Volume 18.2 Spring Fall2012 2014
a publication of the
WESTSIDE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
1101 South 90th NE Street Omaha, NE 68124 || 402.390.2183 | westside66.org 1101 South 90th Street Omaha, 68124 | 402.390.2183 www.alumni.wcsfoundation66.org
Annual Golf Outing Brings Out Westside Supporters for Fun and a Great Cause
recognize members of the Westside Hall of Fame,” said Owen. A special thanks to Lindsey Natvig for coordinating this year’s event and to the entire Golf Steering Committee: Jason Hellman (’90), Phyllis (Donaldson) Choat (’65), Terry Heskett (’88), Rick Kelley (’90), Laura (Graham) Iliff (’67), Deb (Moss) McGrew (’88), Jacquie (Adler) Estee (’68), Rick Berkshire ('72), David Anderson ('00), Kristin Lynch ('89), Bob Belgrade (’76), Mark Dudley (’73), Rick Avard ('81), Mike Murphy (’90) and Dave Williams ('82) for their work, support and dedication. Thank you to our sponsors (see page 2). Please save the date for next year’s Westside Hall of Fame Golf Outing on June 29, 2015 at The Players Club. Contact the Westside Alumni Association if you would like to get involved or be a sponsor.
Team Tangdall (John Crook, Jim Findley, Jim Tangdall and Steve Tangdall-'76) are ready to tee off at the 2014 Westside Hall of Fame Golf Outing.
Dreary skies and the threat of thunderstorms didn’t stop more than 230 golfers from participating in the 21st annual Westside Hall of Fame Golf Outing on June 30 at The Players Club. The four-person scramble, hosted by the Westside Alumni Association and the Westside Community Schools Foundation, raised over $30,000. Proceeds from the event will fund scholarships, teacher and staff awards, special projects, alumni gifts to Westside High School and the Westside Hall of Fame awards. Kathryn (Hawkins) Anderson (’00) and Patricia (Hawkins) Stillmock (’05) were once again the presenting sponsors of this year’s event. “Kathryn and Patricia have been such great sponsors and supporters of this event over the years. We are very lucky to have them, as well as all of our other sponsors and donors,” said Rob Owen (’87), event chairman. Golfers headed out for the morning session after breakfast provided by Access 66 Catering.
Golfers also enjoyed brats and burgers for lunch and a prime rib dinner sponsored by Koley Jessen, P.C. and the Doug Riley Family. The event came to an end as prizes were given
Golf Proceeds At Work Last year, from proceeds raised, the Westside Alumni Association was able to honor a $5100 “wish list” from the high school. Business Apple TV’s
"We were able to raise money, see old friends, make new friends and recognize members of the Westside Hall of Fame." to the top three teams in each of the six flights. Golfers also were rewarded with 45 flag prizes and 180 door prizes. A rare moment for the event was when Brett Hill (’95) hit a hole-in-one on hole number eight. Unfortunately for Brett, his hole-in-one didn’t win him car; however, it did get him a nice cash award. “Other than the morning rain, I thought the event went very well. We were able to raise money, see old friends, make new friends and
w e s t s i d e a l u m n i a s s o c i at i o n
English Language Learners TV
English
Audio Visual Equipment, Artwork
Music
Digital Projector
Physical Education
Skimmer Net, Telescopic pole
Science
Chem Elmo Document
STEM Academy
Vernier LabQuest 2
Career Center
Robotics Program
0
$300
$600
$900
$1200
$1500
thank YOU
President's Corner
Thank you to the generous sponsors who helped make the 2014 Westside Outing possible.
Presenting Sponsor The Hawkins Sisters Dinner Sponsors Koley Jessen Attorneys & The Doug Riley Family
Prize Drawing Sponsor Security National Bank
Cash Drawing Sponsor AmeriCal
Cart Sponsors DLR Group & Huber Chevrolet
Flag Prize Sponsors Fourth Estate Wines, The Caddy Shack, Omaha Paper Company, MCL Construction, Security Equipment Inc.
