The Thorp Courier

Thorp High School Alumni Letter

August 29, 2007

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Greetings to Thorp Alumni

THE TAA – WHY?

In a recent conversation with some alumni from an area high school (not Thorp High School), we were questioned about the Thorp Alumni Association, how we got started, when we got started, what we do, etc., etc., etc.

There are high schools that have alumni who want to start an alumni organization.  However, after a few years interest dwindled, leadership was not replaced by new leadership and soon the organization was disbanded.

Back in the early 1970’s, several people started the TAA: Joe Pawlak ’45, Pat Soderberg ’33, Eileen Bogumill Frenette ’38, Louise Herman Misfeldt ’28, Colleen Biddle Herman ’44 and Harvey Boie ’35.  These leaders and many others built the foundations of the TAA.  Rather than leaders backing away and interest dwindling, just the opposite has occurred.  As a result, the TAA is as strong as ever and will continue to grow.

We talked about the Alumni Directory and what it includes: lists of each graduating class from 1891 to the present, including name, address, and phone number; the classmates who didn’t finish school; and the deceased members of each class.  They couldn’t believe it.  How did we do it?  It was done with great leadership, wonderful volunteers and lots of hard work.

We talked about the TAA Scholarship Fund and the fact that since the early 1980’s scholarships have been presented to Thorp High School seniors that are going to advanced education.  The number of students receiving scholarships and the amount of each scholarship has increased over the years.  In 2007, five seniors received scholarships worth $500 each. These scholarships are generated soley (solely) by donations to the scholarship from THS alumni.  Only the interest from the corpus of the scholarship fund makes up the scholarships.  Each year Thorp alumni give back to their school by donating to the Scholarship Fund.  As a result, the fund grows, the amount of each scholarship grows, and the number receiving scholarships grows.  They couldn’t believe it.  Again, it was done with great leadership, wonderful volunteers, and many generous Thorp alumni.

The discussion continued.  We talked about the annual All-Thorp Alumni Reunion, our close association with Thorp High School, the annual display of Thorp alumni memorabilia, special recognition given to Thorp Alums, the Thorp Alumni Chorus and on and on.  They couldn’t believe it.

Then they asked how they could start an alumni association…..the answer is:

GREAT LEADERSHIP, WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS AND LOTS OF HARD WORK!

TECLAW FAMILY – TAA LEADERS

At the annual meeting of the TAA, on July 8, 2007, Norbert Teclaw ’53 took over as President of the TAA.  He had been the organization’s vice-president from 2003-2007.  Leadership in the TAA runs in the Teclaw family.  Norb’s sister, Angie Teclaw ’41, served as TAA Secretary from 1993-2004.  His brother, Malen “Butch” Teclaw ’42, was President from 1993-1995, and Immediate Past President from 1995-1997.  The contributions of the Teclaws have been a contributing factor in the huge success of the TAA.

Past TAA Presidents

Joe Pawlak ’45 – Executive Director 1975-1978
Pat Soderberg ‘33
Clyde Misfeldt ‘34
Casey Franckiewicz ‘32
Dean Hubbard ‘37
Malen “Butch” Teclaw ‘42
Rich Jarocki ‘55
Gerald “Jug” Glasshof ‘48
Armon Schmidt ‘53
Don Soderberg ‘57

2008 ALL-THORP ALUMNI REUNION

The 2008 All-Thorp Alumni Reunion will be held the weekend of Friday, July 4th thru Sunday, July 6th.  For the fourth consecutive year the alumni memorabilia display, the social and banquet, and the annual meeting will be held in the multi-purpose room at Thorp High School.

The beauty of this reunion is that all Thorp alumni are invited.  Even if you attended Thorp High School but did not graduate, you are welcome to attend. There are classes that choose to have their class celebration by themselves.  Even so, they are welcome to attend the All-Thorp Alumni Reunion as well.

CLASSES REACHING ANNIVERSARY YEARS IN 2008

1933 – 75th; 1938 – 70th; 1943 – 65th; 1948 – 60th; 1953 – 55th; 1958 – 50th; 1963 – 45th; 1968 – 40th;
1973 – 35th; 1978 – 30th; 1983 – 25th; 1988 – 20th; 1993 – 15th; 1998 – 10th; 2003 – 5th

Alumni remember; as you are planning your reunion, contact the TAA for your class list, addresses, phone numbers, labels and other information about your class.

You can receive that information by contacting TAA secretary, Ann Huls, at 715-669-3698, writing to the TAA at P.O. Box 75, Thorp, WI 54481-0075, or emailing your request to thorpalumni@gmail.com

 

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