ROUGHRIDER RECALL
Theodore Roosevelt High School Foundation Newsletter
RIDERS CELEBRATE AT
INGERSOLL LIVE
Roosevelt Roughriders showed their school spirit at Ingersoll Live on August
29th. It was a great night for this twelfth annual street party, which has become an end-of-summer favorite for Des Moines’ west side. Members of
the Roosevelt Chamber Choir began the festivities with a wonderful rendition of our National Anthem. Several other student groups participated in
the celebration, including Best Buddies, and the Rider Cheerleaders who
performed routines for an enthusiastic crowd. The Roosevelt Foundation
& Alumni Association along with the TRHS Athletic Booster Club [Riders
Club] hosted a tent where friends gathered throughout the evening. High
school photos from the 1920s through the present decorated the space,
and grads enjoyed seeing highlights from each era. Roosevelt graduates
from the past, present -- and future! -- showed their support and spun the
wheel to win prizes. Many of our youngest fans sported blue and white
temporary tattoos to show their Rider pride. The Foundation & Alumni Association and Riders
Club would like to
thank
everyone
who volunteered
and came out to
support the Roosevelt Community.
Fall 2015
Top: Kay Smith & Kent Mauck, TRHS
Board Members with Teddy
Above: Members of TRHS
Cheer Squad
Left: TRHS Cheer Squad at Ingersoll Live
Below: Members of the TRHS Chamber Choir perform at
Ingersoll Live
R O O S E V E LT
HIGH SCHOOL
F O U N D AT I O N
M I S S I O N
S TAT E M E N T
“Our mission is to
celebrate the tradition
& shape the future of
Roosevelt High School
by advancing and supporting the students, faculty, alumni and Roosevelt
Community”
BOARD MEMBERS
PRESIDENT
WES GRAHAM
PRESIDENT-ELECT
CHRIS FITZGERALD
TREASURER
KEVIN KRAUSE
SECRETARY
ABBIE SAWYER
PAST PRESIDENT
MARTY KENWORTHY
PRINCIPAL
KEVIN BIGGS
ANDREW BAILEY
NICK CALLISON
FRITZ CRAIGER
JANET DONNELLY
JUDY DOWNS
ROBERT GERNES
ONNALEE KELLEY
ALICIA KNAPP
LAURA LEONARD
KENT MAUCK
RENEE MURPHY
LASHAI ROGERS
PAUL SOENER
JIM STAFFORD
ELAINE STEINGER
SARAH SUSANIN
DOUG WELLS
JASON WILLIS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JEANINE L RUTTER
Message from the Principal
As the 2015-16 school year begins we
welcome our students and staff with
such excitement and optimism. During
the months of June and July Roosevelt’s
hallways are often filled with silence and
rarely have the energy that we so desperately love. Yes, a great deal of work
can get done during this time, but it is the spirit of the Roughrider, young and old, that is so special and appealing to those of
us working those quiet summer months. Now that the school
year has begun, we can once again be infused with the spirit
that makes being a Roughrider special!
We return to the school again this year with high expectations,
hopes, and a renewed sense of commitment. With close to
1850 students, 450 of those being brand new incoming 9th
graders, we’re a very busy building. Teachers are differentiating their instruction on a daily basis to reach all types of learners; administrators are walking the halls and visiting classrooms
to build relationships with both students and teachers; staff and
students alike are beginning to plan for our upcoming Homecoming festivities during the week of September 21 – 26; and a
new weight room is on the way, thanks to the amazingly supportive Rider Club Athletic Boosters. The energy and positivity
in the building is high and the instruction is rigorous; that’s a solid combination to create student learning and achievement.
Please stop in and enjoy a walk around our hallways with me.
Together let’s high-five a student or two, or a staff member for
that matter. I am so proud to lead this building and I want
people to know that. I want to share our good work with you
in hopes that you are proud of the institution you call your alma
mater. Have a wonderful Fall and thank you for your ongoing
support of good ol’ Roosevelt High!
Go Riders!
Kevin G. Biggs, Principal
Roosevelt High School
ROOSEVELT RECALL 2
Message from the
Roosevelt Foundation President Wes Graham
Dear TRHS Community,
By the time this Recall reaches you, the students and teachers
will have returned to the halls of Roosevelt, and the 2015-16
school year will be in full swing. This last year has given the
Roosevelt community and the Foundation & Alumni Association a lot to be proud of, and we have a lot to be excited
about for the year ahead.
