Fall 2007
IMHS ALUMNI & FRIENDS NEWSLETTER
Elsa Brule Photo
MAGNIFICENT ADDITION TO HIGH SCHOOL LANDSCAPING The Class of 2007 was the first to enjoy the breath-taking blossoms of the flowering crab trees planted on the High School lawn. We have been WAITING for the year when they would finally touch and make a canopy over the sidewalk. This was the year! The trees were planted ten years ago and flower every year, but more profusely every other year. This was a year of profuse blossoms. RuthAnn Selden chaired the committee that co-coordinated the project. There is a plaque honoring the people who each sponsored a tree on the wall inside the front doors. Her motivation was that she wanted her children to always be proud of the school they'd attended and to be able to point it out as a beautiful school. Up until then, there had been no landscaping at all on any of the school grounds. An elderly woman walking down the curved sidewalk was overheard saying, "If I were a Bride...I'd want to walk down this sidewalk..." The intent was that the trees would blossom just about the time of Graduation and they did not disappoint. The Class of 2007 and future students and staff will enjoy this spectacular landscaping for generations to come!
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Dear Alumni and Friends: Welcome back to the 2007-08 school year. We are excited and energized to get off to a great start in the Iron Mountain Public Schools and I look forward to bringing you current information about what is happening in our district. I want to thank each and every one of you for all the support you have given to us which is reflected in your notes, cards and donations for our newsletter. We could never produce this publication without your help. IMHS Alumni and Friends has served as a means of connecting friends and acquaintances from all over the world and has proven to be an important
communication tool which links “Mountaineers Everywhere!” I want to acknowledge Laura Blanksvard and a new addition to our Alumni Office, Kim Jacobs, who together have put in numerous hours to produce this newsletter. The work
ethic of these two individuals is outstanding and we cannot thank them enough for all of their efforts in gathering Mountaineer information and putting the newsletter together throughout the year. The next edition of our newsletter will feature a fundraiser kick-off for new seats in our auditorium. We are hopeful that our Alumni and Friends will help to make this project happen; which I am confident they will. Enjoy the color with the change of the seasons! Sincerely, Denny Chartier Superintendent Iron Mountain Public Schools
THANK YOU... Our Newsletter publication relies tremendously on the support and donations of Iron Mountain Alumni, thanks to all who have helped out! If you would like to make a donation toward future issues, checks can be made payable to: IMHS Alumni & Friends Newsletter. Send all donations to: IMHS Alumni & Friends Newsletter, P.O. Box 280, Iron Mountain, MI 49801.
Listed by graduation year:
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Rodney W. Walter (‘49)
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Robert N. Peterson (‘38)
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Jack Fortier (’51) and Sally (Frickelton)
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Louise Nault (‘39)
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In Memory of Ned Nelson (‘41)
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Dave & Judy Carpenter (‘52)
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Lorrice Adolphson (‘42)
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Bernadine (Clemo) Crispigna (‘52)
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Peter K. Disher (‘42)
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Jim Mortensen (‘52)
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Gloria Nikkari (‘43)
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Patricia Negro (‘52)
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Marguerite (Schinderle) Van Ermen (‘44)
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(Graham) Dale McNamee (‘53)
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Victor Badini (‘45)
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Robert M. Pyle (‘60)
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Dorothy (Khoury) Soderberg (’47)
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Marcia (Glidden) Parker (‘62)
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David Dworsky (’48)
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Mary Jo (Roberts) Seiber (‘65)
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Jim and Barb Verrette (’48)
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Patricia L. Paquin (‘68)
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Geraldine (Lindstrom) Weinrich (’48)
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Cindy Johnson (‘74)
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Fortier (’52)
MOUNTAINEER TRIVIA 1. Who were the King and Queen of the 1958 “Senior Hop”?
