SHS 50 Plus Reunion Association

 

The main purpose is to provide $2,000 Scholarships to current graduates of Springfield High School and the Portage Lakes Career Center (PLCC), who will be going on to higher education, colleges, technical colleges, or vocational schools.

Our "Wall Of Fame" serves to honor selected Springfield High School 50Plus Alumni who have exemplified what it is to be an outstanding Spartan.

They are being inducted for their great achievements and success in their individual fields and lives. They have contributed to our cornrnunity or surrounding areas in many different ways. Some have even accomplished this despite them having to overcome adversity or difficult times along their journey to becoming the person they are.

They all are amazing alumni and their legacies are shining examples for our future Spartans on what they themselves can accomplish.

Hall of Fame inductees are selected on the following categories:

·      Academic/Career Accomplishments

·      Athletic Accomplishments (Post High School)

·      Cultural/Performing Arts

·      Political Accomplishments

·      Major Contributions to the Springfield High School District or Community

·      Special Honorary Achievement

As you may know, in 1987 the Akron Springfield High School Fifty Plus Reunion Association, Inc. was created with the goal of bringing together classmates that had graduated at least fifty years ago.  Over time the SHS Fifty Plus organization has set out to establish a second purpose, supporting our current graduating class.  With this goal in mind, our annual reunion took the steps necessary to also become a fund-raising event. The organization would award scholarships to deserving seniors who wanted to continue their education. Scholarships of $2,000 would be awarded to students going on to state or private colleges, technical colleges, or trade schools as our funds would allow. Additionally, in 2015, SHS Fifty Plus reinstated the Russ Pastuck Scholarship fund to provide $2,000 to one male and one female athlete from Springfield High School or Portage Lakes Career Center (PLCC).

To date, SHS Fifty Plus has awarded scholarships totaling more than $373,600 to 203 graduates.  Our goal is to award as many scholarships as possible.  With the passion and generosity of donors in 2024, we were able to award eighteen (18) scholarships, which was a record.  Your generous donation to the scholarship fund is greatly appreciated. The bar is set, and the goal is high, let’s strive to meet or exceed the number of scholarships given each year.

If you cannot attend the reunion, you can still help us achieve our goal. Over 3,000 alumni receive this mailing every year.  If everyone sent in just $20, we could award a scholarship to each of the very deserving scholarship applicants. This would mean we would be able to maintain the number of SHS students being awarded a scholarship and begin to build for our future in the process.  Let’s cheer our SHS seniors on to victory and show our Spartan Spirit!

We thank you and the students will thank you. We appreciate donations of all sizes.  We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so your donation is tax deductible.  Our EIN is 20-1422783.  We will provide you with documentation of your donations for tax purposes.  The tax letters for 2024 have already been sent.  Some States like Ohio give tax credit for donations, check your state.

The high school guidance counselor’s office receives the scholarship application and forwards them to our scholarship committee.  The scholarship committee reviews the applications, and they score them using a 50-point maximum point grading grid.  This year each student was asked to include an essay of their accomplishments and goals. This essay carries the most weight in the grading process.

The SHS Fifty Plus is given full recognition for the scholarships at the high school senior awards ceremony. If you have any questions regarding the scholarships, please call or email the President: Tom Claflin @ 330-606-8105 or email tomcat48@aol.com