At the outset, I am honored to begin my term as President of
the Foundation, entering its thirty-second year! I graduated
Roosevelt in 1998, and I have been a Foundation board member since I moved back to Des Moines a few years ago. I am proud of the work we have done,
and I look forward to continuing to develop initiatives we have started under our strategic plan
that was developed under the leadership of outgoing President Marty Kenworthy, and outgoing Past President Fritz Craiger. These two gentlemen (along with our Executive Director Jeanine
Rutter) deserve as much credit as anyone for seeing to the implementation of our strategic plan
and the success the Foundation has had over the last few years. The Executive Committee will
miss Fritz’s voice and leadership, but I am certainly glad to have Marty on the committee this next
year.
I would also like to thank outgoing board members Anne Whatley and Kay Smith for their years
of service and dedication to Roosevelt. I also would like to welcome in new board members Andrew Bailey (’03), Nick Callison (’02), Janet Donnelly, and Lashai Rogers (‘91), and thank them for
their willingness to give their time for TRHS.
If you would like to get involved with the Foundation and Alumni Association, please go to our
website (www.trhsfoundation.org) and become a member or donate to the Foundation. We
also would love to see everyone at our R Party scheduled for Friday, October 23rd at Willis Auto
Campus from 6:00-9:00 pm. This will be a great event, and thanks goes to Renee Murphy, Sarah
Susanin, Jeanine, and everyone else who is contributing their time and efforts to make this the
best R Party yet.
This coming year I expect to continue the great work the Foundation has been doing – funding
and administering the annual scholarships, funding Principal Biggs’ discretionary fund, providing
for teachers’ and organizations’ needs through our Special Requests project, hosting our annual
Rider Cup in the Spring, and everything else we have been doing – as well as taking steps to
implement new initiatives pursuant to our strategic plan. More to come, but we expect another
great year for the Foundation and Alumni Association, and, more importantly, TRHS!
Additionally, our Executive Director Jeanine Rutter will be leaving the Foundation at the end of
September to pursue other opportunities. Jeanine became our Executive Director in June of
2012, and for the last three years she has done an amazing job running the day-to-day operations
of the Foundation. During her tenure, the Foundation has become a much more efficient and
well-run body. While she will be missed, what she has done for the Foundation will be felt for years
to come. Thank you Jeanine!
Wes Graham (’98)
President, TRHS Foundation & Alumni Association
ROOSEVELT RECALL 3
What’s Happening at TRHS during Fall Semester....
ATHLETICS
Basketball
November 22 through February 22
November 22- Kiwanis Jamboree (Varsity Boys
and Girls)
Bowling
ACADEMICS
Oct. 5
Oct. 9
Dec. 16
Debate
Oct. 16-17
Dec. 11-12
Nov. 9-Feb. 23
Cross Country
August 10-Oct. 31
Host Heartland Classic @ ISU
Sept. 19 @ 10:00 AM
40+ Schools/5 States represented
Academic Lettering Ceremony
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
Financial Aid Night
Roosevelt Debate Tournament
Paradigm Debate Tournament
THE ARTS
Band
Dec. 10 – Band Concert
7:00pm
Football
Drama
Nov. 5, 6, 7 – Shrek
7:30pm
HOMECOMING WEEK
Orchestra
Dec. 8 – Orchestra Concert
7:00pm
Vocal Music
Nov. 19 - OPUS Concert, Ames
Dec. 17 – Vocal Music Concert
Nov. 21- All State Festival
Concert
7:00pm
7:00pm
August 10-Nov. 20
Thursday, Sept. 24
Community Night and Parade
Friday, Sept. 25
Homecoming game vs SC East
Saturday, Sept. 26
Homecoming Dance
Golf
Boys
August 10-Oct. 10
Swimming
Girls
August 10-Nov. 7
Boys
Nov. 9-Feb. 13
Volleyball
August 10-Nov. 13
Wrestling
7:00pm
WINTER BREAK
Dec. 23, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016
Highlights for the spring and summer athletics will be
featured in the Winter issue of the Rider Recall,
so stay tuned...
STAY CONNECTED.
Nov. 16-Feb. 20
TRHS Class of 1965 - 50th Class Reunion
September 18-19, 2015
Contact [email protected]
ROOSEVELT RECALL 4
REUNION HIGHLIGHTS
Class of
1975
The Class of ‘75 celebrated its 40th reunion August 14-16th. For the Friday
evening event at Waveland Golf
Course, well over 100 classmates
and spouses kicked off the reunion
weekend enjoying great weather,
cold beverages and lots of fantastic memories of their time at TRHS.
Classmates came from as far away as
Japan and throughout the US. Rumor has it that following the “official” close of the night’s activities, several classmates found their
way back to familiar watering holes of days gone by.
