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Newport Alumni Association active in community
NEWPORT
ASSOCIATION
The Newport Alumni Association is a Washington State charitable nonprofit corporation that was formed on October, 1999 by alumni dedicated to preserving school traditions and supporting future graduates. The founding Board of Directors were Keith Cordes, Rod Owen (Class of 69), Pam (Ownbey) Nichols (Class of 75), Jim Sewell (Class of 33), Gail (Boggs) Berendt, Sylvia (Larson) Campbell (Class of 76) and Jon Wagar (Class of 84).
The mission of the Association is to grant scholarships to graduating students in the Newport School District and to preserve historical memorabilia that pertains to the district, to its schools and its students. The Association also provides financial assistance to programs and facilities of the Newport School District. The Association accepts donations, in which 100% of the monies realized go toward the program.
Alumni who donate, often want to make a difference for current and future student’s and to also stay connected to a place that meant a lot to them. The Alumni Association assists in a way so that graduation doesn’t mean the end of that relationship.
The Alumni Association is involved in many things: Hosts the All-School Reunion - This event started out with the Class of 42 and evolved to include the adjoining classes of the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. After these gatherings were so successful, the reunion became an annual event.
In 2009, Joe Sutton (Class of 49) became the chairperson and extended the reunion to include all alumni of Newport School District. This year, the 2025 All Class Reunion is Saturday, September 27th at 11:00. Come have ice cream, receive a goodie- bag, meet the cheerleaders, sing the fight song, listen to live music by alumni, watch the hall of fame award presentation and hear their acceptance speeches, purchase a composite book, have your photo taken with classmates, tour the high school and do some reminiscing. The homecoming football game and parade are held the day before and alumni will be given a great grizzly welcome at these activities too. Contact Lola Earl Rickey for information.
Manages and Awards Scholarships - The Association awards a minimum of 3 scholarships annually from donations received from alumni. Along with those scholarships, the Association makes award presentations at the academic awards night on behalf of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, in honor of Mildred and James Sewell, in honor of Lorraine and Verne Lindsay and in honor of Linda and Jim Mathis. Donations toward scholarships are always appreciated. Recently, the Class of 82 made a new scholarship contribution in honor of grade school teacher Thelma Farrelly.
Contact Pam Ownbey Nichols for additional information.
Inducts Selected Alumni into the Hall of Fame - The Newport Alumni Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of former graduates and to give current and future students an example of what is possible after graduating. Nominees must have distinguished themselves in at least one of the areas of the arts, academically, with humanitarian endeavors, professional career accomplishments, community service, athletics in the college or professional level, by exceptional contributions to the school district or by having distinguished military service.
Do you have someone in mind to be inducted who has made the Newport area proud by their accomplishments during and after their time spent in the Newport School District? A nomination form can be found under the Alumni tab of the Newportgriz. com webpage. Contact Steve Ellersick for additional information.
Publishes the School Yearbooks (annuals) on the Newportgriz. com website. Currently 1913 and 1934-1962 (missing 1950) are viewable. The district is working to re-establish the other yearbooks back online. The yearbooks were scanned by former school library paraprofessional and assistant classified staff-member Alice Warner (Class of 50) and former high school teacher Larry Shaw. The early high school yearbooks were called the Pine Tree and the Philkean and transitioned to what is now the Bruin. Newport Grade School had a yearbook starting in 1946 called The Antler. Newport Junior High introduced its first yearbook in 1985. Contact Pam Ownbey Nichols or David Bradbury for additional information.
Administrates the Alumni Facebook Page- Alumni board members share current school happenings, alumni-sponsored events, and historical school photos/ information, individual class reunion information and alumni spotlights, by posting on this private social media group page.
Alumni give updates and share photos, stories and information that create reminiscing. Members find this way of communication, a great connection tool. The Pend Oreille County Historical Society contributes educational historical tidbits. Contact Steve Ellersick or Sue Owen Mauro for additional information.
Speaks at the Senior Breakfast - During the busy last few days of the students last time at Newport High School, the Alumni Association congratulates the soonto- be graduates, tells them about the mission of the organization and invites them to be a part of it going forward after graduation.
