Date
Event
Location / Details
Who can attend???
 

2012 Calendar
For recaps on some previous Association events,
please scroll down after the 2012 Calendar.

Jan. 26 Thursday

 

 

 

 

 

General Meeting 6pm

 

 

 

 

 

1st General Meeting of 2012

We are meeting at Joey Changs in the Mill Run area off I-270 and Cemetery Rd. / Fishinger Rd., east of Hilliard. Turn east at the CVS store on the corner of Fishinger and Park Mil Run Dr.
You may order from the regular menu and pay for your own meal afterwards.

Our speaker for the meeting will be
Jim Remington '46 Jan.
Jim will be speaking after dinner on the topic "My Experiences working with some former Presidents." Jim is a 2007 Alumni Hall of Fame Honoree. He has written a book titled Advance to History where he talks about his advance work for presidents Ford, Reagan, and Bush.

Jim will relate some of the stories in his book, and perhaps he might be encouraged to sign one of his books if you purchase if from the Alumni Association that night. He might also be encouraged to talk a little about his playing time on the OSU Basketball Team. A captain on the 1951 team, Jim returns each year for the annual OSU Captains Club game.
In his effort to give back to Ohio State, in 2006 he set up an endowed scholarship for the basketball program.

All Alumni and friends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

February General Meeting


CANCELLED

 

 

 

 

March
23 -24

 

 

 

 

 

 

All-Class Florida Reunion

 

 

 

 

 

 

20th Year!!!
ALL-CLASS MID-WINTER
FLORIDA REUNION
Once again we will be in Bradenton, Florida.
Late Friday afternoon we will have a cocktail party at the home of Buss and Eileen Watts Griffith '42. There is no charge to attend, but we do need to know who is coming to allow Eileen to make appropriate plans.

Our Saturday luncheon will be at the Bradenton Country Club. The reservation deadline is March 10, and no refunds will be given after March 10. The Country Club does not set extra seating, so reservations are necessary and no 'walk-ins' will be permitted.

Click here to print a reservation form.

All Alumni and friends, especially those who spend the winter in Florida or who will be there during the time of our reunion!

 

 

 

 


April 10 Tuesday

 

 

 

 

General Meeting 6pm

 

 

 
April General Meeting
We are meeting at Joey Changs in the Mill Run area off I-270 and Cemetery Rd. / Fishinger Rd., east of Hilliard. Turn east at the CVS store on the corner of Fishinger and Park Mil Run Dr.

You may order from the regular menu and pay for your own meal afterwards.

All Alumni and friends

 

 

 

 

May 8 Tuesday

 

 

 

General Meeting 6pm

 

 

 

May General Meeting
Join us for our annual meeting in the West Cafeteria.
Minelli's Pizza, salad, and soft drinks will be served with donations accepted to cover the cost of the meal.

Once again Dan Martin '72, West High principal, will give us his annual update on what is happening at West and what future plans and changes are in the works. And he always welcomes questions from those present on topics of interest.

All Alumni and friends

 

 

 

 

June TBD Saturday

 

 

Hilltop Bean Dinner

 

 

The Historic Hilltop Bean Dinner
As great time for current and former 'Hilltoppers' to gather at Westgate Park. Your Alumni Association will be there (probably along the lake) with our tent and an array of Alumni logo items for sale.
We always have alumni, from the 30s to the 2000s stop by to say hello and talk a little. Some even borrow some of our chairs to sit a while.

All Alumni and friends of the Hilltop!

 

 

July 20, Friday

 

 

 

Picnic

 

 

 

All-Class Potluck Picnic
Our picnic location is 'on-the-move' again. We enjoyed the location last year, but the cost nearly broke our budget!
This year, through the help of some great alumni, we are going to move to the Crossroads United Methodist Church at 110 South Hague, on the corner of Hague and Briggs Rd.
Details later - but we plan to have one of our alumni entertain this year!

All Alumni and friends

 

 

 

Recaps of some previous Alumni Association events.............
2011 Calendar

Dec. 3 Saturday
Christmas Luncheon
19th All-Class Alumni Association Christmas Luncheon
Fawcett Center on the OSU Campus.

