Spring 2015 1101 South 90th Street Omaha, NE 68124 | 402.390.2183 | www.alumni.wcsfoundation66.org
1976 Grad Leads Fight Against Ebola “Jordan can provide a truly unique perspective on what’s happening in West Africa,” said former CDC colleague Dr. Ali Khan, M.D., M.P.H., dean of UNMC’s Col-lege of Public Health. “I am grateful he reached out to me and offered to speak on our campus – his alma mater.” Dr. Tappero said that work in West Africa has been nonstop. “I have seen what needs to be done to stop Ebola from spreading. But the scale of this Ebola outbreak is unprecedented,” Dr. Tappero said. “In 2014, the sys-tems in place to identify, refer, isolate and treat Ebola cases were overwhelmed. “Knowledge of how the disease is spread varied from community to community, and unsafe burial practices were taking place far and wide. Though the global response has vastly improved, our work there is ongoing. We are committed to getting to zero cases of Ebola transmitted and to public health system recovery efforts post-Ebola.”
Captain Jordan W. Tappero, MD, MPH is Director of the Division of Global Health Protection Center for Global Health
Jordan Tappero, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Division of Global Health Protec-tion (DGHP), Center for Global Health, returned to Omaha to present the “CDC’s Response to Ebola in West Africa,” on Monday, April 6, 2015. The presentation was a part of the Univeristy of Nebraska Medical Center’s (UNMC) observance of Public Health Week. Dr. Tappero, a 1982 graduate of UNMC’s College of Medicine, was in Liberia in 2014 as incident manager for CDC teams in West Africa and as the first CDC lead for the public health and medical response for the United States Govern-ment’s (USG) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). Upon returning to Atlanta in late September, he served as deputy incident man-ager through January 2015 for the CDC Director’s Ebola Response, assisting with directing the dayto-day international and domestic response activities man-aged through CDC’s Emergency Operations Center.
"Though the global response has vastly improved, our work there is ongoing. We are committed to getting to zero cases of Ebola transmitted and to public health system recovery efforts post Ebola." As part of the CDC and DART teams, he helped find people with the virus in the community, get them into Ebola treatment centers and improve infection control practices to prevent the spread of the virus to health care workers and burial teams. Dr. Tappero has returned to his duties as director for DGHP. He is responsible for implementing CDC’s contribution to the USG’s Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). DGHP is CDC's most visible program for strengthening global health security and
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developing public health capacity to prevent, detect and respond to communicable infectious disease threats around the world. DGHP builds capacity in applied epidemiology through field epidemiology training programs and fosters the development of National Public Health Institutes with Ministries of Health globally. In the event of a global disease epidemic or humani-tarian disaster, DGHP often leads CDC’s global response. Dr. Tappero led CDC’s emergency response following the 2010 Haiti earthquake and followon response to epidemic cholera. Dr. Tappero joined CDC in July 1992 as an epidemic intelligence service officer, is a captain in the U.S. Public Health Service, maintains three American board certifications and holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of California, Berkeley. He has authored or co-authored more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, as well as textbook chapters on HIV, TB, malaria, meningococcal disease, leptospi-rosis, Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fever, cholera and other emerging infec-tions.
