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BHS Alumni Association
PO Box 267
Berlin WI, 54923 NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE PAID OSHKOSH, WI PERMIT No. 67
If your street address and/or e-mail address has changed, please e-mail your new information to bhsalumniassociation50@gmail.com or mail to the PO Box listed above in order to keep our BHS Alumni database current.
SAVE THE DATE: MAY 27, 2023, 5p.m.
Tickets available by mail, online or locally in Berlin. Celebrating classes of ending in 2 & 7, and those classes ending in 0, 1, 5 & 6 that missed their reunion due to the pandemic. www.berlinalumni.org
Berlin High School
Alumni Association
Board of Directors
President: Donna McMartin, 1990
Vice President: Cindy Stobbe, 1975
Secretary: Pat Grahn, 1976
Treasurer: Emily Burns, 2012
Board Members: Judy Martin, 1960; Donna Kirk, 1961; Ramona Miracle, 1961; Chris Kalupa, 1983; Jodi Kalkis, 1983; Jason Umbreit, 1986; Doug Petraszak, 1982
Honorary Board Members: Debra Dowen, 1973; Andrew Przybyl, 1998
Berlin High School Alumni Association - “The Oldest in the State”
By Abby Milliron, 2024
Andrew Przybyl, class of ‘98, was selected to be the 25-year speaker and class representative for this year’s Alumni Banquet.
He attended UW-Platteville, and received his bachelor in science and mechanical engineering degree. He then attended UWOshkosh and earned a master’s degree in business administration.
“I spent one year doing the hydrodynamics engineer job and then the next 17 years working on engine and vessel control systems and was the manager of a group called Thermodynamics and Calibration. I am now in program management working on electrification projects at Mercury,” Przybyl said.
Przybyl grew up on a farm, which he says shaped his work ethic. Przybyl lives on the farm he grew up on with his wife Tracy, stepson Ryan and son Matt. He is the third Przybyl to own the farm property.
His mother is from Thailand and his father is from Berlin. He has two sisters and one brother who are all
older than he is.
Przybyl has had a successful career after high school, and made many memories that he holds onto.
“Never forget where you came from. Even though it isn’t glorious or fancy, or what you thought it should be, this town shaped some of the most influential years of your life. Use those experiences to the best of your ability,” Przybyl said.
“As a tradition we used to pass down a tomahawk at pep rallies. A very fond memory for me is when my older sister passed down the tomahawk to me, one class president to the other at the Homecoming pep rally,” Przybyl said. Przybyl has a piece of advice for this year’s graduates.
Andrew Przybyl (second from left) and his wife Tracy (second from right), stepson Ryan (right), and son Matt (Left).
100 years of The Red’n’Green
In the year 2028 The Red’n’Green will be celebrating 100 years of publishing under the title The Red’n’Green. The Red’n’Green is looking for print newspapers from the past 100 years. All copies can be mailed or delivered to:
Berlin High School
Attn: Shannon Kuehmichel
222 Memorial Dr. Berin, WI 54923
Scan here to see the start of the digital archive.
-Alexa Fleegal
-Chase
-Wyatt Lind
-Camdyn Rhode
-Regina
Thanks to the Farmers & Merchants Bank and to the Fortifi Bank of Berlin for underwriting the costs of postage for this newsletter. Also, thank you to the Berlin Journal for public relations support throughout the year.
- Gary & Connie Kolpin
- David Arneson
- Ray & Valerie Sprague
- Terry Wallace
- Sara Anderson Packard
- JeAnn Jensen
- Barbara Burmeister (Beck)
- John Fugmann
- Walter Heise
- Gordy & Carla Weise (Schalk)
- Carlton Nehring
- Betty Rucks
- Duane Haedt
- Mark & Rita
Thomas
- Kenneth Brown
- Robert Kettlewell
- Susan Sieger
- Betty Van Sistine
- James Jodarski
- Michael Schoomer
Alumni Association awards Teaching and Learning Grant
By Emilee Wegner, 2023
The Alumni Association sent out the new annual teacher grant applications. They made this process very simple for teachers to fill out.
“So far grants have been awarded to Mrs. Femali for adding more books to her classroom library and to Mrs.Goettl for the second grade to attend a field trip,” alumni member Missy Daubner said.
Femali expresses that when students are provided with current material, they enjoy the reading more.
“I used the grant money to buy multiple copies of six books that have a theme of transformation. I want to utilize them with Freshman English in the unit where we talk about journeys of transformation by incorporating some novel choices for students,” Femali said.
