Kiser HS alumni remain true to their school despite it being gone

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — High school was a formative time for most of us… giving us lots of memories to look back on.

For the alumni of one local high school, those memories are even more precious because their school no longer exists.

But the Kiser High School Alumni Association is making sure their alma mater is not forgotten.

“What Kaiser meant to me… years of just innocence and fun,” said Alumni Association president, George “Rocky” Stephens.

It’s been more than 60 years since Rocky graduated from North Dayton’s old Kiser High School. But he’s still passionate about his alma mater and the relationships he formed there.

“It was a big part of my life,” Rocky said. “I made a tremendous number of friends, and it is awesome to be able to see them several times a year.”

The school closed in 1982. More than four decades later, Kiser’s Alumni Association is as strong as ever, with a membership of about 800.

“Good people, good members who are willing to donate to any cause we are advocating,” Rocky said. “I just put something on Facebook or in our newsletter and the members just respond. It’s amazing.”

Its alumni room inside the FC Industries building on Webster street is a sight to behold. Full of memories dating back to the school’s founding in the 1920s.

“We have the history of Kiser High School is in the Panther room over there,” Rocky said. “The school paper started in 1926 when the school opened as a junior high and we have every single issue ever printed.”

But this isn’t all about the past. Rocky and the Alumni Association have big plans for the future. They’re hosting the first Kiser High School Homecoming later this month, with alumni coming from far and wide.

“One gentleman I know from Italy, a lady that I’m acquainted with from Dallas-Fort Worth,” Rocky said. “A fellow in my class is coming from Missouri.”

Mark your calendars for August 24 from noon to 5 pm. The gathering will be held at the Polish Club picnic ground.

They’re expecting 500 people, no RSVP is required.

Just pay five bucks at the door and bring your own chair and drinks.

All are welcome.

“We just keep it simple,” Rocky said. “Let them show up and we’ll feed them. Rain or shine. Rain or shine. They’ve got buildings. And we’re encouraging people to bring canopies and things like that.”

Rocky says if you’re a Kiser grad who never visited the alumni room, get in touch with him and he’ll make sure you get in.

The Alumni Association is always accepting new members, and it’s actively working to help the children and grandchildren of alumni. To date, they’ve given away more than $160,000 in scholarships to those kids.

You can find more info by visiting the Alumni Association’s Facebook page .

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