Beverly Kerecman

Beverly Haru Hashiguchi was born in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Kent State University. Beverly continued her formal education to earn a Master of Science in Reading and Literacy and an Educational Specialist Degree in Teacher Leadership at Walden University.

Beverly’s grandparents immigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s with dreams of a good life in a new land. Her father, Mitsuo Hashiguchi’s family lived in Los Angeles and had a small restaurant. Her mother, Eva Yoshida’s family had a farm in Clarksburg, California. Both families were incarcerated in the Internment camps in the deserts of the United States during World War II. The families’ California homes and businesses were taken away, so with other displaced Japanese Americans they settled in the Cleveland area. Beverly’s parents met while in the Cleveland Nisei Tennis Club. Growing up in the Midwest as a Japanese American after World War II provided some unique challenges. Due to the social climate, the Japanese Americans formed their own social, sport, philanthropic, and religious organizations. Being good Americans was always prioritized in the family. The family only spoke English and strived to excel in all areas while becoming exemplary citizens.

Beverly joined the ShoJoJi Japanese Dancers during her youth. About a decade earlier, the dance group was formed by Dolly Semonco when asked to perform at the Cleveland Public Library. Linda Omura and Yoshiko Baker soon joined Dolly. These three talented women from Japan remained as the core Japanese dance instructors. The dance group is sponsored by the Japanese American Citizens League – Cleveland Chapter. Over the decades many people have volunteered in a variety of ways to have the ShoJoJi Japanese Dancers continue their mission to preserve the art of Japanese dance. During Bev’s college years, she and Nanci Taketa assumed leading the ShoJoJi Japanese Dancers.

Since 1945, the Cleveland Buddhist Church held Obon services which included folk dancing. The annual Obon event honors our families and our ancestors. Last year, Beverly coordinated the Obon Festival of Cleveland by assembling the ShoJoJi Japanese Dancers, the Cleveland Japanese American Citizens League and the Cleveland Japanese American Foundation as sponsors.

Beverly served as an officer for the Cleveland Japanese American Citizens League, JACL, and the Junior Japanese American Citizens League. Experiences with these organizations include organizing workshops and speakers about the World War II Internment Camps, working for civil and human rights, organizing social events for the youth, and creating programs for the Japanese American community. She was a contributing writer for the JACL Newsletter. She has volunteered for the Cleveland Internation Film Festival. She is currently the President of the Cleveland Asian Retired Persons and serves on the Scholarship Committee of the JACL.

Beverly’s profession is an intervention specialist. She has retired from teaching students from preschool to high school in the Mayfield City Schools and the Shaker Heights School System. Beverly has been an adjunct at Notre Dame College for 10 years, instructing the next generation of teachers. She has consulted and trained teachers in Phonics in Motion, a reading curriculum created by Dr. Terry Kindervater. Professional awards and accomplishments include National Board-Certified Teacher, officer of the Ohio Chapter of the Council of Exceptional Children, presenting at the National Martha Holding Jennings Scholar, Mayfield Education Association Honor, and Ohio Council of Economic Education Award. She continues to work with teachers, paraprofessionals, and students.

Beverly and her husband, Mark, are proud parents of David, Michael, and Kathleen Kerecman and are blessed to love five grandchildren.

Beverly was fortunate to work with teams of wonderful people. She learned from outstanding individuals who modeled community work. She stands on the works of others.

Beverly was inducted by OCAGC President Lisa Wong

Watch a video of the speeches.

Congratulations Beverly