Volume 41 | October 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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Never Miss a Game of Your Favorite Ballard Sports Teams

Want to know upcoming dates and times for a Ballard athletic event? Want to check a recent game score? Just click on the link below and find the complete Ballard athletic schedule for 2023/2024.

Go Bruins!

Ballard Athletics 2023/2024 Schedules

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.

Alumnus of the Month: India Chiles

Class of 2003 grad India Chiles has distinguished herself in a variety of ways since leaving Ballard. She went on to the University of Tennessee, receiving her degree in Nursing while playing on the UT Women's Softball Team and earning the SEC Softball Player of the Year title in the process.

After graduating, India spent time as a traveling nurse, as an Assistant Coach for Women's Softball at UT and as marketer for a sports apparel company. She went on to create her own marketing company, Slapper Nation, and has recently been named Head Coach for Emory University's Women's Softball Team.

India, you are the kind of high-performing graduate for which Ballard has become known worldwide. We all applaud your drive and entrepreneurial spirit. Best of luck in your new coaching gig, too!

2023-2024 Lunch & Learn Dates Set. Speakers are Needed. How About You?

The Lunch & Learn program to introduce students to Ballard grads in professional roles reflected in the school's Academy clusters was a big success this year, so we are bringing it back the fall. Remaining dates scheduled include:

November 2 - STEM/Health Services
February 15 - Media Arts
March 20 - Visual and Performing Arts

We are looking now for science and healthcare professional to lead our November 2 session. Would YOU consider volunteering for a 20 minute overview of your professional experience? If so, please click on Rebekah Mulloy to learn more about the program.

Our September 7 Lunch & Learn presenters (l. to r.): Tim Mulloy, Class of 1978; Ginnie Meredith, Class of 2001; Kim Barber, School Liason; Rebekah Mulloy, Class of 2004; Brittany Abdelehad, Class of 2004.

Our Communications Committee Needs a New Editor for The Bear Facts

The current Chair of the Alumni Association's Communication Committee is retiring from the Board. That means we need a new editor for the monthly Bear Facts newsletter. This volunteer will work with the Board to identify topics of interest and write them up for publication through our on-line publishing tool.

This job is a fun way to stay in touch with members of all classes and share news of interest to alumni of all ages.

Would you consider helping us? Want to learn more about what is involved? If so, contact Rudy Moeller for more information. Thank you!

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Class of 1973 Reunion Highlights

The Class of 1978 enjoyed getting reacquainted at Hurstbourne Country Club of September 9. Many thanks to Laura Donley King and the entire Reunion Committee for planning a 50th Reunion that all in attendance will remember for many years to come.

Class of 2003 Reunion Highlights

The Class of 2003 got reacquainted on the evening of September 9 at West 6th Brewery in NuLu with catering by Emmy's Squared Pizza and a beer or two. Music was provided by DJ Havoc. Over 90 classmates attended and a fine time was had by all. Many thanks to Laura Hankins York and her team for organizing a delightful evening!

Make Your Reservations Now for Ballard's 2023 Hall of Fame Award Dinner

The planning has begun in earnest for the 2023 Hall of Fame Night coming the weekend of October 14. It will be held beginning at 6pm at the Marriott East off of South Hurstbourne Parkway.

A preliminary list of this year's honorees includes:

Academics

Lonita Baker, President, National Bar Assn.
Tanya Clay House, Hip/Hop Caucus
Sherleen Sisney, longtime Ballard educator

Athletics

Don Goodwin, former Ballard track coach
Rosalind Goodwin, Ballard track star
Bob Lindsay, Ballard basketball star

Arts

Caren Cunningham, Bellarmine College professor
Danica Novgordoff, author

We will also present our Alumnus of the Year Award to Steve Gowers. A Class of 1972 graduate, Steve went on to graduate from Centre College after being Captain of the football team there. Since then he has enjoyed a successful business career and served on many community boards.

Just a few short years ago, Steve led the creation of the Ballard Alumni Association and almost immediately took on the challenge of rebuilding the condemned Pat Crawford Football Stadium. Steve has poured countless hours into creating an organization that will take a leadership role in making Ballard the very best it can be.

Click on the QR code to make your reservation to attend the Hall of Fame Dinner. If will be a fantastic evening for all.

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Upcoming Reunion News. Make Your Reservations Now!

Class of 1974

Save the date! The Class of 1974 is coming September 13-14, 2024. Friday night will feature an informal party at Captain's Quarters, with a more formal gathering Saturday night at the Louisville Boat Club. More news to follow soon.

Class of 2013

The Class of 2013 is working on changes to its reunion plans. More details will follow in next month's Bear Facts. For more information, contact Cassidy Talbott.

Is your class holding a reunion this year?

Or are you a member of the Classes of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2009 or 2019 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.

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Support Our Ballard Community with a Contribution to The Annual Fund

While Jefferson County Public Schools funds most of Ballard’s operating expenses, there is a continuing need for new teaching tools, upgraded computers, safety equipment, subsidies for collegiate test, field trips, guest speakers and facilities renovation that falls outside of the typical annual budget. Your tax-deductible contribution will help our undergraduates enjoy a more meaningful high school experience. Please join us in this effort to make Ballard the best public school in Jefferson County.

Click the button and donate today.

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

Bill Precious Email 502-494-5554 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

A Preview of Coming Events

Event Date

Event

For more info, contact:

October 7	Class of 1983 Reunion	Cara Panther - carabyoung65@gmail.com
October 14	2023 Hall of Fame Awards	Marriott East 6:00pm
October 16	Board of Directors Meeting	School library 4:30pm
November 6	Fall Gold Day Staff Luncheon	Linda Mulloy - mulloyhome@gmail.com
December 4	Board of Director Meeting	School library 4:30pm