Sandy Valley Alumni Association

Class of 1994 will host their 25th reunion on October 5, 2019.

For more information, please contact Lisa Wigfield at l.wigfield@svlocal.org.

Important Dates for the 2018-19 School Year:

  • October 12th - Homecoming- Alumni Tailgate and Class of 1969 recognition at the home Football Game
  • December 7th - Class of 1969 Alumni Recognition at the home Basketball Game and Reception prior to the game in the HS Media Center
  • March 1, 2019 - Nominations for the Alumni Wall of Fame are due
  • May 3, 2019 - Golden Day for Red and Gray honoring the Class of 1969 in the PAH at the HS. All alumni classes of 1955-1969 are invited to attend
  • May 4, 2019 - Alumni Scholarship Banquet- All Alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Annual Scholarship Banquet a Huge Success

The Alumni Association's annual scholarship dinner hosted alumni from several classes and honored those in the classes of 1968, 1958, and 1993.

Friends gathered and celebrated the good times had during their high school years and made more great memories all while raising funds to give back to current grads as they pursue their college endeavors.

We also presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to our newest Wall of Fame inductee. Accepting the award on behalf of the late Dr. John Kirk was Dr. Ruth Friedman, a longtime friend of the Kirk's. For more information on Dr. Kirk, please see the article below.

Steve Jones was the guest speaker from the Class of 1968, and Benson's Catering provided the delicious meal. Several silent auction items were bid on, and the alumni association raised almost $1500.00.

Thank you to all who made this night possible. A special thank you to Ronda Williams who is the Alumni president and all those who donated to the cause, whether with their time, money or talent.

If you were unable to attend the banquet this year, you can still donate to the alumni association. Please send all donations to:

Carol Toms, Treasurer

Sandy Valley Alumni Association

10439 Riceland Ave.

Magnolia, OH 44643

Sandy Valley Alumni Select 2018 Wall of Fame Inductee

This year's Distinguished Alumni Award winner is the late John William Kirk, M.D.

Dr. Kirk was a 1963 graduate of Sandy Valley High School and was nominated for the Wall of Fame by his wife, Rhoda Forbes-Kirk. He brought much to his chosen career field in Cardiovascular Medicine and to the military in which he served for 22 years. John graduated from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1971 and began his military career as a physician post-residency training. He began as a Captain and attained the rank of Colonel before starting his civilian career as a Cardiologist in the Texas Medical in 1986 where he practiced clinical Cardiology and helped to educate the next generation of physicians. His life was a lifetime of service to others, both by devoted patient care and by contributing actively in medical education. He was recognized for this with numerous awards. Undoubtedly, his most enduring contribution was in medical education of physicians in training.

Dr. Kirk was nominated by the Intern Class of 1982 at Madigan as the best staff member. He co-authored an article in the Southern Medical Journal in 1988, and was awarded the Residency Teaching Award while serving at the Danall Army Hospital at Ft. Hood, Texas during Desert Shield Desert Storm in 1991. He also received numerous Army Commendation Awards and the Meritorious Service Medal.

In addition to his busy civilian clinical practice in the Texas Medical Center (1986-2011) he served as a Clinical Instructor for Baylor College of Medicine and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine for the University of Texas Medical School at Galveston where he was awarded their first Crimson Award for Excellence in Medicine (2004) by the physicians and staff.

John passed away in October 2016 and left behind many new physicians who had benefited from his instruction, his vast medical experience and his inspirational mentoring. In their written assessments of him as a teacher, they often commented on how positive their experience with him had been and the respect and encouragement he had given them. John took the gifts he had been given and gave so much back with them.

We are proud to call John a Cardinal! Congratulations to him and his family.

Nominations for next year's Wall of Fame will be accepted any time until March 1, 2019. Please submit the nomination form which is located at the top of the page or click here.

Dr. Ruth Friedman, long-time friend of Dr. John and Rhoda Forbes-Kirk, accepts the award presented by Rock Van Fossen on John's behalf.

Golden Day for Red and Gray

Students, Staff, Alumni Recognized the Golden Graduating Class of 1968

On Friday, May 4, 2018, alumni from the classes of 1955-1968 gathered at the high school to honor the golden graduating class of 1968. It was exciting to see old friends and teachers as everyone caught up on memories and made new ones. A light breakfast was provided, followed by a program put together by students. Student council addressed the class of 1968, SVTV compiled a video to honor the class, and the jazz band, select choir and drama department performed. Mr. Bruce Grodhaus took his class down memory lane with a beautiful speech and presentation. Superintendent, Mr. Fischer, provided a tour of the new buildings which also included a peek at the Alumni Wall of Fame.

If you are a member of any of the classes in 1955-1969, plan on joining us for an excellent day at the high school the first Friday in May, 2019. No RSVP is necessary and we would love to see you there!

2018 SNOWBIRD REUNION

Sunday, February 25, 2018, the Alumni Snowbirds will meet at the Westfield Mall Food Court at noon in Brandon, FL. Westfield Mall is easily found off Rt. 75 - take Exit 257. Any alumni and their spouses who will be in the area are more than welcome to attend! Each year we have a few more in attendance. Last year was our largest attendance. Let’s break the record again this year. It is a fun time to just meet and chat. No reservations needed and we will order lunch from the food court vendors.

Hope to see all who will be in the area at the food court on February 25.

Sandy Valley Alumni Association

The Sandy Valley Alumni Association was reorganized in 2004 to support and promote academic and educational programs as well as alumni activities in the Sandy Valley Local School District. Our website is designed to be updated and monitored on a continual basis - so be sure to check back often for updates on events related to the school district, alumni activities and class reunions, or to find that long-lost friend from your school days.


Executive Board Members: Travis Boyd, Dave Faiello, Spencer Gordan, Nicki Howard, Heather Lancaster, George May, Kay Pomesky, Jack Sickafoose, Rock VanFossen, and Walt Wozniach

Operating Board:

President, Ronda Williams

Vice President, Nancy Black

Recording Secretary, Charlene Stelluto

Correspond Secretary, Nancy Neisel

Co-Treasurers, Carol Toms/Kay Weisen

School Liaison, Sarah Leyda

Members, All alumni & friends of Sandy Valley Schools