News
Summer, 2010 Newsletter
Hello everyone,
Finally it's spring again! What a horrid winter most of the USA had! I hope you faired well and enjoy the warmer temperatures ahead. It's getting close to the time of our next YHS alumni mixer. This year our mixer will be held on Friday, May 7, 2010, from 6:30 to 10:30 at the Watermen's Museum on the waterfront in Yorktown, VA. We hope you will try to come out for this event. Thanks to Phillip Bowditch '71, we will be able to use the Carriage House for this mixer and it is very exciting for us! It means a place to go to sit and talk (away from the band, if you wish) and the use of a real restroom for the ladies, with towels, mirror and lights! Sorry, guys, there will still be a port-a-potty for you to use. Also, the class of 1970 is having their reunion the weekend of our mixer and will use the mixer as their Friday night event. This should prove to be lots of fun but may also cause a possible parking dilemma too, so keep that in mind. We are pleased to announce that our band this May will be "GROOVE TIDE" (formerly "Live Wire" who played for us a few years back). Four members are YHS alumni: Wally Gayle '72, Frank Pitchford '73, Richard Eanes '73 and Steve Henry '80. They are really looking forward to performing for us and we can't wait to see them either.
I have great news about our alumni spring mixer and yard sale. Each event had fabulous weather and each was a huge success - thanks to YOU - our wonderful supporters! The mixer had approximately 430 attendees - the most alumni and guests so far by a long shot. Several classes having reunions made up some of the crowd, while it was good to see many of the "regulars" too. It's always a special moment watching classmates meet classmates who haven't seen each other in ages. We wish we could have more photos of those moments! The Band, "Groove Tide", composed of 4 YHS alumni, was super and many of you just could not stop dancing, right? They
said they had a blast as well and can't wait to play for us again. I'm sure we will have them back soon.
Thanks go to those of you who took the time to fill out the contact information forms at the mixer. It was a delight to get so many new contacts and to be able to read most of them too! Even if you think we have your info, it's good to be able to verify addresses and phone numbers so fill out those forms! Also, thanks a million to those of you who helped provide munchies for the mixer and/or helped set up or cleaned up. Of course, we especially wish to thank Phil Bowditch, '71, for backing and supporting our use of the Carriage House during the mixer as well as opening the Watermen's Museum for several hours for our guests to tour. This was of great benefit to us. We appreciate everyone's help!
Two items found at the mixer are: Large earring part or bracelet bauble in turquoise, gold and black and a rechargeable camera battery. Please let us know if either of these items are yours. And don't forget, the fall mixer is Friday, October 1, 2010; same place - The Watermen's Museum in Yorktown and the same time - 6:30 to 10:30 PM. Mark your calendars; but I will send out a reminder in early September too. BTW: The mixer photos are up on the Flickr.com site, www.flickr.com/photos/26512409@N04/sets/. You can also access them by our web site: www.yorkhighalumni.org. Click on the photo link and the listing for the Spring 2010 mixer. Sorry, but I have not put any ID's on them. If you'd like to help do so, please contact me at maff49@aol.com.
Our yard sale was a fun filled day and as I mentioned we were blessed with fabulous weather again. We had some alumni volunteers who came to help and we enjoyed their company. Many thanks to them and those who donated items for sale. Luckily, our fundraiser was the same day York High put on their first Chili Cook-Off (and the food was scrumptious) which included lots of other fun things going on. Hopefully, next year there will be another Cook-off so we can double up these two events again for another "win-win" situation. Being able to mingle with current YHS students was a plus too!
