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CAA January-February 2023 News Bulletin
YOUR Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA) has been busy charting out an exciting course for 2023 as we continue our Partnership with the C-NP School District in the Preservation of our Past, Promotion of our Present, and Pursuit of our Future. Listed below are just a few of the activities, donations, events, and projects that YOUR CAA will be sponsoring and supporting in 2023 and beyond. Mark your calendars and join us as we collectively endeavor to make this a memorable year for all CHS alumni and all students, faculty, and staff of the C-NP School District.
Architectural plans and renderings for the permanent Museum area in the CHS McCharen Activities Center are progressing. Dr. Jim McCharen (the C-NP School District’s ex-officio member of the CAA Board of Directors) provides CAA leadership with monthly Museum status updates. He recently reported that significant start-up costs for additional Museum display cases and other equipment will be incurred upon Museum completion. In this vein, the CAA has received $700 in designated donations for the Museum thus far in 2023. Those funds have been transferred directly to the C-NP School District’s Museum account. The CAA will make a symbolic presentation of this Museum donation at the C-NP School Board meeting on March 6, 2023. CAA leadership has also approved donating proceeds from the 2023 All Class Reunion Gala to the Museum. Your continued support of CAA fund-raising events and contributions for the Musuem are greatly appreciated and will help ensure the C-NP Schools Museum is a first-class venue!
CAA 2023 Reunion Weekend – Date & Venue Changes
YOUR 2023 CAA Reunion Weekend dates and venues have changed. Instead of the last weekend in July as in years past, they will be held the second weekend of June this year. Regardless of the changes, these events will still afford the same great fun and fellowship opportunities for All CHS Alumni from All CHS Classes that we have enjoyed these many years. So, mark your calendars and make plans now to attend, participate, and support. Remember – funds raised by YOUR support of and donations for these events make possible CAA sponsorship of multiple activities, events, and projects benefitting CHS alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
Alumni Golf Tourney – Friday, 06/09/2023; John Conrad GC – Midwest City, OK: Act Now. Get your teams assembled and registered. Registration deadline – 06/02/2023. If you can’t participate in the tourney, you can always sponsor a hole or make a donation.
CAA Golf Tourney Information… To Register Online… For Donations/Payments…
All Class Reunion Gala- Saturday, 06/10/2023, 6:00 pm; CHS McCharen Activities Center – Lobby:
More details forthcoming as they are finalized. Some highlights are listed below.
Silent Auction will include an Exquisite Hand-Made Quilt from Nancy (Simons) Griffin and many other items.
Donations of cash and/or Silent-Auction items are gladly accepted.
Group/individual pictures will be taken.
CAA Events-Reunions… For Monetary Donations… For Item Donations or to Volunteer – Contact Us…
CAA Support of C-NP School District 2023 Teacher of the Year Ceremony/Presentation:
YOUR CAA will once again provide monetary and volunteer support of this wonderful ceremony honoring our school district’s outstanding teachers. CAA Board leadership will present a $750 check for this event to C-NP School District leadership at the C-NP School Board meeting on March 6, 2023. Check out the following C-NP School Facebook page for more information about the 2023 Teacher of the Year honorees: Choctaw-Nicoma Park Schools #sting-em
CAA 2023 Scholarships:
YOUR CAA plans to award at least two $2000 scholarships to 2023 CHS graduating Seniors who submit the required scholarship application packets prior to the March 20,2023 deadline and are subsequently selected as scholarship recipients. More information on 2023 scholarship recipients and related presentations will be provided in our next CAA News Bulletin.
CAA 2023 Donations to C-NP School Sites for Academic/Instructional Enhancement:
YOUR CAA plans to award a $500 donation to the Principal at each of the eight C-NP School physical sites for software, equipment, and/or supplies that will enhance academic/instructional pursuits at their respective site. These presentations will be made at an upcoming C-NP School Board meeting.
CAA 2023 Donation to the Choctaw-Nicoma Park Public Schools Foundation (CNPPSF):
YOUR CAA plans to make a $1000 donation to the CNPPSF in support of their annual grants to faculty at C-NP School sites. Last year, the CNPPSF awarded over $23,000 in grants. The CAA wholeheartedly endorses the CNPPSF as part of our collaborative partnership efforts in support of the students and faculty of the C-NP School District. Presentation of this donation to the CNPPSF will be made at an upcoming C-NP School Board meeting.
