Volume 34 | March 2023

The Bear Facts

Welcome to the official newsletter of the Ballard High School Alumni Association. Our mission is to keep graduates and friends up-to-date on both school and alumni news.

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Be Sure to Join Us on LinkedIn

The Ballard Alumni Association has a page on LinkedIn, too. Please feel free to join the group and use the site for professional networking among other Bruins.

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Please Tell Us More About Yourself

One of the goals of the Ballard Alumni Association for 2023 is to build a more complete database of our graduates. Would you help us? Just click the link below and fill in the form that pops up on your screen. This information will allow us to communicate with you by U.S. Mail as well as by email. WE WILL NOT SELL THIS INFORMATION to any third party groups. Thank you for your help and consideration!

Alumni Demographic Information

Ballard Alumni News

Personal Landmarks From Around Bruin Nation

Got some good news of your own you'd like to share? A new baby, a job promotion, an award received or a death to commemorate? Send a quick summary to The Bear Facts and we'll publish it in a future issue.

Cara Gladden Joynt and Emily Gladden Faulhaber

Sisters Cara Gladden Joynt (Class of 1998) and Emily Gladden Faulhaber (Class of 2000) returned to Louisville after graduating from the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University, respectively. Cara majored in Elementary Education and is currently homeschooling two of her three children. Emily earned her degree in psychology and is rearing her four children in addition to working part-time in healthcare as a Targeted Case Manager. Both will celebrate their 19th wedding anniversaries this year.

Thanks for the update, sisters. You've been blessed!

Justin Morris Recognized at the 44th Annual YMCA Black Achievers Awards

Justin Morris (Class of 2008) was recognized as one of this year's award recipients at the YMCA's Black Achievers Awards Program February 18. The criteria for this this honor include workplace recognition for outstanding achievements, being an exemplary role model for youth and enthusiasm for the impact you can have on the lives of young people.

Justin was nominated by his co-workers, receiving the most nominations ever among employees at Humana. After a rigorous interview and selection committee process, he was one of three employees Humana submitted for the 2023 awards.

Meet Our Ballard Alumnus of the Month

Sid Griffin, Rock Star

We've featured many Ballard grads who are rock stars in their respective fields, but Sid Griffin (Class of 1972) is the real deal in the world of music. After graduating with a degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina in 1977, Sid found his way to London, England where he has spent most of his adult life. As one of the founders of The Long Ryders, he is recognized internationally as one of the founding fathers of the Alt-Country (or Americana) genre of music. He has written for magazines and newspapers in England as well as having toured with his band, where you will find his work on Spotify, Tidal, YouTube and more. At the end of 2022, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville opened a new display celebrating California Country Rock, with Rickand his mates featured in one of the exhibits as shown in the picture here. Next month, they will have a new album on Cherry Red Records as well as all of the usual on-line music services.

Rick's wife, Dr. Rhiannon Owen, is a Clinical Psychologist for the British National Health Service. They have two children and continue to reside in London.

Sid, what a long, strange trip it's been from Ballard. Congratulations on a successful, fulfilling career. If your touring brings you back to Louisville, let us know and we'll share the word on where your friends can buy tickets.

Comedy Night Was a Big Success

The photo to the right was taken a few minutes before showtime. The ultimate audience numbered close to 400, with the feedback being that those attending had a laughably good time. Based on the crowd response, we will look for ways to make this an annual event. Thanks to all who attended to help raise money for the refurbishing of the Sandy Allen Fine Arts Center. Congratulations to Greg Smith and the other Alumni Board directors who made this night a success!

Want to Keep Track of Your Favorite Team Sports at Ballard?

You can check the most recent game score or the upcoming events on the schedule for your favorite Bruin team by simply clicking on the links shown below. Go Bruins!

Boys Basketball

Girls Basketball

Boys Baseball

Girls Fast-Pitch Softball

We're Looking for Volunteers for the Hall of Fame Event

The planning has begun in earnest for the 2023 Hall of Fame Night coming this October. Our Hall of Fame Committee is looking for people interested in helping with event planning, decorations and other tasks. If you would like to help, please click on the button below and Kim Barber will get in touch with you. Thanks!

