Sarit Kashanian, Staff Writer
Alumnus Robert Sherman passed away on Monday, March 5 in London, England at the age of 86. Sherman was an American songwriter and musical film specialist who worked with his brother Richard to produce songs for movies.  Some of the brothers’ songs were featured in famous movies such as “Mary Poppins”, “The Jungle Book” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
During his years in high school, Sherman wrote and produced radio and stage productions that were highly praised. Sherman later ended up writing the Hawthorne School Alma Mater, which Hawthorne students continue to sing every year at graduation.
Sherman won a multitude of awards throughout his lifetime, such as two Academy Awards, best score and best song, for “Mary Poppins” and a Grammy for best movie or TV score. He and Richard also won a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 2005 Sherman created the Robert B. Sherman Scholarship through the BMI Foundation. The scholarship awards students $1000 for excellence in musical theatre.
Sherman’s long life of musical expertise and intellectual excellence will leave a legacy for Beverly students for generations to come.