.

This is the sixth year that David Stein, owner of Plantation Home and Cotton, and President of the Downtown Lakewood Business Alliance, has sponsored the scholarship. Stein states, “It’s an honor for us to encourage the youth of our community, and to thank them for their commitment to volunteerism.”

Erin and Greg received their checks and sashes at Plantation Home on December 2 and were later crowned by the 2016 Queen and King, Sarah Bene and Abe Dalisky, during the Lighting Ceremony taking place as part of Light Up Lakewood 2017.

A Message from Queen Erin Black
“I have been so positively blessed with the experience of growing up in Lakewood – such a friendly, vibrant community. In my personal struggle against Charcot Marie Tooth Disease, a neurological nerve disease affecting the mobility of my legs and wrists, the outpouring of support has left me appreciating the true closeness of our community. Everyone has gone above and beyond to help me cope with my disability, and fundraised money toward the Charcot Marie Tooth Association (an amazing international organization providing hope and research for a cure to this genetic disease). When I am not raising awareness about my personal struggle, I love volunteering through H2O (Help To Others) and other local organizations such as Youth Challenge. The music program, such as choir and band, at Lakewood High has provided me with incredible people and experiences that have also helped shape who I am. I am so thankful to have grown up in this extraordinary community!”

 A Message from King Greg Medley
“It’s been a goal and aspiration to put as much time as possible into giving back to the community – which has always been so loving and welcoming. I’ve volunteered with H2O through preparing meals at the Great Cleveland Food Bank, cooking dinner for residents at the Ronald McDonald House, set up for Pumpkin Palooza, delivering groceries to senior citizens at the Westerly Apartments and delivering Thanksgiving meals to less fortunate Lakewood residents. I‘ve remained dedicated to H2O and have since become a member of the H2O Committee and a peer mentor for the Middle School Leadership Program. My main focus has been on hunger relief and providing a positive atmosphere where I’m able to influence peers at the middle schools to continue their involvement in the community. I’ve also been involved with Club Identity, which provides a safe space for LGBT members and allies, and focuses on preventative actions to end bullying along with analyzing ways schools can be more LGBT inclusive. My involvement with H2O and Club Identity has opened my heart and shaped me into a better person – for that, I am truly grateful.”

For more information regarding Light Up Lakewood 2017, please visit LakewoodAlive.org/LightUpLakewood.

Light Up Lakewood was generously supported by the following sponsors:

Title, Fireworks & Pedicab Sponsor
First Federal Lakewood

Snowflake Sponsor
City of Lakewood

Lighting Sponsor
Lakewood City Center

Sparkle Sponsors
Convey360 | Cleveland Clinic Lakewood | Lakewood Anglican Church | Roundstone Insurance

Photo Booth Sponsor
Eric Lowrey, Berkshire Hathaway/Lucien Realty

King and Queen Scholarship Sponsor
Plantation Home

Jingle Sponsors
Lakewood Catholic Academy | Ohio Savings Bank | Plantation Home | The University of Akron, School of Social Work, Lakewood Campus

Twinkle Sponsors
Beck Center for the Arts | Cox Communications | Dewey's Pizza | Dollar Bank

Matt Bixenstine is the Marketing & Development Manager for LakewoodAlive. He enjoys all things Lakewood, especially walking his basset hound through Madison Park.