Building on Tradition
There is and always has been a strong tradition and sense of connection among the graduates of City High. In the Summer of 1996, as Dr. Trudy Day prepared for her first year as principal, she recognized this. Dr. Day asked Jim Sangster (Class of ’47) to explore ways to use this sense of tradition to support and enrich the City High experience.
Jim gathered together a small group of alumni composed of Mike Cilek ’66, Patty Grabinski ’70, and Terrence Neuzil ’88. This ad hoc committee had two simple ideas: to write a newsletter, and gather class lists and addresses. Their goal was to keep City High alumni informed and connected as a community, even as former Little Hawks disbursed to establish their lives after graduation across all corners of America and beyond.
One year later, in July 1997, their efforts bore fruit as the City High Alumni Association was officially founded. The original group was joined by Bill Terry ’57, Andy Piro ’78, and Mike Pugh ’83 to form the first CHAA Board. They began mailing newsletters to alumni in April 1998. Membership forms were included, and alumni were encouraged to join for the dues of $10 annually or $100 for a lifetime membership. Charter Members are those who joined before September 1998.
The City High Alumni Association Today
The CHAA strives to continue the tradition of bringing City High graduates together in community. As of 2024, we maintain a database of almost 20,000 alumni, and are happy to help Little Hawks find members of their graduating classes and organize reunions. We endeavor to keep all City High graduates informed through releases on the News tab, as well as our social media accounts. The bulk of our efforts are represented by the great Traditions seen on the Home page, and current information is available on the Events page.
The CHAA is directed by a Board of graduates, which holds monthly meetings on the CHS campus. At these meetings, we discuss how best the CHAA can endeavor toward the goals of continuing our proud traditions, and enriching the school we all love. Get to know the folks working to continue these traditions on the About page.
We also support current City High students by helping to fund annual Homecoming Activities, and by raising and donating funds for school upgrade projects, as identified by City High administration. A recent success story was the transformation of the historic Old Gym, also known as the Stronger Together campaign. In support of this, the CHAA donated $25,000 and with the help and guidance of alumni across the nation, City High raised over $500,000 in just a few months! The state-of-the-art modern fitness and wellness facility opened in the Fall of 2023. Without the support of our generous alumni, this project would not have been possible.
LITTLE HAWKS FLY TOGETHER
We are proud of our Scholarship program, the Graduation Banner Carrier tradition, the City High Hall of Fame, and all of the graduated Little Hawks that continue to come together as a community long after they have spread their wings.
If you are a CHS grad, please consider joining us as a member!!
Contact Info
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City High Alumni Association
School Address
1900 Morningside Dr.
Iowa City, IA 52245
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Iowa City High Alumni