2004 HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL REUNION

The 2004 Highland High School reunion, the last to be held in the building housing the HHS Bluestreaks, was a resounding success with nearly 400 in attendance at the May 30 event.

During the day, various classes and groups met to renew old friendships and peruse HHS memorabilia. For the evening program, Ted Collins, HHS Alumni Assn President, served as master of ceremonies and explained various projects of the association. Many alumni contributors, along with honored classes, were acknowledged and Joann (Hegenderfer) Karn, Kathy (Tracy) Twombly and Ed Webb were awarded life memberships for their extensive contributions to alumni activities over the years.

Steve Adams, superintendent of USD 425/433, commented on the transition under the contracting agreement between Highland and Midway. Featured speaker was Jan Collins, Highland native and former superintendent of USD 425, who related some of his memories of Highland High School and the challenges facing public education in the modern era. Collins, 2004 Kansas Superintendent of the Year, is currently serving as superintendent of USD 290 (Ottawa).

The evening concluded with a masterful, combined program of "down-through-the-years" music, performed by various talented alumni, and an HHS photographic display of the same era arranged by Cheryl Rasmussen, former HHS principal. The crowd gratefully acknowledged this historical and entertaining presentation which is being recorded on DVD and will soon be available to purchase from the association website.

Traditionally, this event has been held every third year over the 4th of July weekend. This year, that was not possible due to various projects involved with the school changeover. It was the unanimous decision of the crowd that future reunions be held on Memorial Day weekend.

The board of directors of the Highland High School Alumni Association - Mary Lou Colley, Ted Collins, Joann Karn, Bill Noll, Kathleen Twombly, Kelly Twombly and Ed Webb - would like to gratefully acknowledge the efforts of all those individuals who made this day a memorable event and look forward to many more in the future.