Contact Terri Bergau Hutyler for additional information.
Supports the Proposed District Bond - The Alumni Association is in full support of modernizing the Newport High School (which is over 40 years old) which will make changes for better efficiency and functionality at the middle and elementary schools. Although no date has yet been filed, the proposed district bond is reported to consist of 4 projects. The first, is a comprehensive modernization of Newport High School, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades, a new roof, administrative expansions, and a new auxiliary gym, as well as modernization of the library, commons, stage, band room and classrooms. This project would renovate the main gym, level and add grass to the practice field and remodel the locker rooms, parking lot and plaza. Two more projects would add new security vestibules to Sadie Halstead Middle and Stratton Elementary Schools. At Sadie Halstead Middle School, a fourth project would add new play equipment with surfacing at key playground locations and clean up the playground site, as well as level and add baseball diamonds, grass, lighting and power to the practice field. What a great gift for current and future Grizzlys! Contact the Newport School District Office for additional information.
Offers Composite Books - For sale at Owens Grocery, Deli and Soda Fountain, the Pend Oreille County Historical Society Museum or by contacting Pam Nichols, these keepsake books continue a tradition of the displayed hallway senior class composites, into a book form. These class photo books were designed by David Bradbury where many hours were spent restoring photos and using the calligraphy work of former teacher Mick Schulz.
Contact Pam Ownbey Nichols or David Bradbury for additional information.
Participates in the Homecoming Parade, the Senior Class Parade and the Newport Rodeo Parade - Assisting with creating unity among current students and alumni, Alumni Association members participate in community parades. Contact Pam Ownbey Nichols or Greg Vaughn for additional information.
Provides Graduate Banners - A few weeks prior to the senior's graduation ceremony, a large banner of each student’s graduation photo is hung on fencing along 'Grizzly Way” (West 5th Street). One week after graduation, each graduate is allowed to take their own banner off the fence, to keep as a sendoff gift.
These include graduates from Pend Oreille River School, Newport Home Link and Newport High School. Contact Lola Earl Rickey for additional information.
Supports the Stratton Elementary School Supply Drive - In partnership with South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue, WaFd Bank and Mountain West Bank, the Alumni Association donated many requested school supply items toward the 202 5 drive.
Collects and Archives School Artifacts, Photos, Newsletters and Documents - In partnership with the Pend Oreille County Historical Society Museum, the Alumni Association collects and safely archives historical school-related items. Do you have something that should be shared and preserved? Or, do you have a story or item that others would love to hear about? Contact Sue Owen Mauro for additional information.
Manages an All-Alumni Documentation Record - This spreadsheet compilation of contact information, maiden names, and dates of death for each graduating alumni was started by Alice Warner and after 15-plus years, continues to be maintained today. There are approximately 8,500 graduating Alumni listed. Although Newport Schools existed much earlier, the first recognized graduate is Ethel Slack (Class of 1908). By record of the 1913 yearbook, Ethel continued to live and work in Newport and then married Merton Martell in 1919. Contact Lola Earl Rickey or Sue Owen Mauro for additional information Accepts Donations -100% of monetary donations go toward the operation of the program and following of the mission statement. Alumni give because they want to make a difference, stay connected, and ensure the bond with Newport schools doesn't end at graduation. Contact Colleen Richardson Larkoski for additional information.
Current Officers are: Pam Ownbey Nichols (Class of 75), President April (DeChenne) Owen (Class of 94), Vice President Colleen (Richardson) Larkoski (Class of 74), Treasurer Sue (Owen) Mauro (Class of 79), Secretary and Historian Executive Members and Committee Leads are: Lola (Earl) Rickey (Class of 75) Steve Ellersick (Class of 79) David Bradbury (Class of 92) Doug Wagner (Class of 74) Terri (Bergau) Hutyler (Class of 75) Tom Owen (Class of 82) Greg Vaughn (Class of 83) Superintendent Da ve Smith The Alumni Association thrives because of volunteers and supporters. Opportunities include helping with scholarships, reunions, newsletters, parades, historical showcases, and committees. Show your red and black—give back to your school and community and volunteer!
GO GRIZZLIES!