Our 19th All-Class Christmas Luncheon is now in the 'books.' We were glad to see the 100-plus alumni and friends who attended. We thank Ed Schmidt '45 for his efficient organization of the luncheon.
The Silent Auction was great with a lot of interesting items donated. The Auction raised $864 for the Scholarship Fund.
We thank everyone who donated items and especially those who purchased items benefiting the Scholarship Fund.
All Alumni, former teachers and administrators, and friends of West High
October 11 Tuesday
General Meeting 6pm

General Meeting

During this meeting the slate of officers for 2012 were announced.
President - Baileen Gary Dodd '48
Vice President - Katie Lorenz Haddox '47
Secretary - Sharon Robinson Keaney '55 Jan.
Treasurer - Bob Roach '57
They were all elected at the November meeting.
-----
Our speaker for the evening was
RAY PENDELL, 1946.
Ray spoke about Boy Scout Troop 45 that was organized at West in the early 30s. Former West Civics and Boys' Health teacher, Al Elliott, was involved in starting the troop. The troop leaders were West teachers. Ray joined the troop in 1940 when he started the 7th grade at West.

Ray believes that either Al Elliott or the father of one of the Scouts purchased property in the Hocking Hills for the Troop's use. The land was purchased from the owner of a sawmill in the area. The Troop planned to build a lodge on the land, which Ray believes was about five acres. Until they could get the lodge built, they stayed in a barn on the sawmill property.

The Troop made use of the unused slabs of wood cut from the sides of trees at the sawmill on the inside and outside walls of the lodge. The scouts went to the lodge most weekends in the fall when they weren't volunteering at an Ohio State University Football game. They also went there often during other times of the year where they would work toward earning their Scout badges. Ray said the large fireplace built in the lodge was faced with brick. The troop leaders painted their names on the fireplace bricks.

The Troop was active until 1965 when it was disbanded due to a lack of teacher involvement. The lodge is currently owned by the Hilltop Kiwanis whom the Troop gave it to when the Troop disbanded.

In reviewing the list of Alumni Hall of Fame Honorees, Ray found at least eight who had been members of Troop 45 - a great tribute to the troop leaders!
All of the 1997 Honorees were in the troop - Dr. Jack Miles '31, Dr. Beryl Miles '34, and Rear Admiral David Cockfield '50.
Others include Dr. Richard Slager '46, Col. Jack Morris '41 Jan., Richard Holycross '49, James Slager '48 Jan., and Wilfred 'Willie' Evans '50 Jan. A group of former Troop 45 Scouts meet for lunch several times a year.

We thanked Ray for his talk that was interesting and informative. Any interested in joining this informal group at lunch can contact Ray at (614) 279-2664.

All Alumni and friends,
---
especially Class Reps.
October 3-6
Monday-Thursday
West Coast Reunion
11th West Coast Reunion
October 3 – 6
Holiday Inn on the Bay
San Diego, California

All who attended this West Coast Reunion had a wonderful time. Said to have the best climate in North America, they typically have 300 days of sunlight a year and just 10" of rain. (Unfortunately, our last day was one of their rain days when they must have gotten at least HALF of their annual rainfall!)
The first evening we had a casual time to visit with everyone before we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse just next to our hotel.
On day two we took the Coronado Island ferry across the San Diego Bay to Coronado for a fun afternoon. It started to rain a little before we boarded the ferry, but not long after we got to the island the sun came out and we had a nice time touring the area.
After lunch we took the Coronado Trolly to the other side of the island to The Hotel Del Coronado. The group took time to tour The Del and surrounding grounds.
Later that evening the group had dinner at a local seafood restaurant On Wednesday several from our group took the Old Town Trolley around the San Diego area. That evening the group went across the street from our hotel to another great seafood restaurant.
After dinner, a group stayed in the hotel lobby to play a card game that Shirley Mercer James '52 had planned.
For 2012 possible West Coast Reunions locations discussed were visiting the California Wine Country again, Las Vegas, and possibly a west coast cruise. Our great alumni in the area are working on options!
Any with ideas or wanting to help with the planning may contact Shirley James - sug.james@cox.net, Mary Liles - lileco@sbcglobal.net, Marilyn Christie - michristie3@msn.com, or Joe and Tanya Caligiuri - jfcaligiuri@roadrunner.com.


