NewsBriefs - Oct. / Nov. 2013

Pumpkin & turkey time!

Happy Holidays!

~Shortridge Alumni Association~

Athletic Department News

Herschell Turner's Jersey (#55) Retirement

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2013

What: 1st home bb game of 2013-14 season

Place: Shortridge Magnet High School Gym

3401 N. Meridian Street

Time: 7:30p (prior to varsity game)

Danny Wilson, SMHS athletic director, announces plans to retire the third jersey of a former Shortrdge all-star athlete. Herschell Turner (aka "H.T.") was an outstanding basketball player for the Blue Devils in the mid 1950s. Those from that era will remember #55 and the fierce competition between rivals Shortridge Blue Devils vs. Crispus Attucks Tigers and their super star, Oscar Robertson. Robertson and H.T. were #1 and #2, respectively in nearly all basketball statistical categories during his senior year. Turner, who graduated in 1956, entered the University of Nebraska as one of only three blacks on the campus of 14,000, and the first black man to receive a scholarship at the university. He became the Husker's first 1,000-point basketball player.

Athletic Career Highlights:

1952-56: Shortridge High School

1956-60: University of Nebraska

1960: Drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in the sixth round of the NBA draft; sent to the Baltimore Bullets of the Eastern League

1961: Turner joins the U.S. Army Reserve, drafted six months into his service by Chicago Majors of the newly formed American Basketball League. The league folded after less than two seasons

1962-63: Plays for the Harlem Globetrotters

1963: Plays games with Holland Oilers, then joins the Grand Rapids Tackers

1964-67: Played for Muskegon Panthers; and Pittsburgh Pipers, traded mid-season to Anaheim Amigos

1968: Plays with Anaheim Amigos, retired from American Basketball Association

1969: Retired from professional basketball.

Turner had two passions as a youth: basketball and art. He graduated from Nebraska with a bachelor's degree in art and a minor in teaching. After his basketball experiences came to an end, the artistic side eventually won out. A highly accomplished artist, Turner has painted portraits of entertainer Al Green, President Gerald Ford, and golf legend Tiger Woods. However, he's most notably known for his "Black Cowboy" series of artistic pieces shown at art exhibitions across the country and sold around the world.

Notable Awards

He's been an engineer (General Motors), ran a development corporation, was owner/operator of a T-shirt store and director of Baxter Community Center (Grand Rapids, MI), and art teacher amassing dozens of civic and community awards along the way.

He's received awards galore with some of the more notable including:

* University of Nebraska Hall of Fame

* Received a key to the City of Indianapolis on two occasions; once in 1981 when he was named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and again a decade later for his work with youth

* Harlem Globetrotters Hall of Fame

* Dozens of awards for athletic, artistic talent, civic and community service, including: Man of the Year (Grand Rapids Jaycees), Comcast & McDonald's Pioneer Award; Outstanding Kappa Alpha Psi Award and others

* Inducted into the Shortridge Hall of Fame (June 2013) (Visit the Shortridge Alumni Association website: www.shortridgealumni.com Hall of Fame tab for more details of Turner's outstanding career. His Hall of Fame plaque is on permanent display along the main corridor at Shortridge)

Basketball behind him, H.T. turned to another passion: to work with disadvantaged youth In the community. This direction probably was the most rewarding as he became director of Baxter Community Center where he taught black history and other pride-building programs and improvements of social services in the Grand Rapids community.

Herschell Turner and his wife, Julia, have called Grand Rapids, MI home for more than four decades. They have two grown daughters.

Turner's retired jersey #55 will be the third in the school's history following the retirement of jerseys for George Pillow (Class of 1967) and William "Bo" Crain (Class of 1959). Don't miss this special evening.

The Legacy Basketball Game - Wednesday, November 27th, Shortridge vs. Crispus Attucks

This is the second edition of this event. Last season the Crispus Attucks Tigers took home the boys' trophy and the Shortridge Magnet H.S. girls took home the trophy in their inaugural game. The Shortridge band showed why they are one of the top bands in the area in last year's battle of the bands. Attucks vowed to make a better showing this year. This year a cheerleader's competition has been added.

