Pictures at the Reunion

The poll results are in. A majority of the voters prefer to have a professionl do a group shot. This will be arranged. Everyone is encouraged to take photos at the reunion. There will be a way to share these personal photos on line so that everyone can view and copy if desired.
Thanks for your participation in the poll.

'67 Seniors attending the '64-66' reunion in 2011

A few of our seniors 'scouted' the event to ensure we borrowed the good ideas for our 45th year reunion. Can you name the attendees??

1966 LHS Football Website

I have started a website in honor of the 1966 (1967 Graduating Class) Championship football team. It is a work in progress and will change as I figure out how to better use the program. If you are interested in taking a look, please feel free to visit at http://1966leegeneralsfootball.weebly.com/
Tim

LHS Name Change: Here We Go Again!!

Lee High School name coming down, again, but only for repairs

Published: Sunday, March 11, 2012, 7:00 AM

 By Crystal Bonvillian, The Huntsville Times 

The Lee High School name, pictured, will be removed Monday from the new school building for repairs to the stonework beneath. The words "Lee Campus" will go up in its place, and both the Lee and New Century Technology high school names will go elsewhere on the building. (The Huntsville Times)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Lee High School name is once again coming off of the new school building, but this time it has nothing to do with a name change.

Workers are scheduled to remove the name for repair work to the building's facade on Monday, said Rena Anderson, the school district's director of community engagement.

Anderson explained that the stonework beneath the letters needs to be patched because of adjustments being made to include New Century Technology High's name to the building. The high school, currently housed at Columbia High, will move to the new Lee facility in August.

"It's like hanging a picture," Anderson said. "If you move a picture on a wall, you have to patch up where it originally was."

The district will keep the name off of the building until an order of additional letters comes in. Where the name currently is, the building will read "Lee Campus."

Lower on the facade, one side of the building will read "Lee High School" and the other side will have New Century's name.

"We're placing the order within the next couple of weeks and then it takes about six weeks for them to come in," Anderson said.

The removal of the school's name, along with talk of changing the school's name entirely, caused more than 200 Lee students to walk out of class Nov. 3 in protest. Superintendent Casey Wardynski, who initiated the talk of a name change, waded into the crowd and talked the students back inside after listening to their concerns.

Wardynski that night admitted committing a "gargantuan" mistake. By that time, he had also heard from city residents, Lee alumni and local and state officials who were against the change.

The superintendent then appointed a committee to determine if a new name would best reflect both schools or if the schools should remain separate. The committee included PTA representatives, parents, teachers, a student and an alumnus from each school, as well as a number of other community representatives.

The committee recommended in January that the schools retain their individual identities.

Copied from 'Lee's Traveller' online version

Ruth Jane Riddle Parks

February 22, 1930 - February 27, 2012

Ruth Jane Riddle Parks, 82, of Huntsville, Alabama, peacefully transitioned to a spiritual realm on February 27, 2012. Jane was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 22, 1930, and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University, receiving a degree in Business Education, followed by a Master's Degree in English/Journalism, and then Counseling from the University of Alabama. Jane taught at Lee High School serving as first Advisor for the newspaper, Lee's Traveller, for which her students received numerous national awards. In addition to being a published author, Jane also reported for the Huntsville Times and WAAY television. 

She served as Counselor at Martin Luther King Elementary School until her retirement. Soon after retiring, she became an active member of the Master Gardeners of North Alabama, making many new friends, coordinating Field Trips, and receiving several awards and accolades. Jane Parks is survived by her son, Hal E. Parks; her daughter, Dr. Shannon (Sharon) G.E. Parks; Grandson, Russel Allen Parks; Granddaughter, Elliott Elizabeth Emfinger; and two Great-Grandchildren, Ryann Parks, and Ethan Parks.

The "Honoring a Life" Brunch and Gathering will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 10:30-11:45 a.m., is open to all friends, and will take place at the Huntsville Botanical Garden Arbor,  4747 Bob Wallace Avenue, Huntsville, AL  35805. Jane will then rest at Maple Hill Cemetery, 201 Maple Hill Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MGNA (Master Gardeners of North Alabama) for the Jane R. Parks Honorarium Fund, and sent to: Diane Campen, MGNA Treasurer, 268 Dublin Circle, Madison, AL 35758.

