The Falcon Legacy

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Homeless

Students in

Independence

2

Van Horn: Pro-

gress Update

Mentoring Pro-

gram

3

WDS Bowling

Fundraiser

4

Membership up-

date

Board Notes

Class of 1964 news

5

Events Calendar

Days of Yore

6

P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E

V A N H O R N H I G H S C H O O L

A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N The Falcon Legacy F A L L 2 0 1 2 V O L U M E I I , I S S U E V

SECOND HALL OF HONOR INDUCTION

2012 VAN HORN HONOREES

Left clockwise: Jay Fisher, President of

VHHSAA; Parvesh Kumar, MD—KU

Cancer Ctr (VH ‘77); Chad Watson, noted

musician songwriter, music producer (VH

‘72); Mike Beal, CFO Ball’s Foods and lo-

cal philanthropist (VH ‘74): Brigadier Gen-

eral Jose Riojas, U.S. Army retired, Asst.

Sec. Operations, Security, and Preparedness;

U.S. Dept. Veterans Affairs (VH ‘72); Mrs.

Mary Carolyn Cofer, widow of William

Cofer, VH Vocal Music Director.

Chad Watson (right) VH ‘’72 and 2012 Hall

of Honor recipient, brought down the house

with his performance.

2 The Falcon Legacy

Recently the Independence School District (ISD)

Alumni Association* became aware that there were

nearly 1000 homeless students within our district at

some point during the last school year and that the

same or more are expected during this school year! A

decision was made by high school alumni to raise

funds that can be used to help these children so that

they may remain in school.

The Independence School District approved for the

ISD Alumni Association to hold up to eight special

events during the 2012-2013 school year to raise

money earmarked just for the ISD homeless students

for food, clothing, school supplies and essentials.**

The next event this year will be on Saturday, No-

vember 10, 2012 at the Masonic Hall at 120 South

Pleasant in Independence Missouri. This will be an

all-day event so that we can potentially do three

fundraisers consisting of one during breakfast,

lunch and a chili/soup dinner to include a special

evening of music.

Ways you can help with this event:

Donations of cash or food items

Donations of raffle items

Volunteer for a shift during the day long event

Help to get the word out and sell tickets

Mark your calendar to attend

All proceeds from the events will go to the ISD non-

profit foundation. Additional information of the

Alumni’s efforts to help the ISD homeless students or

ideas on ways you can help can be found at

www.Homeless-Students.com

*The ISD Alumni Association incorporates the high

school graduates of William Chrisman, Truman and

Van Horn High Schools from all years.

** Contact Brenda Cox (VH ’77) for more informa-

tion or to donate tangible items. 816-509-8478.

HOMELESS STUDENTS IN

INDEPENDENCE NEED HELP

TABITHA’S CLOSET

Norma Tibbetts, coordinator of Tabitha's Closet at

the First Christian Church of Independence, shows off

shoes from the smallest to the largest at the clothing

shop, which provides new and used clothing for chil-

dren in the Independence School District.

http://www.tmes.biz/williamchrisman/homeless/tabithas.shtml

3 The Falcon Legacy

Van Horn High School Progress Update

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

To the Editor:

Below is a list of some Van Horn High School

achievements that you might find interesting for all of

your readers. Although there are probably other

things that could be added, these are what come to

mind at this time.

In Academics, our graduation rates are now compara-

ble to Truman and Chrisman High Schools. You can

check these on the DESE website for actual numbers.

We have some of the best test scores in Jackson

County in Science and Language; we have a higher

percentage of students being admitted to college than

other schools in the Independence district; and we

have the lowest discipline rate of any school in Inde-

pendence.

In the area of Activities, last year both the Girls’ Soc-

cer and Varsity Football teams played in the state tour-

nament; we have a new weight room (the old pool

area); and the gymnasium has been painted and im-

proved (our “sideways” floor has never looked better).

In the area of fine arts, this year we have added Josue

Mallina as band director. Mrs. Erin Barrier contin-

ues as director of the vocal music programs and or-

chestra.

Thank you, the Alumni Association, for all your sup-

port to our students.

Chris Corrie Activities Director

·

Fred Quatrocky I am so glad we attended (the Hall of Honor

Ceremony). The honorees were all deserving and their

speeches were touching. Seeing that sparkle in Mr. Kaifes is

such a treat. Thanks for such a nice event. P.S. It was great to

see the kids working together after school decorating for

Homecoming.

Above: Students staying after school to work on decora-

tions for the upcoming Home Coming week.

Mentoring Program Update

We are proud to announce the addition of eleven new

mentors to the mentoring program database. To make

this program work, we need all of our alumni to post

their skill-sets. You may add more than one category,

i.e. multiple skill-sets.

A new email will be sent out periodically with a re-

quest. Please add your name and talents for our high

school kids. You will get more back than you can

give by being a mentor!!!

4 The Falcon Legacy

7th WDS

ANNUAL

BOWLING

FUNDRAISER

*

JAN 19, 2013

‘FREE’ BEER

From 4:30 to 5:30 only

*

Strike ‘N Spare

Lanes on 40 Hwy

$30 per

Bowler

5 person teams

Date: Saturday, January 19, 2013

Time: 5:30 PM until 9:00 PM

Location: Strike ‘n Spare Lanes, 13001 E. 40 Hwy, Independence, MO

Cost: $30 per person

Proceeds will be used to fund college scholarships for students from the

Greater Kansas City Area

You are cordially invited to participate in this annual event. WDS was formed

in 2005 with the goal of offering scholarships to local students that might not

qualify for scholarships from other sources. Selected students are personally

interviewed by WDS and are awarded full scholarships totaling $6,000 paid

over 4 years. All students interviewed qualify for at least a partial scholarship.

