The Chieftain Thirteen

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1)   Name the 14 Chieftains (thanks to the survey response, we are now up to 14 players!) that played varsity basketball at Michigan State: Hint: (Look at the picture...Bob Fossum and Conner George...don't forget the women!)

2019 Homecoming

The Class of '64 is planning its 55th Anniversary Homecoming celebration to coincide with the OHS Homecoming parade and football game, September 20, 2019.  If any other classes are interested in having their reunion at the same time, please contact Bob Bratzler, Class of '64.

The latest from Our Historian, Sherrie Paty

 

Inspired by a 1951 newspaper notice of a gathering, Sherrie, links biographies of 3^rd generation families to the pioneers of Okemos.

<Click to Read or Download> 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Class of 1959

SAVE THE DATE       AUGUST 17, 2019

On Saturday, August 17, 2019 , The Okemos High  Class of 1959  will gather at Beggars Banquet, 218 Abbot Rd,  Lansing, Michigan to  celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our high school graduation. We have also have scheduled a Friday evening get-together at Henry's Place for those of you who are in town on Friday and want to get an early start on catching up with old friends. More information will follow but for now,  MARK YOUR CALENDARS. 

Judy Hulkonen Reese   (click my name to send me email)

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We need your help!

Our Historian, Sherrie Paty '66, is at an end with these teachers

Can you help?  If you know ANYTHING about these teachers

 please email Sherrie <Click to send an email>

Mable Anderson 1946

Patricia Anderson 1951

Betty Anderson 1963

Susan Smith 1964

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1)   Do you know anything about these lost Teachers. If you know where they moved to, perhaps we can start to trace them down. Any information may be helpful, even if it is just a rumor.

Who Are these Guys?  (Hint: class of 1962)

<click the picture to see the answer>

 

Alumni and Teachers, Authors

Their Books on display

by OHS Librarian Sandy Fields

Several Alumni Authors visited the High School 2017-2018.  Their books are on display outside of the OHS Library.

 

 

 

 

Teachers are Authors and Editors

 

The Okemos High School Librarian is Mrs. Sandy Fields

Donate your books to the OHS Library!

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New Page on this Site : The Alumni Library <click here>

Download free ebooks and order paperbacks

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Class of 1958  *  60th Anniversary

Kay Bratzler (Riedel) will coordinate the Class of 1958 web page to publicize their class reunion plans.  Please contact Kay if you have any questions about reunion plans and/or if you want to help with the events.

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Class of 1968 * 50th Reunion * August 24-26, 2018

OHS '68 had a great time at our 50th reunion!   <Click this for the recap>

 

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Lansing State Journal, May 18, 1929

The 1929 annual "The Tomahawk" went on sale May 20, 1929!

The Alumni Association is trying to put together a collection of all Tomahawk's.  So far, we have a complete collection from 1947 to 2016.   Please be on the lookout for all pre 1947 Okemos High school yearbooks.

Send Rod Ellis a message if you find or hear of these earlier yearbooks.

We recently got 1948, 1949 and 1951 from Jon and Jim Bartow!  Then Sky Tribell found and bought 1928, 1947 and 1950!!  Thanks everyone and keep looking and asking around.

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Retired teachers gather at Coral Gables...and they are still talking about their students!

Eight teachers that taught at Okemos between 1967 and 2008 meet for breakfast and kinship.  This wonderful group of our beloved teachers still have stories to tell, even if the student names are hard to remember...Mr. Cockroft reminded us that they taught around 130 students per year for 30 years!

Some of these teachers have signed in to the website and everyone else promises to do so.  Please send them a welcome.

