
General H. H. Arnold High School Alumni Association

Alumni Association History

Our Alumni Association owes a large debt to many people for keeping the flame of belonging alive through the years. The 'original Alumni Assn.' folks who did work very hard at staying together were led by Sue Shire Patterson, David Grant, Soapy Sorenson, Tom Hummer and Chuck Carver. There have been other small groups and organizations, and still are, but this particular group turned into the Gen. H. H. Arnold High School Alumni Association as it is today. There have also been some very active Class Years (1963 for example) who kept up with many of their members through the years prior to the date of 1990. With their help, the Association for the over 50 years of classes was possible.
There were many reunions for specific classes and groups over the last years, but none actually resulted in an 'organized' All-Years-Inclusive Association being formed until the 1990 reunion in Wiesbaden of the 1953-65 graduating classes. Twenty nine Alumni (with family and loved ones, the total of participating invaders was 70) enjoyed a memory making tour.
Jim Sains was the first "editor/president" of this budding Association. He says, "During the reunion in Wiesbaden in 1990, an election (of sorts) was held. Having no by-laws didn't stop this group from going ahead and doing as they pleased. Thus, a few questionable characters caucused and selected one from among them to lead them during the next term. This was announced during the briefing at the high school's auditorium. The victim of choice was Me."
He kept the newsletter going through the next 5 years with help from others. During the 1995 "Mid-Decade All Class Reunion" held in New Orleans, new officers were elected, and a new editor was selected. Jim had decided that "new blood" was needed, and that he needed a break! And since 1995, the Association has had more elections, which enable the Association Members to sit in offices for Treasurer, Vice President and Secretary. Every year, one or the other of these offices comes up for re-election. If you are interested in becoming more involved, contact any one of the folks listed on our homepage. They'll be glad to give you information.
All Association Officers are volunteers and give a lot of time toward this effort of bringing us all together again - if only on paper and in cyber-space. We welcome any correspondence and offers of help.
Lyn Baskett Fort '76
afn26068@afn.org
January 2003