December 2022 Newsletter

With Grateful Hearts

Kris Arizmendi-Choinacky
This October, Board President Duane Wilson received the Tom Burt Pacesetter Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County. Duane was recognized for his ability to lead and inspire others in his organization.
As principal of John Adams High School, Jim Seitz, right, was recognized as the Indiana High School Principal of the Year for District 2.

As the holidays approach, we reflect on the past year with grateful hearts.

The South Bend Alumni Association saw a change in leadership as we welcomed our new Executive Director Kris Arizmendi-Choinacky. With Kris at the helm, we are already seeing changes and growth.

Through all the changes, it was the steadfast dedication of our Board of Trustees that allowed us to continue making a positive impact on the lives of the children of the South Bend Community School Corporation. Congratulations to those members of our Board of Trustees who received awards and recognition this year!

We are very fortunate to have such incredibly talented members of the community on our side.

In November, South Bend’s longest-serving mayor Steve Luecke, fifth from right, received the honor of having a city park named after him. The new Stephen J. Luecke Park and the Coal Line Trail sit just off of West Angela Boulevard.
Congratulations to Aaron Perri, center, and his South Bend Venue Parks & Arts team on earning the 2022 National Gold Medal. What an incredible accomplishment!
All of our annual events, as well as a few new events, were a huge success this year. The 2022 South Bend Community Hall of Fame Banquet was our most successful to date thanks in large part to our corporate sponsors who remain committed to our cause. We would like to specifically thank Teachers Credit Union; The Baker Family; 1st Source Bank; University of Notre Dame; Ancon Construction; Electronics, Inc.; Lebermuth; and DOJO Creative.

Co-Ex Grants in Action

November was another very successful month for our Co-Ex Grant program. We supported the Adams High School Track Team with new uniforms, the Washington High School Girls Basketball team with both Freshman and JV uniforms and  Navarre Middle School  basketball team purchased basketball equipment.

We also gave the Washington High School Dance Team a grant to purchase new uniforms and a grant to the Robotics Team at Clay International to buy a game board and parts needed to attend competitions. Good luck to all of you on your upcoming season and competitions!

We are especially grateful to all of the South Bend Community School administrators, coaches and teachers for spreading the word about the South Bend Alumni Association. We have received more grant applications than ever before;  which has allowed us to continue our mission to make extracurriculars equitable for all students at the South Bend Community School Corporation. From the Robotics Club at Madison STEAM Academy to Clay Band and Orchestra, these students have impacted our community through community  service as part of their grant application. The contributions made by you allowed SBAA to help our children pursue their passions and develop their minds to be service-oriented. Thank you.

Members of Washington High School’s dance team The Prancing Panthers serve their community at the Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc.

Consider the Gift of Giving

As you decide who to give to before the end of the year,  we ask you to please consider the South Bend Alumni Association.

The South Bend Alumni Association strives to build a community that supports all students of the South Bend Community School Corporation through co- and extracurricular activities.  In doing so, we are able to provide funding to help them explore and discover themselves to become leaders.

On average, each grant given to each student group is $2,000, providing new equipment, uniforms, music rights and more. Your donation will help our students be equipped for success!


Donate Here

The South Bend Alumni Association depends upon community support to continue our work in assisting the students of the South Bend Community Schools. If you would like to make a contribution, please visit our website for more information.

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