OHS Class of 1976 announces reunion keynote speaker
Organizers of the Orrville High School Class of 1976 35th Reunion that will be held Sept. 16-17 have announced the keynote speaker for the upcoming event, as well as the teachers who will be recognized and honored. The activities will kick off on Friday evening, Sept. 16 at Orrville High School prior to the annual Homecoming football game for a tailgate party and will continue on Saturday, Sept. 17 with an all day and evening gathering at Caskeys Campground, located northeast of Orrville.
Special reunion keynote speaker will be United States Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Mike Brogan, a former Orrville resident and alumni of the OHS Class of 1976. Brogan is currently assigned as commanding general, training command at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. During his Orrville High School career, Brogan was an outstanding athlete and academic, earning honors, awards and letters for football, basketball, National Honor Society, Latin and scholastic honors. In May 1980, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
In March 1989, he assumed command of Company A, 3d AABn. During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the company supported 1st Battalion, 5th Marines and was a part of Task Force Ripper. Brogan reported to 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif. in June 1999 and assumed command of 3d AABn. In July 2001, he transferred to the National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, DC as a student in the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF). Brogan graduated from ICAF in June 2002 with a master of science degree in national resource strategy. In February 2007, the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics) assigned Brogan on the additional duty of Joint Program Executive Officer (JPEO) for the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program.
Brogan’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
OHS Class of ‘76 35th Reunion organizers have also announced that three former teachers will be in attendance to be recognized and honored for their many years of service to Orrville High School and the Class of 1976. Those being saluted will be art teacher Maryalice Roush, earth science teacher and coach Bob Shonk and English and history teacher Mark Fowkes.
“I am looking forward to seeing my ‘old’ students who are now my friends,” commented retired OHS teacher Mark Fowkes. “This class was always close, you can tell that even after high school they would remain not only classmates, but friends. That people would still think of me and speak of me fondly is something I never imagined. It is hard to wrap my mind around the thought that after 35 years, people would remember me. Orrville is a special place and this class is a great example of that. My kids and my wife graduated from Orrville and I always have been a little jealous of that. It is hard to put into words, but there is a special bond among those who graduated from Orrville High School.”
The Saturday, Sept. 17 portion of the weekend will be an all day and evening gathering at Caskeys Campground. Beginning at 1 p.m., classmates will meet at Caskeys Campground for a full day and evening. ‘Family time’ will last from 1-4 p.m. “We will provide beverages and pizza throughout the day for family time,” stated Ruth Walentik-Johnston, OHS Class of ‘76 Reunion co-chair. “Classmates can bring their children and grandchildren, their swim gear, baseball gear, outdoor chairs and the like for a day of fun.”
From 5-11 p.m., it will be adult classmate time that will feature a casual meal for classmates and their significant others followed by Brogan’s keynote speech, teacher recognition and limited program. During the Saturday evening activities the renowned band, Liquid Sky will be performing. The professional band features Class of ‘76 member Ed Marthey on keyboards. Caskeys Campground is located at 14847 Fosnight Rd. northeast of Orrville.
Due to popular demand and an abundance of requests, non-class members who wish to attend will be permitted entrance at 8 p.m. to enjoy the band and socialize. A nominal admission fee will be charged to non-class members.
The Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship fund has been established to go to a worthy Orrville High School senior who will be furthering their education. Anyone can donate to the Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship fund at any time by sending a check to the reunion committee. Donors are asked to signify on the check memo that the monies are designated to the scholarship fund. There will be a special fundraiser during the reunion. “Any funds left over from our reunion will also be placed into the scholarship fund,” added Walentik-Johnston.
For detailed information on the OHS Class of 1976 35th Reunion, the Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship, reunion sponsors and more, contact Walentik-Johnston by calling 216-820-1439 or email ruthjohnston@sbcglobal.net or visit the reunion website at http://ohs76.wordpress.com for news, updates and details.
Special reunion keynote speaker will be United States Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Mike Brogan, a former Orrville resident and alumni of the OHS Class of 1976. Brogan is currently assigned as commanding general, training command at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. During his Orrville High School career, Brogan was an outstanding athlete and academic, earning honors, awards and letters for football, basketball, National Honor Society, Latin and scholastic honors. In May 1980, he graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant.
In March 1989, he assumed command of Company A, 3d AABn. During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the company supported 1st Battalion, 5th Marines and was a part of Task Force Ripper. Brogan reported to 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif. in June 1999 and assumed command of 3d AABn. In July 2001, he transferred to the National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, DC as a student in the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF). Brogan graduated from ICAF in June 2002 with a master of science degree in national resource strategy. In February 2007, the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics) assigned Brogan on the additional duty of Joint Program Executive Officer (JPEO) for the Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program.
Brogan’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
OHS Class of ‘76 35th Reunion organizers have also announced that three former teachers will be in attendance to be recognized and honored for their many years of service to Orrville High School and the Class of 1976. Those being saluted will be art teacher Maryalice Roush, earth science teacher and coach Bob Shonk and English and history teacher Mark Fowkes.
“I am looking forward to seeing my ‘old’ students who are now my friends,” commented retired OHS teacher Mark Fowkes. “This class was always close, you can tell that even after high school they would remain not only classmates, but friends. That people would still think of me and speak of me fondly is something I never imagined. It is hard to wrap my mind around the thought that after 35 years, people would remember me. Orrville is a special place and this class is a great example of that. My kids and my wife graduated from Orrville and I always have been a little jealous of that. It is hard to put into words, but there is a special bond among those who graduated from Orrville High School.”
The Saturday, Sept. 17 portion of the weekend will be an all day and evening gathering at Caskeys Campground. Beginning at 1 p.m., classmates will meet at Caskeys Campground for a full day and evening. ‘Family time’ will last from 1-4 p.m. “We will provide beverages and pizza throughout the day for family time,” stated Ruth Walentik-Johnston, OHS Class of ‘76 Reunion co-chair. “Classmates can bring their children and grandchildren, their swim gear, baseball gear, outdoor chairs and the like for a day of fun.”
From 5-11 p.m., it will be adult classmate time that will feature a casual meal for classmates and their significant others followed by Brogan’s keynote speech, teacher recognition and limited program. During the Saturday evening activities the renowned band, Liquid Sky will be performing. The professional band features Class of ‘76 member Ed Marthey on keyboards. Caskeys Campground is located at 14847 Fosnight Rd. northeast of Orrville.
Due to popular demand and an abundance of requests, non-class members who wish to attend will be permitted entrance at 8 p.m. to enjoy the band and socialize. A nominal admission fee will be charged to non-class members.
The Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship fund has been established to go to a worthy Orrville High School senior who will be furthering their education. Anyone can donate to the Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship fund at any time by sending a check to the reunion committee. Donors are asked to signify on the check memo that the monies are designated to the scholarship fund. There will be a special fundraiser during the reunion. “Any funds left over from our reunion will also be placed into the scholarship fund,” added Walentik-Johnston.
For detailed information on the OHS Class of 1976 35th Reunion, the Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship, reunion sponsors and more, contact Walentik-Johnston by calling 216-820-1439 or email ruthjohnston@sbcglobal.net or visit the reunion website at http://ohs76.wordpress.com for news, updates and details.
Published: August 18, 2011
