Favorite Alumna Award Presented

The Ames High School Alumni Association’s Favorite Alumna for 1999 is Sandra (Albertson) Larson, Class of 1971. Ms. Larson earns this award for her exemplary efforts as a role model for young people and her leadership activities through career and personal achievements. Ms. Larson currently is a transportation engineer executive with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Her functions as a State Bridge Engineer places her in charge of managing and coordinating the bridges and structures office. She is one of only a few women in the United States to hold such a position. Before accepting this position in May of 1998, she was a transportation engineer manager for DOT construction projects in Central Iowa.

Ms. Larson has been with the DOT since earning her engineering degree in 1988. Prior to her career in engineering, she was a science teacher at the secondary level for seven years. Three years of her teaching were spent in Saudi Arabia.

While her professional achievements have been impressive, her personal role modeling efforts have been superlative. She spends countless hours every year meeting with and encouraging youth to consider science and engineering careers. She has worked with children from kindergarten age to adults seeking a college education. She has especially concentrated her efforts to encourage young women to consider the exciting career opportunities to them in the fields of science and mathematics.

When away from her professional and speaking duties, Ms. Larson spends time with her family -- husband Gene (Class of 1971) and her four sons Ian, 17; Ryan, 15; Andrew, 13; and Alex, 6. Congratulations Sandra!

Bud Legg

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Athletic Hall-of-Fame Presents Awards

The Ames High School Athletic Department held its eighth annual Hall-of-Fame Induction Banquet on Thursday, October 7 at the Ames Moose Lodge. Six individuals were inducted joining 56 athletes and 9 coaches previously honored.

Ron Norman came to AHS in 1948 as a first year coach. He coached football and basketball for seven years with outstanding achievements. Four times he coached teams to CIC titles, five times his teams made it to the sub-state semifinals, four times they were in the championship game, and twice qualified for the State Tournament winning the State Championship in 1955. His final record at AHS was 99 wins and 39 losses. After leaving Ames in 1955, he took a coaching position in Freeport, Illinois where her retired in 1985. He died in 1997. His wife Betty still resides in Freeport. The couple raised three sons and two daughters.

Paul R. Jones (1934) played football from 1930 - 1933 and became the first AHS football player ever to win four varsity letters, a feat that has been matched only once since. He started his final three years, was seldom substituted for and twice was named All-Central Iowa Conference and All-State. Plans to play college football never materialized because of the economic times, and he went to work for his father’s sheet metal business in Ames. He and his wife Helen, who died in 1992, raised three children. He has been honored by Ames school and community organizations numerous times for his business success and willingness to help young people.

Larry Munson (1959) had speed, agility and size that made him an outstanding football player. He played on the 1956 and 1957 teams that were both unbeaten, the only time in AHS history when back-to-back perfect football campaigns have been posted. During his junior and senior seasons he was selected first team All State by the Des Moines Register and the Iowa Daily Press Association, an honor that even today is rare. Following high school, he played one year at the University of Wyoming. Today, he and his wife Jeri reside in Juneau, Alaska where he is engaged in private business.

Michelle Coady (1976) figuratively led the parade at Ames High when Title IX changed athletic opportunities for young women. She was the school’s first ever female four-sport letter winner. She excelled in cross country and track winning three varsity letters in each and played softball in its initial year at AHS. She earned three letters in basketball and became the school’s first 1,000 point career scorer. She graduated with 10 other school marks. She earned a BS in business from Iowa State where she also played basketball. In 1984 she earned her MBA from St. Ambrose University, and she received her doctorate from the University of Minnesota in 1987. She currently lives in St. Paul, MN where she is the Director of Business Development for the St. Paul Companies and she is also a private business consultant.

Jeff Burris (1985) won six of his eight varsity letters in cross country and track, sports in which he earned All-State and All-American recognition. His versatility is captured by the simple fact that he was as talented in the two-mile cross country test as he was in the 400 and 800 meter runs. In his final season he destroyed numerous meet and school marks including shattering Bob Covey’s 30-year mark in the 400 with a :48.1 effort. He went on to run for the University of Northern Iowa where he was their first ever track athlete to qualify for the Division I NCAA Indoor Championships. He and his wife Natalie reside in Waterloo where he is Business Development Manager for GNB Bancorporation.

