In Memoriam – Winter 2019

Ron Holmes, a longtime high school basketball coach and South Side teacher, died December 4, 2018 in Fort Wayne. Mary Jo Allen Briggs, class of 1936, died August 21, 2018 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  She was a talented violinist who appreciated the musical grounding she received in the South Side Orchestra.  She played with the Ball State orchestra when she enrolled there as a student. Marriage and children interrupted her education plans but she was able to return to Ball State and graduate with a B.A. in 1956 and a M.A. in 1960.  Mary Jo taught at Smart School and Lane Junior High School in Fort Wayne.  After retiring to Florida, she was the concertmistress of both the Venice and Charlotte Symphonies.  Mary Jo is survived by three of her children, Jerry, Danny, and Johnny; and her grandchildren. Charles L. Dumford, class of 1938, passed away September 29, 2018.  Charles worked at Bowser for 21 years and then at Wayne High School for 23 years.  He is survived by his daughter, Peggy Bender; six grand-children; and eight great-grandchildren. Margaret Null Bell, class of 1939, died October 18, 2018.  She was an avid reader, a resourceful home cook, a Girl Scout… Read More

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SSHS Hosts 2nd Annual Halloween Party

The 2nd Annual Halloween “Trick or Treat” “Inside the Ivy” was held Wednesday, October 31st, at South Side High School. This year’s event was extremely successful, with over 1700 attendees from our feeder schools, with family members in attendance, and other members of the South Side Community, the school hosted over 3500 people…  We sincerely hope that this annual event will attract more students to our South Side Family.  

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Carlton Mable

Carlton Mable is the current principal of South Side High School, 6th in the history of the school. He began his teaching career at Miami Middle School and Wayne High School. After receiving his MS, he was an administrative intern at Blackhawk Middle School before being named principal at Lakeside Middle School. In the fall of 2008, he became principal of Wayne High School for two years before his assignment to South Side High School. During his eight years of leadership at South Side, the school has achieved academic growth. On the verge of State take-over in 2010, South Side then met all the challenges and goals set forth by the State of Indiana. The prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma program has been expanded to be more inclusive and reflective of the student population and more students are earning IB Diplomas and Certificates. Carlton has had the opportunity to be involved in many community organizations. He served as President of the Fort Wayne Chapter of Indiana Black Expo and the Par-Tee Golf Club. He is a charter member of the Summit City South Rotary Club, a State Board Member with Indiana Black Expo, a graduate of the Learning Forward Academy Class… Read More

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Reprint: Our Favorite Sign of Seasons’ Change

Janet Meads Green SS ’71 posts two important signs: Zesto OPEN and Zesto CLOSED. She reports that when the OPEN sign appears in March, cars honk and people cheer. People sound the horn and wave and turn their vehicles around to roll into Zesto on Broadway. They greet her cheerily with shouts of, “It’s about time!”, “Spring is here!”, and “Thank Heaven! The kids have been begging me to bring them!” Likewise, the ‘Will Close in 2 Weeks’ sign brings sighs and lines of families awaiting their last scoop of summer joy. Janet has held the southwest Fort Wayne family together at Creighton and Broadway for many years, both part-time and full-time. Between 1970 and 1999, she divided her working hours between Eckrich and Zesto even as she and her husband Randy had their full time home in Romulus, MI. Randy, a pilot, flew out of Willow Run Airport. In 1999, they moved to Fort Wayne and Janet took over Zesto full-time. She calls the current Zesto building “a mansion now” compared to the 1949 unheated room where it began. That building stands close to Janet’s childhood home at Wildwood and South Wayne Avenues. She shared the path to education… Read More

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Reprint: Pete Bombard – Musical Notes from 1978 thru 1982

This editor/writer has said in past issues and says once again, the South Side Class of 1982 contributes more than their fair share to the life of Fort Wayne. We have celebrated their January ‘Party with a Purpose’ twice, but this year they also make news with their 35th reunion, the 60th class to graduate from South. One member has contributed in his own best way through music. Pete Bombard posts a top song from ’78 thru ‘82 each Throw Back Thursday. Pete credits the ’82 class officers Patty Ashman and Janet Higgins Howard for “holding us together.” The ethnic and financial differences within the class created a melting pot and those differences “made South Side special for me,” he said. The time period and their upbringing made their particular class even more special. Pete remembers the principal of Fairfield Middle School calling their class “very special.” These elements made the combination of Fairfield and Geyer Middle Schools a smooth transition into South Side, he feels. As Pete shows as he posts ’82 songs, music often knits seemingly disparate groups together. Teachers Earl Jackson and Dave Streeter played a big role in that process at South Side. Archer Arrows has… Read More

