IR Alumni Association ramping up with second meet

Indian River High School’s new Alumni Association is reaching out to former Indians in an effort to keep IR pride true.

“We started the meetings back in October, but it was rather small,” explained Ruth Ann Marvel, one of the seven founding members of the group. “We just started working on how to get this started.”

On Monday, July 23, at 6 p.m. the IRHSAA will hold its second public meeting in the high school’s library, and anyone who graduated in the class of 1969 and later is being encouraged to be there.

“This upcoming meeting, we are planning to nominate and elect officers,” said Marvel, noting that the first meeting only had nine alumni attend. “We are planning some fundraisers. We are hoping for something like a beef-and-brew type of event. We’re looking at many golf tournaments, and pavers or bricks. We want to do a scholarship by the end of the year, if we can raise some money.”

Though attendance at the first meeting was low, according to Marvel, since it was founded this past October, approximately 150 IR alumni have signed up to join the association.

“There are just so many out there that should sign up,” she said. “I don’t want people to be scared. It’s just for us to get that database to be able to contact them to give them information. They don’t have to participate, but at least they’ll know what’s going on at the school, and I think that’ll help build the pride.”

In May, the association made its first big mark on the scene by reinstating the Hall of Fame and inducting Susan Lyons, Coastal Point publisher and member of the IR Class of 1973.

“The first thing we wanted to do was get the Hall of Fame reestablished,” explained Marvel. “I want those kinds of things out to the alumni group. There are many other things that could’ve been promoted that we’ve lost on and I don’t want it dropped.”

Marvel said IR pride could be enhanced by promoting alumni such as four-year state champion quarterback and Texas Rangers draftee Jamie Jarmon and Miss Delaware 2012 Alyssa Murray.

“There’s so much positive at the school that isn’t promoted. I think the community needs to know I’m happy, so far, about the positive response and the ones that do want to be involved and included in this,” she said. “I think it’s going to be great. I’m excited about it, and I see a lot of excitement from other people too. I think we can make this work.”

Marvel said the association is not only about keeping alumni informed, but also about keeping them connected. She said she hopes that parents and teachers will soon be able to participate.

“Just to keep that good old IR Pride,” she explained. “And, I would love to reach out to some others that I knew from school.”

Marvel added that, without the support of the high school’s administrators, the association would not be possible.

“I’ve been working very closely with Bennett Murray. He’s been very supportive, working with me, and he plans to continue,” she said. “We need the support of the administration and, with Mark and Bennett, we’ve got it. They’re 100 percent behind this.”

Marvel said any alumnus who has some time should take a moment and sign up on the association’s Web site, to stay informed about the school and to show their pride in the green-and-gold.

“I like the feeling of being an alumnus of Indian River. I’m proud of it and I think others should be too, and I want to keep it that way.”

To join the Indian River High School Alumni Association, visit www.edline.net/pages/Indian_River_High_School/RESOURCES/IRHS_Alumni. For more information, email Ruth Ann Marvel at ruthann613@hotmail.com.