Welcome to the Wyoming School Foundation Newsletter and Annual Report for fiscal year 2013.

It could be said that 2013 for the Wyoming School Foundation was successful and not markedly different from the several years preceding it.  This was a year in which we continued to fulfill our mission of supporting the Wyoming City Schools in perpetuating a tradition of excellence.  Our Cowboy Up event was again a success; the second annual Fun Run was a popular activity; and Jeffrey Gendell '77 was our Distinguished Alumni.  On Foundation Day, he energetically shared insights from his life experiences and successes with a Wyoming High School audience, challenging them to consider their future paths

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We are viewing 2014 as a year in which we will build on past success while initiating transformation. The Foundation continues to provide important support to a myriad of programs and activities as requested by school administrators and faculty.   Our Denim & Diamonds event was tremendously well attended and supported by the community.  The third annual Fun Run continued its popularity and exceeded all expectations in relation to participants and funds raised.  In May, we will recognize the Distinguished Alumni recipient, Dan Jones '56, and look forward to spending a day at the high school with him.

In 2015 we will have an important anniversary.   The Wyoming School Foundation was founded in 1965 with the intent of supporting the schools by allowing them to offer an exceptional education through a public school system.   It was recognized then that supplemental funding was essential to maintain an exemplary track record.

On the cusp of this anniversary, the Board of Trustees is examining ways in which the Foundation can focus its efforts with the intent of making an even bigger difference to our schools, and, in turn, the entire community.  We are exploring ways in which we can work more closely with the Board of Education.  We seek a better understanding of the most significant and strategic needs of our schools, with the intent that the Foundation can then devise effective means of supporting these.

As we prepare for our 50th year, we intend to continue to support important, immediate needs within the schools while increasing the effectiveness of the Foundation in contributing meaningfully to the longer term strengthening of our school system.

Thank you for your support of the Wyoming School Foundation.  The interest, energy and generosity of our friends has made a difference to our children and schools in the past, and will be even more essential as we work to become more effective. 

Dale R. Wiethe '78

Front row: Peter Guggenheim, Jim Getgey, Ed Hand, Lynn Reiber, Jeri Rominger, Allison Lebuhn; Second Row: Richard Hartke, Dan Izenson, Jo Irvine, Shelley Komrska, Alex Guest; Third Row: Lee Hayner, Pat Seuberling, Kate Rummer, Kurt Marty, Dale Wiethe, Guy Belew, Absent: Laurie Hoppenjans

Pat Seuberling, WSF Executive Director Departs

Dale Wiethe, president of the Wyoming School Foundation, has announced that Pat Seuberling has resigned her position as Executive Director of the Foundation.  Wiethe said "The Foundation has benefitted from Pat's experience in non-profit organizations.  While we are sorry to see Pat leave us, we wish her the best in the future endeavors and thank her for her many positive contributions to this organization."

Pat has served as Executive Director of the Foundation since 2011.  She is seeking growth opportunities as she pursues new opportunities in the Cincinnati area.  The WSF Board of Trustees will work in the coming months to determine next steps for the Foundation.  In the meantime, Jeri Rominger continue to operate the WSF office and volunteers are providing support to all of the activities of the Foundation. 

Welcome to our newest Trustees

The Wyoming School Foundation inducted our newest Trustees at the Annual Meeting held in August 2013, Dan Izenson and Laurie Hoppenjans, pictured between President-elect Peter Guggenheim and President Dale Wiethe

Wyoming School Foundation and the Foundation's Distinguished Alumni Society are pleased to announce Daniel S. Jones, Class of 1956, as the 2014 Distinguished Alumni, newest member of the Distinguished Alumni Society.

The Distinguished Alumni Society was established in 2002 to recognize alumni who have distinguished themselves in their lives and careers.  Dan is the 12th Distinguished Alumni in the history of the Foundation. He is the founder and owner of NewsBank, inc., a web-based information technology provider of aggregated online news resources of over 10,000 local, national and international newspapers and other news publications.