2. Who was the principal of Iron Mountain High School in 1958?
3. Who was the Salutatorian of the Class of 1941?
4. Who was the Head Majorette at Iron Mountain High School in 1974?
5. Who was Vice President of the Class the Class of 1990?
ANSWERS: 1. Dan Mendini and Judi Dahl 4. Lori Baravetto 5. Derek Fortner PAGE 3
2. Caroline Hofer
3. Norma Romagnoli
We are looking for more alumni to feature on our school channel, website and newsletter. If interested, please contact us at:
[email protected]. PAGE 4
FEATURED MOUNTAINEER ALUMNI
Donald Jacobs, MD Class of 1949
Dr. Jacobs was born and raised in Iron Mountain and one of three generations who graduated from Iron Mountain High School. He loved all of his teachers but his favorite was his second grade teacher, Mrs. Doris Rahm. He found her loving and kind and later in life he cared for her as a patient. In the old days they had three levels of achievement starting in 7th grade. Students were separated according to academic ability. According to Dr. Jacobs, he was not a “super student”, but somehow managed to be at level one in spite of himself. During commencement he remembers being embarrassed in front of his family when others received awards and accolades which he knew he could have achieved. He vowed to himself that it would never happen again and it never did. He was academically number one in his first two years at Northland College. He always wanted to be a doctor and as Russell Trevillian wrote in his book “America’s Trip to the Dumpster”, he recalled his fourth grade essay question, “what do you want to be when you grow up”? There was never another choice in his life. In 1951, he hitchhiked to the University of Michigan as a nineteen year old with thirty-five dollars in his pocket. He had on his best Sunday overalls, a flannel shirt, and his grandfather’s worn imitation leather suitcase. A semi-truck driver picked him up in Manistique and asked him where he was going. He told him he was going to medical school. The trucker commented that it was kind of a big calling but he responded that there was nothing to it. When he got to summer school the zoology tuition was twenty-five dollars. He had ten dollars left for room and board and immediately got a job at the university hospital. He worked there for the next six years. He had five or six uncles and aunts who received degrees from the University of Michigan. He and his wife, Sally (Turosky) are just as proud that their three children and two oldest grandchildren also hold degrees from the University of Michigan. He recalled meeting Mr. Guild in Ann Arbor where he was attending a meeting for superintendents. Mr. Guild mentioned that Harvard University had just done a study of the most successful graduates. They had found three things that were necessary to reach your goals and achieve success: desire, average intelligence and hard work. That was the advice that Dr. Jacobs always remembered. His most memorable medical school event was being in the audience in 1954 when Jonas Sulk announced his discovery of the Polio Vaccine! He always wanted to return to Iron Mountain. He missed the people and families, his church and Pine Grove Golf Course. He feels blessed in being able to care for a lot of people he knew, classmates, relatives, teachers, friends, and neighbors. He considers it an honor to have served the people and to be lucky enough to be involved in community service. PAGE 5
From the Mailbag... Hello Iron Mountain Alumni! We enjoy getting your newsletter even though my dad, who attended IM, died some time back. It reminds us fondly of him and sometimes contains references to his friends and family. Imagine our surprise when, in the 2007 Winter/Spring issue, we came upon a letter actually written by Ned Nelson himself! It was one day shy of the two year anniversary of his death! Now don't be horrified because my mother and I weren't. We were tickled. He must have written this to you some months before he died in May of 2005. We figure that, like most homegrown volunteer operations, the mail backs up. So even from beyond death, Ned Nelson expresses his love for his hometown and the friends and family there. Iron Mountain never ceased to be home to him even though he had married, moved out to Seattle, and raised three children there. If some of your readers knew Ned (class of 1941), we would welcome a note. Please send to Carolyn Boatsman, 3210 74 AV SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040 or
[email protected]. We also enjoyed seeing a reference to a 1949 high school singing group, the Blondettes, a member of which was Ned's niece, Janet Lofstrom. Lovely. We'll send a donation to keep your good work going. Thank you! Carolyn Boatsman and Lydia Nelson Your letters are a great pleasure for me. Hope they keep coming. I am still teaching music in Green Bay and surrounding area, as I have been doing since 1955. It is interesting to read about your plans and the changes that have been made since I was there in 1949. Shirley McLeod Class of 1949 Dear Editor, Thanks for connecting so many “dots.” Just reading familiar names and class dates are sweet memory joggers. Iron Mountains’ roots remain alive and well despite the realities of time and distance playing their game. May the schools’ current successes - scholarship programs, etc, - continue to spawn such strength! Warmest regards, Bob Mortensen Class of 1948 PAGE 6
