Vol. 2 Issue 4 Fall/Winter 2012

SUMNER ALUMNI NEWS

Newsletter of the Sumner High School Alumni Association of Kansas City, Kansas, Inc.

Purpose of The A

G reetings Fellow Sumnerites and

Friends of the Sumner Community, With this issue of your Fall/Winter Sumner Alumni News, come best wishes to each of you as

we are full-swing into this active Holiday Season. No matter the outcomes of our national and local elections, a major issue is that each one of us exercise our right, responsibility, and privilege to VOTE. Our Alumni web site (SUMNERALUMNIKCK.org) has carried important voter information and regulations to help and encourage all of us – and our families and friends to that end. Our Alumni Web Site is ready to go on-line. We have a few technical details still to be worked out. With Joan Moore Carter (Class of 1968 as our Web Designer, we are in the process of getting on line with lots of interesting and important information, as well as fun photos and memories you will appreciate. If you have some class photos or old Sumner memories in print or pictures, please send them to President Pinkard or to Joan at j c a r t e r 3 6 4 9 @ h o t m a i l . c o m . Membership and Communications Committee members assisting with the web site are Naomi Baker Evans (Class of 1960), Gerri-Ann Jenkins (Class of 1973), Ron Hopkins (FL Schlagle Class of 1978, and Deloris Strickland Pinkard (Class of 1962). Special appreciation goes to former committee members

Roy L. Robinson, Bettye Maddox, and Patricia Davis Baker for laying the groundwork for accessing the web site. The New Year is already upon us. From all of us on your Alumni Executive Committee, come wishes to you for good health, peace, and happiness. Recently, our Alumni Association has experienced two very successful scholarship fund raising and FUN activities. THANK YOU TO ALL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORTED AND FACILITATED THESE PROJECTS. 1 – The first Sumner Alumni Bowling League, led by Thomas Gordon (Class of 1966) Melvin Anderson (deceased Aug. 2012; Class of 1962), and Bob Milan, Sr. (Class of 1952) presented the Alumni Scholarship Fund with $525.00 at the September 29, 2012 quarterly meeting. The members of the Summer Bowling League were represented at the meeting by those pictured in this newsletter. The next 12-weeks bowling session is planned for Spring 2013 starting in March and running for the usual 12-weeks session. A Summer League starting in June is also planned. ALL LEVELS of bowling abilities are welcomed, and bowlers do not have to be Sumnerites; just fun-lovers who want a little healthy exercise. Try to get four or more of your class members to form Class Teams. Teams do not have to be comprised of only class members; family members are welcomed also. BE THINKING ABOUT BOWLING WITH US at K C Bowl, 82nd and State Avenue, on Wednesday’s at 11:00 AM.

2 - Morris Campbell (VP and Class of 1962) led the JAZZ in the Afternoon and Silent Auction Event of October 6, 2012. Please look for the photos and event article in this issue. THANK YOU to all who supported the event, particularly those who are out of town but sent a contribution or paid for a Donor’s Ticket even though you could not be here to attend. Profit to our Scholarship Fund totaled more than $1,500.00. Our current officers have agreed to continue in their positions for the next 2-year term. The Chaplain’s position will be assumed by Rev. Chauncey R. Black. With no additional nominees coming from the floor at our September meeting, the expectation is that the secretary will cast one unanimous vote for the slate as presented. Any required installations will occur at the December 15, 2012 quarterly general membership meeting. Finally, please note that we are looking for your help with various additional projects, such as seeking our own building/facility through grant-proposal writing; research assistance tracking the progress of our 15+ years of scholarship recipients led by Janet Rogers Morgan, (Class of 1957); and/or volunteering to serve on any of our Standing and Special Committees. CONTACT ME AT 913-334-6476 OR depinkard@gmail.com.

Until next time,

Dr. Deloris Strickland Pinkard President, 2011-2012

PRESIDENT PINKARD’S PROLOGUE

Dr. Deloris Pinkard

~~COMMITTEE REPORTS~~

COURTESY AND HOSPITALITY REPORT At the General Membership meeting held September 29, 2012, four members/new attendees were acknowledged: from the Class of 60' - Janae Holland Haygood and David Maddox; Valera Richmond Jefferson, Class of 62', and Veda Monday, Class of 66'. Acknowledgement of appreciation of the June, 2012 Sumner Day Celebration was sent to Trinity AME Church, to the attention of Pastor Fran Cary and “The Sumner Day” Planning Committee. Sympathy acknowledgement was sent to Alumni Room chairperson, Granvile O'Neal (and Family) in the loss of Mr. O'Neal's father. The Association president also sent condolences to the family of Melvin Anderson, Class of 1962, who was also co-organizer of the Sumner Alumni Bowling League; and to Bowling League member, Maglother Roath in the death of his twin brother, Arthur Roath (Class of 1962). Remember, we make no difference in our respect of persons, but if we're not advised of an accomplishment, illness or death, we are unable to send acknowledgement in support of your situation.

