Wilson HS ... now known as Ida B. Wells High School
Alumni Update - January, 2024

http://www.wilsonalumni.com
edited by Linda Doyle

CURRENT NEWS/EVENTS

ROUT OF ROOSEVELT FOR FIRST FOOTBALL PORTLAND INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 11 YEARS

By Scott Sepich | For The Oregonian/OregonLive
The Wells Guardians not only clinched a city championship Friday, but cemented their status as one of the best stories in Oregon high school football this season. Wells wrapped up the PIL title and a spot in the 6A championship bracket with a week left in the regular season, earning a dominant 36-8 road win over Roosevelt.  Read more: https://www.oregonlive.com/highschoolsports/2023/10/wyatt-andler-scores-3-touchdowns-in-36-8-wells-rout-of-roosevelt-for-first-portland-interscholastic-league-championship-in-11-years.html

WHERE ARE THEY NOW

CAROLINE MILLER, ENGLISH TEACHER, PUBLISHES MEMOIR

Caroline Miller taught English at Wilson from 1965 to 1970 and continues to be touch with many of her students.  She hopes her new memoir released on November 1, 2023 will be a “wonderful way to rekindle some memories”.  The book, “Getting Lost to Find Home” received a wonderful review recently in Oregon ArtsWatch, the literary and culture publication for the state on all things “arty."

When asked about her time at Wilson, Ms. Miller states, "By your pupils you’ll be taught is a truism among teachers. Mine were masters of many tricks.  One tested me by turning in a paper with a top page written but blank ones stapled beneath. Another attempted to skip a test with a phony note from a parent. One plagiarized his essay and defended his behavior as a judicious use of source material. No matter. I took my revenge. As many times as there are stars in the sky, I wrote “See me” in red ink across the top of those hastily scrawled compositions. What I didn’t know was that many of these scholars and pranksters would become my friends.  Or, that they would hold me in fond memory, at least.  Thank you, my dear, former students.  Because of you, there may yet be another book in me."

Read Ms. Miller's book review in Oregon Arts Watch here. Her memoir will also be available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon sites beginning November 1, 2023. What follows are some advance comments from people in the book world.

Rebecca Morris, New York Times Bestselling crime writer: A book that should be shelved with the best of them is Getting Lost to Find Home, by Caroline Miller. It is more poignant because it takes place in the 1960s English Midlands, with its post-war hardships, and Africa, where British rule is waning…

Anne Hillerman, Author of the Chee/Leaphorn/Manuelito mysteries including The Way of the Bear, 2023: Caroline Miller has gifted us with a compelling story full of hope, adventure, and friendship. She offers an intimate look at a young woman who transforms a heartbreaking disappointment into a life of deep purpose. The book resonates with original descriptions of the landscape and people she encounters in England and Africa, and is gently laced with
self-deprecating humor. Readers will root for the narrator to have a wonderful life—— and she does.

Barbara Bos,  editor, and owner of Women Writers, Women’s Books: Getting Lost To Find Home touched me deeply and will stay with me for a long time. A vivid, insightful and colorful confirmation that life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey, and the wisdom gained along the way. Highly recommended.

Craig Stewart, host of the Ink and Peat podcast: When a love affair turns sour, author, Caroline Miller embarks on a spontaneous trip to Africa and learns more about life than any college could teach.  This well-written memoir is a thought-provoking adventure.

Maggi White, journalist and founding editor of the Downtowner, Portland, Oregon: Caroline Miller’s memoir Getting Lost to Find Home is a finely crafted story of love lost, renewal, and wisdom gained. 

PIL HALL OF FAME
Mike Holm ‘80 and Stuart Fewel ‘09 were recently inducted into the PIL Hall of Fame. Holm played for Coach Looney and went on to play four years at University of Portland. Stuart was two-time PIL pitcher of the year playing for Coach Clopton. Stuart continued pitching at Lower Columbia and Central Washington. Other Wilson High School inductees included Tom McKillop ‘84 (XC/T&F) and Ann Habernigg ‘79 (swimming).

OREGON SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Coach Mike Clopton was recently inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame joining his high school teammates Dwight Jaynes and Tom Treblehorn. Coach Shetler and Coach Jack Dunn (also in the Oregon Sports Hall of fame) where in attendance with over 40 supporters including family, assistant coaches and former players from Jackson and Wilson.

