van horn legacy newsletter - april 2012
DESCRIPTION
Newsletter of the Van Horn high School Alumni Association (independence, MO)TRANSCRIPT
In Van Horn’s audito-
rium, the stage was set for
the Annual Spring Con-
cert for Van Horn music
students under the direc-
tion of Mrs. Erin Bar-
rier, Director.
The evening of March 13,
performances were heard
from the Symphonic
Band, the Orchestra,
Women’s Choir, and the
Men’s Choir. But, the
finale, presented by the
Concert Choir, was an
ambitious Bemba tribal
number, “Bonse Aba”.
Getting publicized previ-
ously in an article submitted
to the Independence Exam-
iner by Joe Bayless, the at-
tending crowd was impres-
sive to say the least.
Earlier this year, Joe
Bayless was substituting for
Mrs. Barrier when he
heard this familiar music as
being that of the Bemba
people of Zambia. He later
brought some Bemba mem-
bers from his church to lis-
ten to the choir who verified
the authenticity of the
singer’s interpretation of the
language.
This night, the anticipation
of the finale was not disap-
pointing in the least. Choir
members dressed in tuxes
and gowns lined the aisles
singing accompanied by
Bemba acoustical instru-
ments.
Yep, this writer could
hardly be contained. At the
conclusion, I did yell,
“Encore, Encore!” but
couldn’t be heard over the
thunderous applause!.
See more related photos on
page 2.
VH CONCERT CHOIR BRINGS HOUSE DOWN
Spring Con-
cert Photos
2
Letter to the 2 Mr. K’s 20th
Birthday
3
Association
News
4
Reunion
News
5
Calendar 6
Days of
Yore Quiz
6
P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E
V A N H O R N H I G H S C H O O L
A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N The Falcon Legacy S E C O N D Q U A R T E R 2 0 1 2 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E I I
S P E C I A L
P O I N T S O F
I N T E R E S T :
Association
asking for
material
donations.
P. 6
Music Dept.
looking for
piano bene-
factors P. 5
(Floor) Zak Kelso, Gabby Goering. (Stage) Dance: Kevin Alessio. Soloists: Kyah Karlsson,
Derek Willoughby, A.J. Campbell, Brando Garcia, Diana Cruz.
2
Independence, MO —by Joe Bayless To the editor (Independence Examiner) Recently I had the wonderful privilege of substi-tuting for Erin Barrier, music teacher at Van Horn High School. During the mixed-choir class, they sang a song that really shocked me. It was called “Bonse Aba.” It is sung a lot by the Bemba tribe in Zambia. The students used all the motions, the various drum instruments, etc. They did an excellent job. After school I called my good friend, Reverend Bunda Chibwe, a minister in the Community of Christ Church, who is Bemba. I told him of this experience. He could not believe that in this Midwest town of Independence, a few thousand miles from Zambia, a high school singing group would be singing a Christian song he grew up with in his native language. I contacted the teacher to see if I could invite my Bemba friend, when he is in town, to come and share with the choir. He was amazed. It was excel-lent! The students were thrilled to share with him. They had many questions for him and were pleased to find out also that their pronunciation was perfect. In this discussion, two cultures came closer together. Bunda sang another Bemba song for them, and after a while they were able to join in some. What a small world! . . .
* * *
The Bemba people are descendants of inhabitants of the
Luba kingdom, which existed in what is now the Katanga
province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in north
-eastern Zambia.
Since British rule, English has been Zambia's main literary
language, and is now its only official language. However,
the Bemba language has played a prominent political role.
Zambia's first president, Kenneth Kaunda, though Malawian
by descent, was raised in a Bemba-speaking community,
and every Zambian president since has been a Bemba-
speaker. In the years after the MMD took power in 1991, it
was accused numerous times of promoting Bemba over
other regional languages in the country.[2]
Letter to the Editor:
Van Horn Symphonic Band
Van Horn Orchestra
Van Horn Men’s Choir
Van Horn Women’s Choir
Van Horn Concert Choir
Joe Bayless with his Bemba
guests, Deborah Chibwe and
Jerry K. Ottibwb.
