CHICAGO CHAPTER

CHICAGO DIRECTORY UPDATE FORM

WHHS in Chicagoland 2009
A special thanks to all of the fifty plus alumni who attended our recent regional reunion in Chicago. We had classes represented from 1946 to 2004, and a great time was had by all. Alumni had plenty of time to connect with each other and also hear about the WHHS of today from our new principal, Jeff Brokamp '78. Special thanks to Lisa Claybon '95 for helping to organize the event.

It was agreed by all that the Chicago Chapter would like to launch some new initiatives. Chicago was the site of the first WHHS regional reunion in 1996. Some ideas that came from this recent event were:

Professional networking

Welcome events for alumni attending Chicago universities or relocating to the city

Social events, such as a Reds vs. Cubs game or a Trivia Night

Our first step to that end is to produce a WHHS Chicago Chapter Directory. We are especially interested in maximizing electronic mail as an efficient and cost effective means of communication.

For those who were unable to attend, we are excited to explore more events in the near future.

Keep us updated so we can see you in the Windy City soon!

CINCINNATI CHAPTER

Alumni Painting Party
Come One, Come All Grab a paint brush, paint the hall.
Summer's the perfect time for this.
Alumni fun, you just can't miss.

Come for two hours, come for the day.
We have a new principal on the way.
Show him our colors, show him our pride
Rise to the Highest, Semper fi!

The WHHS Alumni Foundation,
Cincinnati Chapter
Held a general spruce-up the grounds and painting event.
Wednesday August 1, 2007.

New Principal Welcomed
Walnut Hills High School welcomes new principal, Jeffrey J. Brokamp. Native Cincinnatian and Walnut Hills High School Alum, Mr. Brokamp will replace Marvin O. Koenig, who retired.

Over several months, Walnut's LSDMC worked with a private search firm to conduct an exhaustive national search. From a pool of thirty-two candidates, six were invited to interview. Within this gender and racially diverse group, was a wide range of professional experience, from assistant principals to superintendents, two were Walnut Alumni. While the candidates were local, state and nationally based, in the end, Brokamp with his extensive experience within Cincinnati Public Schools was the choice.

A professional educator for 24 years, Jeff Brokamp brings with him a broad knowledge base and unique perspective, as a former Assistant Superintendent, and Principal at Crest Hills, School for Creative and Performing Arts, and most recently at Mt. Washington Elementary School.

In addition to being the first ever Walnut Hills Alum to become Principal, Brokamp is the son of former Walnut Hills High School Principal, Raymond Brokamp.

WHHS Alumni Foundation Eagle Express
The WHHS Eagle Express took flight in Spring 2007, non-stop to California. Fresh on the heels of the Alumni Hall of Fame extravaganza, Alumni Foundation Director, Debbie Heldman, was eager to share the good news of Walnut Hills yesterday and today. Joined by Bob Christopher '47, Marty Surnbrock Christopher 44 and Jenny French, Director of Reunions and Events, this quartet set-off for the west coast May 5th and 6th.

First on the itinerary was the San Francisco Bay area. Here, WHHS classmate Jerry Kaplan 62 and his wife Nancy graciously opened their home on a beautiful California day. Thirty-five alumni socialized, reminisced and sang to the strumming guitar sounds of Jonny Darling (Jon McIntyre 60). The merriment continued with Walnut fun, games and prizes. Milo Hanke '73 correctly identified the current number of AP courses offered at Walnut (28). Youngest alum in attendance, John Hogue '89 was 50 years junior the eldest to attend, Richard Herr 39. Tom Koors 64 said of his FIRST EVER reunion, he was touched by the singing of High on the Hill.

Next stop on the flight plan was Los Angeles and a cozy gathering of twenty alum at the home studio of a ceramic artist Nina Kellogg 51. In typical WHHS fashion, Nina Kellogg embarked on this new artistic venture after retiring from her successful career in psychology. Ms. Kellogg sponsored the afternoon reunion and fundraiser by donating a portion of each Alumni purchase to the Foundation. On hand to hear Debbie expound on the current Walnut Hills were, Donald and Judith Rose Mendelson '49, Sandy Levitch Brown '56, and Cheryl Rave '83. Author Louise Levison '57 spoke of her latest writing and speaking ventures abroad. Kim Crabtree '93, Joni Diamond '74 and Robert Goldstein '65 recalled siblings and friends and the day Joni was on the same flight as Robert when the Goldstein's relocated to Southern California.

In each setting and in their own way, the conversations recycled to the common theme of an appreciation for excellence in education and the diversity of people and thought, at Walnut Hills High School.

Farewell to Marvin Koenig and Phyllis Wolfe

On Sunday, June 3, 2007 hundreds of WHHS alumnus, faculty, students and friends gathered at the Peterloon Estate to pay tribute to retiring Principal Marvin O. Koeing and Lead Secretary, Phyllis Wolf. Over Marvin's 15 years at the helm, Walnut flourished, enrollment increased, and WHHS won National acclaim, securing spots on both Newsweek Magazine (# 34) and U.S. News and World Report (# 82) top 100 High Schools list. He worked with the Alumni Foundation to administer building the New Alumni Arts and Science Building, at the time, the largest privately funded building at a public school. Phyllis and Marvin's dedication to excellence exemplified Walnut's motto Sursum Ad Summum.