Click on the picture above to see more from our time in
San Diego
All Alumni, especially those who live on the West Coast!
Sept. 23 Friday































Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony

2011 Annual Alumni
Hall of Fame Ceremony

Our 2011 Honorees as announced in the July Alumni Occident Newsletter

J. Brent Bill '69
Robert Kern '55
Dr. Helen Marie McDaniel '36 (deceased)
Robert Sandusky '57




Brent Bill, Bob Kern, Bob Sandusky,
and accepting for Marie McDaniel, her nephew

Click on either picture above to see more from the event. Bios for each honoree are in the Hall of Fame 'room.'
All Alumni and friends

Sept. 16 Friday

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homecoming!

 

 
Homecoming 2011!
Our alumni were invited to start the evening by riding on or walking alongside the Alumni Float in the Homecoming Parade that started at 5pm. The parade toured around the Westgate area. The West Band, Weskets, J.R.O.T.C., and Homecoming candidates join in the fun.

- - -
All former Band, Weskets, and Orchestra members were invited to return to march with the Alumni Band during the pre-game and half-time performances.

Contact Brian Finley (614) 870-1280 for more information on joining the Alumni Band next year at Homecoming.

Former Weskets who are interested in participating next year at Homecoming can contact Sally Harris '67 slh4420@ohiohills.com for more information.
- - -
Former Cheerleaders were invited to return to cheer with the current squad.
- - -

Click on the picture above to see more from the evening!

All Alumni, former teachers and administrators, and friends of West High





 
August 12
Friday



























Alumni Golf Outing

Alumni Golf Outing - Phoenix Golf Links Course
This great event returned for the 5th year and at the same location.

The event netted $1100 for the Alumni Scholarship Fund!!!

Our thanks to event chair Bill Kern '60 Jan. and his committee:
Jack Crego '47, Joe Ditrick '60, Beverly Harrison '50,
Dean Potts '59 Jan., and Stacy Neff Berndsen '78.

Proceeds benefit the Alumni Scholarship Fund.


The winning group with their plaques.

Click on the picture above to see more pictures from the event.

All Alumni and friends
July 22 Friday
Alumni Picnic






















Alumni Picnic
American Legion Don Gentile Post 532,
1571 Demorest Rd. - 5pm to 9pm
less than a mile south of Clime Rd.
We will have the facility starting at 5pm.

The Alumni Association provided great Sloppy Joe sandwiches, chicken, and soft drinks. As always, our alumni came through with just about the best side dishes and desserts you could want.

Barbara Stewart Hoyle '50 and her very competent committee had everything organized to perfection.


Click on the picture above to see more picnic pictures.
All Alumni and friends
June 14 Tuesday
General Meeting 6pm
General Meeting
Our June general meeting was at Joey Changs restaurant at Mill Run, off I-270 and Fishinger Rd. west of Hilliard.
We meet in a private area.

Our speaker was Tom Ongaro '54 Jan.

Tom told the group about his more than 20-year attempt to get the train crossing just east of the Great Western Shopping Center repaired.
All Alumni and friends, especially Class Reps.
May 23
Wednesday



Alumni Scholarship Presentations -
West High Auditorium

Eleven seniors were awarded $1000 Alumni Scholarships during the 27th Annual Scholastic Departmental Awards program at West.

front row - Analiz Garibay, Caryl Sue-Ann Volk, Kaitlyn Kerns

back row - Henal Patel, Anthony Jordan, Kassandra Taylor, Joshua Thacker, Dariel Bustos Chaves

not pictured - Rosella Franklin, Jeremiah Link, Joshua Thacker
All Alumni and friends, especially those who contributed to the Alumni Scholarship Fund.












May 10 Tuesday

General Meeting 6pm

Our Annual General Meeting in the
West High Cafeteria!
We once again had our May meeting in the West Cafeteria. We had Minelli's Pizza, salad, and soft drinks for dinner.

West Principal Dan Martin '72 (yes, he is a proud West alum!) gave us his annual update on the status of activities and programs at West.



After enjoying the salad, pizza, and soft drinks, the meeting attendees listed to Mr. Martin update us on the status of West High.
Some who hadn't seen our Alumni Hall of Fame display, took an opportunity to walk to the front hall to see all of the plaques for our Honorees.