Flight Prize Sponsors Julio's, The Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill (Fred Suarez & Tom McGowan), Jimi D's
Breakfast Sponsor Access 66 Catering
Hole-in-One Sponsors McMullen Ford & Performance Automotive Group For a complete list of all sponsors, please go to our website alumni.wcsfoundation66.org
In 1986, after interviews and tours at Millard North, Millard South, Burke, and Prep I chose to attend Westside. There was something very special at Westside. At 15 years old there was something I could sense, but not really put my finger on. There was something that I did not ‘feel’ at the other schools. Something that, to this day, remains difficult to pinpoint. As our children grow and begin enjoying their own Westside years, I am still left wondering what makes our school such a special place? Am I blinded by Warrior Pride? Can I not see that we are just like most high schools? Or, was my first impression better than all my conscience thoughts and deliberations? The list below includes remarkable accomplishments since our spring “W” newsletter. These are just a few recent examples of how we are achieving our quest for “A Tradition of Excellence”. • Champions Plaza - The Foundation remodeled the entrance to Phelps Field creating Champions Plaza. This was an $800,000 project funded by private donations. • Re-surfaced Phelps Field - Our new synthetic playing surface (with our new “W” icon) was paid for out of District 66 operating funds. • Alumni Gathering - More than 230 golfers gathered for a round of golf. The 21st annual Hall of Fame event netted over $30,000 for the Alumni Association and Foundation. • One-to-One - K-6 grade students use new Apple iPads in the classrooms and 7-12 grade students enjoy new Apple MacBook Air laptop computers. • Loveland - Residents of the Loveland area, in cooperation with District Administrators, agreed to a plan to keep Loveland Elementary open. • All Sports Season Passes – The Athletic Department, with the support of the Westside Athletic Club, is the first high school in Omaha to offer “All Sports Season Passes”. • Another Full House - The Open and Option Enrollment process continues to fill Westside when our neighborhoods do not. (Note: Most, if not all, other Omaha area school districts have vacancies at a high school). When I look at our District today, I don’t always see what I saw in 1986. I normally see something even better. Our “private feeling public high school” remains remarkable. We enjoy one of the most sought after educations in the “number one city to raise a family in America." The Alumni Association belongs to each and every alumnus. If you want to be involved, or have an idea that could help us serve our alumni, please email alumni@westside66.net. I hope you enjoy our Fall edition of the “W”. GO Warriors! - Jason B. Hellman (’90)
twe nty-sec ond
Annu al
Westside Open
hall of fame golf outing june 29, 2015
Save the Date!
at The Players Club
www.westsidegolf .c om
Thank you
for making the Westside Foundation THIRD on the leaderboard, raising $122,313 and receiving $5,260.73 in matching funds during Omaha Gives. We are proud to support district programs and projects where tax dollars are not available. 2 | w e s t s i d e a l u m n i a s s o c i at i o n
In Remembrance
The Westside Alumni Association honors and recognizes all deceased alumni online at www.alumni.wcsfoundation66.org.
2014 Alumni Scholarship Winners Honored
Katie Trimble
Colleen Hacker
The Westside Alumni Association awards six scholarships annually to seniors selected by Westside High School.
Spirit of Service Scholarship
Spirit of Service Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated the highest level of service to our community or state. Katie Trimble and Colleen Hacker were the recipients of these $1000 scholarships. Katie attends Liberty University in Virginia and Colleen attends the University of NebraskaLincoln.
Olivia Thiel
Brock Nemecek
Tyler Siegel
Unlocking Answers Scholarship
Unlocking Answers Scholarship is awarded to seniors who have excelled in the fields of science, math or engineering. Olivia Thiel and Tyler Siegel were awarded these $1000 scholarships. Olivia is attending college at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tyler attends The University of Michigan.
The Tom Hall Scholarship
The Tom Hall Scholarship is awarded to a senior boy basketball player who best exemplifies the academic and athletic work ethic of former Boys Varsity Basketball coach,
REUNIONS
2004 10 Year
The Vic Porter Scholarship is awarded to a senior girl basketball player who most exemplifies former Coach Vic Porter’s approach to athletics and academics. Mallory Thompson was awarded the $500 scholarship. She attends Texas Christian University. Congratulations to all scholarship recipients!
Mike Cassling ('82) Fred Hawkins, Jr. ('68) Kim Hawkins ('72) Kimberly Krhounek ('84) James Woodland ('66)
Celebrating Class of 1994's 20th reunion: Anni (Lawson) Sayles, Leslie (Crawford) Richter, John Timperley, Jill (Jessen) Buetow, Tony Venditte, Erika Reicks, Lisa Standish, Jolene Bruggeman-Duley, Donna Baughman, and Tonya (Ehresman) Allen.
October 3-4, 2014 The Class of 2004 will meet at Jimi D's on Friday night from 9 p.m. to midnight. No charge but please RSVP. On Saturday, meet at Fox and Hound Bar & Grill (120th & Dodge) from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person which includes drinks and food. All info on Facebook, search Westside 2004 10 Year Class Reunion.
2015 Reunions
The Vic Porter Scholarship
On Thursday, October 9, the following will be inducted into the Westside Alumni Hall of Fame:
55 Year
October 3-5, 2014 The Class of 1959 is planning to attend the Westside Football Game on Friday night followed by dinner. On Saturday, a tour of the school, an evening cocktail hour, dinner and social activities are planned, as well as brunch on Sunday. Please visit www.Westside-59.com for all reunion information.
