Spring Fling Dance - Click HERE...

The 2010 Hall of Fame inductees are:

The Arts & Sciences: LYNNETTE (BAUMANN) SCHUEPBACH

Lynnette (Baumann) Schuepbach graduated as valedictorian from Highland High School in 1965.  She completed her Bachelor of Music Education K-14 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1971 and worked as a substitute teacher for Highland Community Schools for seven years.

Lynnette founded CREATE Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable group whose mission was to encourage creativity in all aspects of life from 2001-2008.  Through CREATE Foundation she provided many hands-on activities for the Highland Art in the Park, Belleville Art on the Square, St. Louis Arts Festival in Clayton, MO, and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  Lynnette has written, illustrated and published four children’s books for ages 0-7.  She also illustrated two books for ages 6-12 written by another author.  She has served as events coordinator and vice president of St. Louis Publishers Association and is currently president of the group.  From 1977-1993 Lynnette was a member of the Society of Craft Designers, working for a woodcraft manufacturer, designing and teaching art with medium such as wood burning, wood carving, and colored penciling.  She has appeared on television programs for PBS, HGTV, and the Discovery cable channels.  During this time she wrote an instructional book on wood carving based on one of her own poems and three instructional books on wood burning.

Lynnette has been an active member of the Highland Arts Council since 2003.  She served as secretary and is currently vice president and chair of Art in the Park.  Lynnette continues to write, illustrate, paint, and use many other creative mediums to satisfy her desire to be creative.

Business: CARL BASLER (deceased)

Carl Basler attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Pierron. 

At the start of WWII he purchased the Imperial Clock Company and produced screw machine parts for the government.  He moved this business from his father’s garage to the old Embroidery Works building in Highland.  This was the start of Basler Electric and Manufacturing Company. After WWII he sold the screw machine business. (It became Highland Machine and Screw Products Company).  Mr. Basler served as President and Chairman of the Board of Basler Electric for many years.  The company has continued to grow by acquiring additional divisions and locations.  Today there are facilities in Highland, Illinois, several other states, along with Mexico and France.

Mr. Basler served on the Board of Directors of the SIUE Foundation and was a founding member of the SIUE Industrial Advisory Board. Additionally he served as a director for the First National Bank of Highland, served on the Highland Manufacturing Association, and the Illinois Manufacturing Association. Active within the community, Carl was a member of the Highland Optimist Club, St. Louis B.P.O.E., SERTOMA Club of St. Louis, the Missouri Athletic Club, and the St. Louis Media Club. He was an active member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Highland.

Public Service: ROLAND HARRIS

Roland Harris graduated from Highland High School in 1943.  He is a lifelong Highland resident, building the community through involvement in a variety of organizations.  Public service began for Roland in 1949 when he joined the Knights of Columbus and has continued as a KC member in full force for six decades.

Mr. Harris was the founder of the St. Paul PTO in 1965, becoming their first President.  Then in 1970, he founded the Highland Historical Society.  He has been a member of the Rotary since 1950, serving one term as President, and a member of the Highland VFW (Veteran’s of Foreign Wars) and the American Legion.  He is a member of the Harris Cemetery Board and serves as President for the St. Joseph’s Cemetery Board.  As a member of the Highland Chamber of Commerce, Roland served as President from 1955-1956.  He was a member of the Louis Latzer Library Board from 1956 to 2000.  He has been a member of the Highland Home Board, serving as Treasurer for 19 years, and on the St. Joseph Hospital’s Advisory Board for 12 years. 

Mr. Harris is best known for the Highland News Leaders’ column “Thoughts to Remember”.  He wrote this column from 1967 to 1977, and again from 2001 to the present.  Mr. Harris is knowledgeable and proud of Highland and its history.

Sports: EARL WIRZ (deceased)

Earl Wirz attended Highland area schools in the 1920’s and 30’s.  He was considered Highland’s top bowler during the late 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s. He consistently carried a 200 plus pin average score in three local leagues and was outstanding while competing in many area and national tournaments.

