Announcements

All Alumni Reunion - September 18, 2004

The annual all-alumni reunion gathering is scheduled for September 18, 2004. Make plans to attend and tell every Hornet you know to plan to attend. It's a great chance to see old friends and a really good chance to meet new ones.

The reunion will be held at the Four Points Motel by the Sheraton on Indy's east side (pendleton pike and I-465). The time of the event is 6pm to 11pm. Price for the event is $20 per person (in advance) or $25 per person at the door.

For reservations or questions email Jim Purvis (our alumni president) at Purvis5117@aol.com or call Betty (Torrence) Clements at 317-356-7986, Beverly (Sears) Eubank at 317-539-6596.

Howe baseball field needs major renovations

Baseball coach Jeff Strange says "The baseball field at Howe hasn't received a make-over since the school closed in 1995. We have been quoted a price of $2000 to redo the field and cover it with new dirt. Any donations of money, time, or resources would greatly be appreciated. This will be our first year of varsity competition since re-opening and we will field a very competitive team. You can contact our Athletic Director Danny Wilson or myself via e-mail wilsondj@mail.ips.k12.in.us or at 317-693-5590"

Howe opens 2004 Basketball Season on Nov 24

Howe hosts its first varsity basketball game since being returned to high school status on November 24 in the Howe gymnasium. The varsity game will start at 7:30 with a JV game at 6:00. This should be a good game since the opponent will be Washington high school also in their third year as a newly reborn high school. Former hornet basketball players will be honored at halftime. We'd like to see the stands filled with Howe alumni.

Howe Alumni Association Family Loses a Loved One

Patricia Mae Kilander Brothers (class of '47), a founding member of the newly re-organized Alumni Association, died on February 4, 2005. Pat was one of the most dedicated members of the Alumni Association and served as the editor and coordinator of the semiannual alumni association newsletter, the Howe Now. Pat was a fiery, avid supporter of the alumni association and worked tirelessly to make things good for all Hornets. Pat will be greatly missed by her fellow members of the alumni association.

2005 Howe Scholarship Winners

Front row: Elliot Holden, Aaron Gildea, Brittany Miles, Martha Petty Back row: Brandon A. Umphress, Kyle Flood, William E. Cobb III, Zachary J. Sanders, Matthew E. O'Neal Not pictured (not present at ceremony): Joe Arvin, Michael McNelis, Amber Sanders.

"Uncle Louie" Passes the Baton

Louis P. McEnderfer, much-loved, long-time band director at Howe High School and mentor to generations of Hornet musicians, died at his home in Indianapolis on August 8, 2005. He was 83. Jerry Stockdale, one of "Uncle Louie's" students and friends has written a wonderful tribute to this great man. Click below to read his tribute. Also, if you have stories or photos to share concerning Mr. McEnderfer, please post a message using the "Contact Us/Submit Story or News." We are planning a memorial page for "Uncle Louie."

Bryan Doss and Paige Wages

Bryan Doss (sophomore) and Paige Wages (junior) recently participated in the National VFW Color Guard/Drill Team competition in Salt Lake City, Utah with a multi-aged group known as the StingRays. The StingRays include students from several IPS middle schools (primarily the Center For Inquiry). The team earned a second place for their routine and then won the coveted "Judges Choice Award."

Louis P. McEnderfer Memorial Service

A memorial service for long-time band director Louis McEnderfer was held at Christ Lutheran church in Irvington on Saturday, September 10 at 2pm. Several former students returned to play in honor of "Uncle Louie."

