Fhhs alumni association

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FHHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 2727

Landover Hills, MD 20784-0727
HHSAA

FAIRMONT HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

March 2010

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE John J. Williams Our prayers go out to Haiti in its devastating earthquake disaster, and to all affected by the local snow blizzards that shut down school, industries and governments. Through it all, God is good! HISTORICAL PRESERVATION OF FHHS In the 2009 alumni newsletter I echoed the joy we felt, but with mixed emotion, of the approval by the Prince George’s County Board of Education of a new replacement for the existing 60 year-old Fairmont Heights High School building. The school does not meet the County’s high school minimum requirement of a 30- acre site. Each time the School Board attempted to close the school, the alumni and community supporters said “no!’ Finally, FHHS must move to a larger site Though I was aware of the present school officials estimated cuts, which last week increased to an estimated $28.4 million, after Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) announced the proposed state budget was $1 billion leaner than anticipated, it was no surprise that FHHS’s $14 million previously approved construction budget would be held back until 2011. Thus, it may be 2013 before the construction is completed. Meanwhile, the push to approve Fairmont Heights High School as a Historical Site has never stopped. On January 19, 2010, a public hearing was held at Newton White Mansion, Mitchellville, MD at 7:00PM for testimony re: 393 pages on Preliminary Historic Sites and Districts Plan. A number of speakers asked the approval of Fairmont Heights High School as a Historical Site, including our School Board representative Pat Fletcher, Rosolyn Johnson, Board Member & former student and teacher of FHHS, Laurence Winston, June White, Esq. President, NAACP,	and yours truly. Copies of the approved sites and plans will be available to the public in a few weeks. I have been promised that good news will be available by FHHS’ 60^th Anniversary. HELLO, MRS NICHOLSON; GOODBY, MRS NICHOLSON! FHHS Alumni and friends welcome the new principal, Mrs. Nakia Nicholson, who replaced Mrs. Peggy Boozer Nicholson (no relation), former principal and graduate of FHHS ’68, who retired in July 2009. Mrs. Nakia Nicholson says, “As the newly appointed principal of Fairmont Heights High School, I am honored to serve and lead you. I already feel the excitement of a fresh start. I am enthusiastically prepared to continue carrying the torch that will lead our school in a direction of restoration and reveal the true essence of what Fairmont Heights High School represents – pride, honor, community, and scholarly excellence.” When asked how the alumni can help carry the torch, Mrs. Nicholson replied: “The alumni can help the school by volunteering as: Hall monitors (4 floors), Cafeteria monitors, Telephone answering, or as needed by the school.” Thelma Battle has served as monitor for the entrance to main office and first floor for six months. All volunteers should call the main office at 301-925-1360, or Thelma Battle, Secretary, at 240-396-7986. Volunteers will be recognized at the 60^th Anniversary Reunion Dinner Dance Celebration on October 22, 2010. Volunteers, please sign the Alumni Volunteer Register with time and date.
Remember … VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!!!! FAIRMONT HEIGHTS VETERANS JOIN FHHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION A newly organized group called Fairmont Heights Veterans Association was presented at the Alumni Annual Memorial Service on December 05, 2009, during the presentation of colors and at the candlelight ceremony at New Mt Nebo Baptist Church, 7501 Walker Mill Drive, Capitol Heights, MD. Reverend Robert R. Johnson ’57, Pastor, is Memorial Service sponsor. The group was organized in October 2009 at the American Legion building, Post #275, Glenarden, Maryland. The organization is open to veterans interested in VA benefits and other opportunities. One does not have to be a graduate of Fairmont Heights High School to become a member of the Fairmont Heights Veterans Association. For more details, contact Michael Marshall – see contact info in this newsletter or on the FHHS Alumni Website: www.fhhsaa.com at the Veterans Corner page or email us at [e-mail] . ALUMNI AWARDS SIX SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2009 The number and amount of our scholarships are determined by the participation at the Annual Reunion Dance. Thanks to our faithful alumni and friends attending the 20^th Reunion Dance, we were able to present the following students with a total of *$3,000: Max Heureux……………………….