Femali says she is grateful for this opportunity given to teach-
ers by the Alumni Association.
“The process was so easy and in an age where budget money is growing tighter and prices are soaring we need to turn to any available financial resources there are, including grants. I am grateful to the Alumni Association for their investment in Berlin’s future and specifically in my classroom and students,” Femali said.
Second grade teacher Tammy Goettl explains what she will be using the grant money for.
“I wrote the grant for second graders to attend a live performance at the PAC in Appleton. Students saw ‘Pete the Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure’ on Feb. 1,” Goettl said.
Goettl explains her reasoning for wanting to take the second grade to a PAC live performance.
“In second grade we read lots and lots of books and share
our favorite authors with our students. Each year we schedule a live performance for students. We hope this field trip will spark the love of theater in our students. Finally, we want our students to know that learning outside of the classroom is valuable and important,” Goettl said.
With costs rising, Goettl explains how truly useful this is, and expresses her gratitude for the Alumni Association.
“I am grateful to the BHS Alumni Association for establishing the Teaching and Learning Grant. Our second grade field trip budget only allows $1,000 for the entire school year. When you factor in busing costs there is no money left to cover the admission fees. I would highly encourage staff members to apply for a grant. Remember, it’s for the students,” Goettl said.
Donors to the BHS Alumni Association Scholarship and Teacher Grant Fund
- Patti Curran
- Marilyn Burlinson (Wallace)
- Dawn Eitel
- William Murkley
- Mary Kay & Thomas Schwarz
- Dean & Mary Ann Jorgensen (Jezwinski)
- James McMonigal
- Gilbert Keller
- Marlene Gersch (Sierakowski)
- Jeanne Helmrick
- Tom & Kim Gonyo
- Ervin Liegl
- Barbara Himes (Dressler)
- Kim Knorr
- Thomas Barnowske
- Donna Hughes
- Thomas J. Thomas
- Francisco & Mary
Jane Martinez
- Janet Jaecks (Seward)
- Sylvia Miller
- Doryce Lemens (Lesniak)
- Ralph Chipman
- Patrick Morrow
- Richard Petruschke
- Ted Fortnum
- Joan Kavage
- Karen Mckenna
- William & Shirley Huck
- Carole Ceman
- Wallace Coats
- Marcille Apps
- Donald Greening
- Amy Tincher-Durik
- Elaine Van Rhyn
- Dennis Calabresa
- Kenneth Kwidzinski
- Ramona Miracle
- Donna Kirk
- Ronald Schiessl
- David Good
- Steve & Diane Klika
- William Cross
- Diana Nelson
- Karen Kettlewell
- Louise Wagner
- Dianne Burling
- Judy Fenske
- Bryant Bednarek
- Steven Dyer
- Janes Lind
- Allan Prosser
- Steven & Lyssa Koscher
- William Carpenter
- Robin Henriksen
- Charles Przybyl Jr
- Steven Dyer
- Diane Bloch
- Karyl Bennett
- Nancy Hansen
- Admiral James Carey
- Judy Jodarski
- John Kujawa
- Donna Nickolaisen
- Charles Ihrke
- Richard & Gerene Bartol
- Ruthann Kuble
- Doris Holmes
Adams ‘73 named as 50-year reunion speaker
By Jane Hoffman, 2024
Though her success began with her graduation from Berlin High School, Lynn (Petters) Adams, has taken what she learned in her four years here and applied it to her life. After becoming a teacher herself she reflects on her teachers and appreciates them. For this year’s banquet she has been named the 50-year speaker.
“I often remember how the staff at Berlin were passionate about their profession and that they genuinely cared about their students. I didn’t always appreciate the hard work that went into teaching until I became one,” Adams said.
After acquiring her degree at Northland College she obtained employment at Washburn High School. She went on to get her masters degree after her three children had entered high school and middle school.
“I believe that we all need to be lifelong learners and I wanted my children
to know that their mom was always willing to keep learning,” Adams said. As for the topic of her speech she will share some of her experiences and how they have influenced her.
“My plan is to go back in time and remember some of the great times that we had during our four years at school, and how those experiences we had in the classroom influenced us,” Adams said.
Adams is now retired but still holds the position as her township’s treasurer. She enjoys her retirement up north with her husband in their log cabin that they built and have lived in for 45 years. As she prepares to return to her hometown she has been reflecting on the impact Berlin High School had on her.