Wayne and Joyce Hanna Co-Chairs

SCHOLARSHIP REPORT

The new Scholarship Committee has been comprised of Carolyn Buford Jones (Class of 1962), Morris N. Campbell, Sr., Robert D. Brady, Jr., Beverly Hooks Scott (Class of 1954), and Marie Williams Morris (Class of 1957) . The committee will work with past 15-year Chairperson, Captola Taylor Harris (Class of 1965) to accomplish the transition.

MEMORIAL MARKER COMMITTEE REPORT

New Sumner flags for our Memorial Marker site have arrived and a new one is flying above the marker. All recently paid marker names have

been inscribed and installed on the marker. Lighting for the marker has been re-directed and now lights the marker itself. Please stop by 9th and Washington Blvd., day or night, to enjoy this memorial. Make this a stop for your Class Reunion celebrations. It is not too late to have your name inscribed on the Sumner High School Memorial Marker. Cost is still $100.00 for each inscription. Funds are used to pay for inscriptions, to maintain the Marker and its flags and lighting.

Adrienne Patterson

Roselyn Elmore –Bailey

Co—Chairs

HISTORY, ARCHIVAL AND C.C. OWENS ALUMNI ROOM REPORT

The Sumner Alumni Room participated in the first Wyandotte County Museum Crawl held on Saturday, November 3rd. A special thanks to all who came out and/or volunteered for the afternoon’s activities. Thanks go to Adrienne Patterson, Naomi Evans, Clifford Liggins, Morris Campbell, Wayne and Joyce Hanna, Granvile O’Neal and wife, Pam, Deloris Pinkard and John Yates (Stop in to see his latest donation to the alumni Room! Volunteers are also needed to host the Chester C. Owens Sumner Alumni Room on the open dates of the second Tuesdays and fourth Thursdays of each month, from 10 AM-2 PM. Select either day in one or several months, and times of 2 hours to 4 hours per session. Contact Granville O’Neal or any Executive Committee member to volunteer. Special appreciation goes to Versa Mansfield Ashley (Class of 1947) and George L. Mansfield III (Class of 1962) for the comprehensive compilation and donation of the History of the Class of 1947 and of Sumner and Northeast Junior High. Be sure to view this collection when you visit the Room. Remember, also, to schedule the Alumni Room as a stop during your Class Reunion celebrations.

Granvile O’Neal

Sumner Alumni Room Curator and

Co-Chair

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT The Nominating Committee presented its slate of officers for 2013-14 to the General Membership meeting of September 29, 2012. All currently active officers have agreed to continue for a second term under this administration. The position of Chaplain has been offered to Rev. Chauncey R. Black and he has accepted. No other nominations were made when opened to the floor. A unanimous vote for acceptance of the slate cast by the secretary per Robert’s Rules is anticipated for the Dec. 15, 2012 quarterly meeting. Please be ready to support our officers and committee chairpersons. We are appreciative of their willingness to continue the momentum we have attained.

Debra Jones Norman

Michael Rogers

Joanne Mitchell Collins Chairs

TREASURER/FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S

REPORT 1 – Great News! Scholarship Funds have increased by at least $2,000.00 due to Sumner Bowling League’s $525.00 contribution from its first 12-weeks bowling session and $1,500.00+ profit (some receipts may be still to come in). 2 – WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING YOUR NEW OR RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP PAYMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $25.00 FOR THE 2013 YEAR. Please pay as soon as possible. WE DO NEED YOU.

Robert D. Brady, Jr.

Treasurer

Shirley Webster-Howard

Sumner Alumni Bowling League Reps Present Check to Scholarship Fund. Pictured: Clifford Liggins, Debra Jones Norman, Thomas Gordon, Venita Kyle, Deloris Pinkard, and Maglother Roath.

