theFlorida High
F.A.N. PAGE Melanie Carty
A Welcome from Your F.A.N. Director Hello and welcome to the Florida High FAN page, the newsletter of the Friends and Alumni Network at Florida High. It’s going to start small, but I hope that with your help it will grow. It seems hard to believe that a year has passed since Florida High and FSU’s College of Education hired me to begin creating this network, and I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and spirit with which you have embraced me. I have had the pleasure of speaking with hundreds of alumni and students this year and heard your stories of what sets Florida High apart from other schools and your experiences in Tallahassee. I have learned about Demons and Seminoles and have been amazed by the performance of our students and alumni in the careers. I have heard some disappointment in there as well, some frustration about our move to Southwood (can you believe it has been 14 years!) or certain name changes (Goodbye Danny Demon, you are missed). Of course, it’s not as if Florida High has been the only thing in Tallahassee to change! I think of myself in high school and the changes in both address and name that have occurred since graduation! Do I miss the home where my parents together? Sometimes. Did it take a while to get used to Mrs. Carty as opposed to Miss Menefee? I suppose it must have, though it’s hard now even to remember. For me, the more the things in my life
1 The F.A.N. Page
have changed, the more I remember the people that are a part of it. I am no less my father’s daughter as a Carty than a Menefee, no less at home with my children in Killearn Acres than I was on Park Brook Circle. When I talk to the Hinkle brothers, or spend time with Jackie Ross, Charles Newland, Kim Williams, Edith Quinly and other alumni, we don’t spend our time talking about bricks and mortar, we share stories about teachers and coaches, we talked about friendships that have lasted for years, and those special times in our lives that helped shape who we are. Florida High has changed since you graduated, just as you have. It doesn’t matter if you were in the class of 1954 or 2014. We’ve grown (just as some of you have) to 1,700 students; we’ve moved from campus to the suburbs (as have many of you) for more space for performing arts, athletics, and a multi-media center; yours than will admit it), but we are still Florida High. We are the K-12 developmental research school/lab school of Florida State University, and our students, faculty, and alumni still shape the course of higher education throughout our state. Thank you all for showing me that Florida High isn’t a building; it’s a family. It may be one that has lost touch with some of its members, but I’m hoping you will help me bring it back together. I hope you enjoy reading about our efforts this year and that you consider joining us in 2015.
Newsletter, Volume 1 Dec. 2014
What’s New? Recent Events Alumni Homecoming Tailgate!
The Florida High extended family had a reunion during homecoming in September! The newly formed Florida High Friends and Alumni Network hosted a tailgate for our alumni - featuring games, giveaways, food and much more. Alumni and their families – along with some of our retired teachers – came out for the festivities; more than 200 attended. Many alumni stayed to cheer our football team on to victory against FAMU DRS. At halftime all where they were celebrated by the announcer and by the rounds of applause coming from the stands made the day successful.
Recent Events Cont’d 45th Reunion for Florida High Class of ‘69 – Beatles Style On October 11th, Alumni from the class of 1969 gathered at The Moon Night Club to celebrate their 45th reunion. Hosted by Jan DeCosmo and Scott Carswell, alumni from ‘69 and many other classes were welcomed with a reception, and then singing and dancing to tunes of the Beatles, performed by local bands: Mark Russell, the Zach Bartholomew Trio, The New 76ers, Walden Station, The Common ‘Taters & the Turn-Ups and Bedhead Betty. It was a fun-filled night, and Florida High alumni proved they can still party with the best
8th Annual Buddy Martin Golf Tournament
Alumni in the Spotlight Robert “Bob” Rackleff (‘61) is currently a speechwriter in Washington DC for Secretary Ernest Moniz, U.S. Department of Energy, working with chief speechwriter Sean Sullivan. Among others, he has written speeches for President Jimmy Carter and U.S. Sen. Edmund Muskie. Rackleff also held elected office as Leon County (FL) Commissioner from 1998-2010. Frank Sheffield, Esq. (‘64) currently serves as a judge
of the Second Circuit Court in Florida.
