The Good, The Great, The Class of 88! I notice every class from Buchtel seems to think they are the best and the c/o 88 is no different, except that we actually are! We had over 7 million in scholarships. We won the city's 1st state football championship! Never the less, We are all in the Griffin Family. In 2006, Other than an occasional basketball game, I had not been involved much with my beloved alma mater since graduating. I was shocked when my daughter was very adament about going to Buchtel for high school. She had attended our neighborhood school, Case then Miller South. She said, "Mom, there is just something about Buchtel, whenever you take me to the games, it just feels like a family" Now, I had heard that things had changed, so I was leary, but I decided, it was good enough for me, why not? A student can do well or poorly anywhere and I've always been an involved parent, so doing poorly was not an option. I informed her that she would be a leader, and she was. Little did I know, the issues we would face in her 4 years there. I soon learned that Buchtel had truly become the red-headed step child of the high schools in Akron. Freshman year, the football coach was found to be having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Sophmore year, a beloved teacher was assaulted in the parking lot(not by a student) Jr. year, a teacher was found to have to have an arsenal of weapons in his home, The summer before Senior year, our beloved principal died suddenly. During senior year, a student died tragically in a unsolved crime. I found myself defending Buchtel wherever I went. Instead of empathy for the students, some how, people blamed them for the above incidents! It was amazing how the students were being criminalized in the community and media and within the school district it is part of. In the midst of all this, a decision had been made to combine Buchtel and Perkins. Despite all this, my daughter never wanted to leave. I had become the PTA President and stayed 2 years after my daughter graduated. The more we experienced, the more I wanted to fight for Buchtel and be a positive part of the transformation process. I take the time to write to the school board, superintendant and who ever the powers that be, may be, and voice my concerns. I have spoken several times in front of the school board on behalf of Buchtel. I go to a gazillion meetings to stay informed. I wrote and received a grant from my employer, Akron Childrens Hospital for an summer camp for BHS students interested in being sports trainers. I chaperone the Buchtel HS National Honor Society students on a weekend leadership retreat, complete with pole climbing, high ropes course, and ziplines. I became the assistant marching band director in 2011 and helped revive the band from 7 to 50+ members. People ask me why I do it, I ask them, why not? Somebody invested in me, somebody provided me enriching experiences when I went to Buchtel. My daughter is a proud 2010 graduate, in college and has been intergral in helping revive the band too, as the flag and dance choreographer. PTA has embarked on a fundraising campaign to update the stadium(lights/turf), to have the ability to host games and generate income for our football program. It has kept many of our young men engaged. Coach Powers has sent every senior player to college for the last 2 seasons. We have been selling bricks and working on a farewell event for Sat. June 9th(more info to come), with proceeds to the stadium fund. At one of the many meetings I attended, the community was told that despite the revenue our championships generated over the years, let alone the pride factor, you and your alumni need to raise the money if you want your stadium done. The tone was as if it could never be done. So Griffs, rise up, that is a challenge to you. Show your love, buy a brick, make a tax-deductable donation at any 5/3 Bank, come to the farewell event. We face our biggest challenge now. Not only will Buchtel get a new building this Fall, they are implementing a new instructional model. This was mandated by the state. If the new model doesn't work in 2 years, the state will take over John R Buchtel HS. It is my prayer that alumni will rise up and embrace our alma mater, at this crucial time in OUR alma mater's history. This is my last year as pta president at Buchtel, but I will continue to be involved, hopefully helping coordinate tons of volunteers, hint hint, for the new building this Fall !