David Knight (1989) led Ames to statewide prominence in football and track. In track, he was a four year letterman, won 41 individual golds and 47 relay firsts at major meets, earned All-State recognition four times, and still holds 3 school records. In football, he was a three time letter winner and became the school’s first ever 1,000 yard rusher with 1,216 yards his senior year. His career yardage of 2,553 and 24 TD’s remained a school record until 1999. He attended Iowa State University where he played football and was an All-American in track. He graduated with a degree in elementary education. He and his wife have two children and reside in Gaithersburg, MD where he teaches.

Budd Legg

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Alumni were Home for Homecoming

The Ames High School Homecoming Committee made an extra effort to include all alumni in this year’s Homecoming activities during the week of September 27 through October 2. The theme this year was “What a long strange trip it’s been”.

The week started with the annual Homecoming parade on Monday night through downtown Ames. Several former AHS Homecoming Kings and Queens rode in the parade while the Alumni Band played. Many other alumni watched the event from the curbs.

The coronation assembly on Friday also honored the former AHS Homecoming Kings and Queens. All alumni and friends were happy when the Little Cyclones football team beat the Mason City Mohawks Friday night.

After the game an alumni dance was held at the 3M Recreational Center in Ames. Alumni enjoyed the music of the live band Box Brothers and the great refreshments and decorations provided by the Homecoming committee.

Thank-you to co-chairs of the Homecoming committee, Samantha Dorr and Megan Harms, for providing extra alumni activities this year!

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Alumni Still Aiming High

Mark Kislingbury ‘81 won the National Court Reporters Association’s Realtime Contest with a score of 99.1 percent. The contest requires participants to write in machine shorthand dictation of difficult Congressional material at 200 words per minute, using a computer to instantaneously translate what the contestant is writing. Of 42 contestants, only three qualified for medals, and Kislingbury was the overall winner. He credits teacher Rose Wilcox of Ames High for teaching him Gregg Shorthand and for encouraging him to learn about court reporting.

Bret Posegate ‘85 has resigned after nine seasons as coach of the Ames High baseball team. Posegate will remain as an elementary physical education teacher in the Ames school district. “For the last nine years I have lived out my dream of coaching at my alma mater, and I consider it a privilege to have worked with such a high quality staff and student-athletes,” said Posegate. Posegate’s nine-year record was 163-151-1 including a trip to the state tournament in 1995.

Fred Hoiberg ‘91 recently signed a multi-year contract with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. Jerry Krause, the Bulls’ general manager said “We build teams around good people. He is a type of guy who is going to put his teammates first. He is a very good person, he has character.” Hoiberg was a free agent after spending his first four NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers.

Jon Reed ‘96 is the owner of Cyclone Detailers in Ames. The three year old business has a staff of 12 and services virtually every car dealership in Ames.

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Catching up in Colorado

Six from the Class of ‘59 met in Telluride, Colorado to catch up on 40 years! It took a lot of talking to cover everyone’s life in 3 short days...definitely a rebonding experience. There was time to celebrate Betty’s recent marriage and enjoy the spectacular show put on by the golden aspen in the mountains. The group from left: Peggy (Steil) Rothmuller (Novato, CA), Alice (Andre) Backson (Houston, TX), Pat (Trow) Hulsey (Ames), Pat (Catron) Christiansen (Waterloo, IA), Betty (Schrampfer) Azar Harris (Freeland, WA), Malinda (Hawkins) Wiesner (West Des Moines, IA).

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Alumni and Harleys go together

A bunch of Ames High grads that believe in the saying “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” are part of a group known as the “Rubber Knife Gang”. The RKG is led by Steve Risdal ‘65 and was formed for the sheer pleasure of riding. Everyone in the RKG rides Harleys and rides as many months of the year as the weather will allow. During the summer there were at least two rides a week through central Iowa either in the evening or during the weekend.

In early August, 12 bikes rode 2,000 miles from Sturgis, South Dakota, across Wyoming to Yellowstone, up through Bear Tooth Pass and Needles Highway, and back to Sturgis. In late September 18 bikes rode from Ames over to the Mississippi, followed the river up to La Crosse, WI, rode through southwest Wisconsin and then back home through northeast Iowa. One of the trips planned for next summer is a ride through the mountains of Colorado and up to Sturgis, South Dakota in time for the annual rally.

If you think this country is beautiful, just ride through it on a bike. It is spectacular.

