Chagrin Falls High School’s senior Cooper Bottcher has been selected as one of Crain's Cleveland's "5 Under 18" - a prestigious feature showcasing five exceptional students making an impact in Northeast Ohio.
Bottcher was nominated for the recognition by his business teacher, John Bakalar, and was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants across the region. The "5 Under 18" feature, presented in partnership with Junior Achievement, spotlights the next wave of young talent demonstrating remarkable leadership and innovation.
As the captain of the soccer team and co-president of the Business Professionals of America club, Bottcher has already established himself as a driven and multifaceted student leader. But his accomplishments stretch far beyond the classroom and extracurriculars - he also owns and operates his own landscaping company, C.O. Landscaping.
"Cooper is the embodiment of what it means to be a well-rounded, engaged, and passionate student," said Bakalar. "His ability to balance academics, athletics, community involvement, and entrepreneurship is truly inspiring, and I'm thrilled to see him receive this well-deserved recognition."
On October 31, Bottcher joined the four other "5 Under 18" honorees for a special luncheon at Crain's Cleveland's downtown offices. There, the students had the opportunity to meet and network with professionals recently recognized on the publication's "40 Under 40" list, gaining valuable insights and advice about future career paths.
"It was an incredible experience to connect with the 'Crain's 40 Under 40' honorees and learn from their success stories," said Bottcher. "I'm humbled to be included in this group of talented students, and I'm excited to see how this recognition might open new doors for me as I prepare for the next chapter."
Chagrin Falls High School Principal Amanda Rassi commended Bottcher's achievements, stating, "Cooper's drive, creativity, and commitment to making a positive impact in his community are truly admirable. We are honored to have him representing Chagrin Falls High School, and we can't wait to see what the future holds for this exceptional young leader."
The "5 Under 18" feature, highlighting Cooper Bottcher and his fellow honorees, will be published in the November 18th edition of Crain's Cleveland Business.