Interested in connecting with Alumni or joining the Music Boosters? Start now and get involved. Support the Independence Blue Devils community. This website provides contact information for various Blue Devils groups. If you wish to get more information about the Alumni, Music Boosters, or have your Blue Devils group represented here, please send us your contact information.
Please join us on Monday, March 9th, in the Independence High School Media Center for the annual Educator of Excellence Award presentation.
The doors will open at 11:30 AM for pizza and social time.
The award ceremony will start at 12:00 PM.
This year, two educators will be recognized – one taught in the late 50’s through the ’60’s, and one is a current teacher.
Katherine Boerwinkle was born in 1906 in Sandusky. Katherine, her husband John, and their three kids: Jay (IHS 1957), Katharine (IHS 1959), and their youngest, Tom, born in 1945, who graduated from an out of state military school. While her children were in school, Mrs. Boerwinkle was occasionally, a substitute teacher of kindergarten though high school. However, she is most remembered and revered for her full-time teaching from 1959-1969 as an English, Math and Latin teacher, but even more so as the beloved sponsor of the Latin Club.
Mrs. Boerwinkle’s daughter, Kaye Boerwinkle Kessler, (IHS 1959), and now 84-years old, will join us Monday. How special is that! To learn more about Mrs. Boerwinkle’s seven foot, one inch, super star Chicago Bulls NBA son, look up Tom Boerwinkle on the internet and
read about his 4,570 points scored, 5,745 rebounds, and 2,007 assists. He remains a franchise record holder for the most assists, 47 in a single game.
The second recipient is Gretchen Vencl Obrovac, (IHS 2000). Gretchen was a very active IHS Honors student. She loved music and participated in Vocal, Band, Bio Society, Prom Committee, Spectator and Musicals. The Class yearbook says her ten year goal was to be married and be a music teacher. How lucky we are that she achieved her goal and is a music teacher, but even more so that she is our exceptional IHS & MS Music & Vocal Director.
Perhaps the beauty of Monday’s ceremony is the “continuity of excellence” and the lifetime impact our incredible teachers have had on each of us, whether they be young or old, and whether we are young or old.
We proudly and gratefully thank all of our teachers, past and present.
Please join us, donations welcome!
The ongoing mission of the music boosters is to foster and encourage student development in the musical arts. Throughout the year the music boosters raise money to provide funds used to purchase instruments, equipment and uniforms. Booster volunteers provide hospitality for both the IHS and visiting bands at football halftime, and also assist with set design/construction and costume design/creation for the madrigal and drama productions. The Music Boosters also offer a musical enrichment grant for eligible students.
Independence High School Alumni Meeting Participants, November 2025
IHS principal Mike Janatovich provides an update on the current school year
Light refreshments were provided.
