Van Horn Legacy Newsletter - April 2012

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

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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-

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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

[email protected]