Remarkably, there were very few casualties, and the next day
started with a golf event and tour of TRHS. Somehow the hallways
seemed bigger, but the topic of the morning was, “Do you remember where your locker was?” Roosevelt Foundation volunteers and
current TRHS principal Mr. Kevin Biggs conducted the tour.
Saturday concluded with cocktails
and dinner at the Embassy West
Club. Included in the evening’s activities was a silent auction with proceeds pledged to the TRHS Foundation. The surprise of the night
was Mr. Bob Yapp, who demonstrated an uncanny resemblance
to dear old Teddy! The challenge
is now official: “Can any class top
this look alike?” We think not! Appropriately there was a moment
of silence for classmates who are no longer with us, but still with
us in thought and spirit.
TRHS Class of ‘75 concluded its reunion weekend with an appearance at the Iowa State Fair on the Anne
and Bill Riley Stage, courtesy of classmate Bill Riley Jr.
The weekend went by too quickly, but the memories will last on. Regardless of the paths that everyone
has taken, the tie that binds us is TRHS.
Respectfully submitted by AJ Johnson on behalf of the 1975 TRHS Reunion Committee
ROOSEVELT RECALL 5
REUNION HIGHLIGHTS
The class of 1980 gathered for its 35th reunion the weekend of August 14th and
15th in Des Moines. The weekend festivities included an informal gathering on
Thursday evening at the Greenwood Lounge with a bonus -- Soul Searchers was
the band. On Friday there was a golf tournament at Waveland Golf Course
during the day. Friday evening festivities featured a social on the patio at Wellman’s Ingersoll. Saturday was a busy day with a tour of Roosevelt, followed by
a seven-mile stroll through the Roosevelt neighborhoods, with great memories
of classmates’ families who lived in the area. The weekend culminated with a
“Prom” on Saturday evening at Wakonda Club, where the class enjoyed each other’s
company, had a great dinner, jammed on the dance floor and didn’t want to go home. The Class of
1980 had such a good time, and everyone is looking forward to our 40th reunion in 2020!
Class of
1980
Above Left:
Class of 1980 - Group Photo
Above: Class of 1980 - Chelon
Long Perez-Benitoa, Stefany Reed,
Linda Paxton Nielson, Laurie
Baker Greer
Far Left: Class of 1980 Mark
Jacobs, Debbie James Brown, Bill
Sullivan, Lori Pomerantz Long,
Keith Petrak
Left: Class of 1980 - Shelly Reed
Thieman 81, Elaine Bierman
Hegelson, Chuck Wheeker, Bill
Landis, Amy Jarnigan
PLEASE SHARE WITH US!
Do you know a TRHS alum
who has an interesting story?
Contact the Foundation office and tell us!
ROOSEVELT RECALL 6
The TRHS Class of 1985 celebrated our 30th reunion
in Des Moines August 21-22. We kicked off ceremonies Friday afternoon with a golf outing during the day, and enjoyed a fun night at Star Bar,
where each person received a free mug with
Roughrider logo as well as two drink tickets! Saturday morning some of us gathered at TRHS for a
tour hosted by the Roosevelt Foundation, where
we were shown the improvements to the building
brought on by the recent renovation. The cheerleaders were rehearsing in the small gym and gave us an energetic and
talented welcome! Saturday night the
Class celebrated downtown in Capital
Square at Big City Burger and Greens
with an amazing appetizer dinner buffet, slideshow and classic 80s rock in a
super fun venue! We had a record estimated 100 classmates attending over
the course of the two nights; almost half
traveled here from other States, and
one classmate from as far away as Australia. Great Reunion!
Class of
1985
Class of
1990
Above:
Class of 1985 - Craig Jackman, Suzanne
Flapan, Courtney Work, Anthony Penniman
Below: Class of 1985
A great time was had by all at the TRHS Class of 1990
25th reunion this past July in Des Moines. The first night
was a casual patio and drinks at Wellman’s on Ingersoll. What a time for the air conditioning to take a
summer break on the hottest Friday of the summer.
An eventual migration to the Alpine was definitely in
order.
Roosevelt ’90 alums traveled great distances to see their
classmates. From California to Virginia and many points in
between, we had fellow grads from 12 states make their way home. It was wonderful to see such a great effort by our classmates to attend.
Saturday was filled with activities, beginning with a tour of Roosevelt put on by
the Roosevelt Foundation. Many classmates used the day to take in the changing city and downtown Des Moines. The reunion concluded Saturday night with
festivities downtown at
the recently renovated Des Moines Social
Club, where we enjoyed
wonderful food, drinks
and company. Nearly
80 classmates made it
back and provided a
vivid reminder of the
many great memories
and friendships Roosevelt helped create for
all of us.
