DELAND HIGH CREATES A DATA BASE FOR ALUMNI

Towards the end of the 2008-2009 school year, in response to inquiries of former Deland High students, a group of Deland High teachers met with Mr. Moyer in hopes of creating a data base of DeLand High alumni. The goal of this data base would be to reconnect with alumni and keep them informed by way of a newsletter, of happenings at their “Alma Mater”.   In this fast-paced world, it is often comforting to look back on those high school days when life was far less complicated than it is now.  With the help of some technology experts, a sign up form was added to the alumni page of DeLand High. It reads as follows:

 “DeLand High is reconnecting with alumni! We are in the process of revamping and reorganizing the Alumni site for DeLand High. We are aware that there are various social networks and class sites for DeLand High, but they appear to be incomplete. With your help we will compile an accurate list of alumni and maintain a secure data base here at DeLand High. No one else will be able to access your information. We are not creating a social network. The purpose of this data base is to enable DeLand High to send you a newsletter twice a year and to keep you informed about achievements of fellow alumni. In addition, you will be able to read about upcoming events, such as Homecoming that will take place at your Alma Mater. Eventually, we hope to create an active alumni Association that will encourage the membership of all graduates from DeLand High School.”

So far over 600 alumni have entered their information and are now part of the data base. In the next few months we hope to add to this number. We encourage all graduates of DeLand High School to complete the online registration form for the data base . It is our intent to provide you with a motivating and informative newsletter, which will be sent by email twice a year. We plan to include news about our alumni, news about our school, and news about upcoming alumni events.   All DeLand High Alumni are encouraged to send photos and other information you would like to submit to future newsletters. Send this information to Jeanne Jendrzejewski at jendrz@bellsouth.net, or mail it to the school to my attention. In addition, it would be great if all the alumni who receive this newsletter pass it on to  or print it out for those not yet signed up.

How do you get to the Alumni site? Go to http://www.delandhs.org/Alumni/alumni.php.

Just think about it. DeLand High School is where you spent four years studying, playing and growing into a young adult. How much did your experience at DeLand High shape who you are today ? Do you ever wonder what happened to your classmates, and your teachers? Not everyone is part of classmates.com, or facebook…but everyone can be a part of the DeLand High data base. 

A WORD FROM OUR PRINCIPAL  
Dear Bulldogs,
As principal of DeLand High School and a proud member of the Class of '71, I am excited about the countless possibilities related to the founding of DeLand High School's Alumni Association. Now serving our community in my thirteenth year as the "Big Dog", I am constantly reminded about
the depth of tradition our school continues to enjoy.  It is never more evident than this time of year when classmates gather to reconnect and reminisce during  our annual Homecoming festivities.  The belief that some things don't change is the recipe for homecoming success - the Bulldog Growl, Alumni Tea, the homecoming parade, soundly beating the visiting team for the homecoming football game, and a weekend filled with gatherings and reunions.  This ritual will never be changed.  What we do hope to accomplish though, is to bring to you a little bit of "homecoming spirit" throughout the year by providing ongoing news and updates, insightful information and maybe some funny stories right from the heart of Bulldog Country through an online quarterly newsletter.  All we ask is that you again become a part of our community here at DeLand High. Thank you in advance for keeping the Bulldog School Spirit alive and well across the globe.  As always, Let's GOOOO BULLDOGS!!
   Mitch Moyer

Tricia (Sylvia)  Shortlidge  graduated in 1978. She is an Office Specialist in the main office. She returned to DeLand High because her two children attend  the school . whe asked how the school is different now, she commented :  “ More students, rules, and buildings.” Her best memories are of  the Friday night football games.

Craig Clements, Deland High’s Athletic Director,graduated in 1978. He  returned to his Alma Mater because he wanted to work with high school student athletes.  When asked how the school is different now, he  said:  “ We were 10-12… less students, but a large senior class.”
His best memory? “My Honors English teacher (Emma Jo Foster), who was elderly and crippled, wore a bathing suit to school after the administration was unable to get her A/C repaired in her classroom.  Now, that was a sight!!!  Awesome teachers… tons of school spirit!

James Joiner, who graduated in 1972 writes: “I teach Personal Fitness and take care of the athletic facilities. I came back because of a job and my wife had just had our second daughter and we had a better chance of making it on 1 income here at home where I had family. Praise the Lord, it was a great decision. There was more respect of each othe when I attended school. Students and teachers had more respect for everything and everyone.”

