There is now an alumni association for Junction City High School. Brian Field will serve as president, Jim Pendarvis vice president, GG Booth secretary and Mike Munson as treasurer.
Field said discussions about having an alumni association began a few years ago. "Once we knew that we were going to build a new Junction City High School there was some discussion about having a Hall of Fame inside the high school as a lot of different high schools do throughout the country." Field added in many cases alumni associations serve as the custodian for the Hall of Fame.
Field said discussions and planning for the association picked up about six months ago. They have filed their articles of organization and have held an organizational meeting. The next step will involve development of a website where people could sign up through a membership portal.
Field noted that just some of the other people who have been instrumental in helping form the association include Mike Heldstab, Lonnie Clark, Vaughn DeGuzman, Dana Williamson, Cecil Aska and Kim Milleson. "We're hoping here in the next couple of months to have the membership portal going and then we'll hopefully have a nice event next fall during football season."
Organizers are looking at a one-time membership fee of $50. Donations will be possible as well.
Field commented that some projects have already been discussed. "David Walker has already started working on the Ring of Honor out in front of the football stadium. And that's something that we've talked about where we will honor people who have been a big part of our district, people who have had facilities that were named after them in the past maybe, or some legendary coaches or different people.
Field made it clear that the Hall of Fame will not just be about athletics, but also academics. "People who have made great contributions to USD 475, different faculty members over the years, coaches, athletes of course, all encompassing." The Hall of Fame will be located inside the Junction City High School building at a location to be determined.
There are ideas about potential scholarships. "We just want to do what alumni associations do, we want to support the students of Junction City High School," said Field. " It's always great to have that alumni connection where you can bring people who can set some really good examples for the students." He indicated that there could be future fundraising efforts for the association as well.