Hello East High alumni! This is Anna Heneise, your scholarship recipient for 2018. I just received my grades for the fall 2018 semester. I am proud to report all A’s (with one A-) and a GPA of 3.92! I was able to engage in several extra curricular activates this semester, including working backstage at the Clarence Brown Theatre on campus. I have been offered a position stage-managing next semester that I am very excited for. I would like to thank you again for your support. This was made possible through your contributions, and I hope to be a credit to your organization. Have a wonderful New Year!
A note from Bill Black, President
Hello fellow East High Alumni! I am not sure if I should thank the Nominating Committee for pushing me for President of our Association for the next two years or use a Donald Trump tactic and “Fire them”. But, since I actually like these individuals, I will do my best to fill this role. Help from all of you will be needed, of course, in order to accomplish keeping KEHSAA alive and viable.
Margie LeCoultre is our Education Committee Chairperson and you will see an article by her in this issue. Margie is excited about one of our current scholarship recipients. As you will see, this young person is very appreciative of how we have helped in her quest for higher education.
Tommy Green is our Benevolence Committee Chairman and he has the unfortunate task of keeping us all informed about the passing of our fellow classmates. Tommy does an excellent job of this, and his workload will continue to increase as the years go by. Father Time waits for no one.
Gail Ingram has accepted the job of being our Membership Committee Chairperson and has a huge challenge in front of her – unless, of course, you want to help by sending in your membership fee. Gail also offers to help our Executive Committee and Board of Directors in many other ways.
All the other elected members of the Association (Loretta Crowder, Carolyn Cottrell, Helen Mills, Wanda Majors, Wilma Loy, Larry Leibowitz and Lorry Ruth) are dedicated to working together to make the memories of East High School stay in our minds as long as we have one.
One of our prime goals this year will be to build stronger relationships between all 17 of our classes. Having an all-class reunion in early August this year is something we will be working on and hopefully you will be able to join us in celebrating the eighth anniversary of KEHSAA. Last year we did not have a Hall of Fame induction ceremony at our reunion at the Foundry, but enough requests have been made to include this again this year as part of our all-class reunion. You will see more about this also in this publication of the Blue & Gray.
One of the things I would like to see this year is to have articles by more of our alumni published in the Blue & Gray. For instance, what memories do you have that would perhaps enlighten and/or entertain some of your fellow alumni whether they know you or not. Since I have the privilege of writing this opening article, I will go first with this “memory thing”. Actually I have memories of Ruby Bird (I will tell this story as it brings a smile and laugh to me), Librarian Miss Bennett (I will not tell this story as it is embarrassing, brings a smile and tears to my face, but does have a happy ending), Coach Frank Hall’s car (loaded with four basketball players and four females), and a crush I had on two older cheerleaders whom I also took a class with (no, I will not write about Carol and Janie).
A memory: Either my Junior or Senior year (I think Junior) I had just finished the basketball season when my Modern History teacher, Ruby Bird, told me I was going to be in her play, “Life with Father”. Yes, that is correct, she told me! The play had been in rehearsal for over a month already and evidently Miss Bird (a female Donald Trump) had a falling out with the lead actor playing Father and fired him. The play was to be preformed in two weeks. The night of the play I had notes taped to the top of every table on the stage and my fellow Thespians clued in to whisper my lines to me when I seemed lost. There was one part of the play when I was standing at the back of the stage, at the top of a four or five step entranceway from the outside. The play was written for Father to say, “Damn, Damn, Damnation”, twice with a short pause in between, as he was upset over something. Well, Miss Bird had me rehearsing with “Darn, Darn, Darnation”. I guess I was feeling my oats that night so I decided to use the words written for the play. As soon as I said these words the first time, she immediately said to me from just behind the curtain, “Bill Black if you say those words again I will come out there and drag you off the stage”. I am sure the folks in the first few rows heard her. One thing for sure, I followed her orders the rest of the night. And I am proud to say, I got an “A-“ in Modern History. Without that one slip up I probably could have gotten an “A”.
Ok, that’s my story. We expect to get a lot of stories from many of you to print in future Blue & Grays.
