Alumni Bash Success

It was wonderful talking to Mrs. Trudgeon and hearing that “Uncle” Jack thought he was no more special than any teacher. But from the people I know, he touched a lot of students in many different ways, more than just learning music.

I also considered the Bash a large success when my Best Friend showed up after us being out of contact for almost 8 years. We also spent the better part of Sunday at his house talking. And yes he was the crazy guy who brought our Snow.

We all have teachers or someone in our lives that have touched us in different ways. I had Mr. Qualkenbush and Gayle had Linda Elkins. Mr. Qualkenbush was on an Alaska Cruise the weekend of the Bash, but Ms. Elkins was at the Bash, and Gayle was so happy to see her.

We all have friends who live far away. Gerry Boles and Dennis Poynter traveled from Florida to see friends at the Bash. Some traveled across the state. But the success part is they did travel to come to the Bash. They traveled to see friends.

Gayle and I decided to put on the Bash literally in a matter of minutes, after reading something in the Ford High School Message board about what they were doing. I was talking to Gayle from work in instant messenger. I told her I wanted to put on a party for everyone that ever went to Churchill. That was the beginning. Gayle decided in order to help promote the Bash and to help keep Alumni connected we needed a website. This would be a place were we could display photos from any Alumni who wanted to share with the rest of the Alumni, a place were we could tell all other Alumni who we are and how to contact us. We already had the one started from the 30-ish Reunion, so we decided to use that as our "home base."

With the addition of the Alumni directory we are working towards a listing of as many Churchill Alumni as we can find. This is so that maybe an old friend will find the person they have been wondering about since High School, or the next time a class is trying to put on a reunion we can help them get a head start on contact information.

The list is growing daily. Plans for the next Bash are already ongoing. It will get bigger and bigger each year with the help of friends from every class. After all, we all started with that Charger Spirit.

Financially this year we did not meet our goals. We came short of paying for all the expenses. But in every business it takes time to meet some goals. Our biggest expense this year was our banner and the equipment we purchased for the event. All those are reusable for next year and the following years. Next year instead of having to pay out over $350.00 for a banner we will be spending $20.00 to change the date. We will also already have the kick balls and badminton set, the frisbees and the water balloons. We will also be growing to over 200 or more Alumni. Lets all remember to tell other Alumni how much fun we had, and lets look forward to more surprises for next year.

Thank you to all our friends who spent the day with us, if not in person, but in thought. We know a lot of people who were there in mind, but were not able to make the trip this year. We know we have your support.

Thank you.