This information was provided by Tom O’Connor, Senior Associate Director Public Relations, University of Nebraska Medical Center
inside this edition President's Corner.................. 2 Westside Open........................ 2 Alumni Teachers...................... 3 VIVI Save the Date................... 4 Omaha Gives........................... 4 From the Principal................... 5 Reunions 2015......................... 5 Upcoming Events.................... 5
President's Corner
Thank you for reading our spring 2015 edition of the “W”. The Alumni Association continues to work hard to enhance our publication. Each “W” contains at least one “Warrior Pride” feature. This issue highlights alumni who have chosen to return to our schools as teachers. Because Westside Community Schools has a history of terrific teachers, it is no accident that many of them have inspired some of their students to enter education and to return to our District to “give back” to our schools. We are grateful for their choice to continue our history of excellence. I hope you enjoy reading about these valuable faculty members. I also want to thank Beth (Williams) Leach (’98) for writing such an insightful story about her peers. I was fascinated to learn about the work Dr. Jordan Tappero (’76), M.D., M.P.H. is doing to stop the spread of Ebola. Dr. Tappero, a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Med-icine, is the director of the Division of Global Health Protection (DGHP), Center for Global Health and is the chief Ebola researcher at the Center for Disease Control. Speaking of Warrior Pride, I want to congratulate Coach Steve Clark (’85), the entire girls basketball coaching staff, and, of course, the girls basketball players and their parents. I think any casual fan could see how much our girls enjoyed playing this year. It was a joy to watch the girls bring back Westside’s first girls state basketball championship since 1999. Please check your calendars and try to make it to one of our annual Alumni Association events. Our an-nual calendar includes: • The Westside Open – Monday June 29, www.westsidegolf.com • Alumni Homecoming Tailgate/Back to School Barbeque – September 25, 2015 • Alumni Basketball “Tournament” – November 28, 2015 (Saturday after Thanksgiving) • Alumni Hall of Fame – biannually in the Fall. Next event – Fall 2016 The Westside Alumni Association belongs to each and every alumnus. If you want to be involved, or have an idea that could help us serve our alumni, please email alumni@westside66. net I hope you en-joy our spring edition of the “W”.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO
the 2015 westside open PRESENTED BY THE HAWKINS SISTERS
MONDAY, J UNE 29, 2015
sponsorship and registration available online
WWW.WES T SIDEGOLF.COM
New Name, Same Excitement
On Monday, June 29, the Westside Alumni Association and the Westside Foundation will again host their annual golf tournament at The Players Club in Omaha. This year’s event will look a bit different. After 21 years of being called the “Westside Open Hall of Fame Golf Outing,” it was decided to refresh the brand and update the name to The 2015 Westside Open. Credit cards will also be accepted for online registrations. Over the years, the golf tournament has raised money to help fund the Alumni Hall of Fame, scholarships, educational grants, staff awards and gifts to Westside High School. In fact, over
GO Warriors! Jason B. Hellman (’90) 2 | w e s t s i d e a l u m n i a s s o c i at i o n
$35,000 was raised at last year’s tournament. More importantly, the golf tournament provides Westside alumni, friends and supporters an opportunity to see old friends, make new friends, play golf and have fun. We thank Kathryn (Hawkins) Anderson (’00) and Patricia (Hawkins) Stillmock (’05) for being our Presenting Sponsors and Rob Owen (’87) for chairing the event. For information about playing or becoming a sponsor, please visit www.westsidegolf.com or contact the Westside Alumni Association.
Alumni Proud to Teach in District 66 2015 alumni teachers
Coaches, Beth Peitzmeier, Heather Steffen, Kalen Carlson, (’06), Jamie Davis, Steve Clark ('85). Tom Marasco, and Dave Martin are proud of their WHS team for winning the Girls Basketball State Championship.
Written by Beth (Williams) Leach (’98), Westside English Teacher Great teachers inspire their students to also become great teachers. Many Westside graduates have been inspired by their past teachers to pursue a career in education. In fact, there are over 50 Westside graduates who are now teaching in District 66. For many reasons, these teachers feel fortunate to be part of the Westside Community as both alumni and educators. First, Westside Community Schools provides its teachers with a strong sense of community. Many alumni teachers stay their entire career and work hard to continue the tradition of excellence they were accustomed to as students. The smaller community feel within the big city is also important to these teachers. Alumni teachers enjoy the District for its many collaboration and professional development opportunities. Those alumni teachers who have worked elsewhere know that this district provides autonomy for teachers to be innovative, develop curriculum, and bring their own personal style to the classroom and lessons. As the District continues with its future vision, these alumni teachers provide an important link to its past with their unique perspectives. At the high school, alumni teachers who learned through modular scheduling understand its purpose and value. These
teachers benefited firsthand from the oneon-one learning provided through the high school’s modular scheduling that is distinctively District 66. Lastly, many alumni teachers are filled with a strong sense of Warrior Pride and they want to give back to the young people in their community. Steve Clark (’85) has continued this Warrior pride, working tirelessly with the girls basketball program in order to win yet another Westside High School state championship this past season. He is among a handful of alumni teachers who now coach athletics and work to instill this school pride in a younger generation. Alumni teachers, like all Westside educators, are work-ing hard to create a positive learning environment for the next generation of Warriors.
