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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Get your Commemorative Brick and Wall Tile Orders in by June 15 |
We still have 15 spaces for wall tiles and several hundred spaces for brick pavers available for purchase. Now that the stadium has been rebuilt, these funds will go to other Arts, Academics and Athletics investments to support the school.
Get your orders in and you'll be able to see them installed by the Fall Alumni Night October 14 when Ballard plays Eastern. Donation levels are:
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$150 bricks for grads after 2002
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$250 bricks for grads before 2002
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$1,000 wall tiles for the Wall of Fame
If you'd like to participate, order online at:
It's a terrific gift for the hard-to-buy-for Ballard alum and a fine way to remember someone from your years at the school. Please consider joining the many who have already donated. Thank you!
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Teacher Feature: Roderick Pack
AP World History and Pan-African Studies
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After graduating form Ballard in the Class of 2000, Roderick pursued his Bachelors of Arts in History and his Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Louisville. After teaching stints at Fern Creek, Shawnee, Bullitt Central and Southern, he found his way back to Ballard a little over a year ago. He currently serves as Sponsor of Bruin Nation. While a student at Ballard, he was active in Wrestling, Newspaper, as a Class Officer, in the Beta Club, in the National Honor Society and as a delegate to Kentucky Youth Assembly.
What does it mean to you to be back at Ballard as a teacher?
"Everything. As long as the school will have me my plan is to retire from teaching at Ballard. I want to leave the school a better place than I found it. I've been fortunate to receive teaching accolades, but none of them resonated the way the call from Dr. Neuss did when I learned that I got the job at Ballard."
What has been your most memorable experience while at Ballard?
"Walking back into the halls for the first time, down the hallway past the Large Gym. One cannot explain the exhilaration of being back as a Bruin. I value the teaching profession ardently, so the ability to apply my trade in the school that gave me so much is truly a blessing."
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What can the alumni do to better support teachers and students at Ballard?
"Help with building community connections. WE have a very robust and able Alumni Association that could help us strengthen the academy system here in the school. Personally, I'm in the Business Academy; creating a list of interested business-owning alumni would be masterful in building real relationship that improve student growth and trajectory."
Roderick, we are lucky to have you come back to Ballard with your sense of passion and purpose. As you think of specific things we can do to help, keep us posted.
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In Memoriam: Cheryl Lynn Brown
We are sad to report the passing of Cheryl Brown, Class of 1991on February 22, 2022. Cheryl attended Canaan Christian Church and St. Stephen's Baptist Church, was an avid UofL Cardinals fan and love to take cruise vacations. Her family and friends will miss her.
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Fun Fact About the Mayor's Race in Louisville This Year
In the current Louisville race for Mayor, did you know that two of the leading candidates are Ballard alums? It's true. David Nicholson is a Class of 1975 grad, and Craig Greenburg is a Class of 1991 grad. Great to see our Ballard alumni out there as community leaders. Best of luck to each of you!
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TOP: Photo of current library
BOTTOM: Artist rendering of renovated space
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Major Upgrades in the Works for the Library |
One of the priority projects for Ballard Principal Dr. Jason Neuss since he arrived has been the renovation and upgrading of the library. With the help of Ballard Alumni Association member Betsy Wall, these upgrades are underway. Betsy is an Interior Designer with Bittner's, and her professionalism shines through in the artist's renderings shown here.
This is a complete makeover -- new bookcases, furnishing, paint and carpeting. More new books are on order with the assistance of JCPS, but these orders may take up to six months to deliver. An upcoming project for the Alumni Association will be the addition of new wireless computers to help student with their studies. The current computers are old, with many wires and plugs. Wireless computers will allow for much greater team collaboration and better space utilization.
Stay tuned for updates on this project. We will be looking for donors to fund computers in the months to come.
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Can You Help Us? Volunteer Instructional Assistants Needed |
If you're looking for a way to make a difference in students' lives, consider volunteering as an Instructional Assistant at Ballard in our Moderate & Severe Disability Classes. You'll be assisting teachers by tutoring students, documenting student progress, helping in the preparation and organizing of educational equipment.
