PUBLICATION OF THE VAN HORN HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The Falcon Legacy V O L U M E
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SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
Association asking for material donations. P. 6 Music Dept. looking for piano benefactors P. 5
Spring Concert Photos
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Letter to the 2 Mr. K’s 20th 3 Birthday Association News
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Reunion News
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Calendar
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Days of Yore Quiz
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(Floor) Zak Kelso, Gabby Goering. (Stage) Dance: Kevin Alessio. Soloists: Kyah Karlsson, Derek Willoughby, A.J. Campbell, Brando Garcia, Diana Cruz.
VH CONCERT CHOIR BRINGS HOUSE DOWN In Van Horn’s auditorium, the stage was set for the Annual Spring Concert for Van Horn music students under the direction of Mrs. Erin Barrier, Director. The evening of March 13, performances were heard from the Symphonic Band, the Orchestra, Women’s Choir, and the Men’s Choir. But, the finale, presented by the Concert Choir, was an ambitious Bemba tribal number, “Bonse Aba”.
Getting publicized previously in an article submitted to the Independence Examiner by Joe Bayless, the attending crowd was impressive to say the least.
language.
This night, the anticipation of the finale was not disappointing in the least. Choir members dressed in tuxes and gowns lined the aisles Earlier this year, Joe singing accompanied by Bayless was substituting for Bemba acoustical instruMrs. Barrier when he ments. heard this familiar music as Yep, this writer could being that of the Bemba hardly be contained. At the people of Zambia. He later conclusion, I did yell, brought some Bemba mem- “Encore, Encore!” but bers from his church to lis- couldn’t be heard over the ten to the choir who verified thunderous applause!. the authenticity of the singer’s interpretation of the See more related photos on page 2.
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Letter to the Editor:
Van Horn Symphonic Band
Independence, MO —by Joe Bayless To the editor (Independence Examiner) Recently I had the wonderful privilege of substituting for Erin Barrier, music teacher at Van Horn High School. During the mixed-choir class, they sang a song that really shocked me. It was called “Bonse Aba.” It is sung a lot by the Bemba tribe in Zambia. The students used all the motions, the various drum instruments, etc. They did an excellent job. After school I called my good friend, Reverend Bunda Chibwe, a minister in the Community of Christ Church, who is Bemba. I told him of this experience. He could not believe that in this Midwest town of Independence, a few thousand miles from Zambia, a high school singing group would be singing a Christian song he grew up with in his native language. I contacted the teacher to see if I could invite my Bemba Joe Bayless with his Bemba friend, when he is in town, to guests, Deborah Chibwe and come and share with the choir. Jerry K. Ottibwb. He was amazed. It was excellent! The students were thrilled to share with him. They had many questions for him and were pleased to find out also that their pronunciation was perfect. In this discussion, two cultures came closer together. Bunda sang another Bemba song for them, and after a while they were able to join in some. What a small world! . . .
Van Horn Orchestra
Van Horn Men’s Choir
Van Horn Women’s Choir
*** The Bemba people are descendants of inhabitants of the Luba kingdom, which existed in what is now the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in north -eastern Zambia. Since British rule, English has been Zambia's main literary language, and is now its only official language. However, the Bemba language has played a prominent political role. Zambia's first president, Kenneth Kaunda, though Malawian by descent, was raised in a Bemba-speaking community, and every Zambian president since has been a Bembaspeaker. In the years after the MMD took power in 1991, it was accused numerous times of promoting Bemba over other regional languages in the country.[2]
Van Horn Concert Choir
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Alums Came to Celebrate: 20th Birthday Party Held for Retired Math Teacher and Coach, “Otto” Kaifes Mr. Kaifes was born on Leap Day eighty years ago. So, he has only had 19 celebrated birthdays up to this year. For his 20th, Brenda Bronson ‘66 and Kelly Alston Fent ’76, with the help of some Class of ‘66 grads, organized an Kent Kaifes, Eric Kaifes, Leigh Anne Kaifes, Carrie “unsurprised” birthday party for him. Kaifes Lally, Kurt Kaifes. (Front) Mrs. Carol
Nearly 60 attended the event— some of the Kaifes’ family, a Kaifes. couple of former teachers, and alumni from between Classes of 1966 to 1982 — bringing potluck dishes to share.. Mr. K. had two cakes sporting 20 candles each— a Math Teacher cake and a Baseball Coach cake.
Mr. K. and Myron Thomas ‘82
Birthday honoree as well as Hall of Honor recipient. Mr. K. admires his two birthday cakes.
Eventually, the crowd found themselves sitting in a circle telling stories. Classroom memories of Mr. K. included: “I’m raising my own basketball team” (his children); “I flew my LC Smith during the Korean War”; “Marry for Money!”; (Drawing perfect circles on the blackboard); “Don’t call me Sir—I was not an officer”; “No gum-chewing” (if he caught someone chewing gum, he would instruct the kid to wrap the gum in a full sheet of paper, make him put it back in his mouth, and chew it). One of the most memorable recollections came from the 1966 Coaches/Varsity basketball team game. Mr. K sank two consecutive high-arching hook shots within a span of 30 seconds from opposite corners of the court: one with his right hand and one with his left. Acting as stunned as everyone watching, Mr. K. threw his head and hands toward the heavens claiming “divine intervention”. Editor’s note: Thanks to all who submitted photos.
Anne Mallinson ‘66, Kelly Alston Fent ‘76, Teresa Thompson Hill ‘76, Kathy Stark Putnam ‘76, Otto Kaifes, Jay Fisher ‘75, Mary Willis ‘76, Becky Gooch ‘76.