Cards may be sent to the Jane R. Parks Family, 211 Bonita Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209

More on Mike Reiling

I have been communicating with Linda Reiling regarding his last few weeks alive. She said I could share this information with you. It should prove a good lesson for those of us still remaining to enjoy every moment. I can say that Mike was so looking forward to the reunion. He had shared that with me and Linda.

Linda wrote: He was diagnosed with an unspecific aggressive cancer and was given 2 - 7 years survival on December 21.  When I say aggressive, there was nothing on an xray on September 21 but on December 21 there were metastatic tumors on his spine, hip, lung, liver, and brain.  Since it was in his lung, they were treating it as non-small cell, multiple cell lung cancer. He was not a heavy smoker but had quit smoking 5 years ago.  He was very positive in his outlook and actually worked at the office on Thursday prior to his death and was out to lunch with friends on Friday. Always a man a great humor and love.  He was thankful for the life he had and told us his life was in God's hands.  He was admitted into the hospital on Sunday, January 15 with stomach pains and died at 6:00 am on January 17,  27 days after his diagnosis. 

We all miss him.  Hope you have a great reunion.  I was actually looking forward to meeting his friends from HS.

Class of 1967 Loses Another General

Michael P. Reiling 

  |   Visit Guest Book

Age 62 Mendota Heights, MN Passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 17, 2012. Born March 23, 1949 in St. Paul, MN. President of Fredrikson Healthcare Consulting, he loved his work and mentoring others. He was proud of his family, had a passion for food and cooking, enjoyed entertaining, decorating, gardening and travel. He was known for his sense of style and humor. Preceded in death by his father, mother, and younger brother. He is survived by his best friend and spouse, Linda; daughters, Jacqueline (Frederic) Manning, Joanna (Justice) Lindell; precious grandchildren, Viola Elnora and Justice Oliver Lindell; devoted dog, Nora; and brothers, Gerald and Timothy Reiling and their families. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Visitation Friday, January 20th 4-8pm at Willwerscheid Funeral Home 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN. Funeral Saturday, January 21st 11am at Church of the Assumption 51 W 7th Street, St. Paul, MN, visitation one hour prior. Willwerscheid Funeral Home 651-228-1006

1987 Reunion Pictures

Who is this 1967 General?

I was in Huntsville recently and ran into this 1967 General. Who is she?

Jim Jones has correctly identified this General as Margaret Van Dyke-Poole.

This picture was taken at the Lone Goose Saloon, 108 Cleveland Ave, Huntsville, Alabama. When you are in town  Margaret would love to have you visit her at her saloon. You could even make plans to join some classmates there the week of the reunion. If you show up on a Thursday night you can listen to Traci Hulsey sing. Traci is the daughter of the late Phylis Brock-Hulsey and Earnest Hulsey (LHS '67).

Lee, New Century to remain separate schools under one roof

Published: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7:16 PM     Updated: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7:19 PM By Crystal Bonvillian, The Huntsville Times 

Workers with ABG Caulking and Waterproofing of Goodlettsville, Tenn., fill expansion joints in front of the new Lee High School on Meridian Street Thursday. Lee and New Century Technology will remain separate schools, but share the new building when it opens in the fall. (The Huntsville Times/Glenn Baeske)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The fates of two Huntsville high schools and the district's alternative school were decided Thursday night, with the school board voting to keep Lee and New Century Technology as separate high schools under one roof in the fall and to close the Seldon Center at the end of this school year.

The board approved -- to applause from the crowd in the board room of the Annie C. Merts Center -- the Lee/New Century merger Thursday night upon the recommendation of Superintendent Casey Wardynski. The superintendent's recommendation came after months of work by a community engagement committee tasked with finding a solution for the schools' merger.

Wardynski faced criticism from the Lee community in November after he suggested changing the school's name to reflect the merger with New Century, which is currently housed at Columbia High School. He backed off the name change and appointed the committee to determine what would best serve the students and community.

Melissa Thompson, president of the Huntsville Council of PTAs, moderated the committee, which included two PTA representatives, two parents, two teachers, a student and an alumnus from each school. It also included community representatives from Redstone Arsenal, neighborhood associations, the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Civic Association, the Huntsville Association of Realtors and the Huntsville Planning Commission.

