WHS Hall of Fame Dinner 2007
West High "Hall of Fame" to Add Five
Manchester's West High will celebrate the induction of five alumni to its "Hall of Fame" and formally name its auditorium after 20 year principal and three-term Mayor Robert A. Baines on Saturday, May 5th. The ceremony will highlight a weekend of celebration that includes a catered dinner with live jazz music, reception, tours and Sunday's "Blue & White" baseball game at Fisher Cat Stadium.
The public is invited to attend the Hall of Fame Dinner on Saturday, May 5th, starting with tours by National Honor Society members from 3 Ð 5 p.m. followed by a 5 p.m. reception with Jazz Trio. The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. in the auditorium, followed by a 7 p.m. catered dinner with music by the school's Jazz Ensemble. Tickets are $20, with rounds of eight available at West High. Call (603) 624-6388 to purchase tickets.
Sunday's "Blue & White" baseball game at Fisher Cat Stadium will begin with a 12:30 ceremony on the field that includes the West High Marching Band and NJROTC Color Guard, followed by the Fisher Cats vs. Bowie Red Sox game at 1 p.m. Tickets are available from NJROTC cadets and the NJROTC office at 624-6398.
Among honorees at the Hall of Fame ceremony will be past Mayor and principal Mr. Robert A. Baines, whose name will be committed to school's 1924 Auditorium. Mr. Baines served as principal for West High for 20 years, and as Mayor of Manchester for three terms. He will join former West high principals Charlie Quinn, Andrew Boland, John C. Mackin and Kendrick Bean in seeing their names affixed to a school wing.
The five Hall of Fame inductees are Ms. Marguerite "Madge" Poehlman Sandmann '38B, Mr. Andrew C. Isaak '41, Mr. Alan Heidenreich '49, Mr. Eugene M. VanLoan III '60, and Ms. Dana (Jelley) Brooke Reid '88.
Ms. Marguerite "Madge" Poehlman Sandmann '38B (deceased) served as Union Leader writer for 47 years, penning and editing the senior page for almost a lifetime. During World War II, Madge served the Air Force's Ground Observer Corps and edited the Aircraft Flash Reporter during the war. As one of the "Manchester Brownies," Madge would swim each New Year's Eve in the open waters at Amoskeag Ledge and later at Pine Island Park. Her love of Manchester and devotion to journalism made Madge Sandmann's name one of the most recognizable bylines at the Union Leader.
Mr. Andrew C. Isaak, '41 (deceased) was a prominent architect who served dozens of community service organizations throughout the Manchester area. Following an already lengthy career in architecture, Mr. Isaak teamed with his brother, Nicholas Isaak, to form Isaak & Isaak, one of the state's leading architectural firms. Mr. Isaak's lasting contributions include the design of public schools, college buildings, churches, and federal buildings throughout the state, including the Norris Cotton Federal Building in Manchester. He also designed buildings throughout the St. Anselm College campus and an addition to his alma mater, West High School.
Mr. Alan Heidenreich '49 has devoted his entire life to family and community. His contributions to West High include a hand in the development of its wrestling and hockey teams, the reformation of the Men's Club into the Booster Club, and the school's Alumni Association in 1964. A committed community activist, Mr. Heidenreich has pioneered community serving television programs on Manchester Community TV (MCTV) and more recently Manchester Community Access Media (MCAM) and Bedford Community TV. One of West High's first families, Mr. Heidenreich's family ties to West High include his mother, Ms. Alberta Sullivan '27, father, Ernest Heidenreich '29, and his four children who graduated in the 70's.
Mr. Eugene M. Van Loan III, '60, completed his undergraduate degree at Yale University and graduated from Harvard University Law School before returning to serve Bedford and Manchester as partner at Wadleigh, Starr, and Peters PLLC. From a family noted for its philanthropy and service, Mr. Van Loan has served as counsel to the School Board and Town Moderator in his hometown of Bedford. His distinguished law practice spans corporate, hospital and health care, and has produced many thoughtful essays on NH constitutional law. Mr. Van Loan's community service includes roles as past president of Greater Manchester Mental Health Center and Easter Seals Society. A longtime YMCA board member and athlete, Mr. Van Loan helped to found the Amoskeag Rowing Club. His athleticism includes the Boston Marathon, the Mt. Washington Road Race, and the Head of the Charles Regatta.
Ms. Dana Brooke Reid (Jelley) '88 served as the first female commanding officer of West High's NJROTC program. Her NJROTC experiences led to enrollment in the U. S. Coast Guard, where she has risen through the ranks to serve as the first woman to command Coast Guard forces along the extensive coastlines of Maryland, Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula of Virginia. Ms. Reid currently supervises 200 Coast Guard employees who perform 250 search and rescue cases annually. A University of South Florida graduate who holds a Master degree, Ms. Reid serves as Commanding Officer of the Eastern Shore Field Office for the U.S. Coast Guard.
In addition to the five Hall of Famers, a special "Friend of West" recognition will be made to Mr. Jay Brewster, long time Booster Club President and supporter. Mr. Brewster's tireless efforts have attracted countless volunteers who have generously raised money to fund athletic programs at West High. Mr. Brewster's efforts have continued well after his children have graduated.