ROOSEVELT RECALL 7
R
The information in this section comes primarily from
obituaries printed in The
Des Moines Register.
We
invite anyone to submit
news of deceased Roosevelt alumni. Please give
us as much of the following
information as you have:
alum’s
name
(including
maiden name, if applicable); age; years of birth,
graduation,
and
death.
Please send e-mails to:
trhsfoundationdm@gmail.
com.
Thank you.
In Memory of TRHS ALUMNI
We have received word that the following TRHS alumni
have passed away:
Name
Graduation Year
Bonnie Jeanne (Hurlburt) Percival
1934
Alfred Lipsey
1936
Miriam (Walters) Cline
1939
James A. McCaughey
1941
Helen (Kucharo) Kurschhinski
1943
Frank Warner, Jr
1943
Nancy Ann (Bailie) Lewis
1944
Marguerite (Van Ginkel) Boss
1945
Richard Adams
1946
James Hudelson
1948
Vern Stewart
1948(?)
Joann Elizabeth (McIntire) Jacobsen
1949
Connie (Glasco) Gourley
1950
William Raymond Thompson
1953
Thomas Hoffman
1953
Marilyn (Mazza) Faison
1956
Sandy (Minard) Thomburg
1958
Michael K Cook
1958
Marianne (Field) Stein
1958
Greta May (Gustafson) Hayward
1959
Roy Edgar Gentry
1961
John “Jack” P Kennedy
1961
Hermiene (Cohen) Green
1964
Betty Jean (Alexander) Rains
1964(?)
Paul Willard
1966(?)
Richard W Lucy
1966
Gary Turnbull
1972
Judy (Terpstra) Johnson
1973
Robert W Park II
1978(?)
Mark Teturud 1978
Daniel Paul Petersen
1980
Merlene (Tellis) Ackelson
1987
Matthew Kaufmann
1988
Christopher Mease
1989
Year of Death
June 2015
June 2015
July 2015
June 2015
July 2015
June 2015
June 2015
July 2015
August 2015
August 2015
June 2015
June 2015
May 2012
May 2015
June 2015
July 2015
June 2015
July 2015
July 2015
August 2015
June 2015
May 2015
August 2015
May 2015
July 2015
August 2015
July 2015
July 2015
June 2015
July 2015
June 2015
August 2015
July 2014
July 2015
CALL FOR HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS!
The Roosevelt Foundation is seeking nominations for inductees into the Roosevelt Hall of Fame.
Since 1986 a total of 65 outstanding TRHS graduates have been honored at our annual
Hall of Fame celebration. This year’s event will be held in mid to late April 2016.
*
*
*
*
Hall of Fame nominees must meet the following criteria:
Must have graduated from Roosevelt at least 10 years prior to receiving the award.
Must be outstanding in their field of work and received previous recognition.
Must be of good character and serve as a role model for the student body.
Must be available to receive the award and participate in our Hall of Fame
activities, including: an assembly, luncheon, and evening reception.
If you know of a TRHS alum who you believe is deserving of this special honor, we
encourage you to nominate them. Nominations are due by January 15, 2016.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT
www.TRHSFOUNDATION.org
If you have any questions or would like to request a paper copy, please email: [email protected].
We look forward to receiving many wonderful nominations!
ROOSEVELT RECALL 8
42nd St Near Roosevelt Slated for Improvements
Have you ever found yourself frightened by traffic on 42nd Street north of
the freeway? Cut off by speeders in the
disappearing outside lanes? Backed
up going south? Afraid for Roosevelt
and Hubbell students trying to cross
the street? Stranded by cross traffic at
42nd and Crocker? Or just wished the
area was prettier and more pedestrian
friendly?
All that is about to change! For several
years the Roosevelt Cultural District -which encompasses the Roosevelt and
Hubbell campuses, the Des Moines Playhouse, and the shops along 42nd Street
between the freeway and Crocker
Street -- has been working with the City
of Des Moines and consultants Bolton &
Menk to design a streetscape that will
make 42nd Street north of the freeway
to Crocker safer and more attractive for
everyone, whether on foot, on a bicycle, or in a car.
This $1.6 million project is slated to begin
construction in Spring 2017. The City has
committed $900,000 for its share and
Polk County has contributed $100,000.
The RCD has already raised an additional $100,000, including generous contributions of over $12,500 from the Roosevelt Foundation & Alumni Association
and individual members. All it will take is
$500,000 to get this project off the drawing boards and under construction on
schedule. Please join with your friends
and neighbors and help improve the
Roosevelt area and the entire city with
a contribution to this important project.