Mailbag continued... I always enjoy reading the IMHS newsletter, and reading about friends from so very long ago. Being born and raised in Iron Mountain gave me a sound foundation for the rest of my life. Keep up the good work. Fondly, Mary Jo (Roberts) Seiber Class of 1965 I’ve enjoyed the two newsletters I’ve already gotten. I was Lorrice Gronlund, and graduated from IMHS in 1942. I’ve lived in Florida ever since 1952. My husband is still living, and we both are still traveling every change we get. Good luck with the newsletter. Sincerely, Lorrice (Gronlund) Adolphson Class of 1942 I look forward to reading the Alumni newsletter. Born and raised in Iron Mountain, I graduated with the Class of 1944. I still have relatives and friends there which I keep in contact with. Thank you, Marguerite Schinderle Van Ermen Class of 1944 Thank you for starting the IMHS Newsletter and sending it to me. I am a 1944 IMHS graduate. I went to Notre Dame for one year and then to the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1949. Spent 20 years in the Navy as an aviator, worked in Washington, D.C. for another 20 + years and am now retired and living in Annapolis, MD. Keep up your good work at IMHS, especially with your alumni activities. Sincerely, Steve Krause Class of 1944
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SCHOLARSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS The graduates of an educational institution are always proud of what their Alma Mater has done for them. Many of us remember a teacher who made a positive difference in our lives, a special scholarship we earned, or the stellar education that well prepared us for a career. For these reasons, many Iron Mountain High School graduates wish to give something back to benefit generations of IMHS graduates to come. The scholarship committee’s objective is to advance and promote the higher education of Iron Mountain High School graduates through academic scholarships. Furthermore, it is our objective to raise monies for the carrying out of that objective, and in particular, for the presentation and distribution of scholarships. There are many methods to accomplish contributing to or providing scholarships for graduating seniors: Contributions to the IMHS General Scholarship Fund in any amount may be mailed at anytime to: Scholarship Administrator, Iron Mountain High School, 300 West B Street, Iron Mountain, MI 49801. However, donations of $100 or more will be recognized on an engraved brass plate. Bequests may be made during your life under the terms of a scholarship trust agreement in memory of a loved one or to honor and recognize a special friend, family members, or mentor who is still living. Bequests may be made after death under the terms of a testamentary will or living trust agreement. Designations of the IMHS General Scholarship Fund as a beneficiary to a life insurance policy, retirement plan, or investment retirement account. Establishing tax-saving charitable remainder trusts that will pay you or a beneficiary income for life. Please help by considering one or more of the above methods of giving. Your contribution can change a life! For more information, please contact either: Mrs. Mel Laydon, IMHS Scholarship Administrator Iron Mountain High School 300 West B Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801 (906) 779-2610 Email:
[email protected]
Mr. Richard W.E. Ledy, IMHS Scholarship Fund Advisor Vice President/Trust Officer Northern Michigan Bank & Trust 1502 W. Washington Street Marquette, MI 49855 Email:
[email protected]
5th General Scholarship Plaque Additional names have been added to the 5th general scholarship plaque with a donation of $100 or more: Ann Marie (Burgess) Lee – Class of 1937 Robert J. Peronto – Class of 1968 Thomas J. Peronto – Class of 1970 William J. Peronto – Class of 1972 Robert Rubbo – Class of 1947 Geraldine M. Cesario – Class of 1944 Therese Bonen Porta – Class of 1946 Charles J. Porta – Class of 1944 Ken Lagina – Memorial – Class of 1963 Jeanette & Henry Pozza – 50th Wedding Anniversary PAGE 8
REUNION UPDATES Class of 1968 - 40 Year Reunion We are in need of addresses for our upcoming reunion in 2008! Barbara Bennett, Ann Mckee Bujold, Steve Clement, Wayne Crowley, Susanne Johnson, Peggy Miller, Robert Stenfors, Robert Stirewait, and Marion Turner Please send information to:
[email protected]
Class of 1998 - 10 Year Reunion We are in need of addresses for our upcoming reunion in 2008! Please email names and addresses to: Sara (Petroff) Gilmore
[email protected]
The class of 1957 celebrates their 50 year reunion.