Carol (Carmean) Houge ‘64

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AHS Yesterday (excerpts from AHS Spirits)

1979 (20 years ago) ... Smalling to Retire
After 41 years in the Ames school system, Ray Smalling maintains his affirmative outlook on life by simply “looking at the positive side of things.” He has enjoyed working in a diverse assortment of jobs during those years, including teaching (at least four different subjects), guidance counseling, and being director of athletics - the position he has held for the past 15 years.

As Smalling begins his partial retirement this year (he plans to substitute teach), he reaffirms his basic belief that “If everyone plays their best in a game, there are no losers.” Most of those who know him would agree that Ray Smalling has always played his best.

Note: Mr. Smalling and his wife still live in Ames.

1954 (45 years ago) ...Marching Band
Resplendent in their new uniforms, the Ames High marching band performed on many occasions this year. A highlight of the season for the band was their trip to Fort Dodge where they presented the half-time program with the Fort Dodge band. They also performed in the Homecoming parade through downtown Ames.

This year for the first time movies were taken of the band during the half-times of the football games. The film will be used for future reference as well as for entertainment.

1939 (60 years ago)

1924 (75 years ago) ... Student Council
The Student Council is a new organization in Ames High. “Other schools have it, why shouldn’t we?” was the attitude taken by the Girl Reserves and the Hi-Y. Several students made a trip to Des Moines and visited the schools there. As a result, the proposition of a Student Council was introduced before the entire student body, and it is needless to say that it met with very great approval. The editor-in-chief of the Spirit, Donald Acheson, was chosen president of the Student Council. He is ably assisted by Ethel Davidson, vice-president; Daniel McLeod, secretary, and John Thurber, treasurer.

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AHS Today

National Merit Scholarship Results
This year 20 seniors have earned the distinction of National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. The 20 semifinalists equal the school’s highest number for one year. Two other times, the classes of 1997 and 1975, AHS had 20 semifinalists. The number also is the most of any Iowa high school, a position AHS traditionally holds.

AHS Students and United Way
Each Friday, 11 students from the Ames High School Industry and Trade program travel throughout the county to update the United Way signs that show the public how much money the organization has raised. The high school’s Industry and Trade program has been responsible for the upkeep of the signs since 1973. They erect the signs, maintain them and take them down every year. And at the end of the fund-raising campaign, they cover up the previous year’s red paint with white making the signs ready for next year’s drive.

Kohler Sets High Jump Mark
Andy Kohler, AHS junior, won the Drake Relays and State Class 4A high jump last spring, in the process setting new school records each time. His jump of 6-11 at Drake broke the school mark and his 7-0 jump at the State Meet put him in the elite class of only three Iowa preps in the history of the sport to have jumped that high. It also set a Class 4A State Meet record.

All-State Academic
This summer for the first time, Ames High had All-State All-Academic players in baseball and softball. Seniors Brad Lawler and Molly McNertney won the honors. Ames has had baseball players in recent years make the team, but Molly becomes the first softball player.

Students Make a Difference
Eighty-some Ames High School students rolled up their sleeves and helped out around the community for Make a Difference Day. The volunteers, organized by the school’s Student Council, did outdoor work in Ames and Story City. “We wanted to start this community volunteer project - do something once a month,” said Patrick Finn, co-president of the Student Council. “We thought a good way to get started was Make a Difference Day.” Student leaders want to promote monthly volunteering for two reasons: to give back to the community that gives much to the school, and to counteract negative perceptions of the students.

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Thank you for all the donations

Thank you to all alumni and friends who have generously sent donation dollars to the Ames High School Alumni Association. Due to space, the names of those alumni who have sent donations have not been printed in the newsletter for quite a while. The donations are still greatly appreciated and most are personnally acknowleged by a thank you note from the AHSAA.

The donations to the AHSAA make it possible to provide the scholarships to Ames High School seniors and also to provide support to many high school projects. The AHSAA membership dollars cover the cost of the newsletter while the donation dollars allow the AHSAA to do the “extras”.

As a note, all memorial funds received go entirely into the Memorial Scholarship Fund that awards an annual scholarship to at least a second generation Ames High School senior. Other donations can be specified to go to this Fund if desired.

And thank you to Evelyn (Deal) Green ‘35 and Judy Green ‘62 who hand wrote all the thank you notes for the AHSAA for several years. Thanks now to Bill Ripp who has taken on that important duty.