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SILENT AUCTION NETS HALF OF THE PROFIT Thanks for your support! Proceeds to our Scholarship fund exceeded $1,500.00. A rich range of outstanding instrumental and vocal music was provided “live” by professional Sumnerites and other guests including a special appearance by Mr. Leon Brady, musician and instructor extraordinaire. Lester “Duck” Warner (Class of 66) anchored the band, providing vocal and instrumental leadership along with his unique brand of humor. Joining “Duck” were: Charles Williams (Class of 1973), Crayge Lindsey (who also donated several of his CDs for the Silent Auction—Class of 1974), James Ward, and “Johnny on the Drums”. Their sounds were was superb! An excellent meal was catered by HyVee with service assisted by Program and Special Projects Committee, co-chaired by Marie Williams Morris (Class of 1957), Georgia Thomas Taylor (Class of 1957) assisted by: Carolyn Mitchell (Class of 1965-- also JAZZ committee member), Debra Jones Norman (Class of 1966) and Gloria Franklin Watson (Class of 1955). Our printer/editor/and JAZZ committee member Gerri-Ann Jenkins (Class of 1973) of gajettes@kc.rr.com, prepared the eye-catching posters and fliers, the tickets, and e-mailed the event announcements to our membership. Distribution of fliers to community businesses and individuals was facilitated by JAZZ committee members, Robert D. Brady (Class of 1962), Carolyn Mitchell, Morris Campbell, Deloris Strickland Pinkard (all Class of 1962), Elmer Jackson Jr., (Class of 1958), Naomi Baker Evans (Class of 1960), and Clifford Liggins (Class of 1961/2).

We also acknowledge several high ticket-sellers for their sales work which was another key ingredient to making this a fun, entertaining, relaxing and profitable afternoon. Thanks to all others who supported this event and the JAZZ committee by selling tickets. Wayne (Class of 1960) and Joyce Jones (Class of 1959) Hanna, Granvile O’Neal (Class of 1970), Albertine Morgan (Class of 1948), Rev. Chauncey Black (Class of 1960), Howard Berry (Class of 1964), and Beverly Caruthers Thompson (Class of 1954-- and her group in from Topeka) get high ticket sales honors! Kudos to all of you! Additional publicity fliers and radio promotions were coordinated by Debra Jones Norman (Class of 1966), JAZZ Committee Publicity Co-chair and Gloria Franklin Watson. President Pinkard and VP Campbell were featured in a 23-m i n u t e s e g m e n t o n raymanningsingers.com internet radio.

This 23-minute promotion was aired in all 50 U.S. States, and in several other countries and islands for 3 weeks prior to the Jazz event. Spot announcements were also aired on KPRT and KPRS radio, also facilitated by Debra. Please note that this event was a joint project of the Sumner Alumni Association and the Sumner Alumni Foundation! It has been a pleasurable and productive experience. We hope it is the first of many. Thank you to Foundation Chairman, W. Michael Rogers (Class of 1958) and the entire Board.

Johnny the Drummer and Band Leader/Musician/Vocalist, Lester “Duck” Warner (Class of 66) ready for Sumner Alumni JAZZ in the Afternoon.

Alumni and Friends enjoy Jazz Event. Sumner Alumni JAZZ Band Plays with Mr. Leon Brady

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“Silent Auction Makes Its Mark” The JAZZ committee utilized solicitation letters for local businesses requesting their donation of auction items or gift certificates for the Silent Auction. Many alumni members and friends also contributed items

for auction. There was a lot of friendly bidding competition which kept things lively. The bidding process resulted in items selling for opening bid lows of $5.00 up to winning bid highs of $135.00 per item. Donors to our auction included Winkler’s Jewelers, Dub’s Dread Golf Club, Painted Hills Golf Course, Lexi’s Salon Experience and Day Spa, Dennis Sports Consulting, Sunflower Golf Course, Sumner Alumni Room, and many individual Alumni and Friends. Special thanks to Mark Hobson whose affiliation with a west coast professional sports memorabilia procurement company provided about a dozen autographed sports items for bidding. We look forward to working with Mark on sports activities and events in the future. IMPORTANT: If YOU still have JAZZ tickets or ticket money out, please send them to our P.O. Box address on back of newsletter immediately. Include your name so that we can remove those tickets from your name/account. Our treasurer, Robert Brady and our Financial Secretary, Shirley Webster Howard (Class of 1952) have worked diligently and efficiently throughout this entire JAZZ/Auction project. We sincerely thank them AND want to assist their wrap-up of these records. Please do your part as soon as possible. Last, but certainly not least, we offer special thanks to the Kansas City Kansas Community College and its helpful and efficient staff. Kay Crossley plus all of the Staff in Maintenance/Custodial were indispensable to our success. As you see, there were many alumni and friends involved in this project. If anyone feels overlooked in this news release, please forgive the error- and contact the president who will make the correction/addition in the next newsletter.