Among his achievements: Earl won the Greater St. Louis Doubles title in 1940, won the Greater Carlyle Doubles title in 1948 and 1952, and he won the Greater Carlyle All Events title in 1954, 1955, and 1956. Earl was inducted into the Greater Carlyle Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1955.  Additionally Earl served as the Director and Vice President of the Greater Carlyle Bowling Association for more than 30 years.
                                               
Earl started a junior bowling program in Highland in 1961. He continued working with the youth of the community until 1988.

At Large: OLIN STRATTON (deceased)

Olin Stratton began his career as a teacher and Principal in Shipman, IL after receiving degrees from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the University of Illinois and serving in the U.S. Army AirCorp during World War II.  In 1947, Mr. Stratton became part of the Highland Community Schools, serving first as teacher, then coach, high school principal and finally as Superintendent from 1958 to 1985.  While Mr. Stratton was Superintendent, later he became the President of the Illinois Association of School Administrators.  He was elected to the Board of Directors and also served as President of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), a world-wide organization of 20,000 members

In 1989, Mr. Stratton became Mayor of Highland.  As Mayor, he initiated a Weinheimer Community Center expansion and numerous Beautification Awards prior to his death in 1990.  He was a Charter Member and Past President of the Highland Optimist Club. As president, he started the Optimist Basketball League at the Weinheimer Community Center.  Olin was a member of Highland Veterans of Foreign Wars (V.F.W.) Post #5694, the American Legion Post, the Highland Historical Society, the Highland Masonic Lodge, and Associated of Retired Teachers.  He was a Past President of the Highland Chamber of Commerce and Past Chairman of the Weinheimer Community Center Board.  Mr. Stratton also served as Chairman of the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976. 

Olin was the assistant to head basketball coach Ed Hilbert, helping two teams go to the Illinois State Basketball Tournament in 1953 and 1958.  He was also instrumental in the building of the new Highland High School in 1976 through his service on the Governor’s Task Force for Education in developing the concept of the Capital Development grants.  Because the Highland School System was recognized as one of the finest school systems in the state of Illinois and in the nation, Mr. Stratton was presented the annual Distinguished Service Award by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. 

Spring Fling Dance...

The HIASAA is sponsoring a dance on Friday, April16th at Lindendale Park in Highland. Faustus (www.youtube.com/myfaustus) and The rxBlues Band (www.rxblues.com) will play starting at 6:00. Food, beverages, music, and fun will all be available on the grounds. The doors open at 4:00. The money raised will be used to fund future Alumni Association projects. Tickets are available at: FCB Bank in Highland, Marx Brother's in Highland, Popeye's Chop House in St. Rose, Trenton House, PJ's Diner in Breese, both locations of the State Bank of St. Jacob, or any HIASAA Board member. Please support the Association and have a great time doing it. There will be raffles and silent auctions for great prizes.

Most importantly: Everyone (not just alumni) is invited to attend. Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door.

Membership...

If you haven't done so already, it's is now time to renew your HIASAA membership. Please support your alumni association. There are expenses involved in this organization and your dues and/or donations help defray those costs. If you feel so inclined any donation of any size will be accepted. We are are 501(c)(3) organization therefore your donations are tax deductable. Eventually a permanent Hall of Fame will be built using the donations and the membership dues. We are always looking for underwriters for the induction breakfast in the Fall. Please email us if you feel as though you would like to be a part of that event. Thanks for your participation in the past and we look forward to your participation in the future.

If you are not a member, applications are HERE. Please mail your registration form to the address on the "Contact The HIASAA" page.

The 2009 Winners are...

The Arts & Sciences: Dr. Arlo Landolt, Robert Mueller, and Robert Scott Tibbetts; Business: Martin Wick, Jay Boulanger, Terry Riffel; Sports: Russell Hoffman, Sharon (Kampwerth) Renken, Laurie (Foederer) Rinderer; Public Service: Jennie Kaeser, Joe Michaelis, Lynn Rehberger.

Congratulations to the winners!!

Photos from the 2009 HIASAA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony can be found HERE.

Class Reunion Photos and Graphics...
Photographs from class reunions and graphics used on these webpages can be found here. The graphics could be useful to you in designing reunion invitations, etc. We urge you to contact us at hiasaa@bulldogs.com if you want your (appropriate) photos posted.

Thanks - Please get involved in your association.