Group of the trophies on the green background

Click to Volunteer

Teacher Feature:

Jordan Paskitti,

Assistant Principal

Take a walk through the halls of Ballard any given day and you'll likely encounter the smiling face of Assistant Principal Jordan Paskitti. Jordan is in his fifth year at Ballard, having previously taught Math at all levels at Myers Middle School as well as Jeffersontown and Male High Schools. He holds a B.S. in Corporate Finance from U of L, a Masters in Teaching from Bellarmine and a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from U of L.

Who on the Ballard faculty or staff has had the greatest influence on you thus far?

"Dr. Neuss and I have worked together for eight years and his leadership, guidance, support and friendship have had a tremendous influence on me as a growing leader. There is no way I could be where I am now without him."

What are your best memories of your time at Ballard?

"Getting a message at 2am that Seniors had broken into the schools and let a dozen chickens loose as their senior prank. They got caught and found all but three of the chickens. I spent the rest of day searching for the remaining three. Good times."

What can the Alumni Association do to help you do your job better?

"The alumni have stepped up in amazing ways over the past few years since Dr. Neuss has become Principal. Continue to do what you are doing and show teachers that they are seen, heard and appreciated. Also -- FOOD goes a long way! Thanks for all of the meals!"

Your hard work and enthusiasm have made you a real asset to Ballard and its students over the years, Jordan. Best of luck to you in your growth as an administrator.

Upcoming Reunion News. Make Your Reservations Now!

Class of 1973

The Class of 1973 celebrates 50 years in 2023!

Dates have been set for September 8 and 9. We will have cocktails, dinner and tunes at Hurstbourne Country Club on Saturday night. We've found 198 classmates so far but would like to find more. Please check with your friends to see if they have contacted Laura Donley King at lauraking2505@gmail.com. Email details to follow as well as an Evite.

Class of 1978

Class correspondent Ashley Rosen wants to alert folks in the Class of 1978 that plans are underway for your class reunion. Save the date of August 12, 2023 for an event at the always-fun Vernon Lanes. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help, you can reach Ashley at ashleyrosen@bellsouth.net.

Is your class holding a reunion year?

Or are you a member of the Classes of 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 or 2018 starting to make plans for a reunion this year? Please share any reunion information with us -- we'd love to publish the details in The Bear Facts. We would also like to connect with any reunion organizers to see if we can share any contact information. Our hope is that more alumni will stay connected post-reunion to the Ballard Alumni Association. Please contact Caroline Robinson at ballardalumni@gmail.com.

Save the Date! The Spongebob Musical is Coming April 20-23

The all-school musical coming this spring is "The Spongebob Musical". Our student actors are busy rehearsing their parts, preparing to wow you with their skills. Tickets will be available soon for all shows, but the Theater Department issues a special invitation to all former Ballard thespians to attend the Saturday, April 22 matinee as a theater reunion. More details to follow next month!

Want to Join a Board Committee or Send Us a Question?

We are always looking for new volunteers for our Board committees. Here is a list of the Board members and committee chairs. Feel free to to contact any of us to get involved or just ask questions.

Steve Gowers Email 502-291-3916 Chairman

Justin Morris Email Vice Chairman 502-537-1419; Student & Staff Engagement Committee

Greg Smith Email 502-773-7920 Special Events Committee

Paul Fischer Email 502-592-3551 Treasurer

Tony Waits Email 502-394-3509 Secretary

Bob Schiavone Email 502-802-1309; Special Events Committee

Kasie Jackson Email 502-558-9861 Student & Staff Engagement Committee

Linda Fry Mulloy Email 502-419-6555 Student & Staff Engagement Committee

Rebekah Mulloy Email 502-608-0234 Student & Staff Engagement Committee

Caroline Robinson Email 502-551-6316 Membership/Reunions Committee

Kim Barber Email 502-552-8631 School Administration Liaison

Betsy Hultman Wall Email 502-797-5834 Library/Fine Arts Center Renovations

Rudy Moeller Email 502-415-5264 Communications Committee

A Preview of Coming Events

Event Date

Event

For more info, contact:

March 20	Board of Directors Monthly Meeting	School library 4:30pm
March 15	Lunch and Learn Symposium	Rebekah Mulloy - rebekah.mulloy@gmail.com

May 1	Board of Directors Monthly Meeting	School library 4:30pm
May 30	End of Year Luncheon for Staff and Teachers sponsored by the Alumni Association	Contact Kim Barber to donate or help with the event

August 12	Class of 1978 Reunion	Ashley Rosen -ashleyrosen@bellsouth.net
September 8-9	Class of 1973 Reunion	Laura King -lauraking2505@gmail.com