History of Haddam Alumni Association

In 1928 after there were five Alumni members nominated for this position it was moved that all these names be withdrawn and the Class of 1928 be given the privilege of choosing an Alumni Secretary from among their numbers. They nominated Joe Novak and Katheryn Thomas with Joe being elected. It wasn't until 1930 that the custom became firmly established when Grace Jefferson was elected from the graduating class.

1935	No banquet held.
1936 Officers Met: Grace Jefferson Carmen Chandler Dora Hoffman	When no banquet was held in 1935, it was apparent that something needed to be done or the association would cease to exist.

Early in 1936 the officers met and decided to try a pot-luck supper with each member bringing one covered dish. The dues were still 25 cents. This was the time when one cent would buy a postal card, so advance dues were collected from Russel, Harold, Lester and Dora Hoffman and 100 cards were sent out to Alumni. The response was very gratifying and the pot-luck supper was established.

1938	Voted to allow spouses of Alumni to come as guests. Only members paid dues.
1939	Spouses attended banquet.
1942	Officers Elected President: Hazel Fitch Hoffman Vice-President: Verlin Douce Secretary: Marvel Allen Rhine
1943 - 1944 - 1945	No Alumni Meetings - World War II
1946 - Alumni Had No President	Hazel Fitch Hoffman deceased 1945. Verlin Douce killed in action. (During the war.) Marvel Allen Rhine was left to carry on with the help of Marie Burton, Edith Congleton, Polly Novak, and Opal Ettleman.
1950 - Discussion To Raise Dues	Unsuccessfully tried to raise the dues to 50 cents. However, the motion to charge non-members (who came as guests) 25 cent dues carried.
1951 - First Dance	Held in City Hall
1952 - Second Dance	Held in High School Gym
1957 - Official Date for Alumni Established	Saturday Night Following High School Commencement
1958	Discontinued Senior Initiation
1961 - Dues Raised	Dues raised to 50 cents
1967	Name Tags First Used
1967 - Motion Made & Carried	With 1967 being the last year that high school was held in Haddam anyone that graduates from Haddam Grade School and then graduates from USD 221 is an alumni member.
1970 - Dues Raised	Bowing To Inflation Dues raised to $1 per person Changed election of Secretary to "at large."
1976	Dues raised to $2 per person
1981	Dues raised to $2.50 per person
Total Alumni	From 1886 to 1967 total alumni listed is 859.
Largest Graduation Classes:	Class of 1936 with 27 members Class of 1935 with 26 members Class of 1940 with 25 members Class of 1934 with 24 members Class of 1933 with 23 members Class of 1924 with 21 members
Five Members Were Smallest Graduation Classes:	Class of 1919 (all girls) Class of 1921 Class of 1952 Class of 1962
Note From Dora Hoffman Brown	These facts are from the records since 1916 when the high school became four years.
Note From Anita Childerston	The Alumni facts, as complied by Dora Hoffman Brown, are rewritten in a format more conducive to the fast pace society the twenty-first century has brought about. I hope you find this page user friendly and interesting.