E-Letter 07/31/2004

From The President

Dear Ackerman School Alumni, Classmates and Friends,        

     THANK YOU for your generosity! I am writing today to update you on our Grand Piano Project for the Ty A. Cobb Auditorium at Ackerman School and to announce an exciting event that you will want to participate in on Saturday, August 28. As most of you already know, we have been given the gracious offer of an almost new condition YAMAHA 6’7” Conservatory Series GRAND PIANO if we can raise $19,000 by September 1, 2004. We can purchase this excellent instrument at thousands of dollars less than what we would pay for a new one. Through your generosity, I am pleased to report that as of Friday, July 30, the school has received donations totaling $8,318, which means that we are well on our way toward cost of the grand piano. Click here for a list of contributors to The Grand Piano Fund of Ackerman High School as of July 30, 2004.

     I am excited about the opportunity to purchase this high quality Grand Piano and the progress that we are making to that end. The class of 1953 has contributed more than $ 1,000.00 and based on conversations with members of the class of 1954, we are very close to the $ 1,000.00 mark, if not already there. I sincerely hope that other classes will accept this as a challenge and make an all out effort to meet or exceed the $ 1,000.00. This project will not be difficult at all, if everyone will put forth their best effort. The deadline of September 1st is fast approaching and I urge each of you to contact other members of your class and make your contribution as soon as possible. Tough times always bring out the best in us! Our schools are suffering from some severe budget reductions that in turn, provide us the opportunity to do something really good. Your support in this effort is greatly appreciated. All gifts to Ackerman High School for the grand piano, no matter how large or small, will help us meet the deadline of September 1.

     Please send a generous donation today toward this worthy project. A Grand Piano Fund account has been established at Ackerman High School, 126 East Quinn Street, Ackerman, MS 39735. Make your check payable to Ackerman High School and designate somewhere on your check that it is for the Grand Piano Fund. Contributions are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided. You may want to send your donation as a memorial or in honor of a former administrator, teacher or classmate of Ackerman School. The school will send an acknowledgement of donation to those you are honoring or family of those you are remembering if you will provide them an address. We will also list the memorials and honorariums here at our website – www.AckermanReunion.com. 

     Mark you calendar and plan to join us at The Ty A. Cobb Auditorium on Saturday, August 28, 7:00 p.m. for a Grand Piano Musical Spectacular, when we will gather to celebrate the success of this project. I look forward to seeing you there.

May God bless and keep you.

Kenneth R. Smith (54)
President, AHS Reunion

A Grand Piano Music Spectacular
Sponsored by the Ackerman School Reunion Group

What:     A Grand Piano Music Spectacular
When:    Saturday, August 28, 7 PM
Where:   Ty A. Cobb Auditorium - Ackerman High School
Why:      To Celebrate our goal of $19,000 for the Grand Piano
Cost:      FREE - An offering will be received to complete the goal

    You are invited to a reunion of Ackerman School alumni, classmates and friends to be held at the Ty A. Cobb Auditorium on Saturday, August 28, 2004 at 7 pm.  The purpose of the event will be to celebrate the completion of our campaign to raise $19,000 for a replacement grand piano for the Ty A. Cobb Auditorium. The Yamaha Conservatory Series Grand Piano will already be delivered to the auditorium and the performances will feature this wonderful instrument.  

     The event will showcase the vocal, piano and choral talents of former and current students of the Ackerman School music program.  Watch the paper next week for a listing of some of the performers.  

     As a special feature of the evening, we wish to invite everyone who participated in the music program while attending Ackerman School to come together for a special Reunion Chorus performance on the evening of August 28^th.  There will be a rehearsal of the Reunion Chorus at 2 pm in the auditorium on the afternoon of August 28^th.  

     Please plan to join us for an evening of entertainment, reunion and mission. We urge all alumni and friends to come for of your love and appreciation for Ackerman School in order to make an important investment in the current and future generations of choral, vocal and piano students at AHS.