MARCH 02

The NHS Alumni Association held it's first meeting 6/27/2000. The group met in the school library to organize an Alumni Association for NHS. Other area schools have alumni associations, but this was new for Neosho. Mr. Jim Cummins, computer department teacher, coach and NHS alumnus, came up with the idea. Mrs. Shirley Cummins, principal of NHS, was also present to help the association get organized. The NHS communication classes volunteered to assist with the printing of the newsletter. The association was granted permission to operate as a subsidiary of the Neosho R-5 School Charitable Foundation for tax purposes.

Our goal is to keep in touch with each other and stay informed about what's going in our school today. The association can also be of benefit to classes planning reunions. At the first meeting we discussed an a1l-school reunion and awarding a scholarship to a qualified graduating senior. Dues were discussed and the committee elected to set an annual fee of one cent per the year of graduation (a 1967 graduate would pay a yearly fee of $19.67).

The association will publish a newsletter to keep alumni informed about what is happening at NHS. We hope each of you will keep us informed of any news about you or your classmates and keep us informed of your correct address.

The committee is working on plans for the All-School Reunion to be held on September 27 and 28, 2002. Name tags to allow entrance to all alumni activities may be picked up at the at the High School on 9/27/2002 beginning at 4 p.m. The Rotary Club's Annual Chili Supper will kick off the weekend, with the Homecoming game vs. Mt. Vernon to follow. On Saturday, 9/28/2002. there will be a pancake breakfast by the Lion's Club followed by tours of Neosho with guides Tom Higdon (class of 1955), Jerry Gorham (retired Neosho R5 teacher) and Charlie Goade. The afternoon will be spent painting Reunion Hill and visiting with classmates at the Decade Reunions. The evening will begin with a fu1l-school dinner followed by live bands on the square, and in the Neosho Auditorium.

Reunion packets will be mailed in May.

Congratulations to the
NHS Boys
basketball team on
a GREAT year!

Second straight Southwest
Conference title,
First-ever three-time champion of
the Neosho Holiday Tournament,
NHS first district title in 19 yrs,
First-ever sectional title

MEW MEMBERS
Dale Bebee Bob Roller Doug Harmon Barbara Collie Martha Weston David Young Charles Welch Shirley Buzzard Don Anderson	Elaine Boyd Jones Charles Cummins James Lee Cullum Rudy Farber Rick Wittmann Harvey Lakin Rick Spilman Jim Burnett Roger Wagner	Dorothy Smalley Bryant William R. Collie, MD Carol Whipple Charlie Neidert Wilma Walker Field Daves Donald Cramer Faun A. Daves Jerry B. Davis	Ylene Bridges Roller Patty Stark Jenny Griffith Spiva Alan Marble David Harmon Dorothy Barracano Joyce Gilstrap Becker Corbet Macy

Mission Statement

The Neosho High School Alumni Association is a not-for-profit organization formed to promote unity and Goodwill between Neosho High School graduates. Said organization shall exist to provide accessible information concerning Neosho High School and its graduates to other members, to raise revenue for community based Alumni Association activates and to fund raise for the provision of scholarships for future Neosho High School graduates.

NHS Alumni Association Scholarship
Scholarship applications are now available in the NHS guidence counselor office.
	Please encourage your NHS senior to apply!

UPCOMING REUNIONS

CLASS OF '52 ~ Oct. 4 & 5, 2002
Contact Sharon Eidson 417-451-5467 ~sharone@joplin.com

CLASS OF '57 ~ Sept 21, 2002
Contact Dottie LaDue 417-451-4727

CLASS OF '72 ~ Join the planning committee
Contact Mike Franks 417-451-5971 ~ mlfranks@swbell.net

CLASS OF '77 ~ join the planning committee
Contact Larry Hicks 417-358-9135 ~ lhicks@cardet.com

	In Memory of Coralee (Thompson) Freund
	Coralee, class of 1950, died January 16, 2002 following a long battle with cancer. Mrs Freund taught elementary school in Neosho prior to becoming the principal of Benton School. She served in that position for 34 years before retiring. She is survived by her husband Henry Freund (1952), four children and six grandchildren.
	Kathy (Hadley) Knell
	Kathy, class of 1972, died February 23, 2002, following a difficult struggle with cancer. While attending NHS, Kathy was a cheerleader, member of the tennis team, and basketball homecoming queen. Kathy received the Golden Key Award for being an outstanding teacher in the Carthage R-9 School District. Kathy's husband, Robert H. Knell, Jr., preceded her in death. Kathy is survived by three children, Ryan, 23, Jason, 20, and Jennifer, 19. Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Kamen Breast Cancer Foundation or the Carthage R-9 School Foundation in care of the Knell Mortuary in Carthage, MO.
	Peggy (Ness) Weldon
	Peggy Weldon, class of 1947, passed away on February 26, 2002. Peggy attendd nurse's training at St. John's in Joplin after graduation. She is survived by her husband, George and two sons, Stephen and Danny.
	Adam McCamish
	Adam, class of 1996, passed away on February 25, 2002. He is survived by his parents, Edward and Sherry Kezar of Neosho and one sister, Christina Litteken, Grove, Oklahoma.

