Mentor Public Schools

2011

Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame

The purpose of the hall of fame is to recognize Mentor graduates who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields and are recognized as positive contributors to society. The hall of fame serves as a permanent testimony that the Mentor High School experience prepares graduates to face life’s challenges, to solve problems and to make decisions that will positively influence and/or contribute to the well-being of our society.

Ellie Wallace Vayo, class of 1974

Ellie Grew-up in the Mentor area where she attended Ridge Junior High School and Mentor High School. She received her Master of Photography at Winona Photographic College, Chicago at Northwestern in 1992 and received the National Photographic Craftsman Award in 1999. In the early 1990’s Mrs. Vayo opened her first full-time studio in a shopping plaza on Mentor Avenue in Mentor. WJW-TV Channel 8 featured her studio on “Cleveland Tonight”. She now has her studio in historic “Mentor Village” on Mentor avenue and a satellite studio in Miami, Florida. Her studio was recognized as one of the “Fast Track” small businesses by Gov. George Voinovich in 1995 and she was recognized as well for her entrepreneurial drive as one of Ohio’s most successful and innovative companies by Rep. Steven C. LaTourette. Mrs. Vayo was honored by Disney Corporation for her print, “Classic Tranquility” which was displayed for two weeks at Epcot Center in Florida and then went into the Professional Photographers of America’s archive, International Collection. Her many achievements include being a Fuji Film-talent team speaker as well as teaching credited classes on photography at Lakeland Community College and many colleges around the country. She was awarded First Place in the National Marketing Award presented by S.P.I International in 2005. The Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce named her studio Business of the Year 2009. She published her first book (Amherst Media), The Art and Business of High School Seniors, in 1999. Her most recent publication is Ellie Vayo’s Guide to Boudoir Photography. Many of her articles on high school senior portraiture have been featured in numerous photography magazines including: Studio Design; Lens Magazine; The Rangefinder; and Professional Photographers Magazine. Mrs. Vayo had the honor of photographing two U.S. presidents: George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush (his personal photographer in Cleveland 2007). Mrs. Vayo has worked with the American Heart Association doing fundraisers and banquets and has participated with the Mentor Schools job shadowing program. Mrs. Vayo married her high school sweetheart Kevin Vayo, and they have two children Rochelle (MHS class of 1998) and Erin (class of 2000).

Ellie is honored to receive this award and is supported by many friends and family!
The 2011 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees!

TRIBUTE TO THE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR CLASS OF 2011!!
April 8th – April 10 at the Great Lakes Mall
See your image on display in the Macy’s Corridor

Bring a Junior (class of 2012) and they will receive a coupon for
HALF OFF any session through July 2011!

If your friend books an appointment (by April 16) you will
receive 10 FREE slimline graduation cards! Just in time
for graduation!
Call for details 440-255-7877

Our NEW updated facebook page. Click LIKE to view SALE prices, NEWS, our most recent work, and recommend an award winning photography studio that has been in business for over 30 years!

Ellie Vayo will be giving 15 minute presentations at the PPA Imaging USA 2010 Convention (imagingusa.org) January 11-12 in Nashville Tennessee. During these presentations she will be revealing her 5 Steps to Super Seniors. These will be going on throughout the day in the Buckeye Color Lab (buckeyecolor.com) booth within the convention trade show.

Photos now on display at the Great Lakes Mall. Vote Now!

These 2010 Seniors were all photographed at Ellie Vayo Photography this week. Check Back for next weeks’ Senior Spotlight!

These 2010 Seniors were all photographed at Ellie Vayo Photography this week. Check Back for next weeks’ Senior Spotlight!

Listen to our recent interview with Lanigan and Malone on on WMJI – Cleveland’s top radio show!

Ellie Vayo’s Guide to Boudoir Photography

“Photography has always been my passion. Boudoir photography is one aspect of the art that has ignited all of my senses and continues to keep this business exciting.”

“I have found over the years that women of all ages, shapes, and sizes want to look and feel beautiful. Many things go into creating the masterpiece of the woman. The Hollywood actresses and models of today look much different in the real world. Makeup artists, clothing designers, digital artists and more help create the stunning finished product we see on screen or in print. A woman who agrees to have a boudoir photography session is your clay. You are the sculptor who will help shape and mold that raw material into something beautiful, timeless, and artistic.”

  Available for sale at www.evayo.com