3
Mr. Kaifes was born on Leap Day eighty years ago. So, he
has only had 19 celebrated birthdays up to this year. For his
20th, Brenda Bronson ‘66 and Kelly Alston Fent ’76, with
the help of some Class of ‘66 grads, organized an
“unsurprised” birthday party for him.
Nearly 60 attended the event— some of the Kaifes’ family, a
couple of former teachers, and alumni from between Classes
of 1966 to 1982 — bringing potluck dishes to share.. Mr. K.
had two cakes sporting 20 candles each— a Math Teacher
cake and a Baseball Coach cake.
Eventually, the crowd found themselves sitting in a circle tell-
ing stories. Classroom memories of Mr. K. included: “I’m
raising my own basketball team” (his children); “I flew my LC
Smith during the Korean War”; “Marry for Money!”;
(Drawing perfect circles on the blackboard); “Don’t call me
Sir—I was not an officer”; “No gum-chewing” (if he caught
someone chewing gum, he would instruct the kid to wrap the
gum in a full sheet of paper, make him put it back in his
mouth, and chew it).
One of the most memorable recollections came from the 1966
Coaches/Varsity basketball team game. Mr. K sank two con-
secutive high-arching hook shots within a span of 30 seconds
from opposite corners of the court: one with his right hand and
one with his left. Acting as stunned as everyone watching,
Mr. K. threw his head and hands toward the heavens claiming
“divine intervention”. Editor’s note: Thanks to all who submitted photos. Above: Greg Brown ‘77, Teresa Thompson Hill ‘76
Anne Mallinson ‘66, Kelly Alston Fent ‘76, Teresa
Thompson Hill ‘76, Kathy Stark Putnam ‘76, Otto
Kaifes, Jay Fisher ‘75, Mary Willis ‘76, Becky
Gooch ‘76.
Kent Kaifes, Eric Kaifes, Leigh Anne Kaifes, Carrie
Kaifes Lally, Kurt Kaifes. (Front) Mrs. Carol
Kaifes.
Mr. K. and Myron Thomas ‘82
Alums Came to Celebrate: 20th Birthday Party Held for Retired
Math Teacher and Coach, “Otto” Kaifes
Birthday honoree as well as Hall of Honor re-
cipient. Mr. K. admires his two birthday cakes.
4
100-
50- 10- New
Total =12
The VHHSAA has a
GOAL for
2012 to increase our mem-
bership by 100
by January 2013.
Wow! We’ve received 7 more new
members since the last newsletter.
Thank you!
Here’s how you can help.
Many of you will be attending Class
Reunions or other functions this year.
Talk up the Alumni Association’s valu-
able work in promoting our kids! Get an
application from the Alumni Association
representative in attendance at your re-
union for them to fill out and send in.
Each issue of the Falcon Legacy is
emailed (or snail mailed) to over 100
members. If each member would just
bring in one more new member, we
could reach the 100 mark goal in no
time. You may forward the Falcon Leg-
acy to your alumni friends on your email
list – let them know what we are doing.
Who wouldn’t want to help push Van
Horn Falcon Alumni to the top?
It’s all about what we can do for the
school and the kids!!!
More great news. Since the last Board meeting on February 15 when we had 1480 visits re-
ported to our VHHSAA website, the number has grown to 2578!!!!! Check out the website if you
haven’t already. Newest feature, “Lonnie’s Jukebox”. Check it out. Our webmaster, Carey
Landon ’64, has been remarkable in keeping it updated and refreshed. A big thanks from all of
us in VHHSAA to you, CAREY!!!
vanhornalumni.org
5
40th REUNION NEWS: Class of 1972
For our 40 year reunion, the main event is Saturday,
September 15 at the Elms Hotel. Plans for a Friday
night reception are still in progress.
