Announcements

      In my last message to you, I discussed the revitalization of the MBSHS debate program.  I am happy to report that several alumni responded to my plea for help.  We raised $2,200.00 to supplement funding the students.  Unfortunately, due to other circumstances, MBSHS was unable to participate in this year’s National Forensic League national competition, but the donors have agreed to use these funds as seed money for the program for the coming school year.  My thanks to all the alumni who answered the call and showed their support by writing a check to help the school.  A committee is now being organized to work with the students in the coming years by serving as coaches, judges, and a fund raising arm of debate program.  If you are interested in participating in this worthwhile endeavor, please let me know and I will put you in touch with like minded grads so you will receive additional information.  Please remember what the debate program helped do for you and your career development.  Help our students who may not have the same opportunities we had while we were students at Beach High.  Checks may be sent payable to: MBSHS Alumni Association.   Your contributions will be placed in a newly developed fund for enabling our students to compete in future competitions.

     The deadline to register for the Alumni Association’s first ever Alumni Cruise is fast approaching.  The group will set sail on October 8th – 11th, 2010, on Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas sailing from Miami to Coco Cay and Nassau, Bahamas.   More information can be found on our web site.  The Alumni Association, in conjunction with First Class Vacations, has put together a wonderful deal for this 3 night cruise on one of the premier cruise lines.  We need a minimum number of cabins in order to obtain the group rate or we may be forced to cancel this event.  If you are interested, call the agent and make your reservation now. 

     As president of the MBSHS Alumni Association, I had the extreme pleasure of representing all alumni at the recent commencement ceremonies.  It was almost 40 years to the day since I had last stood on the stage of what had been the Miami Beach Auditorium/Jackie Gleason Theater of the Performing Arts and is now called the Fillmore East.  I can not begin to tell you what an amazing experience it is to see the beaming smiles on the faces of the 450+ students who graduated in the 2010 class as they were announced by Principal Rosann Sidener.  

     There were over 20 “dignitaries” on the front row of the stage and the graduates went down the line shaking each person’s hand and accepting congratulations from all who participated in the ceremonies.  I was the last person in the line and almost every student turned to the audience after shaking my hand and made some personal expression of joy either through a facial or hand expression.  Some had tears in their eyes.  It was a truly rewarding moment for me to share this experience with the graduates, their families and invited guests.

     I then addressed the audience and invited each of the graduates in the audience to please stand with me and congratulate our new alumni class.  It was gratifying to see so many graduates both as invited dignitaries and as 

parents of the graduates.  On behalf of the Alumni Association, I extended our offer of a free one year membership to each graduate to join our Association.    

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee will meet this Wednesday.  Five members of the Board of Directors and 5 members of the Hall of Fame will meet to review the nominations for this year’s induction of our newest members into the Hall of Fame.  Chairwoman Stacey Hipsman said that the number of nominations is the largest that we have ever had and the job of the committee will be difficult to choose the top seven who will be invited for recognition into our Hall of Fame.  Our annual Hall of Fame luncheon will be held on Friday, November 12, 2010, at the Biscayne Bay Marriott in Miami.  Seating is limited, so make your plans and mark your calendars to attend.

Our newly formed Legacy Society steering committee will have its inaugural meeting tomorrow at  Jeffrey Rynor's office.  The steering committee consists of Irving “Red” Heller, Jeffrey Rynor, Richie Berger and Neal Sonnett.  The Legacy Society will be comprised of all members of the Hall of Fame.  The goals to be developed by the committee will include fund raising for mentoring our students and contributing scholarships for them. 

            Membership in our Alumni Association continues to grow but there are so many more alumni who have not yet joined us.  We need the readers of our newsletter to join with us in the Association.  Dues are only $60.00 for 3 years or $100.00 for 6 years.  Lifetime membership is only $300.00, with half price for the spouse if both are Miami Beach Senior High School alumni.    Monies received for dues are used to pay the expenses of the Association and to help fund our annual scholarships for graduating seniors.

Beach is Dynamite!

Scott R. Jay ’70, President