2006 Scholarship Applications Are Available

The ninth year of Howe Alumni Association Scholarships and Howe 400 Club/Alumni Association Scholarships will honor graduates -- with Howe connections -- of the class of 2006. Howe Alumni Scholarships: Two scholarships will be reserved for Howe Academy graduates. Other scholarships will be reserved for students who are the child, grandchild or great-grandchild of a Howe graduate and attend a Marion County high school. All scholarship recipients must be scheduled to be graduated in June 2006 with an overall B-average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) through seven semesters, and have been in extra-curriculars in either school and/or community. Guidance directors of each Marion County high school should have received scholarship applications by February 1. If for some reason applications are not available at the school, contact Karl Schneider, 317-823-6051. Howe 400 Club/Alumni Scholarships: Awards go to graduates of Howe Academy as specified by the Howe 400 Club. Students must have an overall B-average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) through seven semesters, have been awarded at least one varsity athletic letter and have been involved in school or community activities beyond athletics. The deadline for receiving applications is April 1, 2006. Applications can be returned to the school where you received them or you can deliver them to Howe Academy. Make sure the enclosing envelope is clearly marked for the Alumni Association and is marked at "Scholarship Application." In 2005 the Association awarded seven $500 scholarships to outstanding students. With the awards made in June, the Association's program over eight years has totaled 76 awards worth $38,000. The financial backing for the scholarship program has come from alumni contributions to the scholarship fund and from the Association fund-raisers.

Don't Have Your Howe Diploma? We Might!

If you graduated from Howe but didn't receive your diploma for some reason, we might have it. To see if we have your diploma, you can contact Jim Purvis at purvis5117@aol.com or by phoning him at (317)357-2206.

12th Annual Howe Alumni Association Get-Together Set for Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2006 Place: Ramada, 7701 E. 42nd St., Indpls Time: 5:30 p.m.- 11:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Price: $20 per person There will be a DJ and a cash bar. There is a plan for a recognition ceremony at the home Howe football game on Friday night, September 22.

Alumni Association Contracts with Harris Connect for Printed Alumi Directory

The Howe Alumni Association has entered into an agreement with Harris Connect to allow Harris Connect to produce a printed alumni directory for sale. Harris Connect was provided the contact database from this website as their starting point. The cost to the alumni association is zero with Harris Connect making their money from sales of the final, printed directories. In exchange for providing Harris Connect with the starting database, we are to be provided with any changes that they receive in response to their postcard mailing. Many of you have already received a postcard from Harris Connect. The agreement with Harris Connect assures us that none of the contact information provided by alumni will be given to ANY other agencies and that the information will not be used by Harris Connect for anything other than producing the printed directory. For that reason, Howe Alumni president Roger Marchal requests that all alumni who receive a postcard correct any errors and return the pre-paid postcard to Harris Connect.

Son of Former Howe Teacher Virgil Bleill and Howe Graduate Myra (Bewley) Bleill is Seriously Injured in Iraq

Former Howe teacher, Virgil Bleill, currently teaching at Broad Ripple high school in Indianapolis, and his wife, 1965 Howe alumna, Myra (Bewley) Bleill, learned last week that their son, Lance Cpl. Joshua Bleill was injured in a roadside attack that killed at least 2 other marines.

"Bleill lost both lower legs in the explosion and suffered facial fractures, a hand fracture and a spleen injury...Doctors do not consider Bleill's injuries life-threatening" reports the Indianapolis Star.

Please keep Mr. Bleill and his wife Myra and the rest of their family in your thoughts and prayers during this trying time.

The family is keeping a blog of Joshua's progress which you can read at: www.joshbleill.blogspot.com.

Fund Raiser Set for Joshua Bleill

A fund raising event has been set for Joshua Bleill, son of former Howe teacher Virgil Bleill and Hornet alumna Myra (Bewley) Bleill seriously injured recently in Iraq (see the earlier announcement featured on this page). Details are:

Chili Supper
Friday, November 10th
Knights of Columbus Hall
4332 N. German Church Rd.
5:30pm - 7:30pm

Let's get a huge turnout of Hornets to show our support for the Bleill family.

Howe Groundbreaking Set For Thursday, November 16

Join staff and representatives of IPS at a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 11 am at the school.

All-Alumni Dinner Set For September 22, 2007

The Howe Alumni Board has set September 22, 2007 as the next All-alumni dinner. The event will be held at the Ramada Inn on East 42nd Street (same location as last year.) The board is asking if any graduating classes would like to combine their reunions with the all-alumni dinner as the class of 1986 did last year. Cost- $20 per person. Reservations should be mailed to Betty Clements 1706 Wellesley Ct. Indy 46219

Basketball is BACK! Howe Wins Sectional

The Howe men's varsity basketball team upset No. 3 Roncalli on saturday night to win the Class 3A Sectional. According to sources Howe had not won a sectional basketball game in 21 years. Howe (13-8) moves on to the New Castle Regional where it will face No. 8 Batesville (20-3) this saturday. Howe was led by junior Larry Stone's game-high 30 points. All Howe alumni are encouraged to attend the Regional game in New Castle on saturday, March 10.