It is a small world: In 1985 I changed jobs and moved my family from Toledo, Ohio, to Shelbyville, Indiana, a small town south of Indianapolis. We started going to the local Presbyterian church. The church pastor’s wife was Margaret Ann Keith, class of 1959, I think. She was the head cheerleader when I was a freshman, and her brother, Bobby, was in the 1963 class. Unfortunately Margaret Ann developed cancer several years later and passed away. We had opportunities to share memories of East High many times. I guess that was another story, but not about school days.
Recognizing groups: As I was going to bed the night after my first meeting as President, my wife asked how I felt the meeting had gone. I told her ok and that we were planning an all-class reunion. She then suggested that it would be good to recognize various groups at the different reunions – such as all who had been teachers and in the education field. I thought this was an excellent idea, and we came up with other groups – first responders, elected government employees, and military personnel. I then told her to remind me in the morning about this discussion so I could write it down. She did, and I did. So you may be asked to stand up at the gathering this coming August.
Now, I have one more story to tell and it is an important one. A couple of years ago I attended a fundraiser for the Lakeway Fellowship of Christian Athletes at First Baptist in Morristown. There were about 300 of us in the banquet room that night and the speaker was Jerry Granville, ex coach of the Houston Oilers and a NASCAR race driver. He told some amazing stories, including a miraculous one about surviving an awful, fiery crash while racing. But the one that touched all of us there was about a tape measure. He held up the tape measure and moved it out to reveal eight feet. He explained that when you are born, you have about this much of tape for your life. Then he moved it down to where there was six feet in length sticking out. He explained there were student athletes in the audience who were around 20 years old, and they had that much of tape to make something out of their life and to touch others in a positive way. Then he moved the tape back to where only three feet remained. When he then talked to the 50 year olds in the audience, you could begin to feel what was going to happen next. Yes, he moved the tape to where only one foot remained sticking out. He then talked to those of us gray-haired or bald folks. All of us are in this latter group. We still have a chance to show love to everybody we come in contact with – the bag person at the grocery store, the post office clerk, the person that delivers your newspaper, the convenience store attendant, your children, your grandchildren, your spouse, and, of course, your fellow classmates. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an eternal reunion?
Thanks for reading, peace to you, and love, Bill
SEEKING NEW MEMBERS AND INPUT
Please join with your fellow Alumni. Send a check for $25 to KEHSAA, P.O. Box 51763, Knoxville, TN 37950
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OFFICERS FOR 2019-2020 ARE ELECTED
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The slate of officers nominated for 2019-2020 were elected by acclamation at the January, 2019, board meeting.
President: Bill Black, Class of 1962
Vice President: Loretta Smith Crowder, Class of ’62
Recording Secretary: Helen Heap Mills, Class of ’55
Assistant Recording Secretary: Wilma Loy, Class of ’62
Corresponding Secretary: Wanda Majors, Class of ’56
Treasurer: Carolyn Ellis Cottrell, Class of ’53
Assistant Treasurer: Lorry Ruth, Class of ’62
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Appointed to the 2019-2020 Board
Benevolence: Tommy Green, Class of ’60
Legal Counsel: Larry Leibowitz, Class of ’63
Education: Margie Humphrey LeCoultre, Class of ’55
Membership: Gail Ingram, Class of ’62
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TO MY FELLOW EAST HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAMERS
I was very honored and proud to have been elected into our East High School Hall of Fame and I assume that you were also. I am writing to you today to encourage you to become more active in our East High School Alumni Association (KEHSAA).
KEHSAA was founded in 2010 and has allowed us to renew old friendships and relive old memories. KEHSAA does many good works such as 1) trying to find every individual who ever attended EHS, 2) sending our classmate news and photographs via our quarterly Blue and Grey newspaper and our website, KEHSAA.org, 3) awarding several scholarships, 4) donating to the Smoky Strong Relief Fund through the Dollywood Foundation, 5) remembering our Hall of Honor Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, and 6) inducting and celebrating Hall of Fame recipients.
Some of us have only attended our annual KEHSAA Banquet and Celebration when we were inducted. Some of our honored group have not even joined our own Alumni Association.
Remembering our wonderful days at EHS and appreciating the great start our alma mater gave to our lives should encourage us to join and support our Alumni Association. As you would imagine, there are expenses associated with maintaining KEHSAA. Your $ 25 annual dues will help our Ole’ Alma Mater to continue bringing you news of our school, classmates, and memories.
