ABOUT US

The Alumni Association

The association was organized in September 1986, and by August 1987 the IRS had granted us a 501(c)(3) status of a non-profit organization. This made donations and memorials tax-free. The group set its goals to support the school with financial aid and to encourage alumni support for various projects.

Early projects included the Coach J. D. Cox Roast and the very successful Ultimate Reunion in June of 1987 along with the first “Hall of Fame” Luncheon. In 1994 there was a fund raising drive to refurbish a dismal concrete area off of the cafeteria. This became a lovely landscaped area to honor former Assistant Principal Charles Ravenna. During the following years hundreds of alums worked on plans for the Ultimate Reunion II. This was 3 days of great events drawing thousands of alumni back to “The Hive” in 1996. Since then the Alumni Association has sponsored the 75th Birthday celebration of Byrd. As a birthday gift to the school, the Alumni Association raised $109,000 to refurbish the school auditorium with new drapes, curtains, carpeting, new lighting, and a new sound system. Lately, the Alumni have sponsored several alumni dances known as “Keep the Hive Alive.” We have funded teacher grants, student travel funds for distant conferences, additional computers, security cameras, and many other items. Dues are $25.00 a year. Lifetime Memberships are $250.00. The dues go to pay for our alumni office expenses. All alumni office workers and alumni Board of Directors are volunteers.

Scholarships

Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge Jr. Scholarship

Grover C. Koffman Scholarship

Tem McElroy Scholarship

Charles Ravenna Scholarship

B. L. "Buddy" Shaw Scholarship

R. Lynne & Rose C. Fitzgerald Scholarship

MGEN (RE) Joe Gray ROTC Scholarship

Robert Dunkelman Band Scholarship

Nancy Shillcut Scholarship

Knilans/Prendergast Scholarship

Arthur Burton Scholarship (new)

Alumni Association Projects

$10,000 for equipment to set up KBYRD, Byrd’s closed circuit video system studio.
$37,000 for the C. E. BYRD HIGH SCHOOL sign at the Line Avenue/Kings Highway intersection including landscaping, lighting, and a sprinkler system.
$116,000 Ravenna Courtyard and perpetual care.
$13,000 for lot and removal of house next to Byrd.
$40,000-50,000 landscape front of school and install sprinkler system.
$7,000 to remodel Foyer
$17,000 to install French doors across front of school and side door on southwest entrance.
Seed money (which was repaid) for writing and publishing “Glimpses of the City of Byrd”, a 208 page coffee table book.
$52,500 for computers in library and additional software and research towers (this was before the school bought computers for the schools).
$5,000 for computer and programs for art department for computer graphic training.
$3,000 for individual keyboards for use by students in the classroom.
$109,000 refurbishing the auditorium, including new carpet, repair of chairs, new stage drapes, new window drapes, refurbish piano, new sound and lighting systems.
$20,000 in matching grants for teachers to attend workshops.
Alumni match $250.00 of each grant a teacher wins.
$300 to $1,000 for funding of five scholarships a year. Scholarships are funded by endowments.
$15,000 spent to repair a riding lawnmower, heavy duty blower and edger.
$10,000 for video history of the school.
$10,000 for fencing and landscaping of newly constructed parking lot on Kings Highway. Lot was given to Byrd by Kings Highway Christian Church and Walgreen’s.
$25.00 for a memorial book in the library for deceased faculty members.
$5,000 for office computer and set up web page.
$10,000 for video security cameras.
$500.00 a year for advertisement on digital sign at baseball stadium.
$600.00 for bricks for newly constructed brick walkway.
$10,000 for an Entrance Column to the Athletic Complex.
$10,000 to help purchase a house on Kings Highway for parking.
Replaced office furniture in Alumni office.
$3,000.00 for a Billboard highlighting achievements of students.