2007 Howe Scholarships Announced

Marion County Schools

Alex Farris Cardinal Ritter High School Grandson of Bea (Alexander) and Paul Adams Class of 51

Melissa Truex Perry Meridian High School Daughter of Greg Trux Class of 75

Sara Ann McNelis Bishop Chatard High School Granddaughter of Vincent B. Greiner Class of 55

Marie Flood Arsenal Technical High School Granddaughter of James E. Steckley Class of 47

Alena Johantgen Brebeuf Preparatory School Granddaughter of Harriett (Quinn) Pagels Class of 54

Thomas Carr Howe Academy

Phillip Russell John Bruce (Son of John M. Bruce Class of 74) Stephanie Jenkins Arron Berry Jr. Meridith M. Edwards

The Howe 400 Club

Danielle Corpuz Michael Stevens (Son of Julie (Norris) Stevens Class of 80)

Scholarships from the Class of 1955

Taylor Booher Grandson of Sally (Turpin) Booher Class of 57

Zackary Fangman Grandson of Marcia (Hoff) Somke Class of 60

Karl Schneider Memorial Scholarship Gina Marie (Whitmore) Kavanaugh

"That 70s Reunion" - Classes of '76, '77 and '78 Plan Joint Reunion. All 70s Graduates Invited

NOTE: "That 70s Reunion" is now open to all graduates from the 70s.

Change of Location!! After several attempts to keep this reunion in Irvington, we were finally forced to move the location elsewhere to preserve the date. The location is FINAL! We are gathering at the Knights of Columbus at 71st and Keystone from 7pm till midnight. Because the K of C is limited to 250 partipants, we will be taking reservations on a first-come-first-served basis so get you order in early! We will be able to accept walk-ins only if we are not already at capacity.

Click HERE to order your tickets - NOTE: No tickets will be mailed to you. Simply check in at the table when you arrive at the K of C. Bring a copy of your receipt from PayPal in case of any questions.

We have heard from graduates from other years who have asked to be a part of this "70s" reunion. The committee has decided to open it up to all 70s classes so if you attended Howe in the 70s, join us for the HUGE bash.

When the class of '77 began the planning process for its 30-year reunion, someone noted that the class of '76 had missed its 30-year reunion. The committee decided to invite the class of '76 to join them in their reunion. During further discussions it was noted that the class of '77 and '78 were also very close and that it might be a fun idea to invite the class of '78 to participate as well. Cathy (Clark) Thoman then developed the theme "That 70s Reunion."

You can pay for your tickets on-line or you can mail your reservation request to Cathy (Clark) Thoman at:
Cathy (Clark) Thoman
6604 E. Beecher Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203-5014.
Make checks or money orders payable to: TCHHS or Howe Class of ’77

The reunion will take place the weekend of September 21,22 and 23. The main event will occur on saturday night with a picnic planned at Ellenberger park for sunday afternoon. Tentative plans include: 7:30 Introductions, 8:30 ‘70’s Trivia. 9:30 we can draw a name from a jar (male/female) and crown a “Brown Boy & Golden Girl”; at 10:30 we’ll announce “Dream Teams”, recognizing Basketball players, baseball, tennis, track, Hornet Honeys, Drama, ROTC, Musical casts, band, orchestra, etc. At 11:30 we can have a “SPIRIT” contest! 70s graduates David Newman ('76), Jill (Denham) Phillips ('79) and Kevin Friedly ('77) are planning a friday night event near the old Irving theater as a pre-party mixer. Tentative plans are for a tour of Howe at 6:30pm on Friday followed by music on the street in front of Irvington's Lazy Daze Coffee Shop.

Anyone who is interested in joining the committee for the planning should contact Cathy (Clark) Thoman at cthoman@warren.k12.in.us.