All contributions of any amount are welcome and appreciated, and are tax-deductible. Please visit the Community Foundation of Greater
Des Moines website, www.desmoinesfoundation.org, and click “Give Now;” then go to Community
Foundation Funds and click “Search Now;” then enter keyword “Streetscape” and click “Submit;”
then click “Donate Now” at “42nd Streetscape Fund.” Or, checks can be made payable to Roosevelt Cultural District Streetscape Project and mailed to RCD, Attn: Rod McCullough, 831 42nd Street,
Des Moines, IA 50312.
Please consider joining with your friends and neighbors in this important effort to improve the Roosevelt neighborhood, and the entire city.
ROOSEVELT RECALL 9
WELCOME NEW TEACHERS TO TRHS!
This year Roosevelt is pleased to welcome over 30 new faculty and staff members. We
plan to introduce all of them to you in this and future Roughrider Recall issues. Here is
the first installment.
NICOLE CABLE - NURSE
I am pleased to be joining the TRHS community. I have been a nurse for the last
12 years, working with all ages in both clinic and community settings. Prior to
that I worked in human services with women and youth. I hold a B.A. in psychology from Grinnell College and a BSN from Grand View University. We call the
Drake neighborhood home and have two children who attend Hubbell.
MELISSA CHIA - ENGLISH TEACHER
Hello! I am excited to join the TRHS community and look forward to working
with students. I am originally from Grundy Center, Iowa. I attended the University
of Northern Iowa and received my B.A. in English-Secondary Teaching with a
minor in Secondary Reading. I also graduated from Viterbo University with my
Masters in Teaching three years ago. I am entering my 14th year of teaching in
the district. I live in West Des Moines with my husband and three (soon to be 4 in
September!) kids.
STEVE GONZALEZ - SOCIAL WORKER
Hello!! I am excited to be part of the Roosevelt family and their great traditions.
I am a native of Des Moines and I graduated from Des Moines Public Schools. I
graduated from Simpson College with my B.A. and from the University of Iowa
for my Masters degree. I have worked for the district for over 20 years. I currently
reside in Urbandale. My interests include music, reading and teaching martial
arts. I look forward to having a great year.
TODD GORDON - ACTIVITIES ADMINISTRATOR
I am beginning my first year at Roosevelt High School, and my 31st year in education. I have been an Activities Director for the past 10 years at Treynor and most
recently at Carlisle. I received my Bachelors Degree from Northwest Missouri
State and my Masters Degree from the University of South Dakota. I currently live
in Carlisle with my wife Deb. We have three children, two grandsons, and our
first granddaughter on the way in October. Go Roughriders!! @trhsroughriders
#bleedblue
STACEY HAYLETT- COUNSELOR
I am starting my third year in the DMPS District and excited to join the Roosevelt
family. I graduated from ISU in 2005 with a BS in Psych and from Drake in 2012
with my masters in School Counseling. I believe in kids and their innate potential to achieve great things! I will help all students be their best academically,
socially and emotionally, and in planning for their futures! I have two kids of my
own, 4 (son) and 1 (daughter) and stay busy outside of school with them and
my husband!
ROOSEVELT RECALL 10
WELCOME NEW TEACHERS TO TRHS!
KENDRA KURTH- SCIENCE TEACHER
I’m originally from LeMars, Iowa, and now am a Beaverdale resident and will be
teaching biology and environmental science. I graduated from Briar Cliff University in ‘09 with a BS in Biology and Secondary Education and from Grand View
University in ‘15 with a MA in Educational Leadership. My interests include golf,
poetry, music, baseball, the outdoors, boating, movies, animals, and of course
teaching!
AMELIA MIETH- MATH TEACHER
Hello! I am so excited to join the Roosevelt family this year. I graduated from
Drake University, and student taught at Roosevelt in 2011. I knew if given the
opportunity to come back to teach full-time, I would do it in a heartbeat. Four
years later, here I am! I’m grateful to be working with such a professional and
well-rounded staff. I currently am working on my Masters degree in Curriculum
& Instructional Technology at Iowa State. Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending
time with my family, golfing, reading, and exploring Des Moines.
MEGAN NELSON - SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER
Hello! I am thrilled and honored to join the Roosevelt High School team. I am an
Iowa State University alumna of the College of Education. I received my teaching degree, Instructional Strategist I and Reading endorsement in Spring 2014. I
did both of my student teaching placements at Des Moines Public Schools. My
Special Education placement was at Cowles Montessori with Jennifer Gelner
and I had a blast teaching and working with the students. I am currently working
on receiving my Instructional Strategist II endorsement. A little fun fact about me
is that while I was in college, I was in the Iowa State University Kayak and Canoe
Club. I competed in whitewater kayaking and Standup Paddleboard competitions across the Midwest.