Serfass Retires Spring at Westside is when we say goodbye to staff who are retiring. After 32 years of service to Westside Community Schools, Dr. Cindy Serfass is retiring. She started at Arbor Heights Junior High in 1983, moved to Westgate and then to Hillside. She has been at the high school since 2002, where she has recently directed the ninth grade study center. We wish her the best!
Kalen Carlson Career Center 2006 Career Center1978 Teri (Rupe) Donoho Career Center1986 Kathy (Mann) McGauvran Liz Dittrick WHS 2001 Kara (Ryan) Fast WHS 1995 Derek Fey WHS 1998 Karl Fick WHS 2000 Tyler Foster WHS 2004 Paul Hauptman WHS 1998 Kirk Henningsen WHS 1990 Michael Jernigan WHS 1993 Linda (Zoucha) Rau WHS 1992 Otis Seals WHS 2007 Julie (Overfield) Shields WHS 1985 Jim Simons WHS 1996 Elizabeth (Williams) Leach WHS 1998 Eric Sayre WHS 1993 Rachel Bauermeister Hillside 1999 Jamie Beran Hillside 1976 Deborah (Miller) Fehr Hillside 1987 Monica (Johnston) McKevitt Hillside 1993 Tracy Murnan Hillside 1997 Erica (Nespoli) Riffner Hillside 1996 Jaime (Inman) Kammandel Loveland 2002 Branne (Schroeder) Parker Loveland 2005 Molly (Dworak) Seals Loveland 2008 Emily Longe Love/WG 2008 Rita Clark WMS 1975 Steven Clark WMS 1985 Melanie (Huebner) Lempke WMS 1982 Lisa (Dolejs) Martin WMS 1991 Quinn (Geschwender) McGuire WMS 2000 Erin Slattery Oakdale 2003 Lauren Dinkel Paddock RD 2008 Kerri Lewis Paddock RD 2002 Sarah (Fiddelke) Lieske Paddock RD 1995 Erin (Davie) O’Brien Paddock RD 1999 Jamie Pedroza Paddock RD 2003 Kathleen (Krueger) Sindt Paddock RD 1990 Camille Akers Rockbrook 2010 Jered Hellman Rockbrook 1994 Catherine (Cobb) Montgomery Rockbrook 1976 Melodie (Gust) Rice Rockbrook 1986 Patricia O’Brien Rockbrook 2008 Molly McMeekin Sunset Hills 2003 Shannon (Young) Roach Sunset Hills 1995 Deborah (Johnston) Kruse Sunset Hills 1991 Margaret Glogowski Swanson 2009 Deborah (Masters) Nilius Swanson 1991 Amanda Nye Swanson 2007 Kaylee (Heitkamp) Gillespie Westbrook 2004 Kristin (Vanzandbergen) Luxon Westbrook 1973 Michelle Moore Westbrook 2003 Anna Raneri Westbrook 2008 Jennifer (Schuster) Sinclair Westbrook 2000 Marialina (Buccheri) Morris Westgate 1994 Samuel Moser Westgate 2007 Reed Weber Westgate 2001 Shelly (Masters) Graves Westgate 1988 Lynn (Dostal) Spady Westgate 1993 Kristen Campbell Westgate 2009 Lynn Johnson-Romero Hear Imp. 1996 Jennifer (Zoucha) Oswald NPRT 1979
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REUNIONS
Summer is beginning and so are many of the reunions. Visit our website at alumni. wcsfoundation66.org for all reunion information.