Tom Hall. Coach Hall taught English and humanities. Brock Nemecek was the recipient of the $1000 scholarship. Brock attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
2014 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2014 reunions are wrapping up and we are starting to gear up for 2015. Visit our website at alumni.wcsfoundation66.org for all reunion information.
1959
Mallory Thompson
1965 - 50 Year: June 13, 2015. www.whs65.com 1970 - 45 Year: August 28-29, 2015. www.facebook.com/70WHS 1975 - 40 Year: October 2-4, 2015 www.facebook.com/groups/westside1975
The Westside Hall of Fame/Lighthouse Leader Dinner will be at Happy Hollow Club. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with dinner and program to follow. To make a reservation, mail a check for $39 payable to Westside Community Schools to Westside Community Schools, Attn: Cristina Drelicharz, 909 South 76th Street, Omaha, NE 68114. Reservations must be received by Monday, September 29. Your check is your reservation. Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are selected by representatives from the Westside Alumni Association, the Westside Community Schools Foundation and the Westside Community Schools administration. Congratulations to this year's inductees! We are proud to call you Alumni.
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Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts New Members
1971 Boys Varsity Swimming and Diving Team: Front row (seated): Coach Cal Bentz, Craig Limoges, Scott Belknap, Back Row: Clark Stanway, Jim Greenly, Tony Troia, Patrick DiBiase, Bill Seidler, Jeff Jansen. Not Pictured: Steve Beckwith, Al McAllister, Tim Markel, Brian Smith.
Westside Coaches Night of Distinction and Athletic Hall of Fame induction honoring the 2013-2014 Coaching Staff and Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees was held at Legacy Hall on May 9, 2014. The athletes inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame were:
winner in volleyball. In volleyball, she was All-Metro Second Team in 1997, All-State First Team in 1998. In basketball, Carla was AllMetro First Team her senior year and helped lead the Lady Warriors to a State Championship in basketball.
Ron Volberding ('67) was recognized as a football and wrestling standout. During his senior year, he was awarded the Gold Helmet Award, named Omaha World-Herald Athlete of the Week, was All-Metro and All-State. Ron was the first WHS athlete to be named B'nai B'rith Male Athlete of the Year.
Retired Coach Larry Morrissey taught science and physical education at WHS for 36 years. In 1977, Coach Morrissey began at WHS where he taught zoology and physiology. Coach Morrissey was head football coach from 1985 until 2002 and also assisted in coaching basketball and track. During his eighteen years, his team made the state playoffs 15 times. His career record was 126 wins and 54 losses.
Steve Gerdes ('70) was honored as a twotime state champion in tennis. Steve became a three-time Metro Conference champion and ended his tennis career as a state runner-up. Anne Gilmore Jordan ('74) was the first female diving champion for Westside High School and won gold her senior year. Ty Stewart ('90) was a three-time letter winner in football and four-time letter winner in soccer. Ty was a member of the 1987 US Midwest regional soccer team and was AllState in soccer from 1987 to 1990. He was AllMetro and All-State in football. Carla Bennett ('99) was a four-year letter winner in basketball and a three-year letter
1971 Varsity Boys Swimming & Diving Team, coached by Cal Bentz, captured the State Championship for the fifth time in six years with a total of 325 points. This total stood as a state record for 38 years. The team won all 15 of their meets that season and was able to make history in their own pool as the championship was held at WHS. The Harley and Beth Schrager Outstanding Coaches Awards were presented to Coach Nathan Moseley, Girls Soccer and Assistant Coach Craig Secora, Football.