Dan will be inducted to the Distinguished Alumni Society during a reception in his honor on May 18th at DiStasi's on Wyoming Avenue. He will spend the morning of May 19th at Wyoming High School in various classes and will speak at the all school assembly to share his life experiences and career achievements. 

MELE embodies the mission of The Wyoming School Foundation by celebrating and supporting outstanding teachers in the Wyoming City Schools and providing for the long term continuation of excellence in our schools. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

•  Total Donated Principal reached $116,000 on 12/31/2013
•  MELE Scholarships/Programs to start when donated principal reaches  $200,000
•  In 2014 three additional retired Wyoming School Staff will be honored and selected as MELE Master Educators

The Wyoming School Foundation is pleased to announce a new scholarship that will be awarded to a graduating senior in June 2014. The Virginia B. Gridley Education Scholarship was established in honor of Virginia Gridley, former teacher and librarian for Wyoming City Schools.

The family of Mrs. Gridley wanted to do something very special in honor of her 90th birthday.   Robert Thall, a family member, contacted the Foundation office and made arrangements for a scholarship account in her honor.  Friends and family were notified of the gift and generously sent donations to establish the fund.

At her birthday celebration in June 2013, Mrs. Gridley was presented with a plaque outlining the Virginia B. Gridley Education Scholarship.  Carla Gridley Jackson, daughter, stated, "She treasures this gift.  It was one of her two favorite presents, an abundance of chocolate bars being the other. The plaque holds a place of honor on her desk." 

Mrs. Gridley reminisced about her 29 years as a teacher and librarian with Wyoming City Schools.  She fondly recalls that the favorite part of her job was working with students. One particulate memory stands out.  When the Middle School was moved into the Wyoming Avenue location from what is now the High School on Pendery Avenue, she was tasked with moving all the library books from one location to the other. She remembers, "The kids and I moved all the books in about 2 hours.  The books were placed in paper bags and labeled with the Dewey decimal numbers.  The kids each took a bag. I encouraged them to make Mr. Dewey proud and to stay in correct Dewey decimal order as we walked down the "boulevard" between the two schools until every library book was transferred."

The legacy of Mrs. Gridley and the impact she had on her students will live on through this special gift from her family.  The scholarship will award $1,000 annually to an eligible graduating senior who is pursuing a degree in Education from an accredited college or university, is in good standing at the high school, has achieved at a 3.0 cumulative average, and demonstrates a financial hardship to pay for post-secondary expenses.  Contributions in honor of Virginia Gridley are accepted on the Foundation website or by mail and will be designated to the Virginia B. Gridley Education Scholarship.

 Denim and Diamonds A Huge Success!

The gala celebrating and fundraising on behalf of the Wyoming School Foundation has been an annual highlight for some time.  Fun to attend, it is also an important way in which many people show their support for the Foundation and the schools. 

Denim and Diamonds raised over $60,000 for the foundation in support of our schools.  Thanks to our sponsors and the many volunteers and attendees who made this possible.  

Co-chairs Amy and Jeff Wolber and Suzanne and Kevin Edwards lead a team of volunteers, they arranged a myriad of details, including food, entertainment and decorating the lovely rooms of the Lyceum.  This year the services of a professional auctioneer were engaged for the first time.  This added to the auction experience and to its success.  Doug Sorrell, who specializes in fund raising auction events, was not only a hit with his patter during the live auction, his guidance and advice helped make the auction a financial success. 

New this year was "Fund-A-Need", a live auction event in which attendees were able to make financial gifts that will directly fund specific needs of the schools. This funding appeal raised $18,500.  

Attendance included faculty and administration of the schools as well as parents, alums and other supporters of the schools.   The crowd was enthusiastic in their purchases in the Silent and Live Auctions as well as the Wine Pull.   As the evening progressed, tables of delightful hors d'oeuvres were replaced by a sumptuous feast and the entertainment took to the stage.   Dancing to the sounds of 2nd Wind and fun continued until the end. 

Mark your calendar for next year's Denim and Diamonds!

SAVE THE DATE 

January 31, 2015

Denim & Diamonds 2015 

Glendale Lyceum