After the meeting, some of the alumni visited the Teachers' Lounge that is adjacent to the Library. The Alumni Association has offered to purchase new carpet and paint for the room. The carpet is very worm and stained and the walls are marred. One of the goals of the Alumni Association is to give back to West and the students. This is another way we are doing that.




Mr. Martin invited the group to tour the 2nd floor where some artwork was recently completed on the walls. It adds some interest to the walls and gives the students something to look at other than the blank walls.

All Alumni and friends, especially Class Reps.
April 12 Tuesday
General Meeting 6pm

April General Meeting
Our meeting was moved to Joey Changs' restaurant, in the Mill Run area.
All alumni were invited to our April general meeting.

Our guest speaker was Columbus NBC Channel 4 weekend news anchor Mindy Drayer. A 1991 Ohio State University graduate, she anchored at three other Ohio stations before moving to Channel 4 in 1998.
Mindy talked about her TV news experiences and her popular interviews with OSU Football players. Although she is a Westerville High School alum, we are proud to claim a little bit of Mindy as she is the daughter of our own Bob Drayer '48. Unfortunately, Bob died February 24 before Mindy talked with our Alumni.
A recap of Mindy's talk will be printed in the July Alumni Occident.

Mindy telling us how she got in to broadcasting.

Mindy letting us know how she met her husband.

Mindy and her mother.

Mindy with 2011 Alumni Association President
Baileen Gary Dodd '48

Mindy took a picture of the meeting attendees that she showed the following Saturday morning on the weekly news program she anchors.
All Alumni and friends, especially Class Reps.
March 25-26 Friday and Saturday
Florida Reunion


2011 ALL-Class Mid-Winter Reunion
Bradenton Country Club - our 18th year!

'Click' on the picture above to see the additional pictures.

All Alumni, former teachers and administrators, and friends of West High - especially our alumni who live in Florida or spend the winter there.
Dec. 13
Monday
West Vocal Music Concert

2010 Annual West High Vocal Music Department
Holiday Program
An always entertaining evening of holiday performances.
The program was held in the beautiful West Auditorium.
Mr. Aaron Moore, the West Vocal Music teacher, sent a special invitation to all alumni, whether you were in the choir or not.

'Click' on the picture above to see the additional pictures.

All Alumni, especially former Choir members
Dec. 11 Saturday
All-Class Christmas Luncheon

2010 Alumni Christmas Luncheon
2010 Fawcett Center, on the OSU Campus
With 140 reservations, this year we had a few less than last year, but everyone had a great time talking with other West alumni.

Stacy Neff Berndsen '78 organized the Silent Auction, benefiting the Alumni Scholarship Fund. This year we made almost $400 to add to the Fund. We appreciate everyone who donated the items up for auction and those who purchased something from the three tables of items available.

The West Ensemble performed for the group after lunch. They were appreciated by the group. As always, we ended with singing the Alma Mater.
Pictures from the event are in the website Cafeteria.

'Click' on the picture below to see the additional pictures.
All Alumni and friends
October 4-7 Monday - Thursday
Western Reunion

10th Annual Western Reunion
Our 2010 Western Reunion was held in OREGON!!!
Marilyn Hoelcher Christie '49 organized a great time for this year's Western Reunion in her home city of Portland!
The group stayed at the beautiful Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel.

Monday, October 4 - official arrival date. We had a kickoff evening dinner at the hotel. The group gathered after dinner for a picture. All attendees are pictured except two who left before the picture was taken.


Tuesday, October 5 - We took a bus tour up the Columbia River Gorge to Multnomah Falls and other nearby interesting sites. We looped through the country side and orchards to the Mt. Hood Timberline Lodge for lunch before returning to Portland.
Here the group awaits a presentation at the Timberline Lodge on the history of the Lodge.


Wednesday, October 6 - We had a city tour to the Washington Park Rose Gardens and Pittock Mansion and other interesting places in Portland. We ended with a dinner at a great restaurant on the river, just across from our hotel.
The picture below is from the Washington Park Rose Gardens.

Thursday, October 7 - We said our good-byes and returned home with great memories of our time in the Pacific Northwest with our West High friends.