Eddie Davis says he’s going to wear something wild from the ‘70’s to the reunion so tell others to pull out those bell bottoms, halter tops, tie-died tees, afro hair do’s, picks, pom-poms, earth shoes, platform shoes, jogging suits, disco suits, heavy metal tees and KISS painted faces. Hitch a ride to the best reunion the East Side of Indy has ever seen!

"That 70s Reunion" - A HUGE Success!

Perfect weather and a great turnout added together to make a wildly successful event. Planning committee members were overwhelmed by the participation and excitement shown by the participants. Plans are already in the works for another All 70s get-together.

Plans are now in the works for a spring-time golf outing for ALL Howe alumni. Keep watching this site for more details.

For pictures from the weekend of events click HERE

All Alumni Encouraged to Attend Howe-Northwest Football Game at Howe, Friday Night, Sept. 28

Show your support of Howe revitalized football program and attend this (and other) football games. The game begins at 7pm.

Voice from Heaven is Called Home - Music Teacher Bob Bramblett Dies

Long-time vocal music teacher, Robert Bramblett died after a 2 1/2-year battle with leukemia. Less than a month after world-famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti passed away, Bob Bramblett was called up to join his deep baritone voice with the super star. Many Howe alumni will remember Bob's deep, beautiful voice and his particular love of Madrigal music. Following is the obituary that appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Robert A. Bramblett 67, of North Salem, formerly of Indianapolis, succumbed to leukemia after 2 12 years of valiant battle. He was the only child born of Arthur S. and Florence Caldwell Bramblett in Lebanon, IN on Feb. 12, 1940. He graduated from Lebanon High School earning a scholarship to Butler's Jordan College of Music. After receiving his Bachelor's degree in Music Education, he was awarded a Fellowship to finish his Masters Degree from Butler University. In the summer of 1963 he married Carol J. Moxley of North Salem. He then began over four decades of service to the students of Indianapolis Public Schools. Besides teaching music at Howe High School for 29 years, he taught at Middle school #72, then retired after 42 years in I.P.S. from Mary E. Nicholson Visual and Performing Arts Academy at School #70's magnet. He also taught for I.U.P.U.I. and composed music. During his lengthy career, he directed choirs for Indianapolis Power and Light, Emerson Ave. Baptist, Tabernacle Presbyterian, Little Flower Catholic, Third Christian, Irvington United Methodist and Speedway United Methodist churches. He was one of the directors for the 1989 European tour of the Indiana Honors Chorale. As a vocalist, he sang for the noted composer Igor Stravinski, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, the Trinity Episcopal Madrigal Singers, Scottish Rite Cathedral Choir and as a North United Methodist Chancel Baritone Soloist. He was a member of the Indianapolis Valley Scottish Rite and the Masonic Lodge # 142 of North Salem. He enjoyed travel, golf and fishing. He devoted his life to teaching the joy of music to young and old alike. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Carol Moxley Bramblett. His beloved children are Joseph Robert (and Cheryl) Bramblett of Whitestown, Jennifer (and Jeremy) Welman of Carmel; three cherished granddaughters, Emily, Zoie and Kimberly Welman and two endearing step-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Damien Lane. Calling in the Jamestown United Methodist Church will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 3. Masonic Rites will be performed Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. with interment following in Lebanon's Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jamestown United Methodist Church, Nicholson Visual and Performing Arts Academy at school #70 or the Indiana Blood and Bone Marrow Transplantation Patient Assistant Fund, 1500 Albany St. Suite 911, Beech Grove, IN 46107. His grieving family wishes to thank all who helped serve him during his struggle. They deeply appreciate the extended life wrought by prayers and professional practice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Porter Funeral Home, Jamestown, IN. Online condolences may bemade at: robertporterfuneralhome.com

50th Wedding Anniversary Party for CLASS OF 1954 sweethearts Herb and Nancy(Williams)Heizer

November 3, 2007 7p-10p Post Road Community Park in the Banquet Hall. Anyone who knew them back when is welcome bring stories and pictures if you have them.

Howe Alumnus Jim Pendleton ('62) Loses Home in California Wild Fires

This announcement comes to us from Paul Davis (class of 63).