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Alumni Get Together

Alumnus George Wehmeister, Class of ’56, would like all alumni to know that there is an Alumni Get Together at Hall’s Gas House downtown Fort Wayne on the  First Monday of every month, at noon,.  This luncheon is open to all Archers:  alumni, coaches, cheerleaders, teachers, friends…

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2017 Scholarship Recipients

Every year the Alumni Association awards scholarships to several outstanding students. The 2017 recipients are listed below… CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!! SCHOLARSHIP            LENGTH               DOLLAR AMT             WINNER Al Sheldon                   Renewable once          $2,500 each year          Mikayla Caudill   Jack Weicker               Nonrenewable                  $1,000                      Elizabeth Gustin   Jennifer Manth           Nonrenewable                 $2,000                      Lily Weaver   Mary Graham 2 YR Technical        Nonrenewable                    $1,000                        Zin Hnin 4 YR                            Nonrenewable                 $2,000                       Daisy Diaz   Lowell Coats               Nonrenewable                $1,000                        Sydney Fisher   Golden                         Nonrenewable               $1,000                         LaDavie’a Shears   Langdon                      Nonrenewable              $1,000                         Elizabeth Pancake   General Endowment:     Nonrenewable $1,000 each          six recipients as follow: Joseline Matias        Elliot Moe               Olivia Osmeier Emma Shockley      Shelby Smith           Wendy Ruiz Total Dollars Awarded for 2017                     $20,000  

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Class Reunion Information

ATTENTION REUNION PLANNERS Please note that our Alumni Secretary, Karlene Fial, can assist you with address lists, mass mailings, and school tours.  In addition, when you advise the Alumni Office of your reunion plans, and request a tour of SSHS, the Archive Committee will pull items out of storage pertinent to your class, and will arrange the Archive Room for your review during your tour. Class of 1954 – John Moore 241-7990 is investigating organizing his 1954 class reunion with no date set. Class of 1962 – The Class 0f 1962 has issued the following information regarding their 60th Reunion.           60th Reunion Dates:  Friday August 19, 2022, Saturday August 20, 2022, Sunday August 21, 2022.   Friday August 19, 2022:  Informal gathering  -The Club Room at the Clyde Theater, Bluffton Rd, Ft. Wayne.   6:00 PM until ?   Music at the Club Room starts at 8:00 PM  No host, food and drinks at your cost. Saturday August 20, 2022:  Tour of school, meet at North end of the School 10:00 AM.   THE MAIN EVENT    The History Center, 302 E. Berry St.    Cost:  $45 per person                Heavy hors d’oeuvres, Cash Bar… Read More

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1993 SSHS Boys’ Basketball Team 25th Reunion

On Saturday, December 9, 2017, the 1993 South Side boys’ basketball team celebrated their 25th reunion.  The team had a record of 25 wins and 2 losses (23 in a row) and won the SAC regular season, SAC tournament, section, regional and got beat in the semi-state by South Bend St. Joseph.  The evening began with “meet and greet” in the Hall of Fame Room followed by a program in the Media Center with remarks from Coach Flynn about the season as well as an introduction of the nine players and their family members.  Several of the guys came from out of town: Josh Feay drove 11 hours from Fairfield, Connecticut; Tyron Walker drove from Indianapolis; and Joe Miller from Holly, Michigan.  The players were also presented a wooden plaque beautifully engraved with their accomplishments.  The evening culminated with Coach Flynn introducing the team just before the Archer’s home game against Zionsville.  On behalf of the ’93 South Side Archers basketball team and coaches, we would like to thank Carlton Mable, Principal; Steve Jones, Athletic Director; the reunion committee of Terry Flynn, Tiffany O’Shaughnessey, Blair Phillips, Gregg Taylor, and a special “Thank You” to the South Side High School Alumni Association… Read More

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