Last May, Mentor Shore Middle School Principal Tommy Dwyer reached out to the staff to see if anyone was interested in leading a club for the 2025-2026 school year. Now, Piper Greenlee and her sister Megan LaGanke have led other clubs at Shore in the past, like the Marvel Club and Sign Language Club because they enjoy working with students in a fun and interesting atmosphere. Shore Middle School eighth-grader helps start sign language club at Mentor school So when it came to developing an idea for a new club, LaGanke had been doing crocheting for about four or five years and despite the fact that Greenlee did not know how to do the craft it did not stop her from signing her and her sister up. They thought the Crochet Club would draw about 15 to 20 kids per meeting, but needless to say, it has more than exceeded expectations. "On the day of our first meeting, we were astonished — 57 to 60 students showed up set and ready to crochet," Greenlee said. "We had to move from a small classroom to the 'Crochet-lab,' which is now located in our large art room." Related Articles Lake County officials note contributions during Black History Month centennial Jamey Fisher sworn in as new Kirtland police chief Willoughby Public Library hosts talk by ‘Cleveland Curse’ author Friends of Madison Public Library to hold Dinner in the Stacks Fairport Harbor Schools superintendent will resign at end of contract "Mr. Dwyer looked out the window at 5 p.m. and wondered what was holding up the traffic on Hopkins Road and it was because we have so many students being dismissed from the club," she added. "We have held on to between anywhere from 35 to 50 members at each meeting ever since, and extended our time to 5:15 p.m." The club meets after school on alternating Thursdays. Greenlee said she is in "awe" of LaGanke's skills and thought it would be fun to start a Crochet Club at Shore and figured that she would learn or be able to help her with the club. "Our group consists of all grade levels — sixth, seventh and eighth — (and) we have a good mix of boys and girls," LaGanke said. "We also have a handful of staff members who are there to assist and/or learn, Mrs. Darlene McNeil (secretary), Mrs. Ali Reschke-Parisi (Health and PE), Mr. Griffin Ash (science teacher), Ms. Mackenzie Meeker (building sub) and my future daughter-in-law, Madison Humbert, as an assistant." The club provides crochet hooks and yarn available for student use at all times, however, many students have acquired their own materials. They also have gotten a donation from the PTSA to purchase some yarn for student use, which Greenlee said has been much appreciated. "Our Crochet Club has been one of the highlights of the '25-'26 school year," Dwyer said. "So many students are participating in it each week which helps them feel more connected to the Shore community. This aligns with my belief as a principal that students who get involved in clubs and activities are more successful in the classroom. "Mrs. Greenlee and Mrs. LaGanke do such a phenomenal job in running the program too," he added. "I love to talk to students on how much progress they have made this year on their skills and they are always excited to share with me." Greenlee said everyone is amazed by the number of students interested in crochet with most people guessing there are eight to 10 students involved. "Teachers at school comment and tell us that they love seeing the kids carrying around crochet creations, looking at patterns or pulling out hooks and yarn when they have time," Greenlee said. "Our administration is very accommodating and allows us to find space to work, along with some necessary crochet resources and helps to promote our club with announcements and digital platforms. We even have a 'showcase' space we are working on to display some work." Greenlee said it was fun to come back to school after winter break with students telling them about all of the crochet kits, new hooks and yarn they got for Christmas. She said students are at all different levels. Some have made full sweaters, scarves, blankets and animals and some are still working on chaining and learning how to make the magic ring. "Each week we highlight a new project, share examples and demonstrate a skill needed to create the project," LaGanke said. "In the spring, we are introducing a group project. Students will be given the choice to work on their own project, or they may join us in this group adventure." "There is a busy and exciting atmosphere at each meeting, kids are starting projects, finishing projects, and persevering through difficult patterns and working together the entire time," Greenlee added. "The kids are very encouraging and complementary of each other. We are so proud of all of them, because it is not the easiest and quickest thing to learn. The skill takes a lot of time and patience." LaGanke likes to end each session with the “Wheel of Wow” where students' names are entered on a wheel, just for being present, and if selected, they win one of hers or Greenlee's recent crochet creations. They are also working on a service project, creating soap holders for a local church organization. The club has received a yarn donation for students to use to create these items. The success of Shore's crochet club could have a ripple effect across the district, but Greenlee and LaGanke certainly hope to bring their club back to their school again next year. "We believe that Memorial is starting a club...," Greenlee said. "We hope to continue our club next school year." ...read more read less