Connie (Martin) Vaclav ‘76

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“Once Upon a Time” by I. W. (Red) Milliken

I. W. (Red) Milliken ‘51 has written a book entitled “Once Upon a Time.” It tells the story of the 1950 Little Cyclones football season, a year that saw the team go undefeated and be ranked number one in the state. But, it’s much more than that. The first five chapters build up to Red’s senior season, a season that Red looked forward to as a starting end for the Little Cyclones. A summer injury to a teammate altered his plans. He played all eight games as quarterback. These chapters also relate Red’s experiences growing up in small town Ames during the late ‘30s and ‘40s. The depression, World War II and the post war boom all made a deep impression on young Irwin, as did going to his first Ames High football game. At the urging of his wife, Marna (Cole) Milliken ‘53, he has put into words his story.

En route to an 8-0 record, a chapter for each game enfolds. It’s loaded with names of and references to everyone involved with the 1950 season from players, coaches, waterboys, cheerleaders and fans. The Little Cyclones faced three opponents that year who were ranked number one or two when Ames played them. Those of us who read it have marvelled at Red’s ability to remember and relate and were quite surprised how an old jock like Red could write so well. The final chapter is entitled “A Remembrance.” Here are a few paragraphs from that chapter:

I remember the Nibble Nook Drive Inn and the ‘Footlong hotdogs?’ The Chick-a-Dine, Tom’s Grill and McGuires or was it called Micks?

I remember the most gorgeous group of girls ever to graduate from Ames High, the girls of ‘47. Maybe you recall them, too. Do the names Jean Jones, Lyla Day, Marylee Eschbach and Phyllis Rushing bring back memories? We were in ninth grade and maybe a little impressionable then. I never forgave the guys who stole them away from our town. Probably never will.

Marna searched her memory for the best looking guy from her younger days. She remembers a young Fred Astaire. Looked just like him, she said. He was tall and gorgeous and dressed in a black tuxedo with a white shirt and black bow tie. Was it Fred Astaire? No. It was Jack Hansel, Dr. Hansel’s oldest son, on Brookridge, from the early 1940s.

I remember the most beautiful girl who ever walked the halls of Ames High School. Perhaps you do too? Do you remember Susan Tilden, class of 1949, two years ahead of us? None of the guys would argue with me, I’m sure. We were afraid to even say “Hi” to her in the hallways. She was as close to royalty as we thought royalty should be. I thought she would end up on the screens of Hollywood. She should have! Somebody stole her away, too, no doubt!

The Alumni Association and Red have talked about what to do with his work. He’s published only a few hard bound copies so far. Embellish it with appropriate pictures, make some cosmetic changes and make it available to the alumni and general public are our preliminary thoughts. If you’d like to see us go further, let us know.

Jack Smalling ‘58

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Ames Education Foundation - A Year in Review

The Ames Education Foundation is celebrating ten years of operation! Since 1989 we have made a significant impact on the Ames School District. The Foundation has attracted the interest of hundreds of alumni and community members who care deeply about maintaining the quality of education in Ames.

In the spring, the Ames Education Foundation held the very first Phantom Ball, a non-event with proceeds to go to the Support Our Students Fund. The ball was a success. We raised over $7,500 toward the effort. Funds raised have helped a number of families struggling to purchase school supplies for their children.

During the 1998-99 school year, we awarded nearly $6,000 in mini-grants to teachers in the elementary schools, middle school and high school. A total of 18 projects were made possible because of the Ames community’s dedication to education.

The Foundation also played a major role in the creation and dedication of the Paul R. Jones Fitness Center and the Ukena Family Tennis complex. The Foundation also supported the Extra Edge Mentoring Program, handled funds for student scholarships and assisted with grant applications.

Jean Kresse
Development Director
Ames Education Foundation

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We Get Letters...

Dear Staff,
Thanks so much for all your hard work and for putting out our informative and interesting newsletter. I really look forward to receiving it.

It’s sad, however, to read of so many leaving us. I was very saddened to learn of Mae Galiher and Ev Ritland passing. Both had an impact on my education and future. I’m enclosing a check for the scholarship fund in their memories.

Dee (Knight) Oates ‘42

To AHSAA,
The newsletter has had trouble in catching me in the last few years. I have now settled here in Maine and this address and check should bring me up to date for awhile.

I do enjoy reading the newsletter, a reminder of my roots as I’ve been quite an itinerant during my life since graduation.