Sound like something that you'd like to do? For more information on the qualifications and training needed, reach out to Anne Katzman today. Thanks for your willingness to help. |
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Let Us Help You Promote Your Class Reunion -- This Year or Next Year |
Is your class holding a reunion this year? Or are you a member of the Classes of 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 or 2018 starting to make plans for a reunion next 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 [email protected]. |
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Save the Date!
Here Are Reunions Scheduled for 2022 As Of Now
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Class of 1972
It's hard to believe, but the Golden Anniversary Reunion for Ballard's first graduating class will be commemorated on July 22 and 23. On the 22nd, there will be a nostalgic tour of Ballard followed by dinner at Captain's Quarters. On the 23rd, we'll have a special buffet dinner at the Louisville Boat Club featuring the Wulfe Brothers Band. For more information, contact Nancye Johnson by email or by phone at 502-714-8559, or contact Barbara Trager. If your email address has changed in the past ten years, please send it on to Nancye so that we can get you more details as they become available. And please share this information with your Class of 1972 friends. We want to make this a night to remember!
Class of 1977
The Class of 1977 has its Reunion scheduled for May 27-28. On May 27, the class will have FREE tickets for a luxury suite at the Louisville Bats game beginning at 7:35 pm courtesy of classmate Chris Sobel. On May 28, they will gather for drinks and dinner at Captain's Quarters beginning at 7:00 pm. To make reservations or for more information, contact Mary Huber Doonan or Kirk Poling. Please feel free to share this news with others in the class with whom you stay in touch. |
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Class of 1982
The Class of 1982 has a Reunion scheduled for June 17-18. On June 17, the class will gather for drinks and dinner at Paristown Point. On June 18, we will be headed to Churchill Downs for a night of racing. Contact Laura Gunter Keeling for more information and to make reservations or go to www.ballardclassof1982.com. |
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Meet our Ballard Alumnus of the Month |
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Our featured alumnus this month is a member of the Class of 2011. Christian Bowles went from Ballard to Murray State University, graduating with a B.S. in Finance. |
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Christian has been a banker throughout his professional career with a focus on Small Business Administration (SBA) lending. He started out with Q2 Business Capital where he rose to Vice President and was recognized as the company's top producer. He was recently recruited to join First Home Bank of Tampa to lead their national SBA lending team as Vice President. First Home is one of the top SBA lenders in the U.S., and Christian manages a team stretching from San Diego to Baltimore.
When he's not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife Mallory (also a BHS grad of the Class of 2011) and their dog Zoey. Christian says they particularly enjoy exploring the local restaurant scene, attending U of L sporting events and playing golf.
Giving back to the community is important for him as well. Christian currently serves on the Boards of Family Scholar House and Gilda's Club of Kentuckiana, and he's a Big Brother for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Kentuckiana. Christian was also a founding member of the Ballard Alumni Association, serving as its first Treasurer. For his efforts, he was recognized as one of Louisville Business First 2021 Class of Forty Under 40.
Christian, it's inspiring to see a Bruin grad break out quickly and show leadership within in his profession and the community. We're proud of you!
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Do you have personal news you'd like to share with Bruin Nation? A new job, a published article, a professional recognition? Here's your chance to let everyone know "What's Bruin" in your life. Send your submissions for inclusion in our next issue to [email protected]. |
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Preview of Upcoming Alumni Events |
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April 4, 2022
May 2, 2022
May 27-28, 2022
June 6, 2022
June 15, 2022
June 17-18, 2022
July 11, 2022
July 22-23, 2022
August 1, 2022
TBD
August 31, 2022
Sept. 10, 2022
Sept. 12, 2022
October 10, 2022
October 14, 2022
November 7, 2022
TBD
TBD
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Back to School Breakfast/Luncheon for Teachers and Staff, sponsored by the Ballard Alumni Assn.
Ballard's First Live Comedy Night in the Sandy Allen Perfoming Arts Center. Save the date!
Fall Alumni Night and Homecoming - Ballard vs. Eastern. Save the date!
Holiday Breakfast for Teachers and Staff, sponsored by Ballard Alumni Association. Contact Kim Barber to donate to or help with event. |
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