2004 Neodesha Alumni Association Meeting
The Neodesha High School Alumni Association meeting was held on held on June 12, 2004. An estimated 250 NHS alumni, friends, and teachers attended the event. A program was held in the auditorium to discuss business and inform the group of the happenings of NHS. Classes holding reunions were 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1969 and 1994. The class of 1954 made a monetary presentation to the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Following the roll call of classes, awards were give to Oris Killbrew and Geraldine Linville Riley for being the oldest male and female alumni in attendance.
Billie Porter presented the Outstanding In-town Alumnus Award to Mary Ann Stepanich Bauman, who graduated from Neodesha High School in 1971. As a student at NHS, she was involved in almost all activities and organizations in school. She was a volunteer Candy Striper at the hospital and taught in the summer recreation program. After graduation from NHS, she attended Independence Community College, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University and graduated in 1976. She worked as a registered nurse at the Wilson County Hospital and then as the school nurse for USD 461. Over the years she has taught CPR to countless numbers of people through the Life Line Program for the hospital, the school system and lifeguards. Mary Ann has been a tireless volunteer for the Main Street Program and was recognized as the 2004 Main Street Volunteer of the Year. She has also been involved in Bike Across Kansas, Girls Scouts as a participant and leader, youth leader in the Catholic Church, volunteer photographer for all occasions, Blue Streak supporter and very active parent.
Barbara Katzer and Phil Griffith presented the Outstanding Out-of-town Alumnus Award to Max Wilson, who graduated from NHS in 1946. Following graduation he served in the U.S. Air Force. Upon completion of his service he attended Pittsburg State University and was a member of their football team. He married Maxine Morrison and they have been married for 57 years. Max taught and coached at Galena and in 1953 began teaching and coaching in Fredonia. After 6 years, he became the Junior High Assistant Principal, and later the High School Principal. In 1975 he began a 16-year tenure as Superintendent for USD 484. His contributions and leadership include being a lobbyist in Topeka for children in Kansas, KHPERS, and school finance. His awards and recognitions include the Clyde Phillips Distinguished Service Award from Pittsburg State University and being inducted into the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame. Max remains active even after retirement in many educational organizations and is currently serving as the Mayor of Fredonia.
Other recognition was give to Robert Hare and Tom Williams for 5 years of service to the Alumni Association Board and to Kerry Elkins for the NeodyGrads.com website.
New business consisted of electing Pattie Deer Bailey and Delores Newland Nangle to the board.
Following the meeting a luncheon was served in the cafeteria.
