Alumni Mission Statement
Promoting educational memories, one class at a time. Join the Alumni Association! The IHS Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) organization with meetings held at the Independence High School Media Center.
Supporting the Blue Devils Community, Independence Ohio
The Alumni Association, promoting educational memories one class at a time.
Independence High School Alumni Association
Alumni Association Executive Board
Dale Veverka ’70, President
Joan Mencl ’70, Vice President
Bob Wagner ’66, Treasurer
Need More Information?
Alumni Integral Chairpersons
Peggy Korecko ’88, Social Media
Don Krolikowski ’77, Website
Michael Janatovich (IHS Principal), Honorary V.P.
Gwen Schmidt-Manfredi ’68, Pub-Rel.
Amber Veverka ’07, Newsletter Editor
Dave Stefanski ’80, Membership Chair
Nancy McCormick ’75, Hospitality
The Alumni Association meets the second Monday of the month in March, June, September and November.
Important Dates:
Newsletter Submission Deadlines
Spring 2025 – Sunday, May 11
Winter 2025 – Sunday, November 9
Latest News from the Alumni...
Class of 2025 to Honor the past 100 years
Alumni, can you help?
Student Council President Joe Graham and Senior Class President Ella Sliwinski are working together to film and edit a video to honor the past 100 years of Independence High School. They are planning to interview alumni and showcase photos, the history and the legacy of IHS. With your help their project can come to fruition. All that’s needed is your willingness to be interviewed and tell your story!
Use this link to provide your name and contact information to Joe and Ella. Your participation is vital to accomplish their goal!
Joins us for a Happy Hour Event
Joins us for a Happy Hour Event, Friday April 4, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
IHS Spring Musical
Reaching out to Alumni who were in the 1993 and 2002 productions of the Sound of Music!
2025 Educator of Excellence
Honoring Gene Michaels and Mike Gruber
Please Join us for the
2025 Educator of Excellence
Recognition Program
2025 Educator of Excellence
Recognition Program
March 10th, 2025, at 11:30 AM
in the High School Media Center
Pizza will be served – donations welcomed
in the High School Media Center
Pizza will be served – donations welcomed
This year we are honored to recognize two distinguished educators, one former and one current.
Mr. Gene Michaels was a highly respected high school business teacher for 32 years, from 1961 to 1993 setting the foundation for countless high performing future business leaders. Interestingly, many of the current and former City Council members were his former students. Through a close relationship between Kiwanis and the Key Club, nearly weekly, Mr. Michaels brought the world into the classroom, giving students real world insights from a wide range of successful business leaders, inspiring students’ future dreams and goals. He was the first coach of the Golf Team from 1962-1990. Gene and Carol’s three kids each spent 13-years in IHS Schools graduating in ‘80, ‘82, and ‘83.
Mr. Mike Gruber has been the Primary School Art Teacher since 2010, teaching each student for one hour per week for five years with his first students now graduating from college. Mr. Gruber’s energy and creativity have exposed students to unprecedented heights through the annual art shows, larger than life murals, the Van Gogh Immersive Room, and the 4th grade Drone Flying Club. For 7 years he was the Middle School Athletic Director. He is the Head Coach of the High School Girls Golf Team and an Assistant Baseball Coach.
Mr. Gruber was selected as the 2024 Northeast Region Outstanding Art Teacher by the Ohio Art Education Association.
Join us in recognizing these Educators of Excellence!
Blue Devil art from 1954
Thanks to Kelly Hatfield who provided this piece of nostalgia! An early rendition of the Blue Devil and accompanying certificate of merit for this artwork created by Laurene Minark, 1954.
