Hoping to make a connection with past and present students of the Williamsport Area School District, a newly formed alumni association has built a board of directors and plans to honor the district's history.
The association's board announced that it will name its first annual distinguished alumni on Oct. 5 at the high school's homecoming festivities.
"They came from here and now the school district can recognize them," said Greg Hayes, executive director of the district's education foundation, of the honor.
The association began looking for board members in October 2011 and earlier this summer formed the 19-member board.
"I think it's pretty exciting," said Sue Swank-Caschera, board president. "It's a great group of people."
After the foundation reviewed applications from potential board members, the group was selected. Hayes said it wasn't planned but the board ended up having a range of classes being represented by it, starting at 1950.
"We have members representing every decade up to 2004," he said.
Along with collecting nominations for the distinguished alumni award, the association is putting out newsletters, getting involved in committees and planning a trip for all alumni to New York City.
"It's an energetic group. From the first meeting they were ready to hit the ground running," Hayes said.
Hayes added that as alumni sign up with their contact information, it will help organizers "to assist them with (planning) their reunion."
The association is looking to make connections and help classes with anything they can. Swank-Caschera said the organization also wants to connect with current students.
"One of the major goals is to try to promote relationships with alumni ... with current students," she said.
Hayes said starting this year, one student from the senior class will act as a liaison. The representative will be able to give input and have ideas that "the board didn't think of that we can pursue."
To be part of the first board for the association is "rewarding," according to Swank-Caschera. She added that the group is very motivated to do whatever it can for the district and its alumni.
"There's such enthusiasm and brainstorming. I guess it's kind of rewarding," she said.
With a new distinguished alumni program and preparing to welcome the first official class to the organization at the end of the school year, Hayes said it's just trying to make alumni aware of its services.
"(We're) trying to build our presence, let people know we're here," he said.