LOAN NGUYEN - ENGLISH TEACHER
I am from Des Moines and received my under-graduate from Drake University.
My endorsements are in Language Arts, Read-ing, and TAG. I teach 9th grade
English I at TRHS. Literacy is a big part of my life. I’m excited and passionate
about learning because I’m a learner, too! I’m involved with Movement 515,
where I work with wonderful, skilled educators who share the same goals:
giving youth voices and communities opportunities to speak up, advocating
for change through poetry and music, and creating safe, environments for all
learners. I try to live a creative life; making and appreciating art is important to
me. I have many funny, odd interests. My door is always open for lively
discussions on books, music, and movies – especially the scary ones…! I’m
looking forward to a great year!
RENEE SOPER - ASSOCIATE NURSE
As a Certified Medical Assistant, (AAMA) my number one priority is providing support to Nurse Cable, in helping our students and parents feel at ease and that
their medical needs are being well cared for. My husband and his family have
a long and rich history as Roosevelt alumni and I am excited and honored to
become a part of this tradition, as a staff member. GO RIDERS!
ROOSEVELT RECALL 11
The Roosevelt High School Foundation
and Alumni Association presents
A Masked Cocktail Party
6:00 pm
As the evening unfolds...
unique libations & delectable bites
will be sure to delight!
Silent Auction
Closes at 7:30 pm
Come see what the TRHS Foundation and
Alumni Association board members have
donated personally reflecting their talents,
hobbies, and passions with more from your
community businesses and alumni.
Eary Reveals:
A Night of Comedy, Drake Sports
Lover Package,
Big Yellow Bike Adventure
Let The Live Auction Begin
7:30 pm
Early Reveals: A Private Vacation on the Lux
Aeterna, a 45-foot Catamaran in the Keys
AND
Creating a Party Just for You: Rooftop at
Market One, Your Theme, Your Food,
Your Fun
2015 R Party
Friday, October 23
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Willis Auto Campus - Infiniti Building
you may also rsvp at www.trhsfoundation.org/events/r-party-2015
Name:
Address:
City:
Email Address:
State:
yes, we will attend
____# of persons at $75
____# of persons at $50
ZIP:
no, we cannot attend, but would like
to make a donation to the Roosevelt
Foundation in the amount of $______
(under Age 35)
enclosed is my check payable to
roosevelt foundation
po box 12087, Des Moines, IA 50312
please bill my credit card
card number:_____________
exp date:__/__ v-code:___
Live Entertainment
8:00 pm
Live Music from the Jazz Band...
NOLA
Featuring Abbie Sawyer, TRHS Class of 2002
BRING YOUR OWN MASK
But if you forget, don’t despair, we
will have one for you to wear!
(*minimal fee for incredible fun)
$75 per ticket
$50 per ticket if under age 35
Register by returning the
RSVP card or online at
www.trhsfoundation.org/
events/r-party-2015
*watch Facebook and
emails for more details and
unmasking of more auction items*
Proceeds will assist in helping
foster the best Roosevelt
experience for students,
parents, staff, and alumni.
Please RSVP by Friday, October 16, 2015
ROOSEVELT RECALL 12
STRIKE UP THE BAND
This year’s Roughrider Marching band began the season 200 members
strong under the direction of Treg Marcellus and David Steinke. Their
2015 show is “The Music from Moulin Rouge.” Favorite selections that the
Riders perform from this popular musical include: Your Song, One Day I’ll
Fly Away, Come What May, and El Tango de Roxanne. The band is also
accompanied by a 16-member color guard whose brilliant flags and
elegant costumes help bring the music to life.
At the home football game on September 11th, the Roughriders played a special tribute by presenting the colors at the beginning of the game with an honor guard from the band.
They marched in formation to spell out USA. Members of Roosevelt’s Junior ROTC program presented
the colors, including: senior trombone player Alam
Ramirez and sophomore trumpet player Alex Ramirez,
senior tuba PFC Dillon To, and SFC Treg Marcellus.
In addition to performances at Roosevelt home varsity
football games at Drake Stadium, the marching band will
perform at several area festivals and will march in the Beaverdale Parade on Saturday September 19th. Our marching musicians are off to a terrific start on the fall season.
DONATE YOUR ROOSEVELT YEARBOOK
The TRHS Library maintains a collection of yearbooks, beginning with 1923-24 to the present.
The library is missing the 1965 and 1966 editions.
