Class of 1979
I graduated from Oneonta High School class of 1979. My sisters Tracie, Carrie, Shelly, Darci, Christina and Michelle are also graduates of OHS. I married Russ Southard in 1984 and we have three children Reisa, Brandon and Tyler, who all graduated from OHS as well. Reisa’s son, Bryler, attends elementary school in Oneonta, and Tyler’s daughter, Vayda, will attend Kindergarten this fall in Oneonta. I’m so happy to have my grandchildren attending my alma mater.
I worked in pre-school at the Oneonta YMCA and then moved onto working in the Oneonta City School District when all of our children were in elementary school. I worked in the libraries at Riverside and Greater Plains and now work at James M. Milne Library at SUNY College at Oneonta.
Madolyn Palmer was instrumental in getting me involved with the Oneonta High School Alumni Association six years ago. I saw just how much the association does for the high school seniors and the alumni, and I welcomed becoming an officer of the association. Becoming involved with the Alumni Association has been such a rewarding experience and I truly look forward to the planning of the yearly alumni weekend, as well as supporting the High School graduates each year. We have some new alumni members that have stepped up with some great ideas these past few years. We’re always looking for more OHS Alumni to volunteer and join this great group in supporting other alumni and graduates. We have some dedicated people that work hard every year to make our alumni weekend a wonderful event. We need your help in keeping the tradition going for years to come.
I’m very humbled and appreciative of being named the OHS Alumni of the Year.