Above: Greg Brown ‘77, Teresa Thompson Hill ‘76
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The VHHSAA has a GOAL for
2012 to increase our membership by 100 by January 2013. Wow! We’ve received 7 more new members since the last newsletter. Thank you!
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Here’s how you can help. Many of you will be attending Class Reunions or other functions this year. Talk up the Alumni Association’s valuable work in promoting our kids! Get an application from the Alumni Association representative in attendance at your reunion for them to fill out and send in.
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Each issue of the Falcon Legacy is emailed (or snail mailed) to over 100 members. If each member would just bring in one more new member, we could reach the 100 mark goal in no time. You may forward the Falcon Legacy to your alumni friends on your email list – let them know what we are doing.
New Total =12
Who wouldn’t want to help push Van Horn Falcon Alumni to the top? It’s all about what we can do for the school and the kids!!!
More great news. Since the last Board meeting on February 15 when we had 1480 visits reported to our VHHSAA website, the number has grown to 2578!!!!! Check out the website if you haven’t already. Newest feature, “Lonnie’s Jukebox”. Check it out. Our webmaster, Carey Landon ’64, has been remarkable in keeping it updated and refreshed. A big thanks from all of us in VHHSAA to you, CAREY!!!
vanhornalumni.org
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40th REUNION NEWS: Class of 1972 For our 40 year reunion, the main event is Saturday, September 15 at the Elms Hotel. Plans for a Friday night reception are still in progress. MENTOR PROJECT If you would allow a Van Horn student to contact you regarding your profession, occupation, college, and/or other proficiencies, please send your name, address, phone, email, and class year along with your suggested mentorship submission to VHHSAA@yahoo.com A data base has been developed for use by school councelors to match a student up with Alumni and friends of Van Horn. You do not have to be a member of VHHSAA or an alum to participate.
Facebook members can find information as it is finalized on our page, "Van Horn Class of 1972". Alumni can also send their contact informat i on S h e r r i V a n T r u m p M o o r e a t Smoore197@comcast.net 50th REUNION NEWS: Class of 1962 Beginning Friday, June 8, there will be GOLF at 9:00 a.m.; Informal Reception at 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, June 9, beginning at 6:00 p.m. there will be a reception and dinner at 7:00 p.m.. All events will be held at the Drumm Farm Golf Club and Clubhouse in Independence. Contact Jerry Cantrell no later than May 1st for reservations. Jerry-Cantrell@sbcglobal.net (816) 254-4664
Photos below: Nikki Huffner and John Kroeger.
“SAVE A PIANO” PLEA Please note: The Music Department at Van Horn is looking for a benefactor or benefactors to fund (1) the restoration of the eight-foot Concert Steinway on stage, and (2) replace or restore the piano in the music room. The donor will have his/her name engraved on a plaque attached to the instrument. Please contact the Alumni Association or Patrick Layden at Patrick_Layden@indep.k12.mo.us
NOTICE: Sooner or later, non-members of VHHSAA will no longer be receiving issues of the Falcon Legacy. Members without email will receive a black and white copy via snail mail. A printable copy of the application to join VHHSAA can be found on our website. Won’t you consider joining today? Lifetime membership includes color choice of a beautiful polo shirt. YOUNG FOLKS—YA GOTTA LOVE ‘EM— I was told the Spring Concert was to begin at 6:00 so I was way too early. Sitting on the front row with camera in hand, I watched a young flutist (above left) arrive on stage, taking her seat then worked laboriously to strap on her “heels”. A pretty thing with red hair, I couldn’t help but notice her throughout the program—in the orchestra and again in Concert Choir. On the last number, she was one of the percussionist on stage-right for the Bemba number, “Bonse Aba”. I couldn’t resist taking another photo of her — minus those cumbersome, painful “heels”. Editor
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EVENTS CALENDAR 21 Mar - VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
The Van Horn High School Alumni Association
1 Apr - VHHSAA Scholarship application deadline 18 Apr - VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS 13 May - Celebration of Birthday of Col. Van Horn (actually May 19th)
P. O. Box 520712 Independence, MO 64052 Phone: 816-914-6490 E-mail: ayjayeff@yahoo.com Editor: Marietta Wilson Boenker VHHSAA@yahoo.com VHHSAA Board
16 May - VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS 20 May - Van Horn High School Graduation 8-9 Jun - Class of 1962 50th Reunion. (Jun, Jul, Aug meeting locations to be announced) 7 Sep - Hall of Honor Celebration, 1st home football game 15 Sep - Class of 1972 40th Reunion
President
Jay Fisher ‘75
19 Sep -VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
Vice President
Nancy Mills Ehrlich ‘56
21 Sep -Van Horn Homecoming Parade, Englewood
Secretary
Glenda Baker Phillips ‘‘73
Treasurer
Lisa Hay Renshaw “76
22 Sep -Van Horn Homecoming game at Van Horn HS
At Large Director/Newsletter Editor: Marietta Wilson Boenker ‘60
17 Oct -VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS 21 Nov -VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
From days of yore A very large copy of this photo was presented to the VHHSAA and is viewable in the Alumni Room at the high school Do you know what year this was taken? Do you know any of the players in the photo? Are you one of them? Submit your response to the Editor at VHHSAA@yahoo.com Memorabilia from the past is welcome for display in the Alumni Room. W e have a couple of empty showcases and lots of bare wall space to display your donations. Contact: President Jay Fisher at ayjayeff@yahoo.com