The committee looked at the qualities that each school brings to the table, such as Lee's tradition, history, magnet programs and sports, Thompson said. New Century brings academic achievement, curriculum concentration areas and opportunities with companies in Research Park. Both have diverse student bodies.

Three options were discussed -- a complete merger of the two schools, a hybrid situation where they would share core classes and keeping them as two separate schools under one roof. That is the relationship New Century already has with Columbia High.

Thompson said committee members did not agree unanimously on the recommendation, but that there was a strong consensus toward maintaining both schools' identities.

"Neither one is a stepchild; they are sharing a space," Thompson said.

Wardynski thanked Thompson and the committee members for their efforts.

"Forty years from now when this school is doing amazing things, no one will know where this amazement has come from," Wardynski said. "But it has come from this committee."

Stewart Thorson, principal of New Century, also thanked the committee.

"We are excited about the move," Thorson said. "We're excited about getting our name on the front of a building."

Lee High is keeping its identity, but losing its principal. The board voted to move Paul Parvin, who has served as principal of Lee since 2007, to the central office as director of instructional support and athletics. Aaron King, Wardynksi's transition director, said Parvin, also a former football coach, will share duties with Kevin Wieseman, who is currently in that position.

No interim principal has been put in place, but one is anticipated to be chosen by the next board meeting, King said.

The board also approved a contract with The Pinnacle Schools, a Huntsville-based treatmentprogram for troubled youth that will replace the Seldon Center. The change is designed to give the students more intensive, and more cost-efficient, treatment.

Wardynski told the board that the district spends about $18,500 per student each year at the Seldon Center. The cost per student at Pinnacle is about $11,000.

"The effect on Seldon Center will be, at the end of this school year, the Seldon staff will work in other schools and the Seldon Center will no longer be part of the district in terms of instruction," Wardynski said.

Other programs currently run out of Seldon, such as the homebound program, will be moved to other schools, the superintendent said.

The Pinnacle Schools has a Huntsville campus that provides alternative, year-round education to at-risk teens in grades 6 through 12. There is also the Elk River Treatment Program, a short-term intervention program that provides diagnostic, assessment, educational and treatment services. The Elk River program length ranges from eight weeks to a year.

The Elk River campus also has a transitional program, where students can stay up to a year, and a weight-management program aimed at combating childhood obesity.

What were the Nicknames of this 1967 General?

Based on my experience with these posts, I know that no one will know his name, but maybe you will remember his various nicknames?

The name of this 1967 General is Don Johnson. Lynn Moore has correctly identified one of his nicknames as 'Ducky'. I know of at least THREE more, can you name them?

A second nickname was 'buns'. Can you provide a third?

A third nickname was 'farmer'. Can you provide the fourth?

The fourth and final nickname was 'One Ski'!!

What is the name of this '67 General?

Due to the lack of classmate participation, Max Kull felt obligated to put the confused minds of his classmates to rest by correctly identifying Larry Snead as this 1967 General.

Post Board Meeting news...

At the board meeting last night the superintendent and his staff reported about the status of NEW LHS facilities. Nothing was mentioned about the committee or name change.

My sources report that the board seems to be upset with him trying to do this behind their back.

More news 5:00 EST

1. The superintendent is having a meeting Monday, January 9th at Lee @ 6:00 PM.
2. Supposedly, the superintendent is meeting again with the committee.

Huntsville City Schools January 5th Board meeting (5:30) AGENDA

I. Celebration - Superintendent
II. Work Session

1. Huntsville Center for Technology
2. School Calendars
3. Pinnacle Contract
4. Building Report
5. Update on NEW Lee High School Campus
6. H.B. 56 - Alabama Immigration Law Compliance

Lee High School RENAMING UPDATE

In November, Dr. Wardynski created a firestorm when, without the permission of the board of education, he removed the name from the 'NEW' LHS with the intent of renaming LHS to satisfy parents of New Century High School students who were to be housed on the new campus. These 300 students were apparently seeking permanence and recognition.

