Alumni

History:
Many graduates of Lawrence High School expressed an interest in forming an alumni group.  The Class of 1950 formed a committee to make this dream come true.  The Lawrence Alumni Association Inc. was created February 2, 1992.  The articles of incorporation were approved by the State of Michigan on March 18, 1992 and shortly thereafter the Lawrence Alumni Association Inc. was recognized as a (501c3) nonprofit corporation by the IRS.  The association does not collect dues, but operates through donation, memorial contributions and through the sale of various alumni memorabilia.  Over the past 10 years, the Alumni Association contributed over $130,000 towards projects, awards and scholarships that directly benefit Lawrence Public Schools and their students. 

Annual Events:
An annual alumni banquet is held each year at the Van Buren Conference Center the Saturday of Labor Day weekend.  Everyone is welcome, including non-alumni.  The turnout for the banquet is well over 250 people.  For information regarding the banquet call the Lawrence Schools 269-674-8232,  Alumni Association President, Chuck Moden 269-674-8102, Alumni Association Treasurer, LeRoy Demaske 269-674-8704 or check out the school newsletter “The Flying Tiger” which is mailed free to any alumni by just sending in a request.   Alumni who are planning class reunions are encouraged to include the alumni banquet as part of their celebration.

Other events are the Donkey Basketball games (even years) and the alumni basketball and volleyball games (odd years).  These are typically held during the month of March.  Alumni of all ages are encouraged to play or watch!  An annual Athletic Booster golf outing is also held during the summer.

Items for sale: :
The following may be obtained at any annual event or by contacting Chuck Moden 269-674-8102 or Alumni Association Treasurer, LeRoy Demaske 269-674-8704.    These items are also available at the alumni booth in the park during the Ox Roast celebration on Labor Day Weekend.

 Books & Souvenirs:

1. A complete list of all graduates of Lawrence High School from 1871 to present.  $10.00 donation.
2. A pictorial history of almost all of the graduates of Lawrence High School.  $15.00 donation.
3. A history of the Lawrence area in pictures, going back to the very beginning of the settlement.  $15.00 donation.
4. A history of the Lawrence area in postcards accompanied by music of the oldies.  On DVD/CD ROM.  $10.00 donation. 
5. Ball caps:  purple and white with alumni logo.  All sizes. $10 donation 
6. 6)  T-shirts:  available in white or purple with alumni logo.  All sizes.  $10 donation.

Alumni Association Officers:
Charles Moden, President
Jim Sanborn, Vice President
Peter Alburtus, Secretary
LeRoy Damaske, Treasurer
Ruth Reinertson, Asst Treasurer
Sue (Sanborn) Conklin, Historian

Alumni Association Board of Directors:          
Dick Reynells,  David Nicholas, Pamela (Marks) Rector

Lawrence Alumni Certificates of Honor:
Certificates of Honor were presented during the annual alumni banquets to the following people for their dedication to the Lawrence Community and to the Lawrence Public Schools:

1994   - Louise Nicholas
1995  - Virgil Chapman, Lloyd Cook
1996  - Beth (Clark) Blum-Cress, Maj. General (Ret.) Vonna Burger, M.J. Conklin
1997  - Marjorie Carpp, Dr. Bert Goens, Cora Cornwell
1998  - Clara (Schlieter) Small, Carlyle Wassman
1999  - Betty Judd, Myron Sanborn
2000  - Pauline Heldt, Jim McCracken, Terry Jungel
2001  - Donna (Garrod) Avery, Monroe Mills
2002  - Helen Fuller, Dick & Helen Reynnells, Rev. Charles Garrod, Tom Means, Beverly Nicholas
2003  - Gabe Reinertson, Geraldine Jacher, Holly Doyle, Carl Whiteman
2004  - Robin Campbell, Eckhard Sell, Lyle & Virginia Sanborn, Louise (Allen) Dykhouse, Alice June Crowell, Gordon Fisk, Wes Harding
2005  - Pat Garrod, Lew Bowen, George Moses, Pete D’Arienzo 2006  - Tom & Linda Reynnells,Gene & Helen Carr
2007  - The 1997 Champion Foot Team, Richard Stoll, Connie Gendron, Football Team
2008  - Mary Dyer, Earl Mills, Carl Whiteman
2009 - Donna Curtis (posthumously), Andrew Jurczak, Richard Kroeg, Roger Kroshinsky, Larry & Carolyn Norris

Certificates of Honor were also presented during alumni basketball games to the following people:

2002 - William Conklin, Mindy Houser, Jerry Hutchins
2004 - Twilla Gibbons, Bette Judd                                            2005 - Donna (Brown) Spenner, Joe Hillman, Gary Austin
2006 - Dave Abel, Mike Salvano, Jim Carey, Leonard Strefling
2007 - Dave Smith

Alumni Awards Scholarships:

The Lawrence Alumni Association annually awards a $1,000 “Jerry R. Hutchins Memorial Scholarship” to be used to further a student’s education. The scholarship is to be presented to a student who has earned a 3.0 average or above; is enrolled in a college or trade school; is in need of financial assistance; exhibits qualities that show they are concerned about others in their daily lives such as helping at home with ill family members, volunteering in worthy causes, respected by teachers and friends as a person who cares about the needs of others; participates in athletics, if possible. Jerry Hutchins was a teacher, coach, guidance counselor, assistant principal, principal and father of six children. He loved young people and related to them in a special way. The 2009 Jerry Hutchins Memorial Scholarship was presented to Kristen Hoadley.

The Lawrence Alumni Association, along with the Athletic Boosters, annually awards a $1200 “David Small Scholarship”. David Small was a 1958 graduate of LHS. He was killed in an airplane training session with the US Air force. The faculty chooses the recipient of the award using the criteria: academics, athletics, and attitude. The 2009 David Small Scholarship was presented to Michael Roger Ralicki.

The Lawrence Alumni Association annually awards a $1,000 “Richard Spaulding Memorial Award” . The award is to be presented to a well-rounded individual that seeks to further their education by attending college or a trade/technical school. The 2009 Richard Spaulding Memorial Award was presented to Tessa Rachel Boyer.

The “Marks & Rector Math/Science Scholarship” is sponsored by the Marks and Rector families through the Alumni Association and is awarded to a student that has a strong interest in math/science. This scholarship is a $1500 renewable award. The 2008 Marks & Rector Math/Science scholarship was presented to Greta Margit Taylor.

The “Edward Grau Athletic Scholarship” is sponsored by Edward and Ida Grau through the Alumni Association.  This $1000 scholarship is to be presented to an athlete for continuing their education.  The 2009 Edward Grau Athletic Scholarship was presented to Trevor Stermer.

Depending on fund availability, The Lawrence Alumni Association presents the “Lawrence Alumni Award” to be used to further a student’s education. The award is to be presented to a well-rounded individual that seeks to further their education by attending college or a trade/technical school.

Wonder what your old school looks like now? See for yourself.

This is the new addition that was added for the elementary's new lunch room and gym. This was constructed where the tennis courts were. The foreground is going to be a baseball/softball field. We hope you like it.

This new stand was added to the football field.  It provides a better place to sit for more people, and will make the game more enjoyable for those who have traveled to see the game.

These are the wonderful showcases that have been provided by our Alumni.

Visit classmates.com for ways to sign up and contact others who graduated from Lawrence High School.