Physics '72 to '02 Jim Powers, Larry Cockroft taught Math and Baseball Coach 1967 to 1997, Mrs. Hapkiewica taught Chemistry '70 to '06, Irene Yoder-Best taught '69 to '74, and Luci Baker taught Home Ec. '68 to '90.  Kate Marsh and Pat Miller taught at the High School '74 to '08 and Pat's husband Dave Miller taught Social Studies at Kinawa '71 to '98.  Marilyn Bowker taught Business and Cheerleading from 1962 to 1994...and Patty Puckett taught Social Studies at the High School from 1967 to 1994.  What a wonderful group...and I understand they meet the 3rd Tues of the month every other month in the summer!  You are welcome to join them if you promise to behave.

Contact Marilyn Bowker or see you April 16, June 18, Aug 20, Oct 15 or Dec 17, 2019.

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The most recent nominations to the

Alumni Hall of Fame

<<The Index>>

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Kerry J. Byrnes, Okemos Class of 1963 Receives (click to read the nomination)

the Distinguished Alumni Award 2018

“The Alumni Award honors an alumnus of Okemos Public Schools who demonstrates exceptional dedication, achievement and humanitarian contributions.  Additionally, it honors alumni who have pursued a passion and made a significant contribution to their field of study.”  --an Award of the Okemos Education Foundation

“Working behind the scenes and often in obscurity, Kerry is an Okemos gift to the world.  From Eagle Scout to VISTA Volunteer to relief of poverty on a global scale, Kerry has positively impacted the lives of millions.  His touching tribute to his H.S. Teacher and his chronicle of Okemos basketball players, will immortalize others…the OHS Alumni seek the same honor for the author.”  Rod Ellis, Class of 1965, President of the Okemos Alumni Association

Dr. Kerry Joseph Byrnes : Okemos High School Class of 1963   An Autobiography <click to read>
 

Then 1963 (OHS Senior Photo) & Now 2017 (Many Miles Later)

 

 

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Edward Kapalla     Shop and Drafting Teacher 1953 to 1975

The division was sent into combat on 19 October in the Moselle bridgehead sector east of Moselle and South of Metz and patrolled the Seille near Cheminot, capturing the forts surrounding Metz and repulsing enemy attempts to cross the river.  It was during the defense of this town from repeated German attacks that the division received its nickname, "The Iron Men of Metz."

Bronze Star The Battle of Metz, France

"The Iron Men of Metz."   WWII

 

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Class of 1925   Eugene Williams

The First Celebrated Athlete of Okemos Consolidated School

Triple silver medal winner at the 3rd Annual Field Day Meet of the Rural Agricultural Consolidated League at Michigan State College

Valedictorian of his graduating Class at age 16                                                                           

  Compiled and Written by Sherrie Paty

Randolf Webster         Teacher: American History    1957-1958

Graduated from East Lansing High School in 1951 as class president and with honors…and state wrestling champ!

Master's degree and doctorate from MSU.  Freshman class vice-president, freshman-sophomore council president, sophomore class president, chief justice of the all judiciary branch of student government, president of Blue Key, member of Green Helmet, vice-president of Excalibur, senior class vice-president, a cadet lieutenant colonel.

At MSU commissioned second lieutenant in the air corps and distinguished military graduate.  Active duty then reservist 25 years, an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.

Mr. Webster taught American History and English at Okemos High School in 1957-1958.

Assistant Director of Student Activities at MSU while earning a doctorate in Education

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Class of 1954  

  

Lester Kyle Aldrich, II          "Les or LK"

Nuclear Engineer

Army Rifle Team and Marksman

Coached a seven time National Collegete Champion Rifle Team

A Certified Heath Physicist, chaired the Panel of Examiners of the American Board of Health Physics, the Continuing Education Committee of the American Academy of Health Physics, and the Health Physics Society Standards Committee Working Group on Radiation Protection Terminology.

A 'Fellow' of the Health Physics Society and the International Standards Organization's United States Representative for radiation terminology. 

A member of Mensa, the high IQ society.