Commemorative Tickets. Once again, there will be a special commemorative ticket for the game. Our hope is that alumni from both schools will turn out in great numbers to support their schools. Each year the tickets will be different as the home school will be in charge of the ticket design. Admission to the game will be $5 for all school-aged children through adult.

We hope to see all of you at this premiere basketball event on November 27, 2013, beginning at 2 p.m., 3:45, 5:30 and 8 p.m. All games will be played at the Crispus Attucks Magnet High School gym.

Fall Sports Wrap Up

This fall was a step forward for our Blue Devils teams as a whole. We competed well in all our high school sports.

Volleyball: A very young volleyball team, playing a more competitive schedule, showed a great deal of improvement over the season. Although very challenging, they never quit working to get better. Student Prayyer Benyatta was named to the All-Conference team for her play in the PAAC conference tournament.

Soccer: WOW! That is the only way to describe the year that our soccer team had this season with a 12-3 record. The soccer team was undefeated in regular season play. They won the PAAC conference title. We had four All-Conference players and two honorable mentions. In addition, the team played well in the sectional against the ultimate sectional champion, Ritter, who advanced to the semi-final round. We look forward to a great season next fall.

Football: The football team set the bar high in their first year of varsity competition. A very young team, with some football talent, had a winning record for the season of 8-4. Losing to a very good Lutheran team early in the year, they regrouped and won their initial sectional game before losing 52-50 to Clinton Prairie in the semi-finals of the sectional. We hope to land a couple of Blue Devils on the All-City team. Voting for that honor is later this month and will be announced at the Kiwanis Football Luncheon on December 13, 2013.

Girls Golf: Girls golf had a solid season. This group of young ladies continued to show steady improvement as they mature as a golf team. The highlight of the season was winning the IPSAC conference golf tournament and having all four of our team members named to the All-Conference team. First Place and medalist of the tournament was Emily O'Neal; Olivia O'Neal placed second, Lydia Gonzalez placed 3rd and Mary Baker placed 9th overall.

Shortridge Legacy Scholarship Fund & Special Interest Projects -- Year-end Tax Deductible Donations

As this calendar year draws to a close, don't forget a tax deductible donation to the Shortridge Legacy Scholarship Fund. All donors, regardless of the amount, will be listed as General Members.

The listing of Charter Members of the Founding Members Legacy Guild are now posted on our website, www.shortridgealumni.com, and the plaque of the donors is posted at entrance to the Alumni Room #181 along the main hallway at Shortridge.

A General Members listing of the Shortridge Legacy Scholarship Fund donors continues and donors' names will be listed in this e-newsletter. Kindly consider any level of donations to add to the scholarship fund. Donors of $500 or more will continue to receive five years' membership in the alumni association. Consider these options:

Your donation to the scholarship fund or other projects may qualify as a tax-deductible contribution. Consult with your tax advisor. Make checks for the scholarship fund payable to: Shortridge Legacy Scholarship Fund mail c/o 5030 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254 or make your donation online on the website via PayPal or major credit card www.shortridgealumni.com.

Donations for other projects; e.g. support of the Athletic Department, Music Department or other special-interest project, checks should be made payable to the Shortridge Alumni Association with annotation on the Notes section to which project you wish to support. Likewise, special-interest donations may be made online via our website, as shown above and found at the Dues & Donations tab.

Shortridge Legacy Scholarship Fund - General Members

Make your donation via PayPal or major credit card on our website: www.shortridgealumni.com at the Donations tab.

