Westerville Alumni Association
 

Westerville Alumni News & Announcements

Westerville Alumni Association Vegas Casino Night

Are you ready to go ALL IN for an evening of fun in support of Westerville students? Then plan to join us for the 2012 WAA Casino Night on February 10th!


Quest Business Center

8405 Pulsar Place

Columbus, Ohio 43240




You'll enjoy great food, casino games, and music as we raise money to support the Westerville Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.


Cost: $50.00 per person

Entertainment: Roulette, Craps, Poker, Blackjack, & MORE by VIP Casino Events

DJ/MC Services: by Fiesta Sounds

Prizes: Gift certificates and other items donated by our community partners

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 3RD!

If you have any questions, please e-mail president@westervillealumni.org.


South Inducts Three into Alumni Hall of Fame


Thomas Ullom stands in front of a tree planted in honor of South’s newest Alumni Hall of Fame inductees.

Westerville South High School inducted three alumni into its Hall of Fame at a luncheon and ceremony held April 25 –Donna Hrabcakova, Andrew Katzenmoyer and Thomas Ullom. The school’s Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee selected those honored from a pool of applicants who graduated at least 10 years ago, have demonstrated success in their careers, and have made significant contributions to their community.

Superintendent J. Daniel Good congratulated the inductees for blazing the Wildcat trail. He also thanked the student hosts for honestly and respectfully sharing their thoughts and concerns with him each month, and for leading by example.

Donna Hrabcakova is a therapist at the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota. While a student at Westerville South, she served as secretary of the Student Council and participated in the Art, Yearbook and Pep clubs. She was also on the varsity swim team. Hrabcakova has been working on the reservation for more than five years doing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder work in the community. She is an artist and a poet who is extremely passionate about her work with the Red Lake people.

Andrew Katzenmoyer is the owner of the Life Improvement Functional Training business in Westerville. While at Westerville South, he played on the baseball and football teams, earning 1st Team All Conference honors in both sports. He was named 1995 Mr. Ohio Football, 1995 Bobby Dodd national defensive player of the year, and the USA Today national defensive player of the year. He played football at The Ohio State University, and also played professionally for the New England Patriots. Katzenmoyer is a member of the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware/Genoa Business Owners’ Association. In 2009, he established a football camp for students under the age of 13 years.

Thomas Ullom is a firefighter and paramedic for the Westerville Fire Department. He has served with the department for 33 years. He is a modest individual who has been instrumental in assisting the City of Westerville in the development of the “First Responders” park by helping to raise $200,000 in donations and grants to fund the project. He is involved in Memorial Day activities and has organized a scholarship to be awarded to children of Westerville firefighters.
North Inducts Three into Alumni Hall of Fame


Pictured (left to right) standing in front of a tree which was planted in their honor are Thomas Denney, Jeffrey Mers, and Thomas Crumrine.

 Westerville North High School inducted three alumni into its Hall of Fame at a luncheon and ceremony held April 15 – Thomas Crumrine, Thomas Denney, and Jeffrey Mers. The school’s Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee selected those honored from a pool of applicants who graduated at least 10 years ago, have demonstrated success in their career, and have made significant contributions to their community.

Superintendent J. Daniel Good told the trio, “The indelible impact on others that all of you make every day through your continuous exemplary accomplishments is remarkable.”

Thomas Crumrine, a 1985 graduate, played football and basketball at North, while serving as captain of both teams. Attending the University of Kentucky on a football scholarship, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He also holds insurance licenses in Property & Casualty and Life & Health. As the owner of Crumrine Insurance Agency, he has two offices in Kentucky and four in the Columbus area. His other business venture, Class 101, assists students and their families with college planning. As a mentor for small business owners, Crumrine is a founding member of business leads groups in Lexington, Kentucky, and Columbus, Ohio. His community involvement includes coaching youth football and basketball teams. He also sponsors a Westerville Parks & Recreation basketball team. Crumrine and his wife, Debbie, reside in Westerville and have four children. He was nominated by Debbie Crumrine.

Thomas Denney graduated from Westerville North in 1991. While in high school, he earned varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. His athletic talents were recognized when he was named All-OCC and All-District in football and baseball, and All-Ohio in football. Denney attended Eastern Michigan University on a baseball scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. He later earned a Master’s degree from Marygrove College. Denny teaches Social Studies at Westerville North, where he was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year. In addition to coaching North football and baseball, Denny has coached students throughout the Westerville City School District. He has served as an advisor for several student community service events. He resides in Westerville with his wife, Kim, and their three children – Alex, Riley, and Kyle. He was nominated by Chad Williams.

Jeffrey Mers, a 1985 graduate, played varsity soccer and participated in the science fair while in high school. He attended Franklin University and The Ohio State University in Columbus. He also joined the U.S. Air National Guard, where he serves as a Senior Master Sergeant and First Sergeant. He participated in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He was recently named Ohio Service Person of the Year. He coordinated a 40,000 person rally for the Lima Company Homecoming in 2005, and has raised $30,000 for fallen warriors. He has also served as the commander of VFW Post 2505, is a member of the Wings Speakers Bureau, and is founder of Golfers Against Cancer. Mers is a benefits counselor at a local insurance company. He resides in Gahanna with his daughter, Casey. He was nominated for induction by Charles Mers.