You are cordially invited to our next Hall of Fame Banquet and Celebration this coming August 5 at The Lighthouse Restaurant (6800 Baum Drive, Knoxville).
There you can visit with friends (old and new) and be able to thank those who honored us with this unique membership.
Thank you ahead of time for your consideration and generosity.
David Lawson – EHS Class of 1960
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LARRY LEIBOWITZ OPENS HOLOCAUST COMMISSION EVENT
Kay and Larry Leibowitz
The class of 1963’s Larry Leibowitz opened the Day of Remembrance of the Tennessee State Holocaust Commission, Tuesday, March 7 in the State Capitol’s House Chamber. This year’s theme is Generations of Memory: Heading the Call to Action. Addressed were the work that Tennessee’s students are doing to combat human rights violations and build awareness of current genocide in the world.
During the ceremony, the winners and finalists for the Betz-Lipman Holocaust Educator of the Year Award were recognized for their outstanding work in the field of Holocaust education. Gov. Bill Haslem, Speaker Beth Harwell, Sen. Becky Massey and Rep. Roger Kane, along with several other members of the legislature, provided personal reflections on the day. Gov. Haslem praised Leibowitz for his work in assuring the ongoing viability of the commission. Under Leibowitz’s leadership, the organization’s reach has expanded throughout the state.
This school year the commission hosted more than 300 speaking engagements and professional development workshops reaching more than 4,000 educators, 80,000 students, and 11,000 community members in 15 colleges and universities, 60 public-school districts, and 60 private schools. “Remembrance obligates us not only to memorialize those that were killed but also to reflect on what could have been done to save them,” Leibowitz said. “The antidote for anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry is education and by working together, we can fulfill the promise of ‘Never Again’.”
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Deceased East High School Alumni1967 Donna (Bryant) Benedict1982 Joyce Burnette1990 Jerry Hundley1992 John Goins1994 Linda Bounds1995 Patsy (Lay) Sisk1998 Charles Rosenbalm1998 Charles Kenimer2002 Bill Seymour2002 Jack Smith2002 Hope (Lemons) Jackson2003 Jeannie (Martin) Iredale2003 Raymond Pollard2004 Rudy Candler2004 Roger Lynch2007 Andy Rader2008 Jerry Atkins2008 Lonna (Pollard) Cotter2008 Roy Sue (Maples) Vandergriff2009 Wayne Taylor2009 Beverly (Ward) Lucenti2009 Brenda (Essary) Murphy2010 Pat Dooley2010 Joyce (Emmet) Haun2011 Ramzy Roback2012 Bill Murray2012 Raymond Dickert2013 David McMahan2014 Dottie (West) Brimer2015 Arnold Schwarzbart2015 Sandie (Bettis) Lawson2016 Carol Jean Claiborne Noe2016 Fred Mynatt2016 Carolyn (Carr) Daniel2017 Mary Elizabeth Solomon Gass2017 Jane Rhodes Joliffe2017 Don (Moocher) Cain=====================================WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF KHSAA
Though the website of the Knoxville East High School Alumni Association is still a work in progress, we are happy to be here. In addition to sparking the wonderful memories that we cherish and want to preserve, we are dedicated to communicating, enjoying each other’s friendship, and supporting efforts to keep the spirit of our school alive.
We are hopeful that you will relish revisiting those memories and will be willing to share events that have woven the fabric of our lives since those unique and special years that were “East High School”.
One of our goals is to honor distinguished EHS alumni with a Hall of Fame. The initial class was inducted in 2012, and we have added additional alumni each year since.
