THIS IS SURRATTS FOUNDATION E-NOTICE 2013-3 OF MARCH 1, 2013

Hello Hornets:

Here are some items that might be of interest:

1.  FOUNDATION FUNDS 2013 "TREASURE CHESTS" IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PTSA.  Some of our readers will remember the Foundation's joint project with the PTSA last May to provide "Tekau's Treasure Chests" to five graduating seniors.  We are delighted to report that the Foundation Board has approved an expanded level of participation in this great effort for 2013.  We thank the PTSA for reaching out to us to participate in this project.

2.  FIRST STUDENTS OF THE MONTH ANNOUNCED.  As reported in a previous e-Notice, the Foundation is now funding the awards for Surrattsville's Students of the Month.  These outstanding Hornets are nominated and selected by the faculty and administration for their extraordinary efforts.  The first students to be recognized in this way are: Chidi Ezeonyebuchi, David McCreary, Sean Nforka, Bria Blango, Armani Ray,Victoria McLean, Briana Turman, Alexis Smith, Patrick McHayo, and Germal Morgan.

Congratulations to these outstanding young scholars!

3.  FOUNDATION INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN 2013 CAREER DAY.  The Foundation has been invited by the School to send a representative to the School's Career Day event to be held on April 19.  We're really looking forward to participating in this event.

4.  FOUNDATION FUNDS SAT BREAK SNACKS.  The Foundation is providing the snacks during the break in this year's SAT testing at the School.  (Some of our more mature readers may not be aware that the SAT is now a three part test, resulting in a mid-testing snack break.)  Thanks go to Foundation Board member Donald Knight (92) for single-handedly providing the person-power for this latest Foundation initiative.

[Ed. note:  Photos of Hornets sitting for the SAT, and of the Foundation's "SAT snack cart," are now on the website at www.surrattsville.org.]

5.  FOUNDATION WORKING TO INSTALL FALLEN HEROES PLAQUE IN LEGACY HALL.  As reported in the last e-Notice, thanks to the efforts of Bob Jeter (64), the Foundation is preparing a Fallen Heroes plaque to hang in the Legacy Hall that will contain the names and Class years of Hornets who died while serving the country (or later from service-related injuries).  Please contact Bob at bobjeter@verizon.net if you know of any Hornets who should be honored in this way.

Bob has asked if our readers could check their yearbooks to see if they can identify any of these names as Hornets:

From Clinton: Capt Jeffrey Lyndol Harris, 1Lt Stephen Edward Shields, Pvt James Joseph Wagner.

From Camp Springs: Sgt Stephen Lawrence Havas, Sp5 Dean Gilman Owen, Sgt Robert William Vaden, 2Lt Robert Edward Knadle, LCPL Joseph Nelson Stevens, Cpl Robert Gene O’Connell, 1Lt Marthell Traylor, Jr.

From Brandywine: Cpl Clifford Craig Blend, Jr., Cpl Jan Franklin Wilson, PFC Charles Gonzie Gray, Sp5 John Sylvester Nutwell.

Bob also has asked that any of our readers who have knowledge about searching federal archival records at the DOD or other military or federal agencies email him if they would be willing to provide him with some advice.

Bob notes: "We are finding some names from WW II forward, but I'm sure there are deserving names from WW I forward and we don't want to leave any deserving name off the list.  There has been popular support from our schoolmates, and we would really appreciate their help with this worthy endeavor.  Thanks, Bob"

[Ed note:  Photos of the Legacy Wall can be found on the Foundation's web site at www.surrattsville.org.]

6.  ANOTHER RING REUNION WITH HELP FROM THE FOUNDATION.  Our long-time readers might recall that the Foundation has become a magnet for found Surrattsville class rings.  To date, seven lost rings have been found in this way, some from many decades ago, and from locations as diverse as a school playground in Germany and a beach in Florida.  This phenomenon may be attributable to the power of quantum physics and/or the uniqueness of the word "Surrattsville," combined with the Foundation's strong presence on the internet.

