The HSE Schools have formed an Alumni Association in order to recognize, honor, and facilitate networking for graduates of both Fishers and HSE High Schools. The kick-off for alumni events will be held on September 28 when both high schools celebrate homecoming football games. The alumni will receive free VIP passes for special seating on the football fields. These designated gathering spots will enable alumni to meet new friends and mingle during games.
What started out as a vision by the superintendent (Dr. Brian Smith), the School Board (Diane Eaton and John DeLucia), and the Foundation (David Ayars and Tim Rogers) has evolved into a sophisticated operation. First, the Charter Steering Team was assembled to create the initial Alumni Association, followed by the implementation of social media presence (websites, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, local papers, newsletters). Finally, a comprehensive alumni database was established to aid in everything from the information-gathering templates to the “automatic” registration of new graduates.
Easy Registration for Alumni
If you are an alumnus and have not already registered via paper form, then click on the link below. Stay connected, learn of your reunion events, check on your classmates, and support the schools and association by registering at this link: click here.
Upcoming Events for Two Great High Schools, One Awesome Community
Many exciting events have been planned throughout the school year for students, parents, alumni, and Fishers residents to enjoy. The orchestration of these events was made possible through the HSE School Board, the district Foundation, both high schools and their PTO’s, as well as the many local alumni supporting this propelling takeoff. Visit these websites to learn more and register for tickets as needed:
Sept. 7 – Lucas Oil BIR Rivals Night Football Games for both HSE and FHS
Sept. 28 – HSEHS & FHS Homecoming 2012: tickets at the gate or at high schools. Special alumni reception area on the field to network and enjoy the games
Dec. 16 – Holiday High School Open Houses at HSEHS & FHS for returning alumni (11am-2 pm)
Purpose is Multifaceted
The drive for the Alumni Association is multidimensional, with every intention to strengthen schools and local community. First, it provides a channel for alumni to stay connected to each other and to their corresponding high school. Secondly, the Alumni Association keeps alumni informed of district happenings, ultimately generating continued support for HSE Corporation, the students, and the Foundation initiatives. Thirdly, it helps identify alumni resources that can benefit alumni in areas such as estate planning, insurance, legal, accounting, travel, finance, banking, education, and group health care.
“Superintendent Brian Smith, the School Board, and the Foundation are excited for what an alumni association can mean for all graduates of the HSE District…past, recent, and future,” says David Ayars, past president of the HSE Foundation.
He continues, “Class officers will have a resource for organizing reunions, recent grads will be able to visit high schools and connect with buddies at the holidays and homecoming games, and local HSE alumni will now have a vehicle to network in the Indianapolis/Fishers area. The opportunities are limitless, and the benefits to alumni, the schools and, finally, to the Town of Fishers are huge.”
Connecting the Past with the Present and Future
On September 28, the Fishers High School homecoming will honor the Class of 1962, celebrating its 50-year reunion from the original Fishers High School, and the first-ever graduating from the new FHS, the Class of 2008, celebrating its 5-year reunion.
“The first graduating class of the original Fishers High School was 1896,” says Jim Brooks, a member of the Fishers High School Association that is known for awarding two sets of two $500 scholarships per year: One set to HSE High School and one set to FHS.
Jim, and his wife, Janice, both attended the original FHS and were graduates of the Class of 1960. Jim recalls the two-and-a-half story building with the big bell tower. This former high school with the bell that rang in the mornings once stood where Fishers Elementary is now located on Lantern Road.
Interestingly enough, the Class of 1967 will be the last class to commemorate from the former FHS, as the Class of 1968 represents the first graduating class of Hamilton Southeastern High School. Jim has served as the “historian” for the implementation of the new Alumni Association project.
Like a hub, this newfound Alumni Association has worked hard to bridge all ages of graduates from both the former Fishers High School and those of the new FHS. What’s more, the present Fishers High School has captured memories from the original high school. If you walked into FHS right now, you would see composite class pictures in the hall from the east entrance as well as trophies and special memorabilia displayed in glass cases within the interior hall.
This not only represents a grand way to show support and pay tribute to those alumni who attended the original high school, but it also demonstrates a conscious willingness to link the past with the present and future in a most nostalgic way.
Comments 1
Hi. My name is Danny R. Bowen. I am a friend of Jim and Janice Jarrett Brooks. Jim was my best friend growing up in the original Fishers School (1st grade through 12th grade). Janice was his girlfriend in high school and was the Salutatorian of the Class of 1960.
I still have the teddy bear Jim gave me when we were in grade school. Another member of that class was John Roudebush who was also a good friend and was my roommate at H-2 (now Tarkington Hall) at Purdue. We both graduated as Electrical Engineers from Purdue in 1965 having enrolled in Purdue's Co-op program where you go to school a semester, work a semester, and take an extra year to get through college, but you can do it with outgoing in debt. Thanks to all who put this website together.