Campbell Memorial alumni carry on proud tradition

By EMMALEE C. TORISK

etorisk@vindy.com

CAMPBELL

After the Campbell Memo- rial High School Alumni Association lost its founding president just three years after its creation, surviving members were faced with a dwindling membership base, along with the need to restructure.

But even as members shifted into reorganization mode, they made sure to stay true to the vision of John R. Kovach Sr., a 1958 CMHS graduate who formed the organization Jan. 10, 2007.

Kovach also was an award-winning sportswriter for The Vindicator, where he covered a multitude of high school, college and professional sports for more than 40 years.

“He just loved Campbell, and one of his big purposes was to establish scholarships for the students of Campbell,” said Jo Galletta, a 1967 CMHS graduate, who also staffs the alumni office. “A lot of alumni have that vision, but he went through with it. He had Red Devil blood through and through.”

Now, the CMHS Alumni Association offers more than 20 scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and has distributed more than $60,000 in scholarships since its inception.

Many of the monetary awards are named for and sponsored by noted CMHS alumni as well, which Galletta said helps today’s students realize their predecessors’ accomplishments in a number of professions.

“We don’t want what happened in Campbell to ever be forgotten,” Galletta said.

And though providing financial assistance for CMHS graduates who wish to attend college is a primary goal of the organization, it also strives to bring together alumni, many of whom no longer live in the area.

Members hosted the high school’s first all-alumni reunion in March 2012, and were shocked by the overwhelming response, which stretched all the way from members of the Class of 1945 to the Class of 2007, said Rena Regula, a 1982 CMHS graduate and alumni office staffer.

Not only did more than 300 alumni and guests — plus about 100 who didn’t have tickets but were hoping to squeeze in if someone else couldn’t make it — show up for the event, but they also didn’t want to go home. They were having too much fun mingling and reminiscing — and enthusiastically singing along with every word of the high school’s fight song and alma mater.

“The classes were not overly large, and it was a chance to redo those memories” from high school, said Ken Carano, a 1961 CMHS graduate and reunion co-chairman. “Campbellites always stick together ... and by this time, years later, everybody knows everybody.”

The CMHS Alumni Association already is planning its second reunion for 7 p.m. April 12 at Mr. Anthony’s, 7440 South Ave., Boardman. It’s a bigger space than before, Galletta noted, explaining that they ran out of room at the last event.

Carano said the all-alumni reunion is “an absolute bargain,” with tickets available for $40. Individual classes also can use it as their reunion simply by contacting the CMHS Alumni Association and requesting enough space for a large group to sit together.

Then, Galletta added, “all they have to do is show up.”

Members of the CMHS Alumni Association next will meet Feb. 20 at Belleria Pizza and Italian Restaurant, 725 McCartney Road. The regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m., and all CMHS alumni are welcome to attend.

“If you’re a graduate, you’re a member,” said Jim Cioffi, a 1956 graduate and president of the alumni association.

No dues are required for membership, Carano said. He added that even the organization’s most routine meetings often shift into trips down memory lane about the unique experience it was to grow up in Campbell and attend CMHS.

“It’s a sense of pride,” said Bob Wasko, a 1977 graduate and reunion co-chairman. The association “helps carry on the tradition.”

For more information about the CMHS Alumni Association, visit http://www.campbellalumni.org, or contact the alumni office at 330-799-1232 or email at alumni@campbell.k12.oh.us.