Last month, the Foundation again helped reunite a lost ring – from 1968! – with its owner, this time through the Foundation's presence on Facebook.  Here is the fascinating exchange:

Original posting on Foundation Facebook Group page:  "Hello Surrattsville High:  My name is Jerry Newton, originally from Abilene Texas, Abilene High School Class of 79.  I currently live in Arlington, Texas.  I found a 1968 Surrattsville class ring 33 years ago.  I want to get it back to its owner.  I found it in a blue 1968 Camaro. The ring has the initials R.O.A.  What I want for returning the ring is a story about the car and the ring.  I'll bet the story is a doozy.  So everyone go get out your yearbook and help me out, and let's make someone smile.  My email is tms4us@swbell.net."

After some "advance work" done by the Foundation and the Class reunion contacts for the Class of 68, Jerry received this response:  "Hello Jerry:  I believe the ring in question may be mine.  My initials are RDA.  However, if I remember correctly the D in my ring looked funny and mom would not let me return it.  It was in my 1968 Camaro, Marina Blue, 3 speed on the floor.  I bought it from Ourisman Chevrolet after trading in my 1967 Chevelle.  The last time I saw the ring it was on my turn signal in the Camaro back in the day.  I was talking about this ring just the other day at work.  Any further questions fell free to ask.  Roger Alvey (Surrattsville 68)"

And here's Roger's follow-up Facebook posting to Jerry:  "Well, like Jerry said, my mind went back to the 60s as I received my ring yesterday.  Thanks Jerry, as I haven't seen the ring since 1970 when I went to Southeast Asia during the war.  It is of course too small to go back on my right hand but that doesn't matter.  It still looks new except for the wear and tear working on engines in my 67 Chevelle and 68 Camaro.  Thanks again, Jerry. You're a true sport."

And here's Roger's posting on the Surrattsville 1968 Facebook Group (along with a photo of the ring reunited with his (different) finger!):  "Hey Fellow Classmates:  A gentleman by the name of Jerry Newton (TX) found my school ring when he purchased my 68 Camaro in 1977 in Texas. He found it under the front seat.  We have been communicating with each other and I now have the ring on my finger.  Of course not on the original finger due to some weight gain, lol (remember I was around 127 back then, I think).  I haven't seen the ring since 1970 when I was sent to Southeast Asia and my parents traded in my car while I was gone.  I have a big smile on my face remembering both the ring and my Camaro. Thanks again Jerry."

[Ed note:  How about that great story, illustrating in one episode the intersection of the work and presence of the Foundation, the power of the internet, the singular uniqueness of our School's name, and Surrattsville's strong muscle car history!]

7.  TRYING TO CONTACT MS. FLEMMING.  Leslie St. Clair (70) forwarded to us this lovely email from Alice Krick Dollins (73):  "Hello:  I am a former student at Surrattsville High (sophomore 1970-71) with a great wish before my demise to say thank you to a very special English teacher.  Her name was Miss Flemming.  Over the years I've tried to track her down but was unsuccessful.  In our new world of technology it seems I may be closer than ever before.  Would you have any information on her?  I don't recall her first name and, in fact, not sure that I ever knew it.  But I will never forget that she inspired a love of reading in me that no one had ever sparked.  In addition, she read aloud to us in class a book about the culture and folklore of the Appalachian people that remained a keen interest of mine for many years to come.  Most importantly, she took the time to look me in the eyes directly and with a genuineness of heart ask how I was doing.  I have loved, admired and respected her through the years for these things and have never found the opportunity to tell her.  If you might know of whom I am speaking it would be truly appreciated if you could respond to my inquiry.  Thank you for any assistance you might provide, Alice Cecelia (Cece Krick) Dollins"

[Ed. note:  The Foundation does not have any information on Ms. Flemming.  Might one or our readers?]

8.  INFO ON ANNUAL BLUE CRABS EVENT.  Evan Vutsinas (76), who kindly organizes the annual All Classes/Faculty/Staff "Surrattsville Night" at Blue Crabs stadium, has posted this update about the 2013 event:  Saturday, June 22, 2013 is the date for the 4th Annual Surrattsville High School All-Classes/Faculty/Staff event at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball park in Waldorf.  Tickets are $25 and include a game ticket, a two-hour all you can eat buffet, a kids park wristband for all in attendance, on-the-field access for a celebration before the game, and fireworks after the game.  Gates open at 5:30, the buffet starts at 6, and the game starts at 6:35.