If you have a 1965 or 1966 TRHS yearbook you’d like to donate to the TRHS Library,
or know of someone who does, please send it to:
The Roosevelt Foundation & Alumni Association
P.O. Box 12087 Des Moines, IA 50312
Please include your name and address. We will deliver it and the yearbook to the TRHS Library, which will send you a
letter acknowledging your donation to a 501.c.3 tax-deductible charitable organization. Or, if you live in the Des
Moines area, contact the Foundation by phone or email and a board member will pick it up from you.
TRHS SENIORS!
Scholarship applications will begin being accepted in just a couple of month.
Keep your eyes open and check out our website at
trhsfoundation.org/scholarships
ROOSEVELT RECALL 13
TRHS Memories Circa 1967
by Dr. Bruce C. Heilman, TRHS ‘67
Forty-eight years. How is that possible? “Let
it be known from Hell to Heaven that we are
the class of ‘67”. My how the days can crawl
and the years can fly.
Living in Des Moines, I have had any number of reasons/opportunities to visit Roosevelt over the years. I am always struck by the
smell. Our sense of smell is one of the strongest, if not the strongest
memory triggers known to humankind. If you have been fortunate
enough to have walked those halls in the recent past, you may
know exactly what I am referring to (to what I am referring? – sorry
Mr. Hantz). The hallways and stairwells and classrooms all look
quite familiar. The trophy cases are still there. The gym, the pool,
the auditorium are all as you might remember. But, just close your
eyes and inhale. The smell. It is not by any means an unpleasant odor. Dusty, musty, library-ish. Twenty-five hundred people
occupying a space designed to hold twelve to fifteen hundred –
but the aroma is not body-odorish (except for the wrestling room).
Yes, close your eyes and breathe deeply. See if memories from
your high school years don’t come to life.
In 1967, the inmates certainly did not run the asylum. The Boys’ Advisor (Don Blackman) and the Girls’ Advisor
(Velma Cross) saw to that. You could be troublesome and disrespectful in class if you chose to, but you were
dealt with rapidly – The Office, Detention, or Out The Door. And parents, almost without exception, would
side with and support the teachers and the Administration. There was just no way to get the best of Herb
Hantz, Jack Koch, Ev Craft, Dick Treman, Ken Kephart, John Viviano, Tom Reed, Clyde Anderson or any one
of about 140 other teachers and staff. In extreme cases, when the Special Forces were called in (Don Prior,
Bob Anderson and/or Don Blackman), you were toast. Of course I never experienced this personally, but I did
hear about it from reliable sources, most of whom eventually graduated.
From a bewildered Sophomore with recurring nightmares about forgotten locker locations and combinations
or final exams in classes I didn’t even remember attending (often naked or wearing only underwear), to a
Junior who kinda sorta somewhat knew what was going on, to a Senior whose comprehensive understanding
of everything around me gave me the confidence to go out to conquer the world, thus did I progress. Yes,
we Roughriders were truly the future of this great country of ours.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people were crammed into that building in 1967. Hoover High
School was still almost two years away from siphoning off the excess. You could hardly breathe in the hallways
between classes. Woe be to he or she (him or her? – sorry Mr. Craft) who attempted to travel up the designated down staircases. And pity those who had classes on the third floor. I guarantee you that, to this day, I
couldn’t find the band room or the old art room. But somehow it seemed to work.
With somewhere around 2300 schoolmates, I’m pretty sure that I knew about 10 to 15 percent by face and
name. I probably knew another 10 to 15 percent by face or name but struggled to put the two together. As
for the other 70 to 80 percent, please don’t take it personally.
ROOSEVELT RECALL 14
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT continued from
page 13....
There truly was something for everyone. Boys’ Club, Girls’ Club, The Spinster’s Spree. Folk Music Club, Car
Club, Equestrian Club, Chess Club, Rope Jumping Club (Yep – look it up) and about thirty other clubs. Four
bands (Blue, White, Honor and Marching) and an orchestra. Chorus and Glee Club and “Brigadoon” (for all
those closeted thespians). Let us not forget about Student Government. To this day, we all owe a huge debt
of gratitude to Mark Wine who, as Student Council President, met with Bill Reichardt to help save the Roosevelt
Shopping Center from the All-Center Bums. Also to Velma Cross et.al. who saved Roosevelt from having me
as Student Council President. Well Done!
Of course there were sports. Roosevelt was a true power. Football, basketball, swimming, golf, track and
cross-country. Baseball, tennis and wrestling. Beating East for the City Championship at our Homecoming
game. Lea Small – as gracious and beautiful a Queen as ever there was. Cheerleaders and Sharks. Odin
and the Victory Bell. What a time. What a School.