Thank you to all who are involved in a quality publication.

Sincerely,
Katharine Garland ‘54

Ames High Alumni Association,
Yours is the best read publication we receive. Congratulations!

Holmes Brown ‘33

Hello!
I’m lucky I do hear from some of my 1934 grads. All of the “Beard” kids (5) are going strong. My oldest sister Maxine turned 90. We all met in Sun Valley, Idaho last month. We get together every year, taking turns to host, from Washington state to California to Arizona and Texas.

Wish there had been a 1934 reunion. Looking forward to your next issue.

Helen (Beard) Schnabel ‘34

Dear Fellow AHS Graduates,
The September issue served as a sharp reminder of how precious the gift of life really is. It also reminded me how fortunate I was to be in Ames during my high school years.

I met Larry Black when we were 6 years old - first graders at Kelley (Iowa) elementary school. The good friendship we forged lasted a lifetime despite divergent careers and locales.

Everett Ritland was a model for teachers and school administrators - I treasure both the guidance and friendship he offered me. I think the key to his success was that he truly loved all the kids.

It is sometimes said that we are the sum of what we have been given. If so, I thank these two good friends for having given generously to me. Please accept the enclosed memorial in their names.

Bruce Woods ‘61

Dear Bill,
I was in Ames recently visiting my sister Mrs. Pauline Nelson. Dropped by the office to pay my annual dues. Am sure you received the money although you were not there at the moment.

In the September bulletin, I was intrigued by Red Braun’s letter to Tom Brokaw. It so happens that we live in a retirement community in Laguna Hills, CA named Laguna Woods and Tom’s mother Jean is a very close friend of my wife. We were able to obtain an autographed copy of his “best seller’.

I graduated in ‘32 but there are few members left. Doubt there will be many there to celebrate our next reunion in 2002, but you never know.

Have had a wonderful life, two daughters, 4 grandchildren, and at the moment 9 great-grandchildren.

Keep up the good work with the Alumni Newsletter.

Bob (Harold) Dodds ‘32

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Museum opens in Ames

Farwell Brown ‘29, Ames community historian, established the Ames Heritage Association in 1981 to share his interest in local history. Having a real museum was always a dream that first Baord envisioned.

That dream is now located at 417 Douglas, in Ames, adjacent to the Octagon. The building houses a new historical museum, The Story Center, which tells the story of Ames and Story County. The Ames Heritage Association is backing this endeavor, and initial response has been positive.

AHA envisions a program that involves more than displaying and describing “old stuff”. They plan a constantly changing program of shows taht interpret their subjects, convey unique regional storeis, and raise questions and challenges for the future based upon those themes.

Displays in The Story Center currently include a display on the Lincoln Highway entitled From Mud to Miracle Mile. Burma Shave signs are displayed as well as original Lincoln Highway markers. Maps of Ames and Story County show the original route, with photos both old and new. Another display entitled From Necessity to Nuisance, demonstrated the influence the railroad had on the building of Ames. A third display is an exhibit showing different styles of architecture on Main Street in Ames.

The Story Center has been open since June of 1999 and several special events have been held to draw interest in the project. The lease has recently been extended through June 2000. Additional funds are still being sought to ensure operations through June, and beyond. Open hours are Monday from 5 - 8pm, Wednesday from 11am to 2pm, Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 2 - 5pm.

Priscilla Matt
Kathy Svec ‘66

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www = web woes worsen

Actually the alumni web page is close to getting better, it just has not quite gotten there. Hopefully soon the new improved page will be at the www.ahsalum.org URL and all will be going smooth again. For now, our old, static and out-dated page is there and the new page is hidden away on an URL created by the technicians at the Ames School District. Believe me the new page is great, and once the paper shuffle and minor difficulties are worked out, all will be able to see for themselves. In the meantime, keep checking www.ahsalum.org and one day soon you will see a major, great change.

(I am hoping the page is updated by the time this newsletter is mailed but I have been saying “next week” for months now and have lost of bit of the optimism. But it all has to work out someday for sure!)

Connie (Martin) Vaclav ‘76

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End of the year -- check your membership

Just a reminder to check your newsletter label below to see if your Ames High School Alumni Association membership is about to expire. Printed above your name is your graduation number, graduation year and membership year. Membership expires December 31 of the year indicated on the label. Thank you for your support of the AHSAA.

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