2015 Reunions 1965- 50 Year
Book Your Room Early due to College World Series. June 13, 2015 7:00 p.m. – Midnight. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo Aquarium Heavy hors d'oeuvres, Music, Cash Bar and Group Photo. Attire: Nice Casual $75 PER TICKET**Tickets will not be sold at the door** RSVP and Purchase Your Tickets Safely Online: 1. Go to: www.ReunionDB.com 2. Click on the yellow “find me” link at bottom of the page 3. Type in your last name/maiden name 4. Type in your first name if needed 5. Click on your record and then follow the steps in RED Friday, June 12, 6:30 -11:00 p.m. No-Host Gathering at Spirit World, 6680 Center St. in Ak-Sar-Ben Village. Saturday 10:00 a.m., Westside Tour. Meet at main entrance, by east parking lot. Whether you plan to attend or not, please check your picture and update your bio at ReunionDB.com. It’s for the memory book. Just click on your photo to tell us about yourself, family, interests, job, etc. To pay by check, make payable to: Westside HS 1965 Class Reunion, C/O Art Jetter, Treasurer, 13624 Parker Cr, Omaha, NE 68154. WHS65@gmail.com Charlie Lee: 402990-6060 https://www.facebook.com/groups/ WestsideHS1965
1970- 45 Year
August 28, 2015 at Regency Marriott call 402.399.9000 a block of rooms has been reserved for the class at $89 night. Thurs-Mon. Ask for the WHS’70 rate. Sat., Aug. 29 at The Omar Building 4383 Nicholas St. Both nights will go from 7p-midnight. Casual attire. Both nights will include snacks and an appetizer buffet, and a cash bar. Tickets before July 1st: $30 per night/per guest. $55 per guest for both nights. $110 per couple for both nights. After July 1st: $35 per guest/per night. $65 per guest for both nights. $130 per couple for both nights. At the door: $40 per night. No shows: Their monies are considered a donation to the class.
more information at alumni.wcsfoundation66.org Checks can be mailed to Bob Walker, 12010 W 139th Terr., Overland Park, KS 66221. Questions or if you would like to help; Contact: Randy Lieber 801-967-2688, slclieber@hotmail. com. Or Marilyn Phalen 402-573-1836, maddy@cox.net.
1975- 40 Year
October 2-4, 2015 Friday-Sunday www.facebook.com/groups/westside1975
1985- 30 Year
Jul 25, 2015 Saturday 7:00 p.m. -midnight. 1000 Dodge Building, 10th and Dodge Streets EVENTS: 11:00 a.m.—tour of Westside High School • 12:00 p.m.—kick ball game at Arbor Heights (come play or watch—food truck will be onsite for lunch) • 7:00 p.m.—cocktails & food; 9:00 p.m. music starts ($55 pays for the entire night—music, food, and OPEN BAR!) Make your reservation today! By Check Payable to: WHS Class of 1985 Mail to: Pam Hein Adams 1211 S. 121st Plaza, #317 Omaha, NE 68144 Email questions and information updates to: omahawestsideclassof1985@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook at Omaha Westside Class of 1985.
WHATCHA DOIN'? Let us know "Whatcha Doin'" on Facebook! Become a fan of the
Westside Alumni Association and post on our timeline. We'd love to hear from you!
facebook.com/WestsideAlumni
In Remembrance
The Westside Alumni Association honors and recognizes all deceased alumni online at www.alumni.wcsfoundation66.org.
