WHO?
The Seward High Alumni Association was originally formed in 1890, went dormant in the early 1950’s and after a short revival in the 1990’s, was re-organized in September 2007. It is now a fully vested 501-C-3 Not for Profit Corporation operating under the laws and statutes of the State of Nebraska. We are proud that full federal and state tax NFP 501-C-3 status was granted retroactive to July 1998 in January 2009, making all donations tax deductible.
Our Key People
Jackie Hughes ‘67 -President
Mandy Smith Koehler ‘98 - Sec’y /Tres Assn.
Mike Peery ’64 – Board of Directors Chm.
Jan Rhodes Bergantzel ’59 – Board of Directors Vice Chm.
Patrick Wambold ’09 – Board of Directors Secretary
Sally Anderson Wurst – Board of Directors ‘56
Bonnie Jelinek Knisley – Board of Directors ‘85
Carrie Koenig Graves ‘88
Josh Eickmeier ’96 – Electronic Coordinator
Brian Helge ’02 – Webmaster
Marilyn McHale Smith ’66 – Legal Registrant
Mike Mullally ’76 – Legal Advisor
Patricia Lindner - CPA
Pat Thompson Grimes ’60 – Memorial / Membership
Project Planning Committee
Class Representatives 1940-2010
Alumni 1926-1939 Senior Members at Large
What?
Our mission Statement: “To unify and support the alumni and students of Seward Public Schools in any areas of academics and/or activities." speaks for itself. The Seward High Alumni Association was founded on the same ideals as those used by the founding fathers of the City and County of Seward, NE. The old school approach of “on top of the table, keep it open and honest” as we go back to the future is the basis for all decisions, hoping to do what is best for the majority of our alumni and students. It is not affiliated with, nor gets remuneration from any, school, organization, for-profit, not for profit or any other faction making all decisions of the corporation totally independent. As a member of the Association, you are encouraged vote and to bring ideas to the group. We support each classes the right to remain true to their individual group, but encourage them to maintain a single identity. As a group the Alumni Assn. has several resources to help keep members informed about activities and continually looks for ways to honor, preserve, and promote the spirit and traditions of Seward High School.
Why?
Some ask why? We ask why not? In addition to our serious side this organization is dedicated to the idea that all work and no play will make not only Jac, our President, but all of our alumni dull boys and girls. At our first formation meeting and many following, we discussed projects that will bond students and alumni, promote our school and preserve our heritage. It was also the unanimous decision of that group to have at least one social function per year. In addition, we are now in the process of collecting funds for an adult scholarship program. This was researched and when fully funded these scholarships will awarded to alumni returning to school, those in graduate programs, veterans, or persons training for new careers along with Memorial Awards with special criteria.
When?
Membership is open to anyone that attended Seward High School. The lifetime fee of $1.00 Cash or $1.50 to PayPal on our website SewardHighAlumni.com makes you a voting member of the Corporation. We maintain a secure membership roster and any contact information that you provide will be used for your class and association business only. It will NOT be released to any third party. Contact information is a legal requirement. The fee of $1.00 is a lifetime will help your class also. In the event that you are unable to attend a meeting in the future that you would like a proxy voted each class representative will be allowed one vote for each paid member. Make sure your class representative has your updated contact information, including your email address.
Where?
It is also a social networking forum for alumni to stay in touch and communicate with other alumni. We invite you to visit our official website SewardHighAlumni.com or join us on Facebook on the “SHS Alumni Association” Group Page. Updates and news items are posted as required. It is our hope that a donations and funding will be available soon for a newsletter linking all of our alumni.
And sometimes Y!
OK. You still need one? How’s this for a reason. York has an Alumni Assn. Are we really going to let them have more members than we do? They still think “Anchors Aweigh” is THEIR school Song!
Review?
If you have questions… We have answers… contact us: jhughes2@neb.rr.com or 402-643-4732.
Anyone wishing to contribute information or photos for this site is encouraged to do so. Please use the "contact us" feature or email jhughes2@neb.rr.com
Submit their story and email address information, and we will proudly display them on our site.
We have a secure roster. By that we mean, Your contact information will only be used by your class and for association business. We will not release your information to any third party. Association business is defined as any project or fund determined stay within the parameters of our By-Laws and Mission Statement “To unify and support the alumni and students of Seward Public Schools in any areas of academics and/or activities. What Constitutes “Alumni and Students”? That is simple. We will support those projects and events that Directly involve funding to the students such as our “Emergency Student Fund” Cash goes directly to help the student, advertising events such as Teammates, Choir, District or State Tourney. We will NOT advertise or financially support anything that is not directly for the Alumni or Students.
The SHS Alumni Association has one and only one OFFICIAL website to save any futher need for discussion the hotlink is:
http://sewardhighalumni.com/
This is updated regularly with News, Memorials and Other Information. We also update and have input on Facebook at SHS Alumni Association Group Page. We have NO connection with any other websites. Any time you receive information from our SHS Alumni Association it will contain our Official Website http://sewardhighalumni.com/ ONLY. No other websites are supported by nor contain information that has input from our organization. Merchandise purchased from any of those sights does NOT benefit SHS Alumni Assn.
The products advertised on alternative sites are NOT official SHS Alumni Assn. Products. However, We will have T-Shirts, Visors and Caps available beginning July 3, 2010. First at our Alumni Party at the Sparetime and hopefully soon after online at: http://sewardhighalumni.com/ . Once again, Merchandise purchased from any of those sights will NOT financially benefit SHS Alumni Assn.
When we were getting re-organized, we realized that communication was going to be a key issue. Postage rates made it difficult if not impossible to send multiple mailings to the entire membership and with over 6500 living alumni a system of contacting people was needed. We asked each class from 1940 to present to appoint a class representative and if possible an Alternate Rep, Info to be sent to them, and then forwarded to the classmates. Also in the event of a General assembly meeting the Class Rep would be responsible for Class Proxy Votes. If you are unsure who your Class rep is or would like to volunteer to be a class rep please contact me. All Alumni from 1926-1939 are considered Members at Large.
By order of the Board of Directors. ALL proposals and ideas must be presented to the Board of Directors in Written Form and Signed or presented in person at a Board of Directors Meeting.
In laymans terms, We heard you. The first time and every time after that. Your personal needs and requests are always considered. As Officers and Board of Directors we will act accordingly to benefit the majority of the Association, the ego’s of one person or a small group of people will not affect our decisions. Demanding, ordering or assuming that your Mother will get it for you doesn’t mean a thing here. If your idea will benefit 51% of the Alumni or Students Yeah You! Keep Thinking!
With the exception of faculty members that graduated from Seward High and are eligible for membership in the SHS Alumni Association, they are employees of Nebraska Public School District #9. The SHS Alumni that live in and own property in that school district, pay taxes that subsequently pay their salaries. That is our only connection or obligation to them.
All projects that will involve Students or property of School District #9 must be approved by the Administration of the School. To date none of our projects have been approved.
Yes by all means. We will continue to raise funds through Alumni Functions and donations. Those funds will be put in the General Fund Account unless otherwise designated.
We have money in Interest Bearing accounts until such time as enough funds have been accrued to being issuing Alumni Adult Scholarships. Details will be made available when that happens.