WEB SITE UP SOON OVERVIEW/OUTLINE

We are proud to announce that your Alumni Association has contracted with Joan Moore Carter (Class of 1968) as our Web Site Developer. Two sets of Membership and Communications committee members have worked hard to get us ready to go on line. In fact, it may be that as you are reading this, our web site may be up and ready for your visit! The initial committee of

Naomi Baker Evans, Bettye Maddox (Class of 1962), Patricia Davis Baker (Class of 1962), and Roy L. Robinson (Class of 1964) developed an overview outline for the site and worked with the current committee to get the domain name(s). Joan, along with the current committee, secured the domain(s) and they have started to write, proof, select materials, and plan for content for the various pages/links. We have much important information, many pictures and photos, interactive pages, and some funny memories ready to go on the web site for your information and enjoyment. Current committee members are Naomi Baker Evans, Gerri-Ann Jenkins, Edith Jackson-Turnipseed (Class of 1962), Ronald Hopkins and Deloris Strickland Pinkard. Feel free to watch us as we develop our site and follow us each step of the way. We developed temporary “VOTER REQUIREMENTS INFORMATION” prepared by Roy Robinson and the Social Action Committee on the opening pages. Many changes exist in several states, including Kansas and we wanted to encourage the VOTE as well as to inform you of new I.D. requirements. Joan will be happy to utilize approved materials that you might want to see on the web site. She sees this particular assignment as a privilege (a true Sumnerite attitude) and is developing and maintaining our site at a greatly reduced rate. We are grateful to have her expertise. So, send your ideas, narratives, class photos, etc. to depinkard@gmail.com. Put the phrase “For Alumni Web Site” in the subject line, please. We thank you in advance for your contributions to web site content.

WE’RE LOOKING FOR… Your Alumni Association is looking for alumni and friends who have interests and abilities in a few areas we are now exploring. 1) We are looking for detail-oriented, research-minded alumni to work with Janet Rogers Morgan (Class of 1957) on a longitudinal study of the impact of our scholarship assistance to our various recipients over the last 15 years. It will yield important information to support continued scholarship fund-raising efforts as well as for helping us to determine relative and direct success of our process. Let us know if you’d like to get involved by contacting Janet, or the president, or any member of the Executive Committee or Foundation Board. 2) We are looking for members to work on any and all of our standing committees. Please see back of this newsletter. If you decide there is a committee of interest to you, please contact the committee’s co-chairs or any member of our Executive Committee.

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Sumner High School Alumni Association, Inc.

P.O. Box 17-2013

Kansas City, Kansas 66117

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Permit No. 9

Return Service Requested

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Dr. Deloris Strickland-Pinkard

President

Morris N. Campbell, Sr.

Vice-President

Carolyn Mitchell

Recording Secretary

Debra Jones-Norman

Corresponding Secretary

Robert D. Brady, Jr.

Treasurer

Shirley Webster-Howard

Financial Secretary

Tiel Sanders

Parliamentarian

Rev. Ephthallia Banks

Parliamentarian

Clifford Liggins

Sergeant-at-Arms

~~Members-at-Large~~

Dr. Hargest Shumate

Dr. Lee Roy Pitts

Gloria Franklin-Watson

STANDING COMMITTEE

CO-CHAIRPERSONS

Executive Dr. Deloris Strickland-Pinkard

Morris N. Campbell, Sr.

Budget/Finance

Robert D. Brady, Jr. - Shirley Webster-Howard

Constitution and Bylaws

Tiel Sanders - Dr. Hargest Shumate

Membership and Communication

Naomi Baker-Evans - Bettye Maddox

History, Archival and Alumni Room

Granvile O’Neal - Carolyn Mitchell Chester C. Owens, Consultant

Scholarship and Awards

Beverly Hooks-Scott

Program and Special Projects

Marie Williams-Morris - Georgia Thomas-Taylor

Social Action

Brenda C. Jones - Howard Berry

Courtesy and Hospitality

Joyce Jones-Hanna - Wayne Hanna

Nominating

Debra Jones-Norman - Mike Rogers

Memorial Marker Adrienne Williams-Patterson-Roselyn Elmore Bailey

2012-13 MEETING SCHEDULE

Association Meetings will be scheduled for the 5th

Saturday in the months containing 5th Saturdays

except as noted due to holiday periods. Meeting time is from 1:00 p.m—2:30 p.m. unless otherwise

announced. Executive Committee will meet prior to each Association meeting—as scheduled by the

Association president. Executive Committee

Meetings will be anticipated to be called as needed to conduct Association business between general

Association meetings. Location of all meetings for

2013, unless required by external circumstances and announced by the president, will be at the Security/

Arrowhead Branch Bank at 82nd and Parallel

Parkway, Kansas City, KS.

2012

December 15

(3rd Sat. due to holiday) Installation of New Officers.

2013 March 30

June 29

August 31

November 16

SUMNER HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP

2011—2012

Sumner Alumni News is distributed by email when email

addresses are available. Otherwise postal mail is used.

CONTACTS

Dr. Deloris Strickland-Pinkard …………..913-334-6476

President

Debra Jones-Norman ……………………913-544-4199

Corresponding Secretary

Shirley Webster Howard ………………...913-788-7765

Financial Secretary

Geraldine A. Jenkins…… ………………..816-522-7872

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