2023 “Milestone” Events for Any CHS Class:
Attention ALL CHS Alums {Especially Classes of 2018, 2013, 2008, 2003, 1998, 1993, 1998, 1983, 1978, 1973 …} and any other Class celebrating a Milestone or any other Class event/gathering in 2023:
YOUR CAA can help you publicize your 2023 event – IF we know about it…
- Just complete the CHS Class Reunion/Event Notification form in the Class Reunions section;
- Or use our Contact Us capability;
- Or send us an email at info@choctawalumni.org or reunions@choctawalumni.org.
We will post your event info on the Events Calendar and in the Class Reunions section. We will also include it in both our email correspondence to all CHS Alums {in our Alumni Association Contact Master list} and in CHS-related Facebook group posts.
If you have not done so already, please provide your Alumni Contact Info to us and encourage your classmates to do so as well…
Reminders
To Check CAA Events Calendar: Upcoming Events – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Promote/Publicize A Reunion/Event: Events/Reunions – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Make A Donation: Alumni Giving Opportunities – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Volunteer: Get Involved/Volunteer – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Receive CAA email correspondence: Provide/Update Your Info – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Contact YOUR Alumni Association: Contact Us – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Reference C-NP School District Website: Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District
To Reference Relevant C-NP School & Alumni Facebook Groups: C-NP Schools & Alumni Facebook Group Links
To Check Deceased CHS Alumni/Faculty: Alumni Remembrance/In Memoriam
To Report Death of CHS Alumni/Faculty: CHS Alumni/Faculty Death Notification
ONCE A JACKET, ALWAYS A JACKET — AND — PROUD TO BE A JACKET!!!
CAA 2022 Seasons Greetings & Year In Review
Season’s Greetings from Your Alumni Association. Your CAA Board extends to each of you and your loved ones our sincere wishes for a Merry Christmas and a blessed holiday season.
2022 Year-End Charitable Giving:
As a reminder, the CAA is an IRS-approved public charity. Tax-deductible gifts to Your CAA will help fund/support: two $2000 scholarships to CHS Seniors in the 2022-23 academic year; the C-NP Schools Teacher of the Year event; the Annual Alumni Golf Tourney; the All Class Reunion Social; and multiple other activities supporting C-NP students, faculty, and alumni. Please note that in order to receive IRS credit for 2022 charitable giving, online donations via PayPal must be received no later than 31 December 2022. Donations sent via USPS must be postmarked by that date. Thanks in advance for your consideration. { Donate – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA) }
“Shout Out” to 2022 CHS Football Team – State Class 6AII Finalist:
Our Jackets quest for another Gold Ball fell just short in the state championship game against the Stillwater Pioneers. Our guys fought hard and competed until the game clock expired. Kudos to the players, coaches, and support personnel for an outstanding season. JACKET PROUD!!! { 2022 State Class 6AII Finals – Game Pics }
Year In Review – 2022 CAA Highlights:
Enhanced CAA Website Functionality: Enhancements made included: enabling CHS Alumni to report Class Events/Reunions; adding the Events Calendar; providing links to relevant CHS Class/Alumni and C-NP Schools Education Foundation Facebook groups; optimizing photo-sharing capabilities; revising the Alumni Remembrance/In-Memoriam section to provide a death notification reporting capability along with a Memorial Wall and a Memorial Roll of deceased CHS alumni/faculty. The CAA website – choctawalumni.org – continues to be the preferred communication conduit for dissemination of CHS Alumni related correspondence and information for all CHS Classes.
Continued Partnership with C-NP School District Leadership: Worked with C-NP School Superintendent, Mr. David Reid, and other staff to support passage of the February 2022 school bond referendums which included a dedicated venue for the C-NP Schools Museum. Reid also provided an annual “State of the Schools” presentation at the 2022 All Class Reunion Social.
Awarded the Inaugural $2000 Ruth Elaine Shaw Memorial Scholarship: Kayman Ross, 2022 CHS graduate, was our inaugural (and a most deserving) recipient of this scholarship. CAA scholarship offerings have been expanded for 2022-23 and future academic years; two $2000 scholarships will be awarded. To learn more about CAA scholarships and/or make gifts to endow/fund them, refer to the following link: Alumni Giving Opportunities – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA). A special “Thank You” to all alumni who have already donated to this most worthy of endeavors.