If your class is planning a reunion and is not listed below, please contact us. Upcoming class reunions are as follows:
- The class of '65 is holding their 45th reunion on September 24-25, 2010. Contact Linda Boyce Banks at jolinkennels@tni.net
- The class of '75 is holding their 35th reunion on September 17-19, 2110. Please email Evelyn Crow Smith or Debbie Fox Morecock at yhs1975@yahoo.com
- The class of '80 is holding their 30th reunion on September 25, 2010. Contact Amy Grogan Chandler at 757-898-2955 - amy.chandler@cox.net
- The class of '81 will hold their 30th reunion next year on June 18-19, 2011. Contact Pam Willard Troutman at the4trouts@charter.net or Teresa McPherson at teresa.j.mcpherson@navy.mil
- The class of '90 is holding their 20th reunion on October 16, 2010. Contact Angela Molin Walters at 1990YorkHigh@gmail.com
On June 3, 2010 the YHS Alumni Association presented its 6th scholarship to Eslam M. Abuhmad of Yorktown. She has a 3.54 GPA and is active in civic activities and provides leadership roles in the community. She is particularly involved with the Special Olympics. She plans to attend ODU in the fall. For more information on Eslam and her unique story, please visit our web site at www.yorkhighalumni.org and click on the News link. Also, we have just been informed by Christopher Newport University that this years YHS Golden Jubilee Scholarship has been awarded to Christina Hood.
If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at our web site www.yorkhighalumni.org. We are always looking for new members to join the alumni committee or alumni to help us with special projects and fundraising events. Please consider joining our fun group! On behalf of the YHS Alumni Association Committee, we hope that you have a wonderful and safe summer.
Until next time, all the best,
Mary Ann Fisher Foell
Mary Ann Fisher Foell '67
Announcement of the 2010 YHS AA Scholarship Recipient
The YHS Alumni Association is pleased to announce that Eslam M. Abuhmad of Yorktown has been awarded the 6th YHS AA scholarship. She has a 3.54 GPA and is active in civic activities and provides leadership roles in the community. She is particularly involved with the Special Olympics. Mrs. Antonia Fox, Principal of YHS said this about Eslam: "She has come a long way in her time at YHS. She has come to understand the value of education and the meaning learning has in her life. She encourages other students to try their best and she serves as a role model to other students. Due to a family situation, she spent several years in Syria and did not attend school. When Eslam came back to YHS, she worked very hard to catch up with her work to earn credits and graduating on-time with her peers. That speaks volumes about her character, work ethic, and determination."
"When Eslam first came to YHS to enroll in September of 2007, her intention was to earn her GED. We discussed this decision in great length. Eslam had been living in Syria with her mother and being a female was not given the opportunity to attend school for several years. When she came to YHS she was 17 years old and both her and her family felt that she would be unable to earn her high school diploma because of all the obstacles she had. Her schedule was set with basic 9th grade courses and an added 10th grade history class which would help prepare her for the GED test."
"At the end of the 1st semester Eslam was doing so well in her classes it was decided she should stay for the year. At the conclusion of that year Eslam was beginning to see it was possible for her to earn her high school diploma. Through a lot of hard work and a year in summer school to make up an English credit, Eslam is currently a senior and will graduate."
Also, Tricia Bridgeman, YHS Guidance Counselor had this to say: "Eslam has worked very hard to reach her goal of obtaining her high school diploma. She will continue to work just as hard in college. Since living in a country where education is only for men, Eslam has gained a respect and an appreciation of what it means to be given the opportunity to have an education. She will be an asset to any school she chooses to attend and proud to have this opportunity."
Eslam is a US citizen and her father is self employed at Colonial Williamsburg. She plans to attend ODU in the fall. Here Danny Peters, presents Eslam with her scholarship at the Awards night June 3, 2010 at York High School.
Mixer Info
There will be two alumni mixers held in 2010. Our spring mixer will be held Friday, May 7, 2010, from 6:30 to 10:30 PM at the Watermen's Museum in Yorktown, Virginia. Our fall mixer will be held Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, from 6:30 to 10:30 PM at the Watermen's Museum in Yorktown, Virginia. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend. A $5 donation will be collected at the "door" with beer and wine available for $3. Water and soft drinks available for $1 and complimentary snacks will be provided. Come out and visit with old friends and classmates from high school and listen to our entertainment. We will be checking ID's and asking you to "sign in" on our "who's here" board. As usual, proceeds (over expenses) from the mixer funds a yearly YHS Alumni Association Scholarship awarded to a deserving York High senior. June, 2010, will be the sixth time a YHSAA scholarship has been presented thanks to your support and the generous support of our sponsors. Tell your classmates and friends about the mixer and we look forward to seeing you there.