On October 25th the Southern California wild fires claimed the home and all possesions of 1962 graduate Jim Pendleton. He and his wife Pat went to the store while the fires were 20 miles away and when they returned home they were turned away 5 miles from home. A neighbor told them that two fires converged on their house and it was completely engulfed in seconds. He told me that he and his wife are fine, but as I talked to him he was coughing a lot. He needs our prayers. If anyone has any pictures from Howe events that they would like to share with Jim, he would really appreciate them. He lost EVERYTHING, his diploma, his Navy discharge papers, and all the family photos from over 30 years of marriage. The fire was so hot that it melted his pick-up truck that was sitting in the driveway. The only thing left in his house was a bath tub. I know that Jim and his brother John were in ROTC, and if anyone has any pictures of the staff from 1958 to 1962 he would like to have them.

If you would like to help out with this endeavor you can contact Paul by sending an message through the "contact us/submit a story or news" tab above. Simple put "Jim Pendleton" somewhere in the message and we'll forward it on to Paul.

Kent Bell ('83) Scores Big

Kent Bell, class of '83, was recently featured in an article in USA Today. Kent, who was born without arms and legs, has established himself as a highly respected scoreboard operator for the University of North Florida. Scott is currently working on an autobiography tentatively entitled "Look Ma, No Hands (No Legs Either)." Read the USA Today story here http://www.usatoday.com

RATEBPLG is Revealed

Since early September of 2007, a thread has been going on the General bulletin board from a guy who only identified himself as "Rough Around The Edges, Bottom Parking Lot Guy (RATEBPLG). He posted a toast to the women of '81 and asked how everyone was doing. Several folks got involved (some who identified themselves) and the chatter continued almost daily. Finally it was decided that the group would get together back in Irvington and finally discover who RATEBPLG was. They met friday night, February 1 at "Lazy Daze Coffee Shop" in Irvington (behind the old Irving Theater). The reunion was energetic and those in attendance seemed to be having a great time. A report of the evening's activity will be post here soon. Oh...by the way...RATEBPLG was discovered to be Mike Petry!

Seated from left to right: Lynn Farrow Wooten, Penny Ettner Kinney, Ted Wadsworth, Kasey Branham and Todd Coe

Standing from left to right: Laura Foster McConahay, Kelly Attebury Hensley, Ron Songer and Mike Petry aka RATEBPLG!

Following is Penny Ettner's view of the evening: "After months of guessing and going back and forth on just who this mystery RATEBPLG was, curiosity got the best of us. When everyone arrived we all had big smiles on our faces and of course the hugging as some of us hadn't seen each other in a long while. Then we started going back over and trying to guess who was posting on the website and realized we were missing some people who we still aren't sure who they are.

We laughed the entire time as stories were brought up from back in the day. Some of them I had never heard and thought they were hysterical! Although we hadn't seen some of us in ages, it felt like just yesterday.

We made a pact that we'd get together "often". Next time is in March. A few of us went out after that to do more serious catching up. What a night! The best part is that getting on the website the next day..........they're still talking!

In my eyes.....this very innocent first remark started by Mike Petry aka RATEBPLG something huge! lol

The best part of it?? He never parked in the bottom lot which made up the last part of his name...Bottom Parking Lot Guy! What a stitch!"

Join The Howe Team to Defeat Breast Cancer

Last year around the time of the Susan Komen Race for the Cure, Penny ('81) and Shelly ('78) Ettner tried to get a group together to participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure here in Indy. Recently Eddie Davis ('77) reminded us on the Bulletin Board about the Race and invited us to join him in putting together a huge group of Howe alumni to walk/run together this year to help battle this devastating disease.

I remember that Penny and Shelly were walking last year in honor of their cousin. I'm sure that we can, unfortunately, produce a long list of fellow alumni who have been touched by this disease. I'd like to collect a list of names of people we will be honoring.

Click HERE and send me the name(s) of fellow alumni you wish to honor or remember during this walk.

If you want to be a part of the Howe Team, click HERE and join us.