Provided Funding/Volunteer Support of C-NP School District Teacher of the Year Celebration
Received the 2021-22 C-NP Schools “Citizen of The Year/A Light On Learning” Award
Organized & Hosted 2022 CAA Reunion Weekend Events on 29-30 July – Alumni Golf Tourney & All Class Reunion Social
Publicized/Attended/Supported 2022 Reunions/Events for CHS Classes/Alumni/Students: Provided pre/post-event publicity, attendance, and/or taking/posting pictures for multiple events including: Class of 1972’s 50th Reunion; Class of 1977’s 45th Reunion; Class of 2011’s Belated 10th Reunion; Class of 1962’s 60th Reunion Social; Class of 1965’s 75th Birthday Celebration; Class of 1992’s 40th Reunion; CHS Softball Alumni Game; CHS Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony; CHS Football Homecoming; CHS Volleyball Senior Night.
Expanded Partnership Collaboration/Support of C-NP Public Schools Foundation (CNPPSF): Attended multiple meetings with CNPPSF leadership. Sponsored corporate table and provided pre/post-event publicity of their 2022 “Shrimp Boil” fundraiser that financed $23,000 in grants to 32 teachers from eight of the ten C-NP School District sites. Your CAA wholeheartedly endorses and supports the CNPPSF, their dedicated leadership team, and their mission. We will continually explore and pursue opportunities to further expand our “Partnership Collaboration” in the future.
Transitioned CAA Board to New Leadership Team: A new slate of officers were elected to lead Your CAA Board in 2022-23. Linda (Neal) Campbell, Mike Bower, and Loretta Futrell will provide outstanding leadership. The Outgoing and Founding Leadership team – Judy Warren, Barbara Shaw, BJ Christopher, and Sharon Taylor – are to be lauded and applauded for their vision, commitment, and outstanding service these last three years on behalf of the CAA and all CHS Alumni – past, present, and future. In addition, Your CAA Board proudly welcomed Jim McCharen as the ex-officio Director appointee of the C-NP District Superintendent and the School Board. Dr. McCharen has been a regular attendee at monthly CAA Board meetings and will serve as the liaison between the CAA and C-NP Schools leadership for the C-NP Schools Museum and other matters.
Became a Tinker Federal Credit Union (TFCU) Business Partner: TFCU membership is now available to all CHS Alumni/Faculty/Staff past, present, and future.
Reminders
To Check CAA Events Calendar: Upcoming Events – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Promote/Publicize A Reunion/Event: Events/Reunions – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Make A Donation: Alumni Giving Opportunities – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Volunteer: Get Involved/Volunteer – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Receive CAA email correspondence: Provide/Update Your Info – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Contact YOUR Alumni Association: Contact Us – Choctaw Alumni Association (CAA)
To Report Death of CHS Alumni/Faculty: CHS Alumni/Faculty Death Notification
ONCE A JACKET, ALWAYS A JACKET — AND — PROUD TO BE A JACKET!!!
CHS Baseball Alums – Note from Coach Shane Hawk
Attention CHS Jacket Baseball Alums & Fans: Current CHS Head Baseball Coach, Shane Hawk, is seeking input on the impressive history of CHS Baseball – coaches, players, teams and their respective achievements, awards, and recognitions. In that vein, he has developed and continually updates the following websites:
https://choctawbaseball.weebly.com/alumni.html https://choctawbaseball.weebly.com
He is seeking additional information on the CHS Baseball Coaches – especially those from the early decades 1920s, 1930s, 1940s. Here’s the current list of the CHS Coaches – Lindsey Maynard (????-1936), Louis Maynard (1936-????), June Dawkins (????-1956), Bill Jensen (1957-1979), Jim McCharen (1980-1987), Mark Craft (1988-2014), Shane Hawk (2015-Present).
He is also seeking additional information on CHS Baseball Alums who were drafted or played professional baseball at any level or who played baseball in college at any level – especially those from the 1960 era and back.
Check out the above websites and if you have any additional information, you can contact Coach Hawk via email at shawk@cnpschools.org.
Coach Hawk also extended the following invitation to all CHS Baseball alums: “… the field is ALWAYS open and available to our great alumni!”