AlumniNews June Official Newsletter Of The Findlay High School Alumni Association Bringing Us Together 2005: Volume 8, Issue 2 JOIN THE FRIENDSHIP. JOIN THE FUN. JOIN THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. SEE DETAILS ON PAGE 5. Distinguished Alumni Award Alumni Musical Showcase Alumni Marching Band Annual Chicken Barbecue Alumni Basketball Game Homecoming/Alumni Musical Visit our web site: www.findlaycityschools.org/alum Findlay High School Alumni Association. All Rights Reserved. Design and production by W. Gene Powell, FHS Class of 87.
2005 Reunions 1940-65 Year Reunion Saturday, October 1 Contact: Ray Van Gunten; 419-422-5816 1945-60 Year Reunion Findlay Inn Contacts: Donna (Varner) Krauss; 419-422-1068 Barbara (Blackford) Holmes; 419-424-6336 1950-55 Year Reunion Saturday, September 17 Contacts: Tillie (Wolfe) Akien; 419-422-4557 Barb Fenberg; 419-423-8461, laplasgal@aol.com 1955-50 Year Reunion Saturday, August 13 Contact: Shirley (Frost) Light; 419-422-1582, slight1970@aol.com 1960-45 Year Reunion Saturday, October 1 Elk s Club Contact: Sharon (Sheldon) Kern; FHS1960@aol.com 1965-40 Year Reunion Contact: Cindy(Brenner) Fitzpatrick; 419-424-3444 1970-35 Year Reunion Saturday, July 23 Contact: Mike Gephart; 419-424-9622, R4249622@aol.com 1975-30 Year Reunion Contact: Eric Van Renterghem; 419-477-5220 1980-25 Year Reunion Saturday, July 23 Urbanski s Contact: Kari Cupp; 419-365-1318 1985-20 Year Reunion Saturday, Aug. 6 Contact: Cindy (Brecht) Wolfe; cwolfeotrl@earthlink.net 1990-15 Year Reunion No date or location at this time. 1995-10 Year Reunion No date or location at this time. Contact: Jamie (Hutch) Lauer; jlauer@woh.rr.com 2000-5 Year Reunion No info to date. Findlay High School Alumni Office Phone: 419-420-7007 e-mail: Roger Powell RPowell900@aol.com FHS Alumni Director Online: 1200 Broad Ave. www.findlaycityschoolrs.org/alum Findlay, Ohio 45840 Check out the latest information on the Infoline by calling 419-421-8888. Enter selection number 3599. he Findlay High School Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for its Distinguished Alumni Award 2005. The award will be presented on October 3. The award is designed to recognize a Findlay High School alumnus who has distinguished himself/herself and has exemplified the education and moral values that are respected by the community and school system. Alumni are eligible in all 50 states. Nominations should include information regarding the nominee s bachelor s. master s and doctorate degrees (where applicable); college and dates attended; profession, awards and accomplishments; community affiliations; organizations; contributions; recognitions; and honors. Page 2 Change of address? Please forward any changes as soon as possible. Nominations accepted for Distinguished Alumni Award 2005 Award marks fifth year of recognizing best of FHS alums T hursday, May 26, Dee Anna Smith received the Findlay High School Alumni Scholarship in the amount of $750. Presentation was made by Roger Powell, Alumni Director. Forty-one applicants applied for the award. Dee Anna plans to attend Owens Community College, majoring in Special Education and minoring in Administration. She has been active at FHS with soccer, softball, and basketball. She has been a community volunteer for four years with Special Olympics, and two years with the Skating Asso- A written essay should be submitted with as much information as possible as to why the nominee should receive the award. The nominee should be contacted and must agree to the nomination. The nominee or a family representative must attend the induction ceremony on Monday, October 3, 2005. The nominee s name, address, phone number and e-mail address should be included. Entries are due no later than August 1, 2005 and should be sent to the Findlay High School Alumni Association, care of Roger Powell, alumni director, Findlay High School, 1200 Broad Ave., Findlay, OH 45840. Dee Anna Smith Receives Award T Powell congratulates Smith ciation for the blind and handicapped. Academic Honors include the 3.75 Club for four years and a Millstream Honors Society Member. The Alumni Association Selection Committee overwhelmingly felt Dee Anna is very deserving of this scholarship and we wish her all the best.