Lewis Killian, Esq. (‘65) is currently a member of
Berger Singerman’s Business Reorganization Team. For more than 25 years, Lewis served as the Chief Bankruptcy Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida.
Kim Williams (‘69) was honored this year by Leadership Tallahassee with the Lifetime Leadership Award. Robert Hinkle, Esq. (‘69) is currently a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, nominated by Bill Clinton. Fred Dickinson (‘70) served the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as Deputy Executive Director from 1985 to 1990 and Executive Director until 2007.
Charles “Homer” Newlin (‘70) served as an officer
with the Tallahassee Police Department for 26 years and retired as a Captain. He is currently a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Don Hinkle, Esq. (‘73) is a medical malpractice/ personal injury attorney with Hinkle and Foran in Tallahassee, FL.
Winning Team: Al Blizzard, Tommy Sabourin, Jared Martin, Judd Hogan, Jeff Hogan and Chad Martin
The 8th Annual Buddy Martin Golf Tournament was held at Golden Eagle Golf and Country Club on November 10th. This golf tournament is held each year in memory of Buddy Martin and to fund the Buddy Martin “Big Heart” scholarship in his name for a student at FSUS. The scholarship is given to a baseball player who exhibits the characteristics for which Buddy was known - always giving 110%, being an outstanding citizen, acting unselfishly and putting others ahead of himself, without expecting anything in return.
2 The F.A.N. Page
Matt Miley (‘81) received the 2014 Dandi Award as Technology Entrepreneur, for his business, PayOutUSA. Nina Ashenafi-Richardson, Esq. (‘82) is currently
serving as a county judge of the Leon County Court in Florida.
David Ross (‘95) was a catcher with the Boston Red Sox during their 2013 World Series win, played in the 2014 season as well and was tapped by ESPN this year to be part of its postseason baseball coverage.
Did You Know? Tony Angelotti, (‘85), was a gymnast at
the University of Michigan and is known for his award winning stunt work in many productions, including The Mask of Zorro, where he was one of the doubles for Sir Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas, all three Pirates of the Caribbean movies (doubled for Johnny Depp) and The Amazing Spiderman (2012). Tony recently opened his own business, Tony’s Sconys. Read about his life and his on new business at www.tonyssconys.com ft) alongside Depp
Angelotti (le of the Carribean the set of Pirates
Florida High Class of 1959 has members who
meet the second Friday of every month for lunch at New Times on Monroe Street in Tallahassee! Anyone who would like to come is welcome. Contact Barbara Brooks at BLB12741@aol.com for more information.
The Florida High School (FHS) Retiree Luncheon Group meets three times a year -
February, June and October - at Westminster Oaks, Parry Dining Room. They welcome all former students as well as teachers, staff and administrators. Contact Connie Lewis at lewisc47@comcast.net for more information.
Class Reunion Around the Corner?
If your Florida High class is planning a reunion – please send in the information and we’ll help spread the news through the newsletter, Facebook page and our growing email list. If you are the one in charge of planning your reunion – email us at FloridaHighFAN@gmail.com– we may be able to help coordinate the event.
Angelotti with Banderas on the set of The Mask Of Zorro
Florida High Hall of Fame
Yes, a Florida High Hall of Fame is in the works! Spearheaded by Coach Mike Hickman, FSUS Athletic Director, the first class will include a coach, a team, and selected individual athletes from each decade, starting with the 50’s. If you have any input about the Hall of Fame, please feel free to contact Coach Hickman at mhickman@ admin.fsu.edu or 850.322-7504.
Like Us On Facebook! We already have a Florida Florida High High Friends Friends and Alumni Alumni Network Network Facebook Page set up. “Like” us to receive news about the activities and events of the network. If you have any suggestions for the next Florida High F.A.N. Page, are interested in serving on the Friends and Alumni Network Board or committees, or have updates about yourself or other alum, please email FloridaHighFAN@gmail.com or call Melanie Carty at 850.459.2384.
Thanks for reading! 3 The F.A.N. Page