According to board policy, ONLY the BOARD has the authority to approve a name change of a school facility. AND further, the superintendent/board is required to appoint a committee of citizens to meet and provide a recommendation to the superintendent who can then make a recommendation to the board based on this input. Dr. Wardynski violated this policy.

LHS graduates contacted Dr. Wardynski and all of the board members protesting the name change. To the board's credit, they informed the superintendent that he should return the LHS name to the new building and follow appropriate board policies. He complied with their recommendation.

Dr. Wardynski appointed a committee 20 citizens from a variety of interest groups. The committee has met TWO times for 1 1/2 hours each with a facilitator from within the system and has now made a recommendation to the superintendent. BY LAW, the board has the authority to either accept or reject a recommendation of a superintendent based on input of the community.

Presumably, the recommendation of the committee is to be discussed by the superintendent with the board at the January 5^th board meeting. If the superintendent's intent to change the name of Lee High School concerns you, it will be imperative that you contact both Dr. Wardynski and the board members of your position on this important matter. I will keep you informed of the situation at this site.

Annual 1966-67 Football Gathering

Each year on December 27th members of the the football team gather in Huntsville to catch-up on their lives and tell war stories about their times at Lee. This year twenty-nine traveled to the event from S. Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. (CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE)

Front L to R: Tim Lull, Bruce Pylant, Greg Patterson, Coach Sam Sullins, Coach Keith Wilson, Carl McCulley, Larry McFarlane. Middle Row L to R: Jim Ramsey (66), Danny Butler, Steve Sumners, Penny Lenoir-Sumners, Mike Recio, Connie Steelman-Caldwell, Harry Richardson, Trena Rice-Powers, Ken Martz (66).

Back Row L to R: Steve Wilson, Steve Stricklin, Jim Jones, Nelson Thompson, Taylor Wright (66), Bucky Hoffmeyer (66), Jim Peters, Tommy Mode, Larry Snead, George James, Jim Ridgeway. (Missing in action 'Ducky' Johnson)

Who is this 1966-67 LHS Cheerleader?

The 1966 General Football Team held it's annual After-Christmas get together at Gibson's BBQ on December 27th. This former cheerleader was in attendance; Who is she?

Once again :-) Max Kull has correctly identified the unnamed classmate. This former cheerleader is Connie Steelman-Caldwell. Congratulations Max! Is anyone else out there?

Who's that Foxy Lady at our Senior Picnic?

Congratulations to Harold Shepard for correctly identifying Mrs. Pat Brewer as 'That Foxy Lady'.

Name that General #7

Congratulations again to Max Kull for correctly identifying a Name That General (#7) as Lynn Ward-Moore. Max is a multiple winner and I told him that he is either our 'class historian' of 'class busybody' :-) 

Lynn was Senior Pastor of Cedar Bluff First UMC. She is an Elder in Full Connection in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, on leave of absence at this time. She graduated from Jacksonville State University (Political Science), Asbury Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity) and Sylacauga Hospital School of Nursing.

1. Which one is the real Lee General?

    

     2.  Loved the walk down Oakwood to Lee and home.

     3.  Latin with Mrs. Grilliot was great fun!

     4.  High kicks were a lot easier back then.

     5.  I was in Chemistry with Terri Bratcher.

     6.  Learning the Danish ball routine for basketball game, was fun and relaxing.

     7.   "It is easier to teach wild monkeys to dance than herd cats" was attributed to me in the Senior edition

          of The Traveller.

     8.  All classes were fun, I am one who loves to learn.

     9.  I had a few cousins who graduated in the same class.

    10.  (Sorry, I've been traveling.. now back to the clues)  I loved the Krystal burgers on the square in the middle of school day. 

    11.  Jeanie Browne forgot to tag when we played football!

    12.  There was a time when Penny Slaton was "The Jolly Green Giant," and I was a Native American in the same contest with Terri Bratcher.

    13.  Enjoyed viewing the beauty of seasonal changes on Monte Sano.

          14.  IT was sooo hot and humid when we graduated, because I was in next to last homeroom, my hair was dripping and my grad gown was soaked with sweat (not perspiration). 

          15.  I had a few cousins who also graduated in the class of '67. 

          16.  I went to the prom with Jim King. 

          17.  Two of my neighbors and classmates were Mary Hicks and Diane Canada.