Dear Fellow Alumni,

I am writing to pass on an exciting opportunity we have to help our Alma Marta and show our neighbors that KHS Alumni really care.  Have you ever noticed that Kearney High School does not have a marquee?  I'm sure you've been to games or other events at neighboring schools and noticed a digital marquee announcing important events and information.  Did you know these are typically provided by outside interest?

The PTO for Kearney High School has approached the Kearney  School District Education Foundation and Alumni Association to see if we would champion an effort to raise funds for this project.  In their September, 2010 meeting the Alumni Board of Directors approved moving forward with this. 

The drive will be led by the Kearney School District Education Foundation.  This gives us several benefits, one being that donations will be tax deductible.  It also will help you learn more about the foundation and the good things they are doing.  A quick word on that: 

The Kearney School District Education Foundation's mission is to bring together local business and community leaders who value education to guide and direct resources outside the district budget thereby providing expanded opportunities to enrich the educational experience for students and staff of the Kearney School District. 

This is done primarily through Triple E grants given to teachers.  Some examples of grant use in the past include:

·         Taking the class to Jefferson City so they can see how our state government is run and meet with local politicians

·         Buying a special microscope to use for nature studies

·         Providing clickers which enable the student to be more interactive during class, and

·         Helping fund KARE, KHS' robotic team that won regional's and competed in world-wide competition in Atlanta this Spring.

A total of 15 grants were given this past Fall so this is just a sample of the great things the foundation does. 

To add some competition to this fund raising, a total of each class' donations will be kept and posted on the Alumni Website and Alumni Facebook page.  Start thinking about what you can do to make sure your class is at the top of that list. The money raised will also be used to pay for a plaque to be displayed with the donating class years in the order of the money they raised.

The overall leader of this effort is Kim Thorne, President of KHS PTO.  She has provided us with the attached form to make donations.  This will be available on-line at the Alumni Website below and at local businesses.  Look for the "Marquee Donation Form Available Here" to get a form.  Also, they will be available at all home games throughout the year.

I look forward to seeing our marquee and knowing that the Alumni Association played a key role in getting it there.  Have you noticed that Smithville, Excelsior Springs and Liberty all have marquees?  Don't you think we should too?

Have a great day,

Roger Clemons, Director

Class of 1966