Alumni Association Board

Officers

President - Torie Prothro Crichton '07

Vice President – Tracy Young '93

Secretary – Marilyn Smith Prothro ‘80

Treasurer – Bill Emery ‘63

Corresponding Secretary – Elizabeth Oglesby Eldredge ‘79

Parliamentarian – Ronnie Parnell ‘64

Past President – Buddy Hammann '64

Executive Director – Charles C. Allen ‘53

Board Members

Andrew Emery '10

Brent Latin '07

Gerald Badgley ‘76

Charles E. Johnson '08

Christina Raines '07

Jay Harper '01

Jeff Pearson '02

Johanna Derbonne '80

Kenneth Favrot '01

Kyle Payne '95

Laird Evans ‘64

Merrilee Leatherman ‘60

R. J. Middleton '01

Robin Ramsey ‘92

Sandra Page '02

Shelvia Grant '05

Tracy Prestwood ‘85

Trent Siskron '97

William Casten '12

Honorary Board Members

Billy Bundrick MD ‘56

Doug Rountree ‘68

Lynne Fitzgerald ‘61

Mary Alice Rountree ‘68

Minnett Thornton

Tem McElroy ‘61

Honorary Alumni

Lynda Rowland

Mary Teekell

Minnett Thornton

Hi Jackets,

It is an honor to have been elected as the President of the Alumni Association for the 2020-2021 school year. I look forward to serving the Association along with my fellow officers and board members!

Byrd is a special place - more than just a school to many of us. It wasn't until i graduated and joined the Alumni Association, that I realized the important role of the Association in helping Byrd succeed as one of the top high schools in the area. As a non-profit organization, we provide support of our vast alumni.

We also strive to keep our alumni updated via the Alumni High Life and regular email communications. If you need to update your mailing or email address, use the Contact page on the website and send us your updated information. Also, check out our Facebook page by searching for "CE Byrd High School Alumni Association".

The Alumni Officers and Board of Directors meet quarterly throughout the school year. These meetings are open to all alumni. Check the website for upcoming dates and times.

As many of you know, Byrd will celebrate its 100-year anniversary in the year 2024-2025. Our Centennial committee is working to preserve our history and set Byrd up for success in the many years to come. Plans are underway for a year of celebrations, culminating in a third Ultimate Reunion. All graduates and friends of Byrd are welcome to join and celebrate with us!

If you are interested in serving on the Alumni Board or the Centennial committee, please reach out!

Go Jackets!

Torie Prothro Crichton '07

ABOUT US

The Alumni Association

Scholarships

Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge Jr. Scholarship

Grover C. Koffman Scholarship

Tem McElroy Scholarship

Charles Ravenna Scholarship

​

​

B. L. "Buddy" Shaw Scholarship

R. Lynne & Rose C. Fitzgerald Scholarship

MGEN (RE) Joe Gray ROTC Scholarship

Robert Dunkelman Band Scholarship

Nancy Shillcut Scholarship

Knilans/Prendergast Scholarship

Arthur Burton Scholarship (new)

​

Alumni Association Projects

$10,000 for equipment to set up KBYRD, Byrd’s closed circuit video system studio.

$37,000 for the C. E. BYRD HIGH SCHOOL sign at the Line Avenue/Kings Highway intersection including landscaping, lighting, and a sprinkler system.

$116,000 Ravenna Courtyard and perpetual care.

$13,000 for lot and removal of house next to Byrd.

$40,000-50,000 landscape front of school and install sprinkler system.

$7,000 to remodel Foyer

$17,000 to install French doors across front of school and side door on southwest entrance.

Seed money (which was repaid) for writing and publishing “Glimpses of the City of Byrd”, a 208 page coffee table book.

$52,500 for computers in library and additional software and research towers (this was before the school bought computers for the schools).

$5,000 for computer and programs for art department for computer graphic training.

$3,000 for individual keyboards for use by students in the classroom.

$109,000 refurbishing the auditorium, including new carpet, repair of chairs, new stage drapes, new window drapes, refurbish piano, new sound and lighting systems.

$20,000 in matching grants for teachers to attend workshops.

Alumni match $250.00 of each grant a teacher wins.

$300 to $1,000 for funding of five scholarships a year. Scholarships are funded by endowments.

$15,000 spent to repair a riding lawnmower, heavy duty blower and edger.

$10,000 for video history of the school.

$10,000 for fencing and landscaping of newly constructed parking lot on Kings Highway. Lot was given to Byrd by Kings Highway Christian Church and Walgreen’s.

$25.00 for a memorial book in the library for deceased faculty members.

$5,000 for office computer and set up web page.

$10,000 for video security cameras.

$500.00 a year for advertisement on digital sign at baseball stadium.

$600.00 for bricks for newly constructed brick walkway.

$10,000 for an Entrance Column to the Athletic Complex.

$10,000 to help purchase a house on Kings Highway for parking.

Replaced office furniture in Alumni office.

$3,000.00 for a Billboard highlighting achievements of students.

Alumni Association Board

​Officers

President - Torie Prothro Crichton '07

Officers