…$500.00 University of MD – College Park, MD Diamond Valentine……………………$500.00 (school undecided) Timothy Tyler…………………………..$500.00 Coffeyville Com. College – Kansas Martinique White……………………….$500.00 Salisbury University – Salisbury, MD Kenica Exum…………………………….$500.00 Greensboro College – Greensboro, N.C.	James Bowman………………………$500.00 Morehouse College - Atlanta, GA. (JJW Scholarship) *Donations are tax deductible* - Fairmont Heights High School is under 501 © (3) code Gone, but Not Forgotten!! Elizabeth Vivian Smith Gordon Elizabeth (known by FHHS family as “Liz”) Gordon was dedicated to her alma mater. She had a passion for getting things done. She served as Ways and Means Chairperson for “decades” and made sure that money was there for scholarship for FHHS students. Liz graduated from FHHS in 1952, and was just as involved with her church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Largo, MD, as well as her community activity on the progress of the new Woodmore At Glenarden Development. For her many church, school and community involvement, a “Celebration of Life” event is being planned in memory of Elizabeth Gordon by Glenarden Pioneers and
Glenarden Historical Society. FHHS Alumni Association has been invited to participate in the celebration. No date has been set at this time. FORMER ALUMNI, FACULTY HONORED WITH $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP IN TRIBUTE TO MRS. BERNICE CRISP AT MEMORIAL Special praise and honor to more than 30 former alumni, faculty and veterans, who, with an honorary tribute to Mrs. Bernice H. Crisp (1909-2009), were highlighted during the Candlelight Ceremony on December 05, 2009, at New Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 7501 Walker Mill Drive, Capitol Heights, Maryland. Reverend Robert R. Johnson SR. ’57, is Pastor. Mrs. Crisp, who taught at FHHS for more than 38 years, was often assigned the toughest students, but changed the lives of many who loved her and stayed in touch throughout her life. In attendance were ten family members, with a representative who will present the scholarship at the awards assembly in May 2010. The message, “We’ve Come This Far By Faith”, was delivered by Reverend Joseph A. Robinson,’55, Pastor of Royal Oak Pentecostal Church, 7401 Willow Hill Drive, Landover, Maryland. Michael R. Black, ’63, served as Worship Leader, with a special solo by Mrs. Nakia Nicholson, FHHS new principal, Thelma Spriggs Battle, Chairperson Memorial Program; Michael Marshall was Program Designer. After presentations and remarks by John Williams, President and benediction by Pastor Johnson, followed by our alma mater by Valary Morrison, ’69. Refreshments were served. FHHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO RECENT FAMILY LOSSES Our heart-felt condolences go to Mrs. Peggy Boozer Nicholson and family, in the loss of her daughter, Courtney Boozer Ajayi, Esq., who passed after child-birth of baby Stokely Boozer Ajayi on January 26, 2010. Services were held February 02, 2010 at Shiloh Baptist Church, Glenarden, Maryland.	In addition, we mourn the loss of Linda Adair Richardson ’69, 0n January 31, 2010 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Services were held in Jacksonville, N.C. and also at Maple Springs Baptist Church, Capitol Heights, Maryland on February 09, 2010. FAIRMONT HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL 60^th REUNION CELEBRATION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Date: Friday, October 22, 2010 Location: Martins Crosswinds 7400 Greenway Center Drive Greenbelt, Maryland 20770 Dinner Dance: 7:30PM – 11:30PM Date: Saturday, October 23, 2010 Location: Fairmont Heights High School Cafeteria 1401 Nye Street Capitol Heights, Maryland 20743 Alumni Meeting & Elections: 11:00AM – 1:00PM Meet the Principal Update on Future Plans for FHHS Election of Officers for 2011 Tour of the School HOTEL RESEVATIONS Special event rates are available for booking from 13-Feb-2010 through 23-Oct-2010 for the FHHS 60^th Anniversary Celebration at: Holiday Inn Greenbelt, 7200 Hanover Drive, Greenbelt, Maryland 20770. Phone: [phone] NOMINATION OF OFFICERS FOR 2011 Submit names of all nominees to: Carolyn Mooney Scriber at: [e-mail] or call ……………. . More details will be available at the Annual Reunion Spring Dance on April 23, 2010 at the Gold Room. Also, check our website at: www.fhhsaa.com for more information. Visit Our Website: www.fhhsaa.com EMAIL Us at: [e-mail] March 2010