Platinum Level

(Donations $501 or greater)

Dr. Edward Roche - 1957

Gold Level

(Donations $250 to $500)

Susan E. (Crawford) Avon - 1971

Timothy T. McDowell, II - 1971

Silver Level

(Donations $150 to $249)

Bronze Level

(Donations $100 to $149)

Lynn (Bolles) Boatman - 1958

William Boatmen - 1958

Paula (Distelhorst) Eidel - 1958

Richard M. Midkiff - 1963

Rufus "Bud" Myers - 1960

General Support

(Donations $5 to $99)

Jane (Butler) Bowman - 1942

Robert G. Butler - 1959

Hattie Byland - 1965

Barbara (Baker) Engle - 1958

Diane (Lockman) Goldberg -1960

Aleta S. Hodge - 1972

Tony Littrell - 1969

Robert W. MacAleese - 1961

Kathryn E. (Hill) Meredith - 1942

Dr. Woodrow A. Myers, Jr. - 1970

Ann (Cantwell) Penrose - 1941

Harold A. Smith - 1960

Marsha (Emerson) Thomas -- 1961

Lynn (Hansen) Wakefield - 1970

John D. Wild - 1965

Mary Jane "Janie" (Foerst) Witz - 1943

SMHS Band plays at numerous events in Oct. & Nov.

The Shortridge Magnet High School marching and jazz bands played in numerous community events -- IPS Hall of Fame Luncheon, Circle City Classic parade -- and competed in band competitions throughout October and into November. The band will compete in the Bands of America Indianapolis Marching Band Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 13th at 6 pm. Come out to see some very talented musicians. Ms. Kathy Spangler has tickets available for the Nov. 13th event.

View the following article with news of the band's great showing:

http://www.ips.k12.in.us/2013/10/23/shortridge-band-making-history-in-state-competition

As this group continues to compete whenever and wherever they can, any financial support would be especially helpful. Send your donations directly to Shortridge Magnet High School c/o Ms. Kathy Spangler, 3401 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

SAA Board of Directors -

Executive Board

Alfred "Al" Edyvean - '68 - President

Marilyn (Chance) Shank - '67 - VP, Public Relations

Keith Rand - '70 - VP, Marketing & Development/Fundraising

Deloris "Dee" (Richardson) Duff ' ;59 - Treasurer

Joyce (Edwards) Moore - '68 - Recording Secretary

Jarnell (Burks) Craig - '63 - Corresponding/Financial Secretary

Members-at-Large (decade representatives)

Martha (Cantwell) Meeker - '39 (Decade of the 30s)

Kathryn "Katy" (Hill) Meredith - '42 (Decade of the 40s)

Lynn (Bolles) Boatman - '58 (Decade of the 50s)

Marcia Warrington - '58 (Decade of the 50s)

Richard "Rich" Edyvean - '68 (Decade of the 60s)

Thomas J. Griffin, II - ;72 (Decade of the 70s)

Carolyn (Waters) Payton - '72 (Decade of the '70s)

Open vacancy - (Decade of the '80s)

We continue to seek a candidate to fill the vacancy for Decade of the 80s representative. If you are interested in serving for this two-year term, kindly send an email to shortridgealumni@sbcglobal.net.

Board appointments:

Consultant/SHSAW Founder - Guy E. Russell - '59

Parliamentarian - Grant Hawkins - '67

SMHS Administrators

Stanley Law, principal:

Debra Ward , vice principal

Thank you for your continued interest and support.

Sincerely,

Dee Duff

Deloris "Dee" (Richardson) Duff

Treasurer & Editor, NewsBriefs

President Emeritus

Shortridge H.S. Alumni Association

In This Issue

Athletic Department News

Shortridge Legacy Fund

Legacy Scholarship - General Fund

Band plays Multiple Events

SAA Board of Directors

Visit Our Website

Shortridge Yearbooks

SAA Memberships

Class Reunions

Tribute to 1955 H.S.BB Game

Log in to our Website!

Self-Register on the website

Click here for membership flyer if you cannot sign on via PayPal. Print. Complete, enclose your check, payable to SAA, and mail to: 5030 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254.

Navigate the website. Self register at www.shortridgealumni.com.

Mission statement, association bylaws, available to view online. Check out the Activities tab. Or share your class information for a reunion.

