Howard “Howie” Pryor '71 is the mastermind behind the reunion of the 50th anniversary of the first graduating class from BA that occurred September 10 and 11. The weekend’s festivities included participating in the Founders Day Assembly, tours of the new buildings that have been constructed since 1971, and a dinner at Bluemound Country Club, among other activities.
Being in the first graduating class (1971) from Brookfield Academy, Howie enjoyed how his class was able to do many firsts at the Academy. These firsts included being on the first football team, participating in the first school play, and of course, the first to walk across the stage and graduate from Brookfield Academy.
Howie planned the weekend’s activities for 18 months, with initial discussions dating back to the 2018-19 school year, making sure every detail was right. With people coming in from not only around the country, but around the world, Howie wanted to make it a special weekend. The Classes of ‘72-’74 joined the first graduating class for the festivities. 37 graduates participated in events. Many who attended BA, but did not graduate from the Academy, also attended.
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Howard Pryor '71 (Left) talks to former classmate Jenny (Steger '71) Keepers (Right) during the weekend activities.
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With so many great memories from the reunion, it was hard for Howie to narrow down his favorite part, but he especially enjoyed the Saturday night event.
“For me, it was the main celebration at Bluemound Golf & Country Club on Saturday night. There were so many smiles, couples, and groups hugging and taking photographs, a superb outdoor atmosphere with twinkly lights on the terrace, and much room indoors for good spacing of buffet tables, cake presentation, memorabilia, gift bags, and large screen slide shows. The acoustic guitarist player outside on the terrace performed songs from the 60s and 70s that were loud enough to just listen and enjoy, but soft enough that conversations for us old folks could be easily heard. It was perfect.” -Howard Pryor '71
Although Howie has been involved at Brookfield Academy for many years, I asked him what change to campus has been the most shocking since he graduated. The current Lower School used to be a bowling alley, and the updated facilities, such as computers, labs, and equipment, are just part of the transformation BA has made that Howie acknowledges as impressive.
Howie is now in semi-retirement, working as a Family Advisor for The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries, a non-profit organization. Howie devotes the majority of his time to his marriage to Linda (Gentile ‘73) Pryor, a current Administrator at BA, and to his two adopted children. Before retirement, Howie was hired by one of the BA Founders, William L. Law, to work in production, operations and logistics leadership, before ultimately becoming Executive Vice President at the company.
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A Brookfield Academy Proposal
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Joseph Lemon and Caroline Caponi are both graduates from Brookfield Academy, Class of 2016. This summer, in the mountains of Maine, Caroline said "yes" as Joseph Lemon got on one knee and asked her to marry him. Joseph and Caroline first met freshman year at BA! The wedding is planned for the summer of 2023. Congratulations Joseph and Caroline!
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BA Five Star Color Run
Last Saturday, 65 runners and walkers participated in the 41st annual BA Five Star Color Run. Participants could choose between running or walking a 1 mile race or a 5k race. Many runners took this as an opportunity to spend time with their families, and even walk their dogs, while others took the run seriously, vying for a medal!
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Peter Grossman ‘89 and Michael Rajchel ‘16 had the fun task of spraying blue and gold powder on the runners as they ran in the race!
Results:
Women 1st 2nd 3rd
1 Mile: Jillian Jones, Harper Spaeth, Claire Spaeth
5K: Kari Janavitz, Antje Kroner-Milsch, Ellie Decker
Men
1 Mile: Alex Wilhelm, Monroe Emling, Caetano Raab Rabida
5K: Kirill Shalyaev, Michael Jansen, Danny Weiner
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The American Character Education Series
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Judge Shelley A. Grogan, from the Court of Appeals District II, spoke at Brookfield Academy Friday, September 17, as part of Constitution Day! Judge Grogan spoke on the Bill of Rights, keying in on the 4th amendment. Judge Grogan emphasized that your home is your castle and you are protected from the government when you are there. Judge Grogan explained how the government used to come and go from homes as they pleased; and in 1761, Attorney James Otis Jr. argued that government entering homes was a violation of natural rights.
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Brookfield Academy Alumni LinkedIn Page
Join our "Brookfield Academy Alumni" LinkedIn group by clicking here, by searching "Brookfield Academy Alumni" in the LinkedIn search bar, or by clicking on the LinkedIn icon below. Once you are on the group page, click "request to join"! Post what you have been up to as we attempt to connect all BA alumni!
We Want to Hear From You!
If you have any stories you want featured, or have any suggestions for the newsletter, please email Michael Rajchel '16. Thanks!
Update Your Information
As we continue to update our alumni database, with goals to connect the BA alumni community, we need your help to provide us with your most current information. If you have recently moved, changed jobs, or received a new phone number, please click on the button below to fill out your current information.
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