Palmetto Senior High School alumni, including one from as far away as Portland, Oregon, recently gathered to share memories and good times during the Palmetto Alumni Association Kick-off Social. The event was held in the Dolphin Room at the Sports Grill in Kendall. The restaurant, known for its grilled wings, is owned by alumni Eric and Lori Haas, and managed by fellow alumnus Mike Anderson.
Additional social activities are planned for each month through May, beginning with Nostalgia Night at Scotty’s on Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m. The association also encourages members to participate in the Feb. 6 Rotary Charity Golf Classic for scholarships, co-sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Coral Gables and Dadeland-Pinecrest.
The Alumni Association, originally suggested in 1999 by former principal Janet Hupp, was formally incorporated this past year. Its mission is “to advance the interests of Palmetto Senior High School and its students and faculty, promote fellowship among alumni, and develop and assist in fundraising activities to provide financial support to the school and its students for educational purposes through academic programs and extracurricular activities.”
Future plans include funding of scholarships for graduating Palmetto seniors, assisting in reunion planning, disseminating news for and about alumni and facilitating contacts among members of the Palmetto community.
In keeping with Hupp’s vision, membership in the association is open to alumni, alumni spouses, faculty, administration, parents of enrolled students and alumni and members of the community at large. Membership is automatically granted for one year to all members of the Palmetto graduating class.
Officers include Pinecrest Mayor Cindy Lerner, president; Susan Montesino and Teri Fisher, co-vice presidents; Rebecca Watford, treasurer; and Nancy Lawther, secretary. Board members include Pam Garrison and Betsey Bystock from the 1961 founding class, while Sharon DeWitt serves as webmaster and Kim Foster- Cosner provides website graphics.
For more information, go to www.palmettohighalumni.org, the Alumni Association Facebook page or email pantheralums@ gmail.com.