Click on any of the pictures above to see more from the event!
All Alumni, especially those who live on the West Coast

Oct. 1
Friday
Homecoming


Homecoming 2010 - October 1
Homecoming activities kicked off at 5pm with the Homecoming Parade traveling around the Westgate area. The West J.R.O.T.C. led the parade looking very smart in their uniforms and carrying the flags. They were followed by the West Band who played throughout the parade. The adults and children who came out to watch the parade were very enthusiastic and cheered everyone. Those riding the Alumni float threw candy to the kids along the parade route. The king and queen candidates also rode in the parade.

Everyone in Magly Field was waiting for the Alumni Band to make their way down the alley behind the stadium. People were looking over the back of the stadium to cheer for the band.

When the team was getting ready to take the field, many former athletes, coaches, trainers, and managers formed a tunnel for the football team to run through.

Former cheerleaders joined the current group with some cheers throughout the game.

Starting the pre-game ceremonies, the current West Band and Weskets took the field. Their numbers may not be great, but the band sounded very good and the Weskets were a great addition to the performance.

The Alumni Band and Weskets were led on the field by alumni drum majors. One especially appreciated by everyone was Matt Berndsen ‘07, the current Ohio State University Assistant Drum Major. Many of the Alumni Band members stayed throughout the game to continue playing while standing on the track in the south end of the stadium.

Prior to the game, the Alumni Band presented two $500 checks to West Band Director Mark Sampson. One check was to help with band expenses. The 2nd check was given to the Russell Rowe Memorial Scholarship Fund. The parents of Russell Rowe started the fund after Russell died during his sophomore year. He was a member of the band and passed away from cancer over fifteen years ago. With the help of the B.O.W. (Band Orchestra Weskets), the band parent support group, additional money has been donated to the Rowe Scholarship Fund. Twenty percent of all fund raising earnings go directly into the fund. To date the Rowe Scholarship has given $13,000 in scholarships. Per Mark Sampson, they try to give one $1000 scholarship each year to a graduating Band, Orchestra, or Wesket member. Any wishing to donate to the Russell Rowe Memorial Scholarship can contact Mark Sampson at West.

The Alumni Band accumulates funds for their donations from the $7 per person annual dues they ask their band members to pay to march with the band at Homecoming. They also add to their fund when their Jazz Band is paid for dates they play, which usually includes at least one class reunion each year!

Any wishing to march with the Alumni Band at Homecoming, play in the Jazz Band, or donate to their fund can contact Brian Finley at (614) 272-2604.

Although the football team could not pull out a Homecoming win, it wasn’t for lack of trying. They had a lot of support in the stadium, and gave it their best. The Magly Field stands were filled with the largest crowd we have seen in recent years. By half-time the ticket office had sold 490 tickets and people were still coming through the gate. Since there were few on the visitor’s side, we can report that at least 460 were West backers.

Contact Brian Finley (614) 272-2604 for more information on attending the practice and marching with the Alumni Band next year!

Former Weskets can contact Sally Egelhoff Harris '67 at slh4420@ohiohills.com / 740-756-4123 or Sarah Bryan Johnson '67 at sarahj@wideopenwest.com / 614-204-2558 for details on marching with the Weskets next year!
More pictures from the event are in the website Cafeteria! Or, click on any picture above to see the pictures.
All Alumni and Friends
Sept. 24 Friday
Alumni Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony


2010 Annual Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony
The 2010 Honorees are:
Wilfred 'Willie" Evans '50 Jan.
Dr. Forrest Flewellen '46
James Slager '48 Jan.
Jeanne (Ethel Mae) Thompson Cummins '43 Jan.

A dinner was held for the Honorees in the West Library. Because of rain, they were not introduced during half-time of the football game. Their plaques were presented to them in the Library.

James Slager, Forrest Flewellen, Tim Slager (accepting for his father, Jim Slager, who was unable to attend), Jeanne Thompson Cummins, Willie Evans.

Click on either picture above to see more from the evening.
All Alumni and Friends
August 27 Friday
Golf Outing benefits the Alumni Scholarship Fund

4th Annual Alumni Golf Scramble - 2010
Once again it was held at the Phoenix Golf Links on Jackson Pike

 And the winning team, with 12 under, Team 'Morlan'
Thanks to all of our participants and hole sponsors, the event raised more than $1200 for the Alumni Scholarship Fund!