The link to purchase tickets is http://mb1.glitnirticketing.com/mbticket/web/gp_list.php?refresh=1362000850.  Enter the case sensitive code "SHS" when prompted, click "Buy" and choose your seats in the Picnic Pavilion, complete your order and print your tickets, and come out and meet your schoolmates at Regency Furniture Stadium.   For more information contact Matt Ammerman at 301-374-1123 or mammerman@somdbluecrabs.com.

Many thanks to Evan for coordinating this great annual annual event!

9.  ACHIEVEMENT AWARD NOMINEES SOUGHT.  This time each year, the Foundation Board requests our readers to submit nominations for the Foundation's annual Achievement Awards.  All members of the greater Surrattsville community are eligible to be nominated for notable achievements in any area.  Please submit names of worthy candidates to hsmith@smithdowney.com.

(Photos and bios of the absolutely extraordinary Achievement Award recipients from past years may be found on the Foundation's web site at www.surrattsville.org.  These distinguished individuals represent everything from the Surgeon General of the Air Force, to the 38-year Building Superintendent at the School, to the Executive Director of the Christmas in April charity.)

10.  UPDATE ON YEARBOOK POSTING SITE.  We received this update from Rick Torrecarion (74) on his experience with the yearbook posting site he informed us about in last month's e-Notice:   "I just got back the 1974 yearbook, so it is now available on line at classmates.com.  They now have the 1974 and 1975 yearbooks available to browse on-line, or to order a hardcopy for anyone who is interested.  Rick"

[Here's Rick's notice from last month:  "There is a web page that contains a process for people to send in their yearbooks and have them scanned and returned.  It is: :) http://schoolfeed.classmates.com/yearbook.php?tc=home-todoscan-click#section=scan&tc=home-todoscan-click.  Our fellow Hornets can break out all those old yearbooks collecting dust and share them with us through this classmates.com service.  They are looking for yearbooks that are 1988 and older.  If you mail your yearbook to them they will make copies of it and post it on their site and they will also make copies available for purchase for other folks who would like to have a copy.  They will pay for all shipping costs to them and back.  Wouldn't it be great if we could get someone from each class to send a copy for every year before 1988 and then we would have a permanent archive of all the old Surrattsville yearbooks available for anyone who would want to have their own copy or just browse them on the classmates.com site.  Rick"]

11.  CLASS OF 64 50 YEAR REUNION.   We received this announcement about the Class of 64's upcoming golden event:  "The Class of 1964 is planning a 50th reunion in Ocean City for late September 2014.  It might seem a long way off, but we all know how fast time goes by.  We need to firm up a place, reserve a block of rooms to set aside, and determine how much space we will need.   Please email Ginger Trapanotto, gingersnap699@gmail.com or Phil Foster, fosterphilip6@gmail.com if you (alone or with a guest) are interested in attending.   Also, if you know the whereabouts of any former classmate, please ask him/her to email one of us or you can forward the information to us.  We appreciate any help you can provide and the "committee" is looking forward to re-visiting the 60s with everyone."

12.  FOUNDATION FACEBOOK PRESENCE CONTINUES TO GROW.  The Foundation's Facebook Group – called "Surrattsville Alumni" – continues to grow, and now has over 1430 members.  This is a great, and free, way for folks to stay in touch (or, perhaps, find a lost class ring left on your Camaro's turn signal arm in 1968!).  Similarly, the Class-specific Facebook Groups – that have names like "Surrattsville 1979" and the like -- continue to grow.  These Facebook Groups are becoming an increasingly active way for folks to share memories and news updates of interest to the Surrattsville community.  Please consider joining the Surrattsville Alumni Group, and your own Class-specific Group.

Here's hoping you're done digging out from any February blizzards you experienced!