If you have a winter and summer residence, let us know which months you will be at each location. James D. Smith retires after 39 years of teaching Brought talent and class to FHS music programs Y ou hear FFE, you hear Findlay First Edition, you hear JD, you hear magnificent! Mr. James D. Smith has put Findlay High School on the national map. With his overwhelming enthusiasm he founded the Findlay First Edition show choir several years ago. They have been nothing but spectacular each year with many area and national awards. They are a joy to watch and listen to. Many hours of rehearsal pays off as you can tell in their performances. With the assistance of Andy Haines, choreography, Michael Springer and Tom Manley directing the Boingers musical backup group everything seems to gel together. They are real class! writer who grew up in Findlay has been nominated for the 2005 Rhysling Award, the annual prize awarded by the Science Fiction Poetry Association to honor the best science fiction, fantasy or horror poems. Greg Beatty s poem No Ruined Lunar City, published in Abyss & Apex, was nominated in the Rhysling s short poem category. A second poem, The Other Sleeping Beauties, published by Strange Horizons, was nominated in the Rhysling s long poem category. The Rhysling Award honors poetry in two categories: short poems (1 to JD began his career with the Kenton City Schools and spent 21 years with Findlay City Schools. Also a teacher at the Smith takes a bow. junior high level, he served as vocal director for the school musical for 10 years and music chair until 2001. Findlay High School is so fortunate to have him as part of our faculty family for all these years. He will always be remembered for what he did here. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. Thanks, James D. Smith. Local Writer Nominated for International Poetry Award A 49 lines) and long poems (50 lines or longer). The winners are announced in the late spring. Past winners have included Ursula K. Le Guin, Bruce Boston, Joe Haldeman and Jane Yolen. Greg Beatty graduated from Findlay High School in 1980. In addition to writing, Greg teaches for University of Phoenix Online. For more information on the Science Fiction Poetry Association, visit the association s website at www.sfpoetry.com. In The News FHS Dance Team get superior rating The Findlay High School Dance Team recently received all superior ratings and placed second in kick, second in jazz and second in the pom category at the AmeriDance International Championships, Orlando, Fla. They also qualified for the Macy s Day Parade and Sugar Bowl half-time performance. FFE Captures Championship in New York contest The Findlay First Edition show choir won the grand champion award at the 21st annual Showstoppers National Show Choir Competition, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Competing in the open mixed choir category, FFE was also selected for the best general effect award for overall excellence in all areas, including music, vocal, choreography, instrumental, costumes, design and entertainment. The group of 68 students, includes 40 singers/dancers, 20 instrumentalists and eight crew members. They joined six other choirs from California, New York, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana for the two-day event. FFE was selected for the invitation-only competition after submitting a tape last fall. Mattis receives Findlay Rotary Club s Golden Apple Award The Findlay Rotary Club honored several of the county s favorite teachers at its annual banquet. There were three recipients of the 2005 Golden Apple Award including Tim Mattis, director of instrumental music at FHS. Mattis The Golden Apple Award recognizes excellence in teaching, and each award includes a $2,500 cash prize. Mattis wrote in his application, my students know that I genuinely care about them and their lives, not just how well they play their instrument. They also know that I admit to being human, subject to the same frailties and shortcomings to which they are susceptible. Page 3
Support FHS Alumni projects. Give today! Global Grads Former alumnus share stories of international experiences Japan, Trip of a Lifetime By Roberta Stober, FHS Class of 1972 Kristen McAree and I became good friends when she and I played in the University of Findlay Concert Band together. After Kris graduated from U of F in 2002 she applied and was accepted to be an OSET [Ohio (state) Saitama (prefecture which is like a state) English Teacher] in Japan. After Kris arrived in Japan, she asked me to come for a visit. Why not? I probably would never get a better opportunity to learn the culture and life of the Japanese as well as have a personal guide in this beautiful country. I took a flight from Detroit to Narita International Airport, which is Tokyo s main airport on March 17 arriving on March 18. The flight was almost 12 hours long. After going through immigration and customs, I had to have my luggage shipped to Kris apartment as the trains are so crowded with people there isn t room for luggage too. After a 1.5 hour train ride, I met Kris in Ikebukuro (a section of Tokyo). We then rode another train 20 minutes to arrive in her city of Shiki. Kris and I took a train trip to Kawaguchiko, which is on one of the five lakes at the base of Mt. Fuji. Our one-night, Amber (Ayres) Patterson, class of 1998 and fourthyear medical student at the Medical University of Ohio, was selected to join a medical relief team to Nias, Indonesia. The team of five health care professionals, led by Dr. Richard Paat, left for Indonesia on April 23, 2005 to aid in Tsunami and Earthquake Relief. The island of Nias, off the west coast of Su- two-day stay in this resort area was spent doing many things. In March, you cannot climb Mt. Fuji because there is too much snow. You can only do this in August. At this time of year there are still piles of snow along the sides of the roads and sidewalks. After Kris arrived in Japan, she asked me to come