1990- 25 Year
August 22, 2015 Saturday The reunion is scheduled to be at the Redeye Tavern and Grill, 8437 West Center Road in Omaha. Contact Asher Stoller at flasheresq@aol.com
1995- 20 Year
August 1, 2015 Saturday More information to come Contacts: SuzanneVerma- SVerma@bcd.tamhsc.edu Wendi Kroeger - wendikroeger@yahoo.com
2005- 10 Year
August 28-29, 2015 Friday and Saturday Please join the Facebook group - "10 Year Reunion - WHS Class of 2005". You can contact Ricky Anderson at rickyanderson5@gmail.com with any questions.
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Be a part of
Champions Plaza Buy a brick in the main walkway. Honor one another. Remember good times.
Large bricks available for $250 and small bricks for $125. Let the world know you were part of something special at Westside! Go to www.wcsfoundation66.org for more information.
From the Desk of
Maryanne Ricketts, Westside Principal
upcoming events May 18 WHS Commencement Ralston Arena May 20 Omaha Gives! www.omahagives24.org
June 29 The Westside Open The Players Club www.westsidegolf.com Sept. 25 Alumni Homecoming Tailgate
I had a delightful t e l e p h o n e conversation with WHS alum, Ron Saffer, Class of 1959, after he received the last edition of the “W” newsletter. He wanted to let me know he enjoyed the newsletter. He also kindly questioned why there was not more news about the early graduates of Westside High School. As we talked, it was wonderful to hear about Ron’s high school experiences, his friends at Westside, and the community during that time. Ron also shared with me the multiple successes and contributions of many of our early graduates. Having always been proud of Westside’s beginnings and heritage, I finished my conversation with Ron with a smile as I thought about all the great students and graduates I have been lucky enough to know throughout the years. We are Westside for many reasons, but, yes, so much of who we are today did begin with our first graduates. Thank you to all of you who helped chart our course and gave us a strong foundation to build upon even today. We appreciate your continued support. It is always difficult to recognize all the outstanding accomplishments of our Westside students. We are proud of all of their awards and recognitions. A major feat for Westside this year was our girls basketball team winning the State Championship, finishing off a 24-4 season by beating Norfolk in the championship game. This is our first Girls Basketball State Championship title since 1999. We also congratulate the students who were selected for the 2015 Nebraska Scholastic Art Awards. Westside won a total of 216 awards, more than any other school. Westside students also have had winning performances in robotics, DECA, debate and speech, jazz and stage bands, show choir, and thespian and Quiz Bowl competitions. Again, these are just a few of the many student successes in recent months at Westside. Have a great spring! Go Warriors!
Oct. 3
VI-VI
Nov. 28
Alumni Basketball Tournament
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Westside Community Schools
Westside Alumni Association
NONPROFIT ORG.
909 South 76th Street Omaha, NE 68114-4599
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westside alumni association
2015 Board of Directors President: Jason Hellman (’90)
Westside Alumni Association The “W” Newsletter Westside Alumni Association 909 South 76th Street Omaha, NE 68114-4599
402.390.2183 (Voicemail) 402.390.2177 (Fax) alumni@westside66.net (Email)
Support Your Alumni Association
Vice President: John Hoich (’76) TREASURER: Marc Lowe (’76) SECRETARY: Phyllis (Donaldson) Choat (’65) directors:
Rick Berkshire (’72), Mark Dudley (’73), Mike Guinane (’74), Curt Huston (’81), Rob Laughlin, (’75), Beth (Williams) Leach (’98), Kristin Lynch (’89), Debbie (Moss) McGrew (’88), Martha (Williams) Nielsen (’82), Rob Owen (’87), Mark Sempek (’80), Denise (Haber) Swanson (’80), Tom Thompson (’83), Meagan (Davis) VanGelder (’88)
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the Alumni Association, please mail your donation to the address above, payable to “Westside Alumni Association”.
Congratulations Class of 2015! We are honored to have you as new members of the Westside Alumni Association
A
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