BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING: The KEHSAA Board of Directors will meet at 10:00 at the O’Conner Senior Center, 611 Winona St., Knoxville. TN 37917 on Friday, October 15, 2021. Please come! All classes can have up to four representatives on the Board and we hope to have all classes represented.
Bill Black’s opening comments at the 2021 All-Class Reunion
2021 KEHSAA All-Class Reunion
Welcome, it is great to see so many of you young folks out this afternoon. I would start singing “On, On, Mountaineers”, but I am afraid some of you would get up and hurt yourselves. I need to be more positive. I am truly glad you were able to join the rest of us today.
This is meant to be a fairly informal program, but I think it would be appropriate to mention that many of our classmates are not here today. Some have died and some are too feeble to travel. Let’s take a moment of silence to personally say a silent prayer for them.
Thank you! Now some of our classmates are just too lazy to join us, so when you get the chance, give them a hard time and encourage them to be at our next gathering whenever it is.
I think it is also appropriate to recognize that several of our classmates died while serving in our military. Let’s stand and give the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag in memory of them:
Now, I want to talk about the seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. We are certainly not in the Spring or Summer of our lives. Well, maybe our minds are, but unfortunately not our bodies.
About a week ago, I read something very interesting that I thought many of you may appreciate hearing. It supposedly was written by the most wise man that has ever lived. Many of you may recognize this and I will tell where it is from after I finish. It goes like this:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
Can you imagine a grandfather’s clock, with the pendulum swinging back and forth, from one side to the other – a time to mourn and a time to dance.
Continuing,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.
OK, this is Sunday and that’s the end of my Old Testament lesson given by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3. But with the years some of us have, we can resemble some of these pendulum swings.
Now in a few minutes I am going to walk around and ask a few of you to stand up and tell us something you remember about your high school days. It can be funny, sad, or anywhere in between. I think at least one person a table should talk!
But, it the meantime I have some questions:
Here are the questions asked. There were hands up for all of them:
Questions – All-Class Reunion – 2021
1. Raise your hand or stand-up if you are from the 1952 class. 1053 … 1968. That is great. Now we need representatives from all these classes on our Board of Directors. We meet once a quarter. Tell Gail Mynatt Ingram if you are willing to serve.
2. I am now going to ask some boy/girl questions. So, all you men/women listen up. Who remembers having their first date in high school?
3. Who remembers having their first kiss in high school? If you had it before high school, raise your hand also and good for you.
4. Who remembers most of the people you dated in high school?
5. Who dated someone in a class ahead of you?
6. Who dated someone in a class behind you?
7. Is there someone from your high school that you didn’t date, but wished you had?
8. Here’s a question only for the girls here. Did you ask a boy for a date in high school?
9. That’s enough questions about dating in high school. Some of us have spouses here after all.
10. Oh, one last question. Did any of you marry someone that you went to high school with? Wonderful!
Blue and Grey, Post 2021 KEHSAA Reunion
The KEHSAA 2021 Reunion was held at The Lighthouse on Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2021. Here are some of the comments made afterwards: “Wow!”, “Wonderful”, “Best ever”, “Thank you all who worked on this”, “Do it again soon, we are all getting older”, “Very relaxed”, and “Fantastic”.
Over 110 people, representing 14 of our 17 classes, enjoyed visiting with old friends and making new ones. The food was fantastic with appetizers early and a full buffet later. All attendees went away with a smile on their face and a KEHSAA sun visor on their head.
One of the things I really enjoyed was asking a bunch of high school dating questions to the boys and girls in our group. All the old men and women seemed to enjoy looking back a few (?) years. The real entertainment of the day, however, was when I took the microphone around the room and got at least one person from each table to stand up and say something about their time at good old East High. There was a lot of laughter and even some tears shed. I ended the afternoon with a tape measure opened to 9 feet with some comments made, then took it down to 7 feet, 5 feet, 2 feet and one foot each with comments, and then zipped it all the way to death; oh, I meant to say all the way closed. You will have to ask someone who was there what those comments were.
IMPORTANT: The next KEHSAA Board of Directors meeting will be held on Friday, October 15, 2021, not on the 1st as previously announced. We hope to have representatives from all classes attand.
Thank you to all the KEHSAA officers who worked hard planning and setting up for this reunion and a big THANK YOU to all the East High alumni who were there. Yes, Let’s Do It Again!
