September 4, 2007

Dear ORHS Alumnus,

The 51st Annual Alumni Banquet will be held on October 27th at the Oak Ridge School Cafeteria. The theme for this year's banquet is "Thru the Years at ORHS". The door will open at 3:00 PM with the meal beginning at 5:00 PM. The planning committee has been working hard to make this banquet "the best ever"! As you may remember from the notice last year the association was threatened with closure because of problems finding officers to continue the banquet. A proposal was adopted at 2006 banquet in which the alumni from the 25th and 50th year classes would nominate a slate of officers. As a result the officers this year are from the 1957 and 1982 classes. In addition to the officers, the elected officers for next year from the 1958 and 1983 classes, the elected nominating committee from the 1959 and 1984 classes, and volunteer class coordinators from the to be recognized classes of 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2007 make up the planning committee.

We are pleased to announce that Coach Gene Bess, class of 1953, will be the speaker. Coach Bess will be starting his 38th season as the athletic director and head coach at the Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He is the all time most winning junior college coach with a record of 1027-270. Prior to going to Three Rivers, he had a very successful high school coaching career. He won 250 games over a 12 year stint at Lesterville High School, Anniston High School, and Oran High School. The Three Rivers Raiders have reached the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) 13 times and finals four times during his tenure. He led them to two national championships in 1979 and 1992. Coach Bess has been recognized as NJCAA National Coach of the Year twice, Regional Coach of the Year 18 times, and MCCAC Conference Coach of the Year 17 times. He is a member of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and National Junior College Hall of Fame. Coach Bess will be available to autograph copies of the book "Gene Bess: College Basketball's Winningest Coach". See the following link for additional information: http://sports1.trcc.edu/menshoops/coach.htm

Please know that in order to accommodate schedules, the planning committee decided to move the banquet one week earlier than the standard practice of having it the first Saturday of November. The planning committee did not decide to change that policy but rather to make an exception this year. We apologize for any inconvenience it may cause and hope that no alumnus has to miss the banquet because of that date change.

The planning committee thought considerably about ways that we could increase attendance by the alumnus that had graduated less than 25 years. As a result of our discussions we are planning some activities prior to the dinner this year. For those interested there will be recreational volleyball, basketball free throw competition, and bingo.

A webpage on the school website (www.showme.net/ork12/alumni) is being established to allow updates on information about the banquet. Those with Internet access are encouraged to check the webpage frequently for further information. An updated program, entertainment, menu, etc., will be maintained as well as those planning to participate in the pre-dinner activities. You are encouraged to provide us your plans as soon as possible so your friends will know your plans to participate via our webpage. Any plans by specific classes may also be added with related information, i.e., class of 1957 will have it's reunion on October 26th, etc.

The business meeting will include a report from the committee of Dan Sebaugh ('56), Mike Cowan ('71), and Superintendent Landewee, formed at the banquet last year for the purpose of considering possible programs and/or activities that will the perpetuate the educational values of the Oak Ridge R-VI school system. The report will include recommendations for Alumni Association programs and/or activities that will perpetuate those values.

Attached is a registration form for your convenience. It includes a request for email address information. Postage is a major expense for the association. We have approximately 1200 living alumni. There have been approximately 120 tickets sold in recent years (although at one time there were 300-400). A quick calculation will result in the necessity of each ticket bearing the cost of 10 mailings (120 times 10 = 1200) which translates into $4.10 for a letter and $2.60 for postcard. A solution to reduce these costs and to keep the banquet ticket cost to an acceptable level would be to do more electronic mailing. We are greatly encouraging you to provide us with your email address and to keep up informed of any changes. In addition, we are asking you to consider making a donation to the Alumni Association to help cover these costs.

If there are any questions you may contact:

Mike Light ('82) Tom Jones ('57) Laurie Bolen ('82) Don Myers ('57)

President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary

573-547-8579 573-833-6323 573-788-2729 573-342-6152

lightm@cclink.net vmjones5854@hotmail.com l_bolen2003@yahoo.com dmyers@umr.edu

Email addresses and home addresses may be forward to Diana Hobeck, Oak Ridge Public School Administrator at dhobeck@yahoo.com and Oak Ridge R-VI School District, 4198 Highway E, Oak Ridge, MO 63769.

We look forward to see you on October 27th!

Sincerely,

Mike Light Tom Jones Laurie Bolen Don Myers

Oak Ridge R-6 Alumni Association Banquet Reservation Information

Number of Banquet Tickets Price Total

_________ times $12 _____

Postage Contribution _____

________________________________________________________________________

Number Participating Price Total

__________ in bingo times $1 _____

__________ in recreational volleyball times $1 _____

__________ in basketball free throw* times $1 _____

* Will be based on 25 free throws for both individual and 3 member team competition. Please indicate your team members and year of graduation.

Total Enclosed _____

My email address is: ________________________________

Please mail to the following at your earliest convenience to facilitate planning and to let friends know of your plans. Cancellation refunds can be made with notice received by October 20th. Our goal is 200 attendees and if exceeded special plans will have to made by October 13th to accommodate greater attendance.

Laurie Bolen

Meal Prepared by Community Caterers

The Menu

Chicken and Dumplings

Dressing

Kettle Beef

Butter Potatoes

Green Beans

Slaw

Buns/ Rolls

Tea

Dessert

Entertainment by ORHS Graduate David DeRousse