Are you interested in ordering SPIRIT WEAR? T-shirts, caps, sweatshirts, etc. can now be ordered from information on the website. Create a special design for your class reunion. A percentage of your order will help support the Shortridge Alumni Association.

View your Class Directory, complete your Profile, upload a photo, Pay Member Dues via PayPal. Paid membership required to surf the entire site.

View back issues of NewsBriefs.

Shortridge Yearbooks

Check out the digital library of yearbooks as catalogued by the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library. Most Shortridge yearbooks from 1898 - 1968 are available for viewing at: http://digitallibrary.imcpl.org/shs.php

SAA Memberships & Renewals -- Membership Renewal Reminder

PLEASE DON'T FORGET YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL? Your member dues are the operating funds for the alumni association.

Look at your membership card for the expiration date. If joining or renewing online, please include your class year; ladies please include your maiden name. Example: Dorothy (Jones) Smith, 19xx, email and USPS mailing address.

Alumni Association membership is required for full access to the website.

Fees:

One-year membership: $35 annual fee payable via PayPal or check
Five-year membership (General Members for Shortridge Legacy Scholarship Fund) (see Feature Article) (payable to Shortridge Alumni Association; mail c/o 5030 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254 or pay online.
For more membership information, visit our website: www.shortridgealumni.com or send email: shortridgealumni@sbcglobal.net

2014 CLASS REUNIONS

Continue to read NewsBriefs over the next few months with plans and information for the following upcoming class reunions:

REUNIONS IN 2014

Class of 1959 - 55-year reunion. SAVE THE DATES: TUESDAY, JUNE 10 AND WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2014 (Yes, that's right...a mid-week reunion!) Full schedule of events will be forthcoming.

Class of 1964 - 50-year reunion, SAVE THE DATES: JUNE 27-28, 2014, Indianapolis Marriott East.. More information to come as plans are confirmed.To join the planning team, contact Mary Glenn Rinne, mgrinne@att.net or Ruth Lacy Wooden, rwooden@inhp.org.

REMINDER: Reunion organizers, you and your classmates are encouraged to become active members of our alumni association. We have hundreds of Shortridge alumni gathering this year for milestone reunion celebrations. Please inform others that our alumni association is alive and well...we need everyone's support. And if your class budgets yield a surplus, kindly consider a donation to the Legacy Scholarship Fund or other special project that will benefit the students at Shortridge.

Also, please note that if during your reunion you plan to visit the school, a written request must be submitted through the school office that must be approved by the IPS Maintenance Department IF the school is to be opened on weekends...Saturday or Sunday. A fee is levied to the using group based upon how long the group will visit the building. Other restrictions may apply; therefore, schedule your reunion and complete the necessary paperwork as early as possible to confirm your date and time.

Thank you!

Lakeshore Classic

The Game That Changed Basketball

Tribute to:

1955 Indiana High School State Championship Game

1955: THE FIRST TIME THAT TWO, ALL-BLACK HIGH SCHOOLS COMPETED FOR A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE U.S.

1955 Indianapolis Crispus Attucks High School

vs.

1955 Gary Roosevelt High School

Genesis Convention Center, Gary, Indiana

Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30

On Saturday, November 30, 2013, In Tribute to the 1955 teams,

Gary Roosevelt vs. Indianapolis Attucks - 6p.

Gary West vs. Indianapolis Shortridge - 8p

To order tickets, contact Gary Chamber of Commerce at 219.885.7407

General Admission: $10, $5 for children 10 and under.

Purchase online at: www.garychamber,com

Wiley Inducted Into IPS Hall of Fame

On October 1, 2013, Fletcher "Flash" Wiley, Class of 1960, was one of four inducted into the IPS Hall of Fame for 2013 . View Wiley's abbreviated biography in the May/June editions of NewsBriefs, as he also was inducted into the Shortridge Hall of Fame in June 2013. As well, he was the commencement speaker for the first graduation class of Shortridge Magnet High School.