 Pete Eyer (Central '65), Bill Westhoff (guest), Charlie Keller (guest), John Morlan '65, and tagging along for moral support - Gary Smith '65.

Taking 2nd place, with 11 under, Team 'Castle'

Steve Burris (guest), Charlie Castle '63, Debbie Castle (guest), and Bill Castle '60 Jan.
(Click on either picture above to see from the event that are posted in the website Cafeteria.)
All Alumni and friends of West High School!
July 10, Saturday
All-Class Picnic




























2010 All-Class Picnic - 1pm
Our potluck picnic was Saturday July 10 at the American Legion in West Jefferson - 9701 W. Broad St.
After a very warm mid-90s week of Columbus temperatures, the day of the picnic it cooled down to a very nice mid-80s, sunny day. Once again the 50s decade had the most alumni attending with 48.
The oldest alum attending was Bob Foster ‘42.
The youngest attending were Stacey Thomas ‘83 and
Trent Bishop ‘85.
The Door Prize committee outdid themselves this year. The door prize table was overflowing with items the committee had accumulated. There was a $50 Key Bank gift card, a $25 Ding Ho gift card, two Minelli’s Restaurant dinner certificates, a certificate for a large Minelli’s pizza, two $30 certificates from Schumann’s Meats, a tool set from Gearhart’s, mini flash lights, a stuffed OSU Brutus Buckeye, a Hilltop USA hat, two $5 York Steak House gift certificates. a candle, plus a few other assorted items.
A count of those who registered showed 93 alumni plus several spouses and guests.
Our thanks to Picnic co-chairs Gary ‘56 and Lynda Olinger Bryant ‘61 Jan. and their committee for organizing a great Alumni event.
Click on the picture below to see a few pictures from the picnic.

.
All Alumni, former teachers and administrators, and friends of West High School.
May 18 Tuesday
General Meeting

























2010 Alumni Association General Meeting
West High Cafeteria - 6pm
Pizza, salad, and soft drinks from Minelli's were served.
A meeting followed with the West Principal, Dan Martin '72, updating us on West activities. He continues to be encouraged by the improvements the students are making in achieving the goals the staff asks them to meet.


Most alumni attending the meeting gathered in the Auditorium for a picture.


The West Drama Club presented an abbreviated version of a family oriented program that was going to be performed the following night in the Auditorium. The alumni appreciated the professionalism of the participants.
All Alumni, especially Class Reps
March
19-20
Florida Mid-Winter All-Class
Reunion
2010 Mid-Winter All-Class Reunion
Friday we had a wonderful wine and cheese get-together at Bus and Eileen Watt Griffith's home on the Bradenton River. About thirty alumni and friends attended.
The Saturday luncheon was held at the Bradenton Country Club. About eighty were at the luncheon.


The wonderfully decorated cake was dessert for our Saturday luncheon. The group pictured were all winners in our 50-50 raffle!
More pictures from the day are in the website Cafeteria.

All Alumni, especially those who either live or spend the winter in Florida
Just a brief recap of our West High 75th Anniversary celebration in 2004.

May 22, 2004


Celebrating the
75th Anniversary of West High School

12:30pm - The newly rebuilt baseball field was dedicated in honor of the West High alumni.
1pm - The Open House was from 1pm until 5pm. Light refreshments were available. Additional food items were sold in the Cafeteria. West National Honor Society member students gave building tours throughout the day. Memory Books were sold for $2 each. The Memory Book starts with the first graduating class when the school opened in 1929 and continues to the present. It also features highlights from old yearbooks, remembrances, and ads. To request a book be mailed it is $5.
Commemorative 75th Anniversary T-shirts and coffee mugs were also sold during the day.
1:30 - A program was held in the Auditorium including various dignitaries and notable alumni. The West High ensemble presented a short concert.
2:00 - The Alumni Dance Band played in the gymnasium from 2pm until 5pm.

Click on the pictures above to see many more pictures from the event.

All Alumni, current and former teachers and staff, and friends of West High






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