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February 2004 Newsletter

West Point Parents' Club of Greater St. Louis

March 11, 2004

 

In this issue:

February 22 minutes & Treasurer’s report

April 18 meeting location & June 13 meeting

Tax Exempt Status – Federal & State

NCAA WP Wrestling at St Louis

All Academy Ball & 2003 Army Navy Game

2004 Election of Club Officers

2004 Grad Luncheon and Post Night

West Point watercolor prints

2004 Review by Princeton Review

Brag News

 

MINUTES

The February 22, 2004 meeting at Scott Air Force Base of the West Point Parents Club of St. Louis was called to order by President Kent Howald at 10:30 a.m. President Howald thanked Pam Sanfilippo and her friends Dale Maxville and Karen Miller for being the sponsor for us to have the meeting at Scott. The Pledge of Allegiance was said and an invocation was said by Mike McCullough. President Howald recognized Past Presidents Connie Lamb and Chip Zdazinsky who were in attendance. The minutes from the November meeting were posted in the newsletter on our web site. There were no comments or changes, so they were approved as posted. The drawing for the 50/50 was held, with $64 being the prize. This was followed by attendance prizes. The meeting was adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted, Pam Sanfilippo, Secretary.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Mike Collins read the Treasurer’s Report. There was a previous balance of $1,004.16. Expenditures since the last meeting totaled $1,019.54; receipts were $557.00, leaving a balance of $1,561.16. The Treasurer’s Report was approved as read.

 

Tax Exempt Status

Federal 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Status was approved December 24, thanks to the various Representatives and Senators who contacted the IRS following phone calls from club members after we had received notice that we were not eligible. This status allows donors to receive a tax deduction for their donation to the club. And this will be especially useful for the All Academies Ball.

We are still waiting to hear about state Sales Tax exemption. For those in Missouri please contact your state representative and senator about this issue. Kent Howald will continue to pursue this exemption.

 

2004 All Academy Ball

Sarah Collins reported on the progress for the All Academies Ball. Army will serve as host this year. Volunteers are still welcome. Sarah, Susan Mueller, Leann Roehm, and Kathy Hotz currently recommend the Clayton Radisson, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 23 or Sunday December 27. We hope to get the Association of Graduates involved, to improve the turnout for Army and also assist in selection of a speaker.

 

2003 Army-Navy Game

Several members commented on their trip to see the Army-Navy game – it was very cold with a lot of snow. Transit time from West Point was 6 hours versus 2 hours.

 

2004 Grad Luncheon

Rhonda Penn reported on progress for the Graduation 2004 luncheon sponsored by the club. This year the luncheon will be held at the West Point Club; our club will pay for the cadets and two parents each. Additional guests will be $15 each. The gift for the graduates will be a desk plate. Marge McCullough suggested giving cadets a flag that is flown over the Capitol. After discussion it was determined that individuals could do this on their own.

 

Class of 2004 - Post Night

                                Amos Bock                           Field Artillery                        Ft Stewart, GA

Chris Duncan                       Aviation                                Ft Rucker, AL

Will Eberle                             Infantry                                 Ft Bragg, NC

David Howald                      Field Artillery                        Ft Campbell, KY

Robert McCullough            Field Artillery                        Korea

Sarah Penn                           Adjutant General                 Ft Jackson, SC

 

2004 Review by Princeton Review

The Princeton review has issued college rankings and West Point is again rated #1 as toughest to get into. Please visit our web site for further details http://www.west-point.org/parent/wppc-st_louis/2004PrincetonReview.htm.

 

April 18 Meeting

Our next meeting will be at Concordia Lutheran Church at Kirkwood Rd. and Woodbine.

Like last year it was a “bring a dish to pass” type luncheon; the club will supply the meat.

We will still need reservations so that enough meat can be ordered.

Class of 2006 will be responsible for door prizes.

The meeting will start at 12:00 pm.

Please send an email or write to

Bob & Kathy Hotz

104 Lotus Drive

Edwardsville IL  62025

618-656-3041

hotz104@aol.com

 

June 13 Meeting

This meeting will be held at the Viking Holiday Inn at 1:00 p.m. on June 13. It was mentioned that we depend on cadets (usually plebes now yearlings) to attend the meeting where they can talk with incoming new cadets. They should wear white over grey uniforms. Please convince your cadet to attend this meeting.

