The Best Gets Better!
Thanks to JROTC and Sgt. Jim Wagner , the most beautiful school in town just got more beautiful. Over the summer two new planters were built and installed along the front walkway. Recently retired science teacher Rich Swartzentruber, is maintaining the flowers in all the front planters.
Homecoming this year will be the week ending Friday, October 21. The students will be engaged in Spirit Week activities all week, but the events Alumni will be most interested in take place on Friday. Here is a calendar of those events and others:
Thursday, Oct. 20, 5 pm -
North Salem Viking Alumni and Friends Association (Viking Association) Annual Meeting. This meeting of the Board of Directors is open to the public and will feature a summary of your organization's past year, reports of committees, election of Board members, and election of officers. Location is yet to be announced, but if your would like to attend, contact
Steve Chambers at steverc@comcast.net early that week.
Service Project:
Last year the Viking Association began what we hope is an annual tradition of doing a "hands on" project to help the school. A group of Alums, along with former woods teacher
Dave Anderson, replaced the benches surrounding the flagpole. This year we would like to repair the brickwork that had the donors' names who contributed to the building of the outdoor concession stand.
As you can see in the foreground, many of the bricks are missing, due largely to the heavy traffic at games and between classes. We are looking for two things: a list of the donors so those whose bricks are missing can once again be honored, and alumni who are handy with brick laying or concrete work to repair the site. One option is putting a list of concession stand donors on the front of the plaque of those who gave for the football field (center) and paving where the bricks are. If you can help with either of these, contact
Dick Hornaday
at oldmarine37@gmail.com.
Friday
, Oct.21, 1:40 pm
Homecoming Pep Assembly in the gym.
The Homecoming Court will be presented and "royalty" crowned. The new inductees to the North High Hall of Fame will be introduced as well.
2:45 pm - Hall of Fame Induction in the North High Library. All are welcome to this fairly informal "ceremony" and refreshments will be served. This year's inductees and their categories are Carrie Halsell (Ward), class of 1921 and first African-American to graduate from Salem High School and from what is now Oregon State, for Achievement;
Doug Brown,
class
of 1964 and a member of the Rodeo Hall of Fame, for Athletics; James C. Nelson, a long time principal and principal emeritus, for Service; and David W. Chambers, class of 1961, for his contributions to the dental profession, for Distinguished Lifetime. Fuller biographies of these individuals can be found in last month's newsletter.
4-7:15 pm - 3rd Annual All-Class Gathering at Johnny's on the corner of 17th and Center. This is a no-host gathering with raffle prizes and lots of stories among the participants from varying classes who share a common love for our Alma Mater.
5 pm - Another option is the Spirit Parade that goes down D Street 
to the school from St. Timothy's Church, 3295 Ladd Ave., between Market and D. The parade lasts about 1/2 hour and is lots of fun, led by the Pride of the Vikings Marching Band and the JROTC Color Guard. Arrive a little early to make sure you are included. Vintage automobiles are highly desired!
7 pm - Homecoming Football Game vs. McKay. The team is currently 2-2 on the season. Come cheer the Viks to victory!
Vik Football Team Honored
At its Community Celebration luncheon the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley honored the
North High football team, citing them for their volunteer work for the community. This has become an annual event for the team, this year helping several elementary schools get ready for opening.
Drama Launches Year with Fall Plays
Fitness Center Update
The efforts to upgrade our weight room, which has run down and broken equipment and a floor that is coming apart, are going to see progress on a phase-in schedule as money becomes available. Over Winter Break new flooring will be installed by volunteers, thanks to a grant from the Larry Epping Family Foundation. In addition, with money donated by alumni to the Viking Association, 8 new weight racks will be installed and 4 new stationary bikes will be added. A new drinking fountain with filtered water and water bottle filling capability will also be installed. This is just the start. Much more needs to be done and much more money needs to be raised. If you would like to contribute, send checks to Viking Association, North Salem High School, 765 14th St. NE, Salem OR 97301, or contribute on line by using the "Donate" link in the upper left of the newsletter. We are also looking for volunteers who know how to work with glass, as we are going to be installing mirrors as well. Contact Steve Chambers if you can help (see his contact info below).