THE HONOREES OF 2012 WERE:
Sara B. O’Mera 1952
Kyle “Buddy” Cruze 1952
Dr. Lucy Scroggle (posthumous) 1953
Phyllis B. Severance 1957
Jerry “Ace” Miller 1957
Charles “Bud” Lobetti 1957
Bobby Denton 1959
Bill Denton 1959
Sam Furrow 1959
Carolyn W. Shorter 1959
Richard “Andy” Rader (posthumous) 1960
Dr. Herman Saatkamp 1960
Arnold Schwartzbart 1960
“Edd” Poore 1962
Dr. Grazia “Pucci” DiDonato 1965
Sandra Mitchell Woods 1966
THE HONOREES OF 2013 WERE:
Bill Craig 1952
Frank Hall 1953
Dr. Margie H. LeCoultre 1955
Col. Robert Pickle 1955
Dr. William “Bill” Williford 1955
Frank Flynn Jr. (posthumous) 1956
Elvin Henry 1957
Rich Ray 1958
Dr. Ted Shelton 1959
Joe P. Atkins 1962
Lt. Col. Lorry Ruth 1962
Dr. Mary Lou S. Kanipe 1962
Col. (R) Henry C. Ruth III 1966
Thomas Moultry 1967
THE HONOREES OF 2014 WERE:
Charles Leon Dodson (posthumous) 1953
Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Whicker 1953
Dr. Robert R. “Bob” Small 1954
John W. “J.W.” Bailey 1956
Gay Walter Valentine 1956
Colonel Donald “Don” Martin 1957
Billie Ray Cannon Demont (posthumous) 1959
William Kinser Ellenburg 1960
Roger Henry 1960
David Lawson 1960
William “Bill” Black 1962
Dr. Michael R. Carpenter 1966
Sgt. Maj. David R. Hatfield 1966
THE HONOREES OF 2015 WERE:
Clyde Richard “Dick” Bales 1954
Carlo Harris 1955
Rosa Maria DeRobertis Faulkner 1955
Shirley Ford Monte (posthumous) 1956
Dr. Robert Simerly 1957
James “Jim” Burton Ford 1960
James “Jim” Martin Atkins 1962
Randolph “Rand” Phillip Bradford 1963
Randall “Randy” Harvey Schwartz 1963
Christopher “Chris” Wohlwend 1963
Teddy “Ted” Weaver Land 1964
Anthony “Tony” Conrad Evans (posthumous) 1966
THE HONOREES OF 2016 WERE:
Yvonne Coleman Lowrie 1954
Ben Dillard 1955
Steve Lockett (posthumous) 1956
Phyllis Clem Baer 1956
Dr. Harold C. Warner Jr. 1957
William Larry Ventis 1960
Frederick J. Mynatt Jr. 1960
Darris K. Doyal 1961
Larry Leibowitz 1963
Dwight Smith 1966
The Honorees of 2017 were:
Carolyn Ellis Cottrell 1953
Frank M. (Bob) Bostick 1954
Al Billips 1955
Cary F. McWilliams 1955
Sue Meador Campbell 1956
Zafer Roback 1959
Richard Hillard 1963
Sherry Wright Nelson 1963
James M. (Jay) Nelson 1963
John B. Foster 1967 (posthumous)
NOTES FROM THE 2014 INDUCTION CEREMONY
What a wonderful evening it was. There was an abundance of MOUNTAINEER SPIRIT going around. The 3rd KEHSAA Hall of Fame Award Celebration was held last evening at the Holiday Inn World’s Fair Site. There were approximately 150 people in attendance. The food was wonderful, the atmosphere was great. There were tears and there was laughter and so much friendship going around!
This year’s winners were Charles Dodson (posthumous – 1953), Dr. Lawrence Whicker (1953), Dr. Bob Small (1954), J. W. Bailey (1956), Col. Donald Martin (1957), Billie Ray Cannon DeMont (posthumous 1959), Kinser Ellenburg (1960), Roger Henry (1960), David Lawson (1960), Bill Black (1962), Michael Carpenter (1966), and Sgt. Major David R. Hatfield (retired), (1966). How’s that for a classy group of Mountaineers? We are so proud of the successes that have come from our little school in East Knoxville. Who would’ve thought?
There was also a new award added – the Coach Bob LeSueur Track & Field Award. This award went to Mickey Shelton. Coach LeSueur seemed particularly pleased with this and Mickey was a gracious and appreciative winner.
Our scholarship award winners were also recognized. They are Lannette Harris, Dontae Johnson, and Devante Mack.
After the awards we had a time of karaoke, dancing and fellowship until we all had to go home. Beautiful ending to a beautiful evening.
Please check out the CARES & CONCERNS page in the NEWS section
For access to the Members Only section you need to be a Member of KEHSAA.
Join KEHSAA now. $25.00 annually. Be part of a great organization.
Send a check to KEHSAA, PO Box 51763, Knoxville, TN 37950-1763