PIL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES OF THE MONTH
Profile written by Dick Baltus (Wilson, 1973)

NOVEMBER 2023: Congratulations to Dr. Karl Wustrack '62.

According to Dick Baltus '73, "Wustrack was inducted into the PIL Hall of Fame in 2012 for his achievements as a cross country and basketball athlete. But that was a long time ago, so talking about it can wait a little longer too. On this autumn day in 2023, he first wants to talk about something a little timelier, specifically the Masters Basketball Championship he competed in this year. He’s been playing in masters tournaments regularly since he was 45. He’s now 79. You read that right – still playing competitive basketball at 79. To read more: https://pilhalloffame.org/members-of-the-month/karl-wustrack/

Do you have any stats you would like us to remember and document on the alumni website? Send your details to Linda Doyle.


RECALLING GREAT MEMORIES THROUGH STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS

If you would like to share stories and/or photographs with names, places/events, and the year, please send them to Linda Doyle: Lsdoyle@earthlink.net. So, make sure to look for RECALLING GREAT MEMORIES THROUGH STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS in every alumni e-newsletter.

SEND YOUR UPDATES
Send us the details on where/what you have been doing since graduation from Ida B. Wells/Wilson, and we'll post in an upcoming IBW-WWHS Alumni Update e-newsletter. Send details to Linda Doyle.


KNOWN CLASSMATES/TEACHERS NO LONGER WITH US
Please send an email with details to Linda Doyle if you have an obituary that should be posted here. Below is a list of classmates who have just been added to the list:

LOUISE LARSON GRANT '61
EUGENE SEVERSON (TEACHER, VICE PRINCIPAL)
TODD ARMSTRONG '69
WILLIAM K. GALLAGHER '70
PETER "PETE" DAVIS DVM '58
JUDY LYMAN BRUGGER '58
STAN SPOSITO '58
FRED BIXBY ‘58
JUDITH ANN GERMAIN '58
FREDERICK BROOKS PARKER “FRED” ‘58
JACK SIMS '58
LYNN VANDEROEVER AKERMAN '62
PAT (PATSY) FLANAGAN PETERS '61
ROBYN SCHULTZ (CARRICO)'65
DALE ARLENE MCLEAN '65
BARRY STEELE '64
MICHAEL RANSOM ‘63
MARK J. SMITH '76
THOMAS (TOM) GEORGE MEANEY '63
SALI (SALLY) SWAN '71
KAREN PAULY '82
CYNTHIA BALDWIN ‘58


Click on this link to read more about classmates, teachers, community members who have passed away...  Once on the page, scroll down to find the class year.

REUNIONS

GET ALL THE DETAILS ... updates to reunions are happening all the time, so make sure to check out upcoming reunions at: http://www.wilsonalumni.com/reunions.htm.



MILITARY SERVICE

GRADUATES WHO HAVE SERVED OR ARE SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Please check out the IBW-WWHS Military Alumni page and read all about our amazing military graduates. To add your name and information to the WWHS Military page, Send your information to Linda Doyle at LSDOYLE@EARTHLINK.NET.

Name:
Year graduated from Wilson/Ida B Wells:
Military branch:
Years of service:
Service description:
Photo (optional):
Do you give permission to post this information on our website (required):

IDA B. WELLS ALUMNI (formerly known as WWHS)
Alumni and community members are continuing to move forward to establish the WWHS Alumni Association.  Application process for tax-exempt status of association is progressing (with special thanks to Jack Bertell '58).  If you would like to join them, contact Jack Bertell '58.

STAY IN TOUCH

Wilson High School (now known as IDA B. WELLS HS) ALUMNI
- WEBSITE
Check out the Alumni website and don't forget to complete the simple online form to join the WWHS Alumni database. To help us reach as many graduates as possible, please consider adding the link to our website (http://www.wilsonalumni.com/) from your website. Pass the word along to your Wilson (now Ida B. Wells) High School classmates about the Alumni website and the opportunity to register. Tell your friends.

UNSUBSCRIBE
If you are receiving the Wilson HS (now Ida B. Wells) Alumni Update, please make sure to add the following email address to your address book (lsdoyle@earthlink.net). This way your internet/email provider will not view the e-newsletter as spam. Thanks! If you would like to be removed from the list, just send an email to Linda Doyle.