President’s Message
And the Band Played On… SHSAA Donates Special Equipment to the South High Band
Larry Latta (’72) This being my inaugural President’s Message I thought it best to begin with a brief bio. I am a product of the South Side having received my primary education at Southwood Elementary and secondary at Barrett Junior and South High Schools (’72). I proudly wear Blue and Gray on both sleeves.
SHSAA has sponsored 17 all-class picnics hosting more than 5,100 alumni and friends of SHS; raised and granted over $60,000 in student college scholarships to more than 60 students; disseminated more than 1200 newsletters annually; acquired more than 25 paid sponsors; assumed responsibility for all concessions for football and basketball games at South donating all profits to the school for special projects; conducted I have been involved with the SHSAA for over a the annual Southside tradition of an Oldies Dance; and decade. I am honored to have been chosen to assembled an South High School archives containing take over the helm from Jim Driggs to succeed as hundreds of memorabilia dating back to 1900. only the second president of this great SHSAA. And just this past year we became a not-for-profit Some of you may not be aware of the long and 501(c)3 association which enables tax-deductible rich history of South High School. South High contributions. Booyah! opened in 1900 as the 4th Columbus City Schools’ high school at 345 E. Deshler Avenue And now for me the real work begins as I try to fill the (the current Barrett Building). Since 1900 there big shoes left to me by Jim Driggs as the SHSAA have been several alumni associations that have Board, our members, and I work to fulfill our mission: come and gone. Provide Support to South High School and to its alumni by: In 2000 a group of SHS alumni organized a weekend Centennial Celebration that consisted • Preserving and supporting the tradition of of a Friday “Sock Hop” at Barrett, Saturday excellence of the school formal dinner at Beulah Park and concluded with • Building and maintaining relationships among the a Sunday breakfast at South High in the school’s alumni and friends basement cafeteria. • Raising funds for activities of both the school and the Association The Centennial Committee had a balance of • Enhancing the educational experience of current approximately $1,700 and pondered for a short students at the school while on what to do with the remaining funds. The answer was simple; restart the South High I’m looking forward to all the challenges! Go Dawgs! School Alumni Association. An organization meeting was held at Plank’s on Parsons in (’72) September, 2000 and from that meeting officers and Board members were elected: Jim DriggsPresident, Dave Fleming-Vice President,
VLD Grading, Inc. employees 35 people out of its headquarters in Pataskala, Ohio where Valerio and his wife also live. Both of his children live across the street from their farm. He sees his grandsons everyday. Over the past 65 years, Valerio has always supported the Southend, South High School, and the South High Alumni Association. He has stayed in contact with many of the friends he grew up with and has many ties to the South End. The memories of the neighborhood, the people, and places like St. Stephan’s Community Center and the Crystal Pool are as fresh as if they happened yesterday.
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Recently Carolyn and SHSAA Vice President Sharon Selby (’64) visited the school and personally delivered an assortment of equipment to Tony Thomas SHS Band Director. The equipment included: • • •
4 - Drum Heads 7-Sets of Marching Drum Sticks 25-Samson Over Ear Stereo Headphones
After all of these years he proudly confided, “Living in the neighborhood and experiencing the camaraderie of the people coming from different ethnic backgrounds was a great experience. It was a wonderful way to grow up and the bonds of friendship have stayed with me throughout my life. It is an important part of who I am.” SHSAA is proud to have Valerio Dalicandro as a supporter and friend of South High School!
Larry Latta
From this humble beginning, the current South High School Alumni Association (SHSAA) has grown.
Carolyn (Lilley) Lowe (’64) made a generous $500 donation to SHSAA with a special designation for the South High Band/Music program.
Valerio Dalicandro
Thanks to Carol for providing this equipment. Any members wishing to donate for a special purpose can do so by going online to www.SHSAA.Family. Select the DONATE button in the Main menu bar at the top of each web page. All donations are tax deductible.
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