 

Ben Smith ‘99

President Howald mentioned that Ben Smith (’99), from Monroe City, Mo, was killed in Iraq as the pilot of a Blackhawk Helicopter. A memorial was sent by our club to his family. Bens’ parents are Bill and Kathy Smith and Ben’s wife Maggie is also a Blackhawk pilot serving in Iraq.

 

NCAA Wrestling at the Savis Center

St. Louis will host the NCAA Wrestling at the Savis Center during WP spring break March 15-19. Phil Simpson (’05) and Luke Calvert (’06) will probably be participating. A motion was made, seconded and approved that Mike Collins use his discretion to host these two if they come to St. Louis. Although cadets are participating in other NCAA events elsewhere, it was determined that we would only host something for cadets who come to St. Louis, similar to what Kentucky does when cadets and parents visit Ft. Knox.

 

Election of Club Officers

Election of officers was held. Gay Eskew withdrew her name from the slate for Vice President. The proposed slate is John Liesen for President, Mike and Sarah Collins for co-Vice Presidents, Pam Sanfilippo for Secretary and Bob and Kathy Hotz for co-Treasurers. A motion was made and seconded, and the slate was approved as offered. President Howald thanked the club for their work during his term as President. Rhonda Penn recognized the hard work that Mike and Marge McCullough do in developing and maintaining the website for the club. This is not an elected position, but a very time consuming one, and their hard work is greatly appreciated.

 

Marilyn Ballard watercolors

Marilyn Ballard (Chris ’88) brought along some wonderful watercolors that she has made. Information regarding purchase is posted on the club website for those interested or visit www.WATERCOLORSmsb.com.

 

Brag News

 

Maj Chris Ballard ’88 is attending classes at Georgia Tech in computer simulation. Chris is the son of Lawrence & Marilyn Ballard.

 

Capt. Matt Powell ’97 was awarded the Iron Mike award, given to the most physically fit in the Captain’s Advanced Officer Course (AOC). He also earned it for Officers Basic Course in 1999! Matt is the son of Bob & Sheryl Powell.

 

Capt Jason Whipple ‘98 is teaching Mechanical Engineering at WP. Jason is the son of Susan Whipple.

 

Capt. Jim O’Boyle ’99 is an Aviator with the 3rd ACR (back from El Asad and is at Captain’s Advanced Officer Course (AOC). Following this he will go back to Afghan or Iraq. Jim is the son of Michael & Sharon O'Boyle.

 

Capt Erica Lamb Choi ’00 is now at Camp Victory in Baghdad. Erica is the daughter of Ken & Connie Lamb.

 

2nd Lt Steve Hemmann ’03 will spend 1 year at the Center for East West Studies; a graduate school which is part of the University of Hawaii. Steve is the son David & Ruth Hemmann.

 

2nd Lt Adrian Zdazinsky ’03 is currently attending Ranger School at Ft Benning GA. Adrian is the son of Chip & Peggy Zdazinsky.

 

Bob McCullough ’04 is on the Team Handball club team. They participated in Falcon Cup tournament at the Air Force Academy in early February, then 2 weeks later in the Carolina Cup tournament at UNC. Bob is the son of Mike & Marge McCullough.

 

Sarah Penn ’04 started the “Igniters” Dance Team at WP 2 years ago. She has had the opportunity to become acquainted with Mrs. Lennox, who was instrumental in getting last Saturday’s SAMI cancelled following the Toby Keith concert. Sarah is the daughter of Dale & Rhonda Penn.

 

Joe Sanfilippo ‘06 is on his company’s Sandhurst team. Joe is the son of Joe & Pam Sanfilippo.

 

Jacob Cook ’07 is on the Model UN debate team. The Nationals were held at Harvard University, where Army took 2nd out of 200 teams. Jacob was recognized for his excellent work, and received the gavel. Jacob is also on his company’s Sandhurst team. Jacob is the son of Greg & Nancy Cook.

 

Nolan Cork ’07 was interviewed by the Orange County NY Times Herald about his decision to attend WP and play baseball after earning a degree from Eastern Illinois University last May. Nolan is the son of Brian & Pam Cork. (www.recordonline.com/archive/2004/02/20/corkbase.htm)

 

Adam Hilkenkamp ’07 is a member of the Rifle team (NCAA) and recently lost a very close match against Navy in competitive small bore shooting by 12 points (or 1/32 of an inch). Adam is the son of John & Karen Hilkenkamp.

 

Trevor Saunders ’07 is going to Germany with the Infantry Tactics Club over spring break. He took the Combat Lifesaver Training, and will serve in that capacity with the club. Trevor is the son of Jimmie & Paula Saunders.