CELEBRATING 153 YEARS
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Berlin High School Alumni Association - “The Oldest in the State”
BHS Alumni Association PO Box 267 Berlin WI, 54923
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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; Ramona Miracle, 1961; Chris Kalupa, 1983; Jodi Kalkis, 1983; Jason Umbreit, 1986; Doug Petraszak, 1982; Missy Daubner, 1990; Tori Okon, 2012 Honorary Board Members: Debra Dowen, 1973; Andrew Przybyl, 1998
Honorary alumni to be inducted By Tess Kujawa, 2025 A total of eight honorary alumni are being inducted at the alumni banquet in May. To become an honorary alumni one must have worked a minimum of 25 years in the BASD as a teacher, principal, or superintendent. They must also be nominated by any alumni member, co-worker, community member, or Alumni Board of Director member. “It came as a complete surprise to me when I received their invitation. In fact, I had to read the letter twice. I am, of course, feeling very honored to have been nominated and am looking forward to seeing any of my former students who might be there that evening,” honorary alumna Linda Hansen said. Hansen was not the only one caught unawares with their induction. “Well, it was kind of a surprise. I taught there for 35 years and I guess with COVID and everything going on since I retired, I kind of forgot about that sort of thing. I’m deeply honored to be selected to become an alumnus,” honorary alumnus Chuck Gallinger said. Over the years these honorary alumni have seen many changes in the school district, including in the students themselves. “In the 1977-78 school year the kids that I had in class were probably 75-80% farm kids, and when I retired in 2012 I had one student who came from a family operated
dairy farm. The school district itself had changed,” Gallinger said. Other honorees saw changes at the lower levels of school as well. “Kindergarten was a lot different then than now. I’ve watched it evolve and been part of that evolving until my retirement,” honorary alumna Kay Roethel said. Not all of the inductees were strictly teachers in the BASD, including honorary alumnus Steve Stellmacher who was also the Athletic Director for 34 years. “My most memorable experiences were the 19 Conference Championships that I was part of, including a WIAA State Track Championship in 1986,” Stellmacher said. Honorary alumnus Robert Prellwitz also says some of his memorable moments were related to sports. “Certainly coaching the 1989-90 basketball team to the state tournament ranks very high. I also remember fondly the way I, along with a few other teachers, got involved in activities like the Talent Show and Homecoming skits,” Prellwitz said. The honorees also shared memorable classroom moments. “In kindergarten of course you had to learn to use the tools, and one of the tools was the scissors. I had a little boy who had a terrible time cutting and so I suggested to his mother at conference time that maybe he practice a little at home,” Roethel said. “And so when I saw her again, she said ‘well
2024 Honorary Alumni Conrad Falk - 36 years Chuck Gallinger - 35 years Linda Hansen - 34 years Michael Hermanson - 39 years Robert Prellwitz - 35 years Kay Roethel - 9 years public, 20+ years parochial Steve Stellmacher - 34 years Jim White - 35 years Created by Tess Kujawa we got so-and-so some scissors and he practiced, he cut up his bedroom curtains.’ Things like that that make you laugh. I don’t know if he turned out to be a good cutter as a grownup or not.” The honorary alumni have seen many things change, but much has also stayed the same. “People often ask me if students are different these days compared to when I started teaching. My answer is always, ‘No’. They’ve always been fun to be around and they keep an old guy like me thinking young. It’s good for my health!” Prellwitz said.