The class of 1967 celebrates their 40 year reunion.
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SPRING SPORTS Back row left to right: Coach Chris Hartman, Collin Kuoppala, Cole Cavalieri, Tim Obradovich, Freddy Melzer, Andrew Cassanova, Tim Johnson, Eric Lindholm, Tony Cavalieri, Josh Blumensaadt, Matt Chang Middle row: Andrew Larson, Andrew Bales, Nick Schiavo, Lauri Ranin, Sam Henke, Jason Anys, Collin Wangerin, Tucker Kujala, Matt Lobeck Front row: Corey Runsat, Dan Bales, Dan Arnold, Dale Hubbard, Alex Berger, Alex Heilila, Bryce Peterson, Jon Neveau
Matt Lobeck-#2 Singles Tim Obradovich-#4 Singles
Regional Champions
Back Row left to right: Shane Collins, Andrew Hartwig, Anthony Amicangelo, Mac Reid, Michael Ring, Joby Sullivan, Billy Hartwig, Ryan Pepin, Anders Neinstadt, Hamilton Watts, Brandon Spigarelli Middle row: Coach Powell, Chris Homes, Eric Frisque, Tim Tippett, Taylor McCarthy, Tyler Rhode, Tadd Marcell Front row: Nick Harris, Dan Derwinski, Mitch Pender, Mario Frankini, Adam Gendron, Chucky Edwards, Coach Scott Boddy. PAGE 10
Front row left to right: Sylvie Jaspen, Samantha Langsford, Brianna Wiegle, Gina Jacobs, Dorothy Cook, Danielle Mellon, Cassie Anderson, Michelle Patterson, Brittany McDaniel Middle row: Coach Terwilliger, Jessica Nelson, Carly Buchcuski, Katie Anderson, Kathryn Gingras, Sadie Palomaki, Stephanie Mooney, Roberta Adams, Bridgette Cazzola, Kelsey Bennett, Alex Lebo, Allison Lebo, Sara Ring, Coach Gagala Back row: Claire Capra, Nikki Trevarthen, Jamie Hogberg, Hilary Beauchamp, Kristen Nelson, Liz Momont, Sam Buckland, Brittany Newberry, Jessica Cowling, Coach Tara Hartman
Joby Sullivan-1st Place UP Division I Finals Long Jump –19’ 11.5”
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2007!
• • • • •
Number of Graduating Seniors - 89 Number of Seniors Receiving Scholarships - 67 (this includes Michigan Promise, Service Organization Awards or College and or University Awards) Number of Seniors Receiving Michigan Promise - 56 Number of Applications Taken out by the Seniors - 1,727 Number of Applications Returned and Processed - 1,317 IMHS Scholarship Trust Fund • Total amount awarded - $350,820 •
Local Service Organization Total amount awarded - $29,850
Michigan Promise Scholarships • Total amount awarded - $244,000 Individual College and University Awards • Total amount awarded - $583,050
Grand Total Awarded to 2007 Seniors: $1,207,720 PAGE 11
AUDITORIUM UPDATE We ran an article in the summer issue of the Alumni and Friends Newsletter to inform everyone of the renovation project that is currently underway for the IMHS auditorium. The response to our fundraising efforts has been great, but we have not yet met our goal. The painting has been completed and the next phase will include purchasing new chairs and renovation of the floor. We would like to thank all of those who donated toward the much needed updates. Your generosity is very much appreciated!
Donations for renovation of the auditorium can be sent to: IMHS Music Dept., 300 West B St., Iron Mountain, MI 49801. Pictured right: Superintendent, Denny Chartier and Gail Vornkahl, IMHS Music Department.
Iron Mountain High School 300 West B Street Iron Mountain, MI 49801 906-779-2600 Address Service Requested
NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 215 IRON MOUNTAIN, MI 49801
