UPDATE! Oct 14, 2011

50th Anniversary Homecoming Itinerary

October 14

(Friday): At noon a reception is planned in the cafeteria for all former staff members of Topeka West. School is not in session due to end of quarter and in-service. All former staff members of the school are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP for yourself and your spouse/guest to 438-4000.

At 6:30 p.m. the crowning ceremony for the 2011 Homecoming Royalty will be held prior to the football game at Hummer Park. There will be a tailgate event in the west parking lot at Hummer beginning at 5:00 p.m. Come out and watch the game between the Chargers and the Vikings of Seaman High School.

October 15

(Saturday): Classic car show in the east parking lot beginning at 8:00 a.m. (http://www.twhs1986.info/). Annual Charger Band Pancake Feed in the cafeteria from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Student led building tours on the ½ hour from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Alumni musicians perform: Interested former Topeka West Singers are practicing from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday. Former orchestra members will practice beginning at 2:00 p.m. A free concert featuring these alumni groups will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the Douglas P. Goheen Auditorium.

October 16

(Sunday): Induction ceremony for the inaugural class of the Topeka West Graduate Hall of Fame and Distinguished Staff Award. Reception in the school cafeteria at 2:00 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 3:00 p.m. in the Douglas P. Goheen Auditorium.

For further information of these events call the school at 785-438-4000 or go to the school web site at

twhs.topekapublicschools.net

Information can also be found on www.facebook.com

September 2010

From Annette Knipp Thornburgh:

A Note from the School-Based 50th Anniversary Committee:

There has been quite a bit of confusion around what the 50th celebration of Topeka West High School is, when it should be celebrated and what event opportunities will be hosted. The actual 50th Anniversary of the school exists within the 2011-2012 school year, fifty years from the opening of the school which was the 1961-1962 school year.

The recognition events for the 50th Anniversary will take place during Homecoming week October 10-15, 2011. The Alumni-Based Committee has discussed several possibilities for activities that can occur during that week. This committee will be meeting again in September, 2010, to propose viable options.

If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact either Steve Roberts (Class of 1969 and Interim Principal, TWHS) or Shari Waters (Class of 1982 and Associate Principal, TWHS) for specific meeting dates, times and locations

srobert1@topeka.k12.ks.uss

waters@topeka.k12.ks.us

The following events are as scheduled:

Thursday, October 13, 2011-- Athletic Hall of Fame Induction, 6:00 in cafeteria followed by ceremony in the Douglas P. Goheen Theater (Auditorium)

Friday, October 14, 2011-- Homecoming Pep Assembly @ 1:30.

Friday, October 14, 2011-- Homecoming Parade @ 2:00.

Friday, October 14, 2011-- Homecoming Football game @ 7:00. All Alum TW Band interested in playing with the current TW Marching Band should contact Barry Evans at bevans@topeka.k12.ks.us for details.

Saturday, October 15, 2011-- all Alum TW Singers will rehearse and give a performance that evening at 5:00pm in the Douglas P. Goheen Theater (Auditorium). They need to contact Nancy Epoch at lv2sing@cox.net for details. Rehearsal time will occur in the afternoon of the performance. More details about this celebration week will come.

September 2010

The event was held Saturday September 25th, 2010 at Cyrpress Ridge Golf Course in Topeka. See photos HERE

May 2010

On the evening of April 29, Beth Grecian Kelly left her home for another TWHS Reunion planning meeting at the home of Chris Keeshan. The meeting was fairly routine, but her drive home and her heroic actions will be remembered forever by a grateful family. Read the article Here

April 2010

From Mike Boisvert:

Please join us in congratulating Marty Schimd and his new bride Bonnie. They entered into wedded bliss over the weekend of April 24. Way to go Bonnie, you hooked a good one!

April 2010

From Chris Keeshan and Ted Young:

We are sad to report the passing of Marge Bakalar on April 19, 2010. I know I speak for many when I say that Ms. Bakalar effected many of our lives and will always be thought of as one the all-time great educators, not only at Topeka West High School, but in the entire state of Kansas.

See Ms Bakalar's obituary here

Marge Bakalar 1926-2010