Facebook members can find information as it is fi-
nalized on our page, "Van Horn Class of
1972". Alumni can also send their contact informa-
t ion Sherr i Van Trump Moore a t
YOUNG FOLKS—YA GOTTA LOVE ‘EM— I was told the Spring Concert was to begin at 6:00 so I was way too early. Sitting
on the front row with camera in hand, I watched a young flutist (above left) arrive on stage, taking her seat then worked laboriously
to strap on her “heels”. A pretty thing with red hair, I couldn’t help but notice her throughout the program—in the orchestra and
again in Concert Choir. On the last number, she was one of the percussionist on stage-right for the Bemba number, “Bonse Aba”. I
couldn’t resist taking another photo of her — minus those cumbersome, painful “heels”. Editor
MENTOR PROJECT
If you would allow a Van Horn student to con-
tact you regarding your profession, occupation,
college, and/or other proficiencies, please send
your name, address, phone, email, and class
year along with your suggested mentorship sub-
mission to
A data base has been developed for use by
school councelors to match a student up with
Alumni and friends of Van Horn. You do not
have to be a member of VHHSAA or an alum to
participate.
NOTICE:
Sooner or later, non-members of
VHHSAA will no longer be receiv-
ing issues of the Falcon Legacy.
Members without email will receive
a black and white copy via snail
mail. A printable copy of the appli-
cation to join VHHSAA can be
found on our website. Won’t you
consider joining today? Lifetime
membership includes color choice
of a beautiful polo shirt.
“SAVE A PIANO” PLEA
Please note: The Music Department at Van Horn is looking for a benefactor
or benefactors to fund (1) the restoration of the eight-foot Concert Steinway on
stage, and (2) replace or restore the piano in the music room. The donor will
have his/her name engraved on a plaque attached to the instrument.
Please contact the Alumni Association or Patrick Layden at Pat-
50th REUNION NEWS: Class of 1962
Beginning Friday, June 8, there will be GOLF at
9:00 a.m.; Informal Reception at 6:00 p.m. On Sat-
urday, June 9, beginning at 6:00 p.m. there will be a
reception and dinner at 7:00 p.m.. All events will
be held at the Drumm Farm Golf Club and Club-
house in Independence.
Contact Jerry Cantrell no later than May 1st for res-
ervations.
[email protected] (816) 254-4664
Photos below: Nikki Huffner
and John Kroeger.
6
The Van Horn High School Alumni Association
P. O. Box 520712
Independence, MO 64052
Phone: 816-914-6490
E-mail: [email protected]
Editor: Marietta Wilson Boenker
VHHSAA Board
President Jay Fisher ‘75
Vice President Nancy Mills Ehrlich ‘56
Secretary Glenda Baker Phillips ‘‘73
Treasurer Lisa Hay Renshaw “76
At Large Director/Newsletter Editor:
Marietta Wilson Boenker ‘60
EVENTS CALENDAR
21 Mar - VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
1 Apr - VHHSAA Scholarship application deadline
18 Apr - VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
13 May - Celebration of Birthday of Col. Van Horn (actually May 19th) 16 May - VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
20 May - Van Horn High School Graduation
8-9 Jun - Class of 1962 50th Reunion.
(Jun, Jul, Aug meeting locations to be announced)
7 Sep - Hall of Honor Celebration, 1st home football game 15 Sep - Class of 1972 40th Reunion
19 Sep -VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
21 Sep -Van Horn Homecoming Parade, Englewood
22 Sep -Van Horn Homecoming game at Van Horn HS
17 Oct -VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
21 Nov -VHHSAA Meeting, Alumni Room, VHHS
From days of yore A very large copy of this photo was presented to the VHHSAA and is viewable in the Alumni
Room at the high school Do you know what year this was taken? Do you know any of the players
in the photo? Are you one of them?
Submit your response to
t h e E d i t o r a t
Memorabilia from the
past is welcome for dis-
play in the Alumni Room.
W e have a couple of
empty showcases and lots
of bare wall space to dis-
play your donations.
Contact:
President Jay Fisher at