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Ariel Hart Anderson  Class of 1971

Honored with the 2017 Distinguished Teaching Award by Western Michigan University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Elizabeth Ann Atkins  Class of 1985

• Best-selling author of over 20 books and co-founder of Two Sisters Writing & Publishing
• Actress, TV host and Award-winning journalist
• Professionsl Ghost writer and co-founder of Two Sisters
• Master's in Journalism from Columbia and bachelor's in English Literature from University of Michigan
• Alumni guest speaker at Okemos High School

  Catherine Atkins-Greenspan 

• Class of 1986

• Co-founder of Atkins & Greenspan Writing and Two Sisters Writing & Publishing
• Three novels The Veronica Series
• Active with the American Association of University Women
• Master's in Writing from the University of San Francisco and bachelor's in English Literature from University of Michigan
• Alumni guest speaker at Okemos High School

 

 

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Class of 1963    Dr. Walter Willett

 

World Renowned Nutritionist, researcher, lecturer, professor at Harvard Medical School and chairman of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health Author of Eat, Drink and Be Healthy

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Achievement & Humanitarian

Class of 1970 and Class of 1973

Cheryl Lynne Bass Frost (1952-2012) and Timothy Brian Bass (1955-2007)

Carried on the family tradition of faith based service

 

 

 

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Class of 1966  

Dr. David Hart

World Renowned Professor of Chemistry at Ohio State University

 

 

 

 

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   Class of 1935 and Class of 1938

     John Lloyd Aseltine and Doris Powell Aseltine  (D.A.R. Award)

 Humanitarian      &     Missionaries in Algeria

Behind Rev. John Aseltine and his wife Doris are the terrors of an Algerian rebellion.

 

 

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Class of 1959

Dr. Carol Jean Price Walters

Okemos High School Class of 1959 Valedictorian

 Phi Beta Kappa

Ph.D. in Physiology at University of Vermont College of Medicine

       Developed the 'Quad Screen'  for the detection of serious birth defects in early pregnancy like Down Syndrom and Spina Bifida

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Class of 1959          Walter Schreiner

The Autobiography of a Physics Nerd and Renaissance Man!

Ph.D. in High Energy Physics, Virginia Polytech & State University (1973) : Director / Owner of CP Solutions, LLC, solving chronic manufacturing problems world-wide : 29 year career with Philips Research; developed x-ray analytical equipment, management consultant, Master Statistical Engineer : Volunteer Builder for Safe Housing, Fuller Global Builders : Peace Corps Volunteer, Antofagasta, Chile (1965-68) : Member, Pi Mu Epsilon, National Honorary Math Society

 

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<Click on highlights or pictures>

Class of 1965

Mike McGilliard

"The 95 pound State Champ"                                   by Jay Guertin 

Mike was Nominated to the Okemos Athletic Hall of Fame

NCAA and Four Times Big 10 Championship Team

College Professor and A lifetime of achievements

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Class of 1967

Tom Yunck

NASA Space/Earth Scientist

Princeton

PhD from Yale

CEO of his own Satellite Company

High School Mile Record holder

 

 

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Class of 1993

Bryan Forney

        Career Military reinvents his life after horrifing accident

 

    <Click on highlights or pictures>

 

 

 

 

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Class of 2002

Stephen Carrasco   

 

 

Broadway Star

Remembers his roots with personal appearances

 

 

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 Class of 1958

Donald Keck  

 

 

Invents Fiber Optic Cable, a technology that makes the Internet possible and connects the world!

 

 

<Click on highlights and pictures>

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Class of 1964

Fred Stehman

 

The First State Champion wrestler at Okemos

Top Academics

Big 10 Wrestling Champ

Top Cancer Doctor in the Country

Okemos Athletic Hall of Fame 2017

 

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Class of 1928

Ralph Guile

 

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1)   Did you have Frank DeWald as a teacher? Please comment or tell a story. Mr. D taught Choir and Someko Singers from 1973 to 2010. Tell us if you had him as a teacher or heard his performances. We would like to add to the student bio section of this article if you are still in the Performing Arts.