Hello fellow East High Alumni, (added, June, 2021)
It’s over! Well, it is almost over. This Corona Virus, or Covid, or whatever you want to call it has taken more than a year out of our lives. Most of us have survived it, but a few of our members most likely did not. As we all get older, we begin to cherish each day a little more. Hopefully all of us (I truly don’t understand why some are not) have gotten our vaccine shots and are ready to disown wearing face masks ever again.
That was the bad news. The good news is that we are going to have another all-class reunion on Sunday, August 8, 2021. It will be at the Lighthouse, 6800 Baum Drive, here in Knoxville, starting at 2:00 and breaking up around 5:00. A buffet lunch will be served immediately at 2:00 and a bar will be available. I will probably have a few comments to make after we have all eaten, but there is no formal agenda. I would love for many of you to stand up, take the microphone, and tell us a story you remember about your days at East High. It can be funny, sad, or somewhere in-between. We will have a hand raising call for each of our 18 class years. Be sure and be there to represent your class.
As all of us know, east Knoxville has gone through a transition. Our old high school has changed a lot. It is tragic that five Austin-East students have been killed recently. We expect to read about things like this in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, but not in Knoxville.
Later in 2021 and certainly in 2022 we hope to get back to regular meetings of the Executive Board and quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors (made up of representatives from every class). Just remember, everyone is welcome at these meetings.
See you in August, Bill
Late 2020 comments
Hello East High School Alumni,
Most folks say 2020 will be a year we will never forget. I say it is a year to forget. Let’s see – we were told not to travel, we were told to wear face masks, we cancelled our KEHSAA August gathering, my 1962 August class reunion was cancelled, all of our monthly luncheons were cancelled, several of my classmates died, churches were closed along with most businesses, etc., etc.. I am sure this happened to all of you also.
It is my hope that none of you lost loved ones to Covid, but some of you probably did. Being a 46-year survivor of diabetes, I want a vaccine shot as soon as I can get it. All of us are old (yes, I know many of us don’t admit it – especially in our own minds). As a matter of fact, I am still a great basketball player – even better than I was along with my 55 extra pounds that I can use under the backboard. Oh, how wonderful memories are.
Speaking of memories, many of you need to send me one of your favorite memories of your days at old East High. Send it to bill.black1962@outlook.com. I will post it on our web site so others can relive it with you.
KEHSAA will live another year or two or more. Our memories of East High may die with us, but will probably be kept alive by someone else for at least a few more years. Reach out to your classmates. Tell them you love them. Tell them you hope to see them at a future class luncheon or even perhaps at an all-class KEHSAA reunion. And, of course, tell them you hope to spend eternity with them. Wow, wouldn’t that be great!
With joy in my heart,
Bill Black
The Virus
Bill Black’s note in the Spring of 2020
We are all a prime candidate to catch it – we are old! Many of us have other reasons to catch it (I have been a Type-1 diabetic for 45 years now). But, by the grace of God, we all hopefully will escape this dreadful disease. On a more practical note, being retired like most of you also, let’s hope the economy recovers fairly quickly so all our savings don’t go down the drain.
Now, I’m going to ask you to do something. No, it is not to ask you to send in a “memory” you have of your time at East, because you already have not done that even though I asked several times (Better late than never?). What I want you to do is to shut your eyes in a few minutes to visualize what I will be describing. Ready? Who was your principal when you were there? Shut your eyes and think back – is he standing in the lobby early before school started? Do it – shut your eyes. I saw Mr. Gardner. Who was your favorite, or most memorial teacher? Do it – shut your eyes. I saw Miss Ruby Bird. Who was your coach or music director or non-credit teacher? Do it- shut your eyes. I saw Coach Bible and Coach Hall. Now, who was the person that perhaps changed your life or made a lasting impression on you? Do it – Shut your eyes. I saw Mrs. Bennett, the Librarian. When Mrs. Bennett came to one (perhaps 20th or 25th) of our reunions, I sat down next to her and told her the story of how she changed my life. We both were crying before I finished. But, that’s another memory for the future. Now, wasn’t this exercise fun?
I have gotten in the bad habit of reading the list of people in the Knoxville News Sentinel Obituaries every day. I am 75 so I look to see who is around my age to see if I recognize a name. Since I grew up in Mascot, I also look for folks from there. My wife thinks I’m crazy. She’s probably right! Do you do this and are you crazy also? By the way, 50% of the obits are usually older than me and 50% are younger.
WE will get through this virus crisis. I can’t wait to start giving everyone a hug again – well, at least the girls. In the meantime, keep your distance.