Thank you administrators and teachers and staff. Thank you coaches and advisors and custodians and cafeteria ladies. Thank you librarians. Thank you Bob Bagley and Bea Sweet. And thank you to all 2300 of my
schoolmates, all 750 of my classmates and especially to my high school friends (even though you really were
just a bunch of Bums). Because of all of you, I would absolutely do it all over again. My wife of 44 years (Kay
Bryant, ’68) thinks I’m crazy.
If you haven’t done so recently, go to your bookcase or attic or cellar or deepest darkest storage closet and
pull out your Senior yearbook. Better yet, if you have the opportunity, visit Roosevelt. Go to the center of the
building, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Good luck finding your old locker or the third floor. And please
wear something more than just underpants. One last request – support Roosevelt.
It is still a truly great institution!
WELCOME MORE NEW TEACHERS!
CARA RYPKA
iJAG SPECIALIST
Cara Rypka, iJAG Specialist. I am very excited to be
teaching iJAG this year at
Roosevelt. I have spent the
last 6 years working in the TRHS Counseling department and look forward to forging new relationships with students as they
pursue career goals and life skills in my
classroom! I am a single mother of 2 boys,
Gunnar (12) and Thor (10), both of whom
are very active in sports. You will likely see
them roaming the halls after school and at
most TRHS Football, Basketball and Wrestling events. I will continue on as one of the
cheerleading coaches this year and look
forward to seeing you all out at events supporting all of our Roughriders! Go Riders!.
CHRISTA SULLIVAN
WORLD LANGUAGES TEACHER
Hi, I am Christa Sullivan. I am
originally from Des Moines, but
moved away for a few years to
teach in Ventura, Iowa; Evanston
Illinois; and Rutherford, New Jersey. After moving back to Iowa I began teaching at North
High School and taught there for 17 years. I live
in the Beaverdale area with my husband and
two children. I earned my B.A. in Spanish from
the University of Iowa, and my Master of Arts in
Spanish Language and Literature from UNI. This
year I will begin my 25th year of teaching, and I
am excited to be a Roughrider!
ROOSEVELT RECALL 15
2016 CLASS REUNIONS
Class of 1986 - 30th - June 17-19, 2016
Friday, June 17 - 7:00 pm - Star Bar get together
6:00 pm - Evening gathering at
Saturday, June 18 - 10:00 am - Tour of TRHS
Tanya Daniels Home, 5231 Waterbury (heavy apps and cocktails)
For more information contact Tanya Daniels at [email protected] or 515-240-5726
Class of 1976 - 40th - August 12-14, 2016
Class of 1976 - mark your calendars! Details will be posted as soon as they become available. Visit our
class website at: www.trhs1976.com and Facebook page: DSM TRHS Class of 1976. For additional information
contact Marty Kenworthy, [email protected].
Class of 1966 - 50th - August 19-21, 2016
More details will be available soon - see our website at: http://trhsclassof1966.wix.com/trhs-class-of-1966
Contact:Teddy Roosevelt [email protected]
Class of 1996 - 20th - August ??, 2016
We are beginning planning our 20th class reunion! Please join our Facebook page: Roosevelt Class of
1996 Reunion. For more information, contact Sara Loftus Harrington - [email protected] - 515202-3406; Jennifer Lewis Velde - [email protected] - 515-710-3383; Kathryn Reynolds Diaz - [email protected] - 917-583-2408
Class of 1956 - 60th - September 23-24, 2016
Mark your calendars -- more details to follow. Send contact information to Bill Keck at
[email protected] or contact Jenny Allbee at [email protected] for more information.
ARE YOU CONNECTED
to the Roosevelt Foundation?
Donor Name[s] as you wish to be acknowledged
_____________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________
City____________________________State _____ Zip_________
Donation Levels
____ $10,000 Big Stick
____ $250 Teddy
____ $5,000
Foundation
____ $100 TRHS
____ $2,500
Championship ____ $50 Pep
____ $1,000
Rough Rider
____ $________ Other
____ $500
Roosevelt
____ $________ Anonymous
____ VISA ____MasterCard ____AmEx
Telephone _____________________________________
Email ______________________________________________
Maiden Name _______________________Class ___________
Please make checks payable to the Roosevelt Foundation
and mail to:
Roosevelt Foundation
PO Box 12087
Des Moines, Iowa 50312-9402
Credit Card Number ______________________________
Exp. Date ____________ 3 Digit Code _______
Signature __________________________________________________
This is in honor/memory of [Circle One]
_________________________________________________
_____ Please contact us about a Named Scholarship Opportunity