Euclid Alumni Take 5 with Marcus Epps '03

Marcus Epps, Euclid High School 2003 graduate and Euclid City Councilman, Ward 3.

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Marcus Epps is a fourth generation Euclidean with a unique family history here in Euclid. He is raising his children in Ward 3 (the area generally south and east of Rt. 2/I-90, Babbitt Road and Beverly Hills Drive), where he grew up for the most part, and now owns his home. Epps is not only an alumnus of Euclid High School, he is the proud father of three Euclid students today. He is a business owner, business broker, licensed insurance agent in the State of Ohio, and most recently was elected to Euclid City Council to represent Ward 3. For the last decade, Epps has fought for fiscal responsibility and better policy that serves and benefits all Euclid residents equally. He is frequently asked, "Why politics?" Epps reply, "Service is my mission, and I am committed to bringing Euclid back."

Where did you grow up in Euclid?
I grew up all over Euclid, but mainly in the current Ward 3 area. Back then, in the winter, it was a great day if we could go spend it at the hill behind McDonald's at the corner of Euclid Avenue and E. 222nd Street. Or in the summer we would go behind the townhouses on E. 248th in the open field, which is mostly gated now, where I would play baseball with Billy Johnson, Brandon Gilliam, Tiffany Compton, brothers Layton "Lay Lay" and Clayton "Jay" Martin, Dericka Young and so many others.Those were the days. I remember my first kiss being behind the garages in Blisswood Village. I was literally all over Euclid, no matter where we lived at that particular time. My mother was a very young single mother, but it was extremely important to her, to raise my sister and I here in Euclid. Being young and not having a degree, she worked as a bookkeeper to keep food on the table and a nice roof over our heads. My sister Charnetta and I are grateful for all the hard work and sacrifices she made for us, and all that growing up in Euclid in the 90s provided us, as well as the commitment and diligence from Mom, to keep us here.

Where did you go to school before Euclid High?
I went to Central Middle School on Euclid Avenue. At Central, I played baseball and was a part of Junior Varsity Chorale under the direction of Maxine J. Heidmann, a longtime Vocal Music Department Chair in the Euclid City Schools, with Kari Lynch Longstreth, now wife of former Euclid City Councilman Scott Lynch and daughter in law of former Mayor David Lynch, as well as Dan May, Jessica Morris, Johnita Hughes, Jerry Gatewood, Catrera Dean, Tamika Nunley, Grayson Latimore and so many more, who I won't bore you with by going on and on naming. We led JVC to win Championships all over Ohio. We later went on to be in Varsity Chorale at the high school, with Kari, Dan and me auditioning as freshman, which wasn't the norm back then. Good times at Central, for sure.

Which teacher or class do you remember most and why?
I remember most my sixth grade experience at Forest Park Elementary School. Dawn Drnek was my homeroom teacher and was such a nice and understanding teacher. It was her class where I had my first "real" girlfriend, Adriene Devese! I will never forget how my young, cool Mother gave me a real ring to give to her, and how her parents were not having it. Her Mom called my Mom, and subsequently made Adriene return the ring. Our class switched for Social Studies, and English, if I am remembering correctly, with Ruth Ann Molinaro, who was one of the greatest Euclid educators of all time. She is part of the reason I am civically engaged today. Mrs. Molinaro was stern, but fair. You could tell she always wanted what was best for us. Bea Grushcow was the reason I got involved with music. I was heavily affected by her passing when I was in 8th grade, right before I got to the high school.

Did you have a favorite spot in Euclid, and what did you like about it?
My favorite spot in Euclid we called, "The Hills." We would ride our bikes over to Sims Park, and there were really cool dirt ramps located on the west end of the park in between the woods. It was the best place ever! We would spend hours over there. Recently, as an adult, when I lived on Zeman Avenue, it was always a good feeling when my kids would ask to go there. They called it, "The Vines." What they enjoyed about the exact same area was all the thick vines, and they would go and swing from tree to tree. I went one day to play at "The Vines" with my boys in the summer. I just had to swing off this one vine, which I was sure could hold me. Let's just say, that didn't turn out well! However, it was a good time, and in the days of videos and cell phones, my kids captured the moment and we will be able to enjoy the laughs forever.

What, if anything, about your Euclid High experience would you do over?
I would say if I could do it all over again, I would have worked harder in school and gotten better grades. This is one of the most crucial times for a person, and what you do and are able to accomplish in high school sets the foundation for the rest of your life. I smartened up, and was able to still be successful, but if I could do it all over, I would've definitely been more successful then.