Click HERE for a current list of those we are honoring or remembering

Our goal is to get over 100 Howe alumni to participate on our team. PLEASE join us in this worthy cause and pass the word. Thanks Penny, Shelly and Eddie for reminding us of the importance of this project.

Jacqueline Skaggs (82) is one of the people in whose honor we are walking. She has a website concerned not with the disease itself but to the "graceful rebellion that challenges the traditional social and political constructs surrounding the disease." It is a wonderful website and project. Please visit her site at http://rebel1in8.com.

Scott Marsh Joins the Howe Team as New Head Football Coach

Scott Marsh comes to Howe from the highly successful Warren Central team where he was an assistant coach.

CLICK here to support the Howe Football program as a Booster

Below is a letter from Coach Marsh to all alumni.

Dear TC Howe Alumni and Friends,
   I would like to take this opportunity to express how excited I am to be the Head Football Coach at such a prestigious and tradition-rich school as TC Howe. My staff and I will work relentlessly to make our program one that is admired throughout the state and the student-athletes at TC Howe will represent our school with class and dignity. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done. However, I am confident that we - all of us - can play a role in building this program to great heights.
   I would like to extend an open invitation to all of you to come be a part of our - your - football program. Great ideas and the implementation of those ideas come from all directions. We welcome you to be a part of what we are undertaking. A major piece to what we are going to do is building a partnership between ourselves and the Alumni Association. I look forward to many great moments to come with TC Howe football and the role that the Alumni Association can play in making that possible.
Thank you,
Scott Marsh
Head Football Coach

Musician/Hornet Jack Gilfoy ('58, class President) Passes Away

Jack Gilfoy 68, of Indianapolis, died unexpectedly and peacefully in his sleep Friday, May 2, 2008. He was born July 31, 1939, the only child of Lewis and Sue Warren Gilfoy. A lifelong native of Indiana, Jack received a BM (music) and MS (education) degrees from Indiana University where he was the first jazz drummer to complete a degree in percussion. Jack's remarkable career of just over 50 years spanned the history of 20th Century Jazz in the US. Known as a "jazzman drummist", he performed with greats such as Errol Garner, Teddy Wilson, Jim Cullum, Harry Warren, Milt Hinton, and Doc Severinson.

Hornets Are Everywhere

Before I started this trip down south I wrote that there were three Hornets heading to Gulfport to do Katrina rehab work, Kevin Friedly ('77), Kirk Friedly ('81) and Jill (Denham) Phillips ('78). In addition I mentioned that we had some folks from Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) accompanying us. Interestingly, the minister at Central Christian is another Hornet, Linda McCrae ('78). But the surprise for me was that when I got down there and began meeting the folks from Central and found that one of them was ANOTHER Hornet, Jerry Nickel ('55). You can't go anywhere without finding a Hornet. It was great meeting Jerry and loads of fun working with him. What a great sense of humor.

Three Howe Alumni Running for State Offices in Indiana and Vermont

Richard Wood ('70), John Barnes ('75) and Laura (Day) Moore ('82) are running for state-level offices. Richard Wood is the slated democratic candidate for State Superintendent of Instruction in Indiana, while John Barnes is running for State Representative for district #89 in Indiana. Laura Moore is running for the Vermont State Senate. Richard Wood - www.richardwood.org John Barnes - www.barnes4staterep.com Laura Moore - www.moore4vt.com

Former Long-time Howe Teacher and English Department Chair John Ervin Celebrates 79 Consecutive Indiana State Fairs

(This story appeared in the Indianapolis Star. It was written by Laura Misjak) John Ervin has experienced his fair share in 79 years. He served in the military, raised his daughter and survived a stroke and three heart attacks -- thought they were just bad cases of indigestion. But through everything, he has always made it to the Indiana State Fair. "To me, the State Fair is Indiana," said the Beech Grove resident.

John Barnes ('75) Wins Seat as Indiana State Representative

John Barnes from the class of '75 won a seat in the Indiana House of Representatives. Two other Hornets, Richard Wood ('70) and Laura (Day) Moore ('82) both lost close races in their respective races (Wood - Indiana State Superintendent of Instruction in Indiana; Moore-Vermont State Senate.)