“I felt that the friendships made with the faculty and fellow students were lasting. I viewed going to school as a very social time. I felt fortunate to be in a class that loved to socialize as well as being very smart!” Adams said.
Honorary Membership
Since the BHS Alumni Association was founded in 1871, 50 former teachers, principals or superintendents have been given honorary membership. Within these past 152 years there was a gap of about thirty years when no one was inducted. For the 150th anniversary the criteria for the honorary membership was updated. The new criteria states that any teacher who has worked 25 years or longer in any Berlin area school can become a honorary member. Nomination applications are found on the alumni website.
2023 Honorary Members
Lynn Mork
Curt Snoq
Vern Tollakson
Lisa Utecht
Carol Warnecke
Highlight from the Red ‘n’ Green
- Peter & Sara Sobraliski
- Harlen Groskreutz
- Mark Kasuboski
- Ronald Harke
- Julieanne Beck
- Doug Werch
- Dennis Wiese
- Linda Reetz
- Mary Ellen Young
- Joyce Voeltner
- Beverly Colburn
- James Abel
- Judie Martin
- Jerald Wendt
- Karl Stetter
- Thomas/Nancy Fuhremann
- Patricia Ashley
- Julia Starbuck
- Gary Rasmussen
- K Kwidzinski
- D & M Krause
- Rochelle Chikowski
- Richard McMonigal
- Tom Gurkowski
- Kathleen (Lane)
Dickerson
- Bonnie Sosnoski
- Randy Behm
- Carl Luepke
- Donald Dehn
- Patrick Morrow
- Paul & Barb Youngbauer & Family
- John Gillett
- Mary P. Murphy
- Edith Rossman
- Angeline Kamba
- Alice Resop
- Yvonne Firary
- Elizabeth Reetz
- Fortifi Bank-Berlin
- Farmers & Merchants Bank
- Sarah ChipmanPaulick
- Debra Crow
- Curt Buchholz
- Dennis R. Wiese
- Linda Moore
- Bill & Shirley Huck
- Carol M. Bartol
- Ervin Liegl
- Evonne Harr
- Marshall Taxer
- William Cross
- Karen Schultz
- Cynthia Schuett
- Charles Kolpin
- Richard Klick
- Rita WeiskeJohanning
- Tom & Steve
Barlowski
- Enid Krueger
- Caryn Blanc
- Donna Glunn
- Bonnie Lundt
- Mary Ann Brisky
- Ed Buchholtz
- Paul Splittgerber
- Joyce Voeltner
- Rita Thomas
- Judy Howard
- Betty Rucks
- Sylvia Miller
New
CNA class offered at BHS in partnership with Moraine Park
By Elyse Osterberg, 2023
In an attempt to give students access to quality career and technical programming, Moraine Park Technical College has partnered with Berlin High School to offer a certified nursing assistant class. The class is being taught by Anne Deacy, a certified instructor from Moraine Park. It took place during first and second hour second semester and the students received one high school credit.There were ten slots for the class and many requirements in order to be eligible for it.
“In order to participate in a nursing assistant course, students must be 16 years old, must complete a criminal background check, and must
have vaccinations against several communicable diseases like COVID, influenza, mumps, measles, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and hepatitis B,” Deacy said.
“In addition, they must have a tuberculosis blood test or two tuberculosis skin tests. Most facilities that clinicals are performed in also require a drug screen prior to the start of clinicals. These requirements are all needed to assure (to the extent possible) that clients in the facility will be kept safe from preventable diseases,” Deacy said.
The school had to acquire equipment and supplies to meet the requirements of the Wisconsin Department
of Health Services. The school received a grant from the ThedaCare Foundation for $8,500 to help offset some costs of the CNA lab.
“Some of the equipment was donated from Thedacare. Some came from a Thedacare foundation grant. The rest was purchased by the district,” Principal Bryant Bednarek said.
Senior Madison Mertens is one of the ten students enrolled in the class, and says she is excited about getting to learn new things and to participate in clinicals.
“I decided to take this class because I am looking into careers in the medical field, and thought it would be a good way to start,” Mertens said.
The students in the class had
a variety of hands-on experiences including trips to Juliette Manor.
“The clinical hours are spent at a long term care facility right in Berlin. Students have exposure to a local facility in the event they want to apply to work there after completing the certification exams,” Deacy said.
CNA class participants and instructor Anne Deacy come together to celebrate the opening of the new CNA class. The class began on Jan. 20.
