Alumni activites

The JFKS Alumni Association

The JFKS Alumni Association was founded in 1986 by John Hagen ('82) and several other committed alumni of our school who felt that it was important to create a platform that would enable classmates and friends to stay in touch with each other over the years. For many years now, Andy Hoppe ('92) has been maintaining the JFKS Alumni website as part of our network. Since then, the JFKS alumni community has grown rapidly – and the many new entries and updates, especially now during JFKS 50th Anniversary year, give proof to the existence of a vibrant alumni spirit.

A regular Stammtisch offers the Berlin alumni community an opportunity to meet one another and the visit to the German-American Volksfest always promises a fun summer afternoon with free rides for alumni and their families, and during the winter there is the traditional Alumni get-together, either dancing at the Abraxas or chatting at the Irish Harp – an event especially cherished by those alumni, who are visiting Berlin during this time of the year.

Alumni Association Activities for JFKS 50th Anniversary

For 2010, a group of volunteers have worked hard to bring to life several alumni projects; some are already completed and still others can use many helping hands on October 1and 2, 2010. The first major project was the Alumni Association Donation Drive: Supporting the motto of JFKS 50th Anniversary “Creating Community”, the Alumni Association’s idea was to collect enough money to offer all 1700 current JFKS students with a special 50th Anniversary Edition T-shirt. By July 2010, alumni from 18 graduating classes had generously donated over 3800.— € enabling the Alumni Association to order the needed amount of T-shirts, which will be handed out to the students on the morning of October 1, 2010 — the day of JFKS Official 50th Anniversary Ceremony.

For a couple of years now, the Alumni Association represents the alumni community at the 4th of July party at the former McNair Barracks, now Initiative McNair Museum. This event is for the whole family to have fun on Independence Day. The feeling is definitely American: from the food offered, the music played, scout troops, cheerleaders, voter registration table to the Flag Ceremony conducted by the US Marines. The Alumni Association added to this event a table of brownies, cupcakes and strong coffee – supported by alumni from all decades, earning funds for our T-shirt donation drive.

On October 1, 2010 we will be distributing the Alumni Special Edition T-shirts to 1700 students from 8:00 am till 10:00 am. Many helping hands will be needed! Please let us know if you will be able to help. Detailed information will be available via jfks.net in mid September.

On October 2, 2010 there will be two major events. At Fun Day, the Alumni Association will set up a cocktail bar and area with benches and tables to relax and to meet up with old friends and teachers. The bar will be situated between the two rear High School entrances. Fun Day runs from 11:00 am till 6:00 pm.

In the evening, we will have our special JFKS 50th Anniversary Alumni Dance with music for all alumni from all five decades. The Alumni Dance takes place at the Salz Club and doors open at 9 pm (open end!) and the entrance fee is 5.— €. If you belong to the lucky generation who still enjoyed “blaue Essensmarken”, you will only pay 4.— € if you bring one along. Otherwise, wear your JFKS school jacket or any typical school garment, to enjoy a price reduction. There will be finger food, but drinks – reasonably priced – need to be purchased individually. A smokers area will be available.

More information is available on the JFKS Alumni website.

Our final project from the donation drive: we were asked by alumni from abroad if they could order Special Edition Alumni T-shirts. The 50th Anniversary design team supported us and a 50th Anniversary Special Edition Alumni T-shirt has been developed. If you would like to purchase one, please contact us via jfks.net and you will receive detailed information. Costs for the T-shirt will be 15.— € (shipping included) or, 10.— € if you purchase it during Fun Day at the alumni cocktail bar.

We still need volunteers so, if you would like to volunteer for any of the events mentioned above, please get in touch with us!

• Siegrid Nordhausen ('73)
• Barbara Falley ('73)
• Alan Benson ('77)
• Bettina Moegelin ('78)
• Tina Frangenheim ('80)
• John Hagen ('82)
• Cecile Strasiewsky ('83)
• Sonia Weese ('84)
• Anja Naomi Decke ('94)
• Jeannette Ludwig -Rose ('05)
• Carmen Badur ('08)