Oh yes, we hope to have an all-class reunion on Sunday, August 2nd, at the Crown Plaza in downtown Knoxville. Watch for the Blue and Gray in late May or early June to confirm this. You can also check back on this web site. We just need to be sure life is back to normal before finalizing anything. This will not be a Hall of Fame event, simply a gathering of “old” friends and classmates. I hope to see many of you then if not before (please, not in the obits). (This paragraph is now out of date. The August 2020 reunion has been canceled!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Blessings, Bill
Springtime – First Blue and Gray of 2020 (not yet published, written before “The Virus”
Hello fellow classmates,
The year is _______ (fill in the year you graduated from East High). You will be graduating in just two to three months. What are you going to do then? Get a job? Go to college? Go to a technical/vocational school? Join the Army/Marines/Air Force/ Coast Guard/Reserves? Get married? Travel? Become homeless? Join a family business? Start drinking and smoking (maybe more)? Whatever?
Wow, that was a long time ago! What did you actually do – perhaps several of the above suggestions? Would you do it the same way if you could go back in time? Most of us would probably make a few modifications if it were possible. But, here we are today, reading a high school alumni publication and we’re still above ground. We all probably have a few aches and pains that remind us of getting old, but hopefully we have a few other things to keep our mind off them most of the time.
For those of us who live in or near Knoxville, we have the opportunity to stay somewhat connected to fellow East High classmates. There are various class luncheons/dinners on a monthly basis and several annual gatherings. If you haven’t participated in these in the past, I encourage you to do so in the future. I am 100% sure you are not getting any younger.
Several of my 1962 classmates died this past year and surely several of your classmates did also. And, unfortunately, even more may do so this year. Hopefully you have some family members who live close to you and help to keep you active. If not (and maybe in addition), you can still seek out some old classmates with whom to have fellowship. They will have memory problems and aches and pains too. I know at our class of 1962 luncheons we do more laughing than crying. This helps exercise those smile muscles in your face.
The Knoxville East High School Alumni Association (KEHSAA) is still alive and active. We have what we call an Executive Committee Meeting every first Friday of the month at 10:00 at the O’Conner Senior Center just off of Magnolia. The first Friday of each quarter we have what is called a Board Meeting at the same time and place. We need more people from all classes to attend these board meetings to have better representation of the various classes. Everyone is welcome at any of these meetings and your input will be appreciated. We usually have a group which goes to lunch following the meeting, so that is another good reason to attend. Oh yes, KEHSAA will have another annual gathering this coming August. See details in this newsletter.
We have a new “memory” to publish this time. It was submitted by Anita McGuire Melia, class of 1966. It is printed here and on our web site. Thanks Anita. There are now three of us brave enough to have written something up. What about the rest of you ______ s?
With a smile on my face and love in my heart, Bill
Hello East High School alumni,
I am happy to report that the 2019 All-Class Reunion was another great success for all those who attended. Fourteen of the 17 classes were represented. We missed many of you who have joined us in the past, but we hope to give you another opportunity next year. The secret – stay healthy for one more year!
I would also like to congratulate the six new members of the East High School Hall of Fame. You will be able to read about them later in the Blue and Gray, but it is an impressive group. Military service, foster care and adoption, and entrepreneurship were some of the main characteristics of these inductees. Unfortunately, three of the six were given posthumously.
We had a special recognition at the reunion for one of our own – Frank Hall. Frank was one of the first students at East High when it opened in 1952, is a 1953 alumni with both football and basketball awards. He returned as an assistant football and basketball coach after college, became Head Basketball Coach in 1961, and led two teams to the state tournaments in Nashville. Several of his players were present at the reunion to honor Frank as student, player, coach, teacher, legend and friend.
We have a new “memory” to tell everyone. Thanks to Lucile Heap Martin (’53) for submitting this. Now, send us your “memory”, so we will have others to tell in the future.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who worked so hard to make our all-class reunion such a success: Gail, Carolyn, Helen, Wanda, Wilma, Cheryl, Lucile, and Larry. A special thanks goes to Loretta and her tireless husband Mike.
In addition to sending us one of your “memories”, I would like to encourage you to tell us what you would like to see in future Blue & Gray’s, on the web site, or at the 2020 reunion. This is an alumni organization for all 17 classes and we are all getting older. Don’t wait to do something!
Best regards, Bill
A new Memory to post from Lucille Heap Martin, Class of 1953.