All the best, Henry Smith (71)

MANY THANKS TO THESE (VERY EARLY) DONORS TO THE 2013 CAMPAIGN!  

• Patricia Becker Oles (71)
• Steve Profilet (71)
• Vicki Forsht Williams (65 and former faculty), In memory of Eugene Colgan and Richard      Mortimer
• Nancy Miller (67)
• Vicky Simontacchi Young (57), In memory of Richard C. Mortimer (57, former faculty)
• Bob Marr (71)
• Debbie Cox Marr (72)
• Mark Scoville (74), In memory of Mike Helfrich (74) and Nancy Maddox (74)
• Rick Torrecarion (74), In loving memory of Patsy Torrecarion (76)
• Linda Dorsey Blum (66)
• Nancy Lapin LoBianco (65), In memory of Tony Marchetti (65)
• Sandra Smith Simmons (70)
• Duke Coleman (53), In memory of Donald England (53)

AND MANY THANKS TO THESE VERY GENEROUS DONORS TO THE 2012 CAMPAIGN!

• Patricia Becker Oles (71)
• Steve Profilet (71)
• Nancy Miller (67)
• Bob Marr (71)
• Debbie Cox Marr (72)
• Elizabeth Lee Gleisberg May (78), In memory of loving parents Ray and Dorothy Gleisberg
• Sandra Smith Simmons (70)
• Donna Rae Sturtevant Smith (70), In memory of Lt. Col. Benjamin Norcia (USAF, Ret), long-time Surrattsville substitute teacher, and Mary A. Norcia
• Henry Smith (71), In memory of Lt. Col. Benjamin Norcia (USAF, Ret), long-time Surrattsville substitute teacher, and Mary A. Norcia
• Tom Shultz (71), In memory of Earl and Charlotte Shultz
• Duke Coleman (53), In memory of Donald England (53)
• Kurt Aktug (88)
• Linda Dorsey Blum (66)
• Coach Lew Jenkins (former faculty)
• Lawrence Romjue, In memory of Lois Marie Osgood (57), "Rubber ball," "bouncy-bouncy, "bouncy-bouncy," "Bobby Vee"
• Tom and Sally Travis (72)
• Valerie Mercier (73)
• Vicky Simontacchi Young (57)
• Vera Twigg
• Melissa Gilcrest (69)
• Thomas V. Mike Miller (60)
• Judy Gordon (65), On the occasion of the 65 Hornets turning 65!
• Judy Gordon (65), In memory of Linda Soper Mayes (65), Tom Saylor (65), Bill Talbert (65) and Vern Kennedy (64)
• Stu Young (77), In honor of his son Patrick on his graduation from Calvert High School
• J. Paul Rickett (69)
• Gloria Blandford Rickett (71)
• Helen Bovbjerg Niedung (54), In memory of Myra Rigor Selvadurai (54)
• Philip Holmes (65)
• Richard Grace (81), In memory of Dr. Rony Rafael C. Lee
• Lois Barrett Hessberg (70)
• Lee Hessberg (68)
• Valerie Parker Allard (73)
• Anne Noyes (former faculty)
• Russ Barkley (67), In memory of Bill Gann (66)
• Pat Gann Barkley (67), In memory of Bill Gann (66)
• Dan Bayne (71)
• Leslie St. Clair (70), In honor of my grandson Kameron Smith's graduation from Huntingtown      High School, Class of 2012
• Lynn Powers Yates (65), In memory of George Harrison
• David Kraus (65)
• Rick Torrecarion (74), In loving memory of Patsy Torrecarion (76)
• Lynn Harris Eggleston (64), In loving memory of Paul Cleveland Schwesig (64)
• David Coffield (65), In honor of the Class of 65 turning 65
• Ellen Talbert-Miller (61), former faculty and administrator, In loving memory of my brother, Bill Talbert (65)
• Jay Nichols (67)
• Marie O'Clair, In memory of Marie Grouby
• Joyce Dennis Owens (74)
• Nancy Oursler Schillings (65), In memory of Kristen Evald (66)
• Joe Capone (79)