North Inducts Three into Alumni Hall of Fame

Pictured left to right: David Grant, Jackie Hatcher Cousins, and David Blackburn.

Westerville North High School inducted three alumni into its Hall of Fame at a luncheon and ceremony held April 30 – David Blackburn, David Grant, and Jackie Hatcher Cousins. The school’s Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee selected those honored from a pool of applicants who graduated at least 10 years ago, have demonstrated success in their career, and have made significant contributions to their community.

David Blackburn graduated with honors from Westerville North in 1994. A four-year member of the cross country team, he twice was named All-Ohio OCC Honorable Mention. While in high school, he also earned the Eagle Scout Award, the Boy Scouts’ highest honor. Blackburn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Literature from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He taught English in Nepal, studied Spanish in Chile and climbed Mt. Rainier. He currently serves as principal at an alternative high school and middle school in Buena Vista, Colorado. He is also co-president of OPTIONS, a coalition of alternative schools. A small group leader in his church, Blackburn teaches Sunday school and is active in many other aspects of his community. He resides in Buena Vista with his wife, Janelle, and their four children.

David Grant, a 1989 graduate, was a positive role model and an outstanding high school wrestler. Among his many accolades, Grant was named Wrestler of the Year and was a three-time state qualifier. Grant accepted a scholarship at the University of North Carolina, but eventually returned to graduate from The Ohio State University. After college, he joined Westerville North as the head wrestling coach. His leadership and dedication have made a tremendous impact on the program and the wrestlers he serves. Since his tenure began, he has had nine state qualifiers and four state champions. Grant currently works in the insurance industry. Since 2000, he has owned a State Farm agency in Columbus. His involvement with the community also includes work with the United Way, the Juvenile Diabetes Association and Children’s Body Image Foundation. Grant resides in Westerville with his wife, Carolyn, and their two children.

Jackie Hatcher Cousins graduated from Westerville North in 1979, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, swim team, and Class Council. After high school, she attended The Ohio State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She also graduated from Ashland University, where she received a Master’s in Education. Currently, Cousins teaches eighth grade Language Arts in Newark City Schools. There she is seen as a building teacher-leader, someone who colleagues and students alike turn to for help and support. Her work in the community includes involvement with the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, St. Jude’s Hospital and the American Cancer Association. Giving back to her alma mater, Cousins also is a member of the Academic Boosters and the Music Boosters. She serves the athletic department too, as a parent and a fan. She also has donated her time to Caring and Sharing. Cousins resides in Westerville with her husband, Bert, and their two children.

South Inducts Three into Alumni Hall of Fame

Pictured left to right: Sarah McMillen, John E. Miller, and Nedra Hallberg, representing her son, Kevin Hallberg.

 Westerville South High School inducted three alumni into its Hall of Fame at a luncheon and ceremony held April 23 – Kevin Hallberg, Sarah McMillen, and John E. Miller. The school’s Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee selected those honored from a pool of applicants who graduated at least 10 years ago, have demonstrated success in their career, and have made significant contributions to their community. Dr. J. Daniel Good, Westerville City Schools Superintendent, told the inductees, “We are privileged to have you return to be recognized and we’re grateful for the indelible impact you make every day on others through your continuous exemplary accomplishments.”

Kevin Hallberg, a 1983 graduate of Westerville South, is currently a Research Fellow at Bangor University in Wales, United Kingdom. He was represented at the ceremony by his mother, Nedra Hallberg. Following graduation from South, where he participated in football, band, jazz band, National Honor Society, and served as a delegate to Buckeye Boys’ State, Hallberg earned his Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from The Ohio State University. He earned a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from Umea University in Sweden. Hallberg’s research in mining biotechnology and bioremediations has led to more than 50 papers being published in scientific journals and book chapters. He has spoken at numerous international conferences and served as a consultant for international mining companies and governments.

Sarah Surrett McMillen is a 1977 graduate of Westerville South High School. During her high school years, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Pep Club, Flag Corps, and Mixed Choir, and served on Student Council. She went on to attend The Ohio State University. McMillen was a parent volunteer at Whittier Elementary, Blendon Middle School, and Westerville South, and participated in PTO and the Westerville South football and bowling Booster groups. She has served on the Class of 1977 Reunion Committee for 33 years and was an active participant in the Tresarea Women’s Club of Westerville (a former Westerville Service Organization). Since 1996, McMillen has worked as a secretary in the Guidance Department at South, where she is often the first person to greet parents and new students. With the kindness and warmth that she exudes every day, McMillen is, according to the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee, “a wonderful example of a Westerville South Wildcat.” McMillen and her husband, Tom, have three children, all of whom are Westerville South graduates.

John E. Miller, a 1977 Westerville South graduate, is currently the Superintendent of the Loudonville Perrysville School District, a position he has held since 1999. In high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, In the Know, Science Club, and several music groups. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Miami University. He has done post graduate work at Wright State, the University of Dayton, Ashland University, and The Ohio State University. Miller is involved with many community groups including the Loudonville Lions Club, Loudonville Agricultural Society, Mohican Area Growth Foundation, Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, and the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of several professional organizations.

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