 Thompson, Kerri L., who graduated in 1976 and  is a School Social Worker , writes: “DHS is very different with regard to size and the number of students. I was a member of Keyettes (when there was such a thing), it was a service club for female students and I have great memories of the activities we did.(Mitch was a student during my high school tenure and his wife is a classmate)”

Richard J. Calkins,  a 1971 graduate, is the 12th grade  Dean and  Assistant. to AD for Football, JV def. line coach, and 504 contact. After 31 years in educations, as Elementary Asst. principal got into DROP program went back into instructional so would qualify for 8 yrs. DROP, and began coaching JV football says :  “ It seemed like clubs and sports intermingled better. DeLand defeated the #1 ranked team in the State Gainesville Purple Hurricanes in football, and I stole my first kiss from my now wife of 35 years by a water fountain in front of the cafeteria which is now the guidance office.”

 Julia B Mitchell, graduated in 1980.She is a Paraprofessional 4 E/BD (ESE dept.). She says that there are definitely more buildings now than when she attended DeLand High.

Monroe, Frances C. graduated in 1981. She teaches IB chemistry, honors chemistry one, regular chemistry one. She says:  “All the buildings that were here when I was a student have been renovated.  The only thing that hasn't been moved is the track.  And the old gym is in the same place as it was then.”

Heather Gleason graduated in 1990. She just hasd a baby! She is the dance Instructor. She writes: “ The school has doubled in size, dog bowl used to be bus loop, no RN or RS buildings out by water retention ponds, old dance room demolished, used to also take classes in church across the street, profanity levels in the halls unbearable presently, students seemed to have more school spirit and pride and were supportive of ALL GROUPS on campus that were a part of DHS…my memories?  Being a member of Avant Garde, Juniorettes, SGA All the fun we had building floats homecoming week – even the homecoming dance in the unairconditioned old gym – wearing our dresses to the game J

Loretta McDaniel, a Physical Education teacher, graduated in 1982. She came here to be near family and friends and remembers being a three sport athlete ( Basketball, Volleyball, Softball ) She says that she had wonderful time in high school a lot of great memories.

 Richard A. Jones, who graduated in 1974 is a Reading teacher. He writes:  “I live 3 miles from school, DeLand is my hometown, new reading position, I love teaching at my old high school It is very much different.  All that was there then was building 7 all the way back to the old gym ( all in a straight line).  Hill Ave would have cut right through the dog bowl. It now curves around the new gym and auditorium. The retention pond next to bldg 14 was where I play tennis on after school and during the summer. No fences. Kids could come on campus and use the outside facilities just about any time. I’m glad we kept the big oak trees near the old gym. My wife was in the Ms. DHS contest in the old auditorium. Coach Valerie and Spec Martin were my coaches. I was on the 1st wrestling team in 1973 (102 lbs).. We had a winning season that year. My wife and I were high school sweethearts. “

Michael B. Dye  graduated in- 1983. He is the School Resource Deputy. He came back to DeLand High because he wanted to work at his Alma Mater. He has many good memories.  He says that  they are all positive, and that he  keeps in touch with many former classmates.

Pat Dovi  graduated in 2003. She is an Early Childhood Education teacher. She says: “This job was my dream job and just happened to be available. Today there is no more construction. Kids can check themselves out if they are 18. I was in Mr. Burner’s  history class on 9/11 when the planes went into the twin towers.  It was an interesting experience being in a history class when history was happening.  That was a different day at school too.  Everyone was very quiet and somber.”

Thomas G. Gilmore graduated in 1984. He is an ESE Career Education, Asst. Basketball Coach. He says: “The school is completely different except for the old gym. Plus we had no air conditioning and had to park in a dirt parking lot where the portables are now out by the baseball field. I met my wife of 18 years at DHS!” Meeting my wife of 18 years at DHS.

Sindy E Colden graduated in 1985. She teaches Spanish. She writes: “This is home for me.
The school is more modern/updated.  I used to love playing tennis at DeLand and being a part of the clubs!”

 Carolyn A.Lemar  graduated in 1970. She works at the front desk in the main office. She says the school is so much larger now, and she has wonderful memories of her years here as a student!

Did some of these events and memories seem familiar to you? Would you also like to share? Feel free to send in your thoughts and ideas about the Alumni Association that we are formin and the Newsletter. It is your Association. It is your newsletter. It can be as great as you want it to be. Welcome to the DeLand High Alumni Association!