One day after gym class, I was changing back into my clothes when I slipped, fell and knocked my hip out of place.
While the other girls tried to help me dress I lay on the floor, Miss Capps went to the boys’ gym and brought some of the basketball team members to help me up. (There was no 911 in those days.)
Eddie Wolfenbarger picked me up and told Miss Capps that he would carry me home. So …, There we went, marching down the street to my house. I was being carried by the boy voted “Most Handsome” in our class, with the rest of the boys following behind carrying my things. It was like a parade.
I thought that was the most exciting thing that could ever happen in my life. (Well, what did I know. After all, I was only seventeen.)
Thank you Lucille for sharing this wonderful memory with us!
A New MEMORY to Post: Submitted by Anita McGuire Melia, Class of 1966
There were always rumors and legends about most of our teachers. One that I remember was Mr. Van Metre (Art & Civics). It was rumored that once he met a student, he would always remember their name.
While queued to receive our text book in Civics Class a friend shared this rumor and suggested it would be fun to swap identities. So, when I introduced myself and received my book, I gave my friend’s name and she gave Mr. Van Metre the name Anita while receiving her book.
When report cards came out, I had a better grade than my friend. She complained that I had gotten her grade and she mine. (Probably true, as she was the better student).
Turns our Mr. Van Metre was a legend. Years after graduating, I ran into him in Maryville and true to the rumor, he called me by name … NOT my name, but that of my friend.
“Thanks, Anita, for sharing this memory of life at old East High School”
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
Current members as of May 3, 2019
1952: Bill Craig, Omer Dyer, Charlie Martin, Kyle Wilson
1953: Betty York Colston, Carolyn Cottrell, Frank Hall, Elizabeth Ailshire Jack, Lucile Heap Martin, Tom Pannell, Betty Reid, Eleanor Brumette Thurman
1954: Dick Bales, Carolyn Ellis, Shirley Dyke Hodge, Harold Mills, Van Snider, Walter Wise
1955: Louise C. Armin, Rose Marie DeRobertis Faulkner, Carlos Harris, Marge LeCoultre, Helen Heap Mills, Doyle Nicley, Robert Pickle, Sylvia Sproul, JoahnWaller, Beverly Wilson
1956: Sue Campbell, Wanda Majors
1957: Jamie Haworth, Elvin Henry, Phyllis Severance
1958: Glen Frye, Jane Ray, Richard Ray
1959: Marsha Alegre, Tommy Greene, Lee Kribbs, Richard Veale, Judy Wright
1960: Bob Daniel, Larry Everette, Roger Henry, David Lawson, Bo Minnis, Patricia Cullop Smith
1961: Mrs. Ray Acuff
1962: Joe Atkins, Sarah Baskin, Mickey Beesley, Cheryl Berry, Bill Black, Loretta Crowder, Gail Ingram, Mary Lou Kanipe, Wilma Loy, Lavern Marcum, Don Pinkston, Margaret Pinkston, Lorry Ruth
1963: Larry Leibowitz, Patsy Nelson Mincey
1964: Don Hensley, Lona Terry
1965: Arthur Ellis
1966: Anita McGuire Melia, Sandra Mitchell-Woods, R. L. Padgett, Brenda Merritt Stokes
1967:
1968: Buford McKinney
Scoreboard: Class or 1962 has the most members – 13, with the Class of 1955 next at 10; The fewest members in a class belong to the Class of 1967 – 0; The member the longest way from home resides in Hawaii (site of next reunion – ?); The state with the most members other than Tennessee is Georgia.
| 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! |
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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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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 AlumniThere are too many to list, plus we do not have very good records. We hope to have at least one person from each class that can gather all the information for their class. Tommy Greene has done an outstanding job of sending out emails when he hears about an alumni death. Are you on his email list? Do you sent death notices to KEHSAA? Tommy wants to retire from this job. Who wants to take over? Send us a note to KEHSAA, P.O. Box 51763, Knoxville, TN 37950=====================================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)
The Honorees of 2019 were:
Thomas L “Thom” Minnis, 1954
George Bible, 1957
Tom Coffman Morelock, 1957
Ray L. Merritt, 1961
Zack Bayless Bolt, 1962
Walter Dwight Church, 1962
See the September 2019 Blue and Gray for the 2019 Hall of Fame Class write-ups.
Join KEHSAA now. $25.00 annually. Be part of a great organization.
Send a check to KEHSAA, PO Box 51763, Knoxville, TN 37950-1763