In the spotlight this month is our own Tom Higdon (1955), born and raised in Neosho. Tom is the son of Logan and Hazel Higdon and works at Community Bank & Trust formerly Bank of Neosho. Tom and his wife Gail live in Newtonia, MO where several Civil War battles were fought. Tom has always been interested in history and has become known as our local historian. He shares his interest and knowledge of the Civil War battles, World War II, Charles Lindberg, Amelia Earhart, the Titanic, and the St Louis Cardinals by giving lectures and programs to groups. He will be hosting tours for the all-school reunion on Saturday, 9/28/2002. The school bus tours will begin at 9:00 a.m. and last about 2 hours. It is a historical and industrial tour that will include Crowder and will reflect Neosho as it.was "then" and as it is now. This will be one of the high points of our reunion. Tom is very well read on many subjects and we are looking forward to the tours. Hope to see you there.

...A RETURN TO NEOSHO
AFTER 52 YEARS...

     My name is David Jones. I was born in Granby, but from the time my genes kicked in, my life was in the streets, hills, creeks, caves and with the people of Neosho. Central School became the place where the wonders of the larger world became known to me, and the circle of friends was increased to include my classmates. Events to fill those memory banks for a lifetime were stored up and filed away. In 1950, after completing my sophomore year at NHS, my parents moved to Harrison, AR, after my Junior year to Salt Lake, Utah. My ties to Neosho, while physically broken, remained in my mind.
     For the remainder of my life, when asked where I was from, the rep1y was unhesitatingly "Neosho, MO." Friends of my early 1ife were lost to me, but when visiting other cities, I would often try to find the friends of my childhood. Belding, Hatler, North, Berry, Hailey, Strecker, Leonard, Moore, Warren, and Warden were names that remained in my memory.
     One day in 2000, my sister in Springfield, sent me a picture of my 4th grade class at Central School that had appeared in the Neosho Post. I was thrilled and set out to put names with the pictures. Sadly, there were many who remained nameless. By chance, I turned the page and a bit of unrelated article reported that Sharon Eidson had hosted a party for Peggy Moore. A quick call to Sharon to inquire if Sharon Eidson was formerly Sharon Warden, brought me once again in contact with my past. Since then I have been reunited, via the internet with a number of my former classmates. At first it seemed strange to correspond with people, which logic said to be as old as I, but, who, in my mind were still 16 years old.
     What a wonderful experience it has been to share our memories, to hear of the joys and sadness of each life, to learn of the families that surround each of us, and to once again share with each other the hopes and dreams we have.
     We are spread all over the country. From Texas to Hawaii, from Missouri to Arizona and other points in between. What had bound us together? The common thread is the belief that we were blessed to have grown up in Neosho, MO when we did. Each in our own way have come to believe that a bit of Camelot rested in Neosho in the 30's, :40's, and 50's and we were blessed to live there.
     Via the internet, we have laughed, cried and prayed together . In our minds for those few minutes we are teenagers, enjoying the past and planning the future. That future will include a 50th class reunion that will set the standard for the years to come. See you in the, fall!!!!

       David Jones, Tucson, Arizona

NHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SIGN UP FORM

NAA QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

QUESTION... When will the All School Reunion be?
ANSWER...The reunion starts @ 4:00 p.m. September 27th, 2002, @ the high school

QUESTION... What if we want to have our own class reunion?
ANSWER... There will be times that your single class can meet. On Saturday we will have "decade" reunions with an area where your class may meet within the group. Sunday is free to allow for you to attend the church of your choice or spend time with family and friends.

QUESTION...Where will the reunion be held?
ANSWER... The banquet Saturday night will be at the High School with a program following in the high school gymnasium. The Saturday afternoon "decade" meetings will be around the square.

QUESTION...How do I contact the NAA?
ANSWER...You may contact the following people concerning any questions you may have:

Tammy Franks (1997) H. 417-451-6971 W. 417-451-1040 ext 266 E-mail Tammy	Evelyn Harmon (1955) H. 417-451-0434 W. 417-451-1040 ext 222

Sharon Eidson 1952 H. 417-451-5467 E-mail Sharon	Ruth Ann Wilson (1954) H. 417-451-0049 E-mail Ruth Ann

Jean Kyle (1966) H. 417-451-6722 E-mail Jean	Bill Savage (1965) H. 417-451-0967 E-mail Bill