Since inception, WDS has awarded $117,500 in scholarships to 32 students

with over $25,000 awarded just last spring. The goal for the upcoming school

year is to award an additional $20,000 or more in scholarships. Fundraisers

such as this make these awards possible. We will do everything possible to ac-

commodate groups that would like to bowl together. It doesn’t matter if you

are an accomplished bowler or not. All levels of participants will be eligible for

prizes. We also recommend that you contact one of us to verify your atten-

dance. We have a limit of 160 bowlers.

PRIZES:

Colored Pins—Win prizes if you get a strike with different colored pin combi-

nations.

Splits—Win prizes if you pick up designated splits.

Scoring—There will be men’s and women’s awards for the following: 1)High

game scratch and handicap; 2) High series scratch and handicap. There is also

an award for team score

Raffle—Enter the raffle for many other great prizes

Added Bonus—Free beer from 4:30 PM-5:30 PM. Come early!

Please put the date on your calendar and contact Terry, David, or Tom if you

are able to participate. You can also mail your donation and reserve your place

to:

Terry Smitka, 1205 Wellington Way, Liberty, MO 64068

Terry—816-217-9487 or tsmitka@yahoo.com

David—913-209-3511 or david@fountainglass.com

Tom—913-631-1223 or jkid96@msn.com

THE SEVENTH ANNUAL WDS BOWLING FUNDRAISER

5 The Falcon Legacy

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

100-

50-

10-

New

Total = 63

Our goal for 2012 is to increase member-

ship by 100. We are getting close with 63

at the end of September. Alumni Associa-

tion Representatives will be attending each

REUNION with information and applica-

tions. Annual membership is only $25. Or,

you can become a LIFETIME member

plus get a shirt for $250.

Vi s i t our webs i te a t h t tp: / /

www.vanhornalumni.org for an online

application.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

The VHHSAA met on Sept 19th in the Alumni

Room at the school. Those in attendance were: Jay

Fisher, ‘75; Brenda Cox, ‘77; Marietta Boenker,

‘60; Nancy Ehrlich, ‘56, Betty Jane Stinnett, ‘64;

Lisa Renshaw, ‘76; Glenda Baker Philliips, ‘73.

Special guests were Chris Corey (VH Activities Di-

rector) and Cecil Taylor, WCHS ‘65.

The board agreed to work with the Independence

School District Alumni Association (which includes

William Chrisman, Truman and Van Horn High

School alumni) in supporting the homeless students

in Independence.

Additional business included appointing representa-

tives for each of the upcoming class reunions.

We received and accepted the resignation of newly

elected secretary, James Scott. There were no nomi-

nee acceptances for the position. The position of

Secretary remains vacant.

Two new memberships were received and one re-

newal. Bills were submitted and reimbursed for the

Hall of Honor ceremony.

The meeting which opened at 7:00 p.m. was ad-

journed at 8:35 p.m.

All VH alumni are welcome to attend meetings

which are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month

except November/December.

MEMBERSHIP GOAL FOR 2012 SEPTEMBER MEETING REPORTS

Class of 1964: The monthly meeting of the Class of 1964 was held at the Olive Garden on 40 Highway.

The class meets for lunch on the second Saturday of every month. Those present were: Marian Pugh

Conyer, Linda Clasley Malicoat, Helen May Galyon, Betty Jane Nickles Stinnett, Janice Jeffries

Brooks, Ginny Gross Turk, Norma Perriman Sterbeng, and Dale Sterbeng. The location of the Octo-

ber 13th lunch meeting will be at noon at the Salty Iguana on 40 Highway.

Contact Betty Jane Stinnett for information 816-935-6921

6 The Falcon Legacy

Do you know the name of this drive-in from the

1950’s? Submit your answers to vhhsaa@yahoo.com

ATTENTION ANNUAL MEMBERS

DUES FOR 2012-13

WERE DUE By

JULY 1, 2012

Please remit your annual dues of $25 to:

VHHSAA, P.O. Box 520712

Independence, MO 64052

Our fiscal year begins July 1 of each year. If you

have not paid your annual dues for 2011-12, you

may send them in one check for both years marking

in the memo space that you are paying for 2011-

2013. Members not in good standing will be dropped

from membership. Having trouble remembering to

pay your dues? Become a Life-time Member and pay

just a one-time $250 membership.

VHHSAA meets the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

every month except December. For locations, please

review sites on calendar above.

From Days of Yore

The Van Horn High School

Alumni Association

Answer from last issue: The three major department

stores when Independence Center opened in 1974 were:

MACY’S, SEARS, and STIX, BAER & FULLER. Sorry,

no winners!

Events Calendar

Oct 12-13 Classes of 1955-65 Reunion, “Van Horn Had A Dream”

Oct 17 VHHSAA Regular Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Alumni Room, VHHS

Nov 10 ISD Alumni Event (All Day)

Masonic Hall, Independence

Nov 14* VHHSAA Regular Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Alumni Room, VHHS

Jan 16 VHHSAA Regular Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Alumni Room, VHHS

Jan 19 WDS Bowling Fundraiser at

Strike ‘n Spare Lanes, 40 Hwy.

Independence, MO

* 2nd week of November due to Thanksgiving Day

P.O. Box 520172, Independence, MO 64052

Phone: 816-914-6490 (Jay Fisher)

E-mail: VHHSAA@yahoo.com

VHHSAA Board Members

President Jay Fisher (VH‘75)

Vice President Nancy Mills Ehrlich (VH‘56)

Secretary Vacant

Treasurer Lisa Hay Renshaw (VH‘76)

At-Large Dir. Marietta Wilson Boenker

(VH‘60)

To submit articles, news or comments to the

Falcon Legacy, write to VHHSAA@yahoo.com