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*** New Page ***

Alumni Hall of Fame      <Click on links and pictures>

Announcing a new page devoted to the life stories of great Okemos alums

Recounting past accomplishments and life stories

(It's a start, but we need your submissions!)

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Okemos Alumni Association

Announced at the Okemos Education Foundation Awards Banquet Thursday 11/16 <Click here or picture to watch>

$10,000 Matching Gift Creates John Bjorkquist Alumni Science Fund

As a result of the interest and excitement created by the visit of Dr. Tom Yunck to Dave Chapman's Science Classes, an anonyous Alumni Donor has stepped forward to commemorate the event by creating a new Science Fund in Tom's honor.  All donations to this fund will be MATCHED up to $10,000. At Tom's request, the honor was passed to Okemos Biology teacher and coach Mr. Bjorkquist.  Thank you Dave Chapman for inviting Tom to your class.  Thank you Tom Yunck for giving your time to inspire the latest generation of Okemos scientists.  And Tom thanks Mr. B. for being such an inspirational teacher.

Dave Chapman, Science Teacher at OHS

John Bjorkquist, beloved and respected Biology teacher 1962 to retirememt in 1991 and Cross Country Coach at OHS from 1962 to 1973.

Rod Ellis, President of the Okemos Alumni Association who just wandered into this picture and without a doubt the worst cross country runner that Mr. B coached.

<Click here or picture to watch>

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1)   Would you like to contribute to the Bjorkquist "Match" Science Fund? Your donation to this fund will be matched "dollar for dollar", thus, it will double your gift. The science funds are currently out of money and we are sitting on $6,000 of requests for up to date microscopes. Thanks on behalf of those Okemos science students! Yes No

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Homecoming  - Welcome back to Okemos

New Okemos Alumni Hangout

Henry Kwok of Okemos High School class of 2003

I am proud to call this my home to raise a family and make a business. I am also a proud sponsor of this website, which I believe is a great tool to connect with other chieftains of all years. I hope that my bar & banquet hall will be frequented by Okemos alumnus so we can share stories of our experiences when we attended OHS! For more information about Henry's Place feel free to visit http://www.okemosalumni.org/ResourcesContactsEvents.htm for details or check out Henry's Place website: pubmeridian.com

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Class of 1962 55th Get Together was held Aug 18-19

From Jill Axline Roth:

Hey OHS classmates. .....Mayfair and Spags and Gables , we would like to gather up pictures and memories.  Please sign-in on the Alumni Website and/or send pictures to Rod Ellis to post on the site.

Class of 1957 Celebrated their 60th Reunion July 15-16

The Class of 1957 celebrated it's 60th reunion, according to John Bratzler, with 30 people attending.  The Class of 1957 has the distinction of holding the school individual basketball game scoring record.  The late Max Creaser scored 55 points in the old band box gym in a game against Fowlerville. Among its other notable members is Dr. Joe Ferrar, Professor Emeritus of Mathermatics, The Ohio State University.  Joe's wife, Sara Jo ('58),is the daughter of H. Owen Reed, composer of the school alma mater, Proud Chieftains.  Please help to pull together all memorabilia and send to Rod Ellis at the Alumni Association.

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Honoring the Class of 1957
60th Anniversary of Their Graduation

The Class of '57 numbered 70 people, 28 of whom attended their 50th 10 years ago.  They started in the Okemos Consolidated School system in 1944, 19 members strong.  This gives one the notion of how fast Okemos grew post WWII.  Check out their class history as read at their 50th reunion.

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Class of 1967

50th Class Reunion  

IT'S OVER! POST YOUR PICTURES!

******** This is what we have so far -- click above ******

Coral Gables, School and Neighborhood Bus Tour, The University Club, Sunday Brunch

POST YOUR PICTURES OR EMAIL THEM TO:

Contact Mary Fox White whitmaf49@gmail.com  

OR

Ingrid Sturk Schultz

joedrumer@aol.com

The Okemos Alumni Association

A 501(c)(3) Non-profit corporation

Tax ID 82-1246695

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