Alumni Relations

Whitehall-Yearling Alumni Association's (WYAA) HISTORY

Did you know that WYHS alumni live in all 50 states & 14 countries around the world?

After being frustrated by difficulties contacting classmates while planning a reunion, Nancy Keller, 1970, & Joyce Hildenbrand Turnbull, 1969, saw the need to create a website that would be a central depository of WYHS alumni information, reunions, memorials, etc.  So, they created www.wyhsalumni.org & launched it on January 30, 2016. As of April 2023, there are over 1950 alumni registered on the website (out of over 200,000 WYHS alumni). Please tell your classmates to join – no ads, no fees, no cookies, no contact info is shared, etc.

In 2017, Nancy & Joyce decided to establish an alumni association to provide opportunities to engage & communicate with alumni, give back to "Dear Whitehall-Yearling High" & support the WYHS administration, teachers & students. Today, there are 5 alumni representing 6 decades on the WYAA board. We also have a veterans’ representative. We’d like to expand our board, so we're looking for alumni volunteers to represent
the 2010-2022 classes, varsity sports & performing arts alumni.

WYAA is registered with the State of Ohio as a non-profit organization; & is awaiting IRS approval to become a 501.c.3 tax-exempt organization.

WYAA'S Mission is to support WYHS Alumni, Students, Veterans & our Community

SCHOLARSHIPS:  WYAA gives scholarships to WYHS graduating seniors planning to attend a community college or a trade school.  WYAA also offers Alumni Scholarships. Since 2018, 6 students & 1 alumnus has received WYAA scholarships. These scholarships range from $500 - $1,000.

• WYAA partnered with the Whitehall Education Foundation (501.c.3) to administer our scholarships.
• Questions?  Contact Ed Kowalski, 1982: chefkowalski@gmail.com

GRADUATION:  In 2018 WYAA started a new tradition of presenting WYHS Ram Pride beverage glasses at graduation.  As of 2022, WYAA has presented over 900 glasses.

VETERANS: WYAA & the Athletic Director, Bill Hughett created a way to honor our veterans. Every veteran who registers on this alumni website receives our WYAA Veterans Sports Cards. These cards give veterans free admission to all WYHS home sports games & never expire.  Over 350 cards have been sent to our alumni veterans.

SPORTS:  WYAA game tickets at student prices for Homecoming & Hall of Fame basketball games.  

HOMECOMINGS:  Since 2019, WYAA has honored a select alumni group at homecoming.

• In 2020, the undefeated Ram football teams of 1969 & 1984 were honored.
• In 2021 WYAA honored the 60th Anniversary of the WYHS Ramettes.
• In 2022 WYAA honored Ram All-American, All-State & State Champion athletes over the past 60 years.
• WYAA invites past Homecoming Queens to present & crown the new WYHS Homecoming Queen & King.

 Karen Beery Porta, 1963; Cindy Shipman, 1966; Terry Taxter, 1968; Patty Lepper Trasin, 1970 are the past WYHS Homecoming Queens who participated at recent homecomings.  

• WYAA has participated in 3 homecoming parades & would like to continue if there’s an interest.

CAREER FAIRS:  WYAA established the WYHS Career Fair in 2017. WYAA sponsors, plans, coordinates & works with WYHS guidance counselors & the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce. WYAA invites local businesses & military recruiters to answer questions & provide ideas for future careers without college degrees.  The fair averages 30 various companies & military representatives. Only 20% of WYHS graduates attend college, so it’s important to expose students to these job opportunities. Alumni businesses are welcome. If interested in participating, contact Joyce Turnbull: at jnturnbul51@aol.com

FUTURE FRIDAYS: WYAA supports Pam Trainer, WYHS Transition coordinator, to contact alumni who want to share their non-college careers with students. Pam invites professionals from different careers to talk to students about their businesses, what skills they’re looking to hire, what jobs they offer, etc. This successful program has been ongoing since 2018.

WYAA RAM PRIDE MERCHANDISE: Purchase Ram Pride t-shirts, beverage glasses, mugs, lapel pins, alumni decals; Ramettes 60th anniversary t-shirts. They can be purchased on this website or contact jnturnbull51@aol.com. We ship too!

YEARLING ROAD CLEAN-UP: In 2018, WYAA & alumni/families/students joined the City of Whitehall’s street clean-up program. Our section to clean up is Yearling Road from Broad St to WYHS several times a year. Unfortunately, participation has been lacking since 2020. We’d like to start that program again. If you’re interested in leading these efforts, please contact Joyce Turnbull: at jnturnbull51@aol.com