for a visit. Why not? We went to a Craft Park. In this area you can make glass beads, throw pottery, blow glass, etch glass, make jewelry, or bend glass. The first thing we decided to do was blow glass. Kris went first so that I could watch her and I could maybe understand the process a bit better since all the teachers spoke Japanese and I didn t. I made a small pink & white swirl glass bowl. That night we had a typical Japanese dinner of several kinds of fish, misu soup, Patterson Joins Tsunami Relief Effort matra, was hit not only by the Tsunami on December 26, 2004, but was further devastated by the March 28, 2005 earthquake, rating 8.7. Through Operation Compassion, the team was paired up with a group of Indonesians from the Bethel Church of Indonesia who served as translators for the Americans. Seeing approximately 500 children and adults, from five different villages, this medical team brought the first opportunity for medical care that many of these Indonesian residents Page 4 rice, and veggies at the hotel where we stayed. We also slept on futons. The Japanese futon is not like what we think of futons in the USA. It is a thick quilted mat placed on a tatami mat with a lighter weight quilt to cover up with. The next morning we had a traditional Japanese breakfast of eggs, toast, sausage, misu soup, lettuce, rice & fruit. On our walk back to the Craft Park, we saw two small Macaque or Japanese Snow monkeys playing along the side of the road. I had never seen monkeys outside of a zoo before. This time we decided to make sterling silver rings. I had never seen this process done, so again Kris went first so I could better understand what was expected of me. I made a simple band with Sakura (cherry) blossoms around it. During my 26-day visit we did many more things. There is so much to tell but too little space. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Japan. If you ever have the opportunity to go, do not let the language barrier keep you away. It is a beautiful country that I hope to visit again. had seen since the earthquake. Working as a mobile medical clinic, they traveled each day to refugee camps and rural villages, crossing half-washed-out bridges and fording rivers to get there. They were commended for their work by the Indonesian government and made a safe return to Toledo on May 3, 2005.
FHS Alumni Event Calendar September 30 2005 Homecoming Parade And Football Game Our parade begins at 5 p.m. The Alumni Band will perform in the parade at halftime with the FHS Marching Band. Visit our Alumni Tent between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Chat with friends, assist us in finding classmates, give us your e-mail address. Enjoy a free can of pop and popcorn. Come early and watch the crowning of the King and Queen and her court. The football game begins at 7:30 p.m. Show your support! Wear your new FHS Alumni Sweatshirt to every event on the calendar above. Don t have yours yet? Order one today! $26 Plus $4 shipping All shirts are navy with gold lettering and gold Trojan logo, and come in M, L, XL and XXL sizes. Order by sending a check payable to FHS Alumni Association; Findlay High School; 1200 Broad Ave.; Findlay, Ohio 45840 Visit the Alumni Website www.findlaycityschools.org/alum Check reunion dates, special events, update your e-mail address and much more. The Last Word This is really quite amazing...believe it or not you can read it! I cdnuoit blveiee taht I cluod aulacity uesdnatrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to rscheearch taemat Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn t mttaer in waht orredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it woutit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the humamn mnid deos not raed ervey iteter by istilef, but the wrod as a wiohe. Such a cdonition is arppoiately cllaed Typoglycemia. Amzanig huh? Yaeh, and yuo awlyass thought sipeling was ipmorantt. Tickets for all events go fast. Reserve yours today. FHS Alumni Marketplace JOIN TODAY! All we ask is a minimum $10 per year to support the FHS Alumni Association. With your generous contribution, we can meet our expenses and continue our yearly programs. Your gift is vital if we are to continue our Alumni Association. If you have not given in recent years, consider giving in 2005. If you have given recently, please continue your support. THANK YOU! YES, I would like to contribute to the FHS Alumni Association! $10 Double High Five Membership $200 Gold Membership $25 Patron Membership $300 Blue and Gold Membership $50 Trojan Membership Other $100 Blue Membership Please send your donation to: FHS Alumni Association; 1200 Broad Ave.; Findlay, Ohio 45840 Cats Meow Replicas of Findlay High School, Freshman Wing, Old High School Findlay High School = $26.75 FHS + Freshman Wing = $42.75 Old Findlay High School = $18.00 Include quantity of each plus $3.85 shipping for each. Make check payable to: FHS Alumni Association, 1200 Broad Ave., Findlay, OH 45840 FHS Yearbooks for Sale $40-1973 $45-1975, 1980 $50-1985-1989 $55-1990, 1992-1996, 1998 Quantities are limited. Call 419-420-7007 to order. Help pave the way for the future of FHS Become a permanent part of the future of Findlay High School. Purchase a brick inscribed with your name and graduation year. Honor friends, family, the memory of a loved one, or former teachers. All inscribed bricks will be placed in the Courtyard of Memories at FHS and all proceeds will go to the Alumni Association to support student scholarships, school related events and projects. You may purchase any number of 4 x 8 bricks for $40 each. Each brick is limited to 3 lines of 15 characters (letters, numbers and spaces) per line. Print inscription below exactly as you d like it to appear. Copy this form to order multiple bricks. Please print 3 lines of 15 characters per line including spaces: Name Address City State Zip Please make checks payable to: FHS Alumni Association; 1200 Broad Ave.; Findlay, Ohio 45840. Page 5