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TOP: Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Front Row (seated): Carla Bennett, Larry Morrissey, Anne Gilmore Jordan. Back Row: Ty Stewart, Ron Volberding, Steve Gerdes BOTTOM: Schrager Coach Award Winners: Nathan Moseley, Craig Secora
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From the Desk of Maryanne Ricketts, Westside Principal
Dear Westside Alumni: Just as Westside welcomed our new freshman class, so the Alumni Association welcomes its newest members, the class of 2014. Who are our most recent graduates? They are 393 young men and women who maintained Westside’s tradition of academic excellence forged by previous classes. Last spring 151 individuals received a total of 425 scholarships valued in excess of $3 million. This marks the ninth consecutive year we have achieved this distinction. They received the most prestigious scholarships from top institutions all across the country, including Stanford, Northwestern, the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, as well as acclaimed regional universities and colleges. Westside also maintained a strong showing in scholarships awarded by Nebraska colleges and universities. This year’s class had one of the highest totals in our history of students receiving a Regents or Chancellors scholarship from either UNO or UNL. The number of students admitted to honors programs, as well as students receiving college recognition for leadership or community service, continues to remain as strong as previous years. The class of 2014 had three National Merit Finalists: Emma Johanningsmeier, Ari Juster, and Jessica Murphree. Emma Johanningsmeier was also named to the Omaha World-Herald All State Academic Team and to the All Metro Regional First Team. Naomi Samuel was named to the All Metro Regional Second Team. This marks the eighteenth time in the last nineteen years that Westside has had a representative on either a regional or all-state academic team. Westside appreciates the strong scholarship support given by the Westside Alumni Association. For 19 years the Alumni Association has awarded scholarships to students who have excelled in math, science, engineering or service learning and to a boy and girl basketball player who exemplify the highest qualities of a student athlete. We also want to thank the Alumni Association for their assistance in providing funds for teachers to purchase “wish list” items for their classroom each year. Additional items for science labs, SMART boards, and sewing machines are just a few of the items we’ve been able to add to support our students. We are lucky to have an outstanding Alumni Association as a partner as we continue to provide an exceptional experience for students and staff at Westside! Thank you! Sincerely, Maryanne Ricketts Principal
2014‐2
W 2014-2015 All
Is pleased to All Sports Passe
Sport Passes
Westside Athletic Club
is pleased to offer electronically scanned individual and family All Sports Passes and JV-Freshman Passes for the Buy Your Passes On‐Line 2014-15 season Go To: eteamz.c
Individual All Sports Pass $120.00 Family All Sports Pass $250.00 The Westside Athletic Club (WAC) is a parent led o supported by WHS school officials, the WAC's miss Individual JV‐Freshman Pass $50.00
The Westside Athletic Club (WAC) supports the fol (All Sports PassesFALL: Football, Girls Cross Country, Boys Cross Cou are valid for all varsity sports
WINTER: Girls Swimming, Boys Swimming, Girls Ba including Football and Basketball) SPRING: Girls Track, Boys Track, Girls Soccer, Boys SPIRIT/SUPPORT: Cheerleaders, Dance Team & Stu WAC Membership $10.00
White Level Booster $50.00 Red Level Booster $100.00 Black Level Booster $150.00 Warrior Booster $250.00
Buy Your Passes On‐Line Today and Support Westside Athletics By Being a Booster
eteamz.com/omahawestsideathleticclub for more details
more information at alumni.wcsfoundation66.org upcoming events Registration Now Open! Oct. 9
Lighthouse Leader/Hall of Fame Dinner Happy Hallow Golf Club - 6 p.m.
Oct. 10 Homecoming Tailgate before Westside vs. Columbus WHS - 5 p.m. Complimentary food & beverages!
Nov. 29
(All Sports P
21st Annual Alumni Basketball Tournament WHS Gym - 2 p.m. $10 Entry Fee
June 29, 2015 22nd Annual Westside Hall of Fame Outing ~ The Players Club
Oct. 10 Champions Plaza Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Football Stadium Entrance - 6:30 p.m. w e s t s i d e a l u m n i a s s o c i at i o n | 5
Westside Community Schools
Westside Alumni Association
NONPROFIT ORG.
909 South 76th Street Omaha, NE 68114-4599
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 861 OMAHA, NE 68124
westside alumni association
2014 Board of Directors President: Jason Hellman, ’90
Westside Alumni Association The “W” Newsletter Westside Alumni Association 909 South 76th Street Omaha, NE 68114-4599
Vice President: John Hoich, ’76 TREASURER: Marc Lowe, ’76
Support Your Alumni Association
CE LEN L E EXC
SECRETARY: Phyllis (Donaldson) Choat, ’65 directors:
Rick Berkshire (’72), Mark Dudley (’73), Mike Guinane (’74), Rob Laughlin, (’75), Beth (Williams) Leach (’98), Kristin Lynch (’89), Nick Mazgaj (’01), Debbie (Moss) McGrew (’88), Martha (Williams) Nielsen (’82), Rob Owen (’87), Mark Sempek (’80), Tom Thompson (’83), Meagan (Davis) VanGelder (’88), David Williams (’82)
402.390.2183 (Voicemail) 402.390.2177 (Fax) alumni@westside66.net (Email)
DING BUIL
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Alumni Association, please mail your donation, payable to “Westside Alumni Association”.
Be a part of
Champions Plaza Buy a brick in the main walkway. Honor one another. Remember good times.
Large bricks available for $250 and small bricks for $125. Let the world know you were part of something special at Westside! Go to www.wcsfoundation66.org for more information.
Connect with the alumni association
Connect with the Westside Alumni Association on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Follow and “Like” us to see photos, reunion news, and current information on relevant WHS events.