Alumni news
The Class of 1973 Wasn't "Kidding Around..."
Did you know...
When the Class of 1973 reached out to the CEF and offered to raise some funds for the Foundation through a silent auction and a 50/50 drawing at their reunion, they weren’t kidding around! The Class of 1973 reunion was held last September and was well-attended. Thanks to the energy of the organizers and the generosity of the alumni present, they raised over $1,000 to sponsor a table and a fun money-raising activity at the 22nd annual Blue Jean Ball. Their “seed money” will go on to support many educational opportunities for the students of Cloquet Schools today and in the future. Thank you for thinking of us Class of 1973!
Planning a reunion next year? Contact our office at (218) 879-3806 or jacers@isd94.org to see if we can help.
Do you like what you see?
Contact us if you like the "CHS Photo Op Frame". We can arrange that!
Class Funds
Consider a CEF "Class fund" to honor and remember classmates as time goes on or to remember those who have passed on. Each gift to a CHS class fund impacts students for generations to come and gives special significance to your class.
Click here for more information on how to set one up for your class.
Howard Lavick, CHS graduate of 1964, is looking for folks to share their experiences with him about the historic 1963 CHS boys’ state championship basketball game. Lavick is working on a YouTube documentary called “Beyond the Prize,” which tells the inspiring story of the CHS boys’ basketball team and their trip to the Minnesota High School State Tournament. The trip culminated in Cloquet playing in the championship game against Marshall, Minnesota. The game ended in a heart-wrenching loss for Cloquet, but the story doesn’t end there.
The enduring and inspiring events of 1963 encompass much more than one championship game. It is about bringing home the win, even when the scoreboard would indicate otherwise. It is a story of teamwork, being the underdog, athleticism, community support and so much more.
The film is currently in production and can be viewed on YouTube. The finished product will be an inspiring video of this historic event to be offered to sports teams, high school students, and community groups.
Read the full story HERE and look for the finished project in 2023.
"Beyond The Prize"
Here is what Howard is looking for:
ANY HOME MOVIES or ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS (vs. Newspaper clippings) of the 1963 Cloquet boys’ basketball season, especially:
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The Cloquet basketball team, players, coaches, cheerleaders etc.
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The state tournament games at Williams Arena - especially the championship game against Marshall
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The welcome home crowd that greeted the team in the old co-op parking lot.
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“The Holy Grail” - a video copy of the championship game that was televised throughout the state.
Please spread the word to families and classmates! Howard is hopeful that even after 60 years, some footage of the game still exists. Since there is a timeline to the film. Any questions or comments please direct them to Howard Lavick at ganeesha99@hotmail.com.
Many thanks in advance!
Alumni memories
If you are interested in alumni research, please contact CEF office.
We are here to help and love talking to alumni.
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Articles of fun memories can be seen in our newsletter publications
These are some articles from the Pine Needle publication:
Your story…their future.
You need not look any further than a Cloquet High School White Pine yearbook to get a sense of the long tradition of excellence our district has provided for our students. Within the pages of the 1960 yearbook we see a snippet of life for the average CHS teenager, and if you look a little further, you will even notice a few friends. On page 60 of The White Pine we see our very own Liz Hendrickson Brenner heading up the very important role of newspaper editor.
The White Pine writes: “From the time Benjamin Franklin introduced the newspaper to America, it has become an invaluable method of communication. The Pine Needle has a similar tradition in Cloquet High School. The journalistic experience that it gives to the students who aid in its publication enables them to more cogently express their ideas in the future.”
Our thanks goes out to Liz, and her husband Dick, for their stories and continued support of the CEF and the students in the Cloquet School District who will make their mark and tell their stories in the future.
CHS Prom - 1969 Blasted to the Moon
We celebrate this season of winter “under the same sky,” and thoughts of the moon are on our minds. Funny thing is, kids in Cloquet have always thought of taking to the sky; especially in the 1960s when space travel and landing on the moon were becoming a reality.
What most people don’t know is Cloquet made its mark on the moon well before Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong made their historic lunar landing in July 1969. In fact, according to the 1969 CHS White Pine yearbook, it was Project Prom that transported 175 couples on a space ride of a lifetime. That May the new high school reimagined life on the moon for the entertainment of the attendees making for some fun as they dreamed of new adventures.
The astronauts for the evening were entertained by Cha Karulak, who encountered The Man on the Moon (Dave Sarazin), Maurice the Martian (Rick Hagen), The Green Cheese (Rick Coughlin) and the Cow that Jumped Over the Moon (Chick Otterson). After dancing, lunar-style, splash-down occurred for the crowd at 11:30 p.m.
What fun it is to dream of the moon, and beyond, these crisp, clear northern nights! Thanks to the classes of the late sixties for bringing to life the imagination, creativity that is remembered fondly and merriment FOR AGES to come.
Snoball, it all starts with an ask and ends with a dance
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Since 1946, Cloquet High School students have been active participants in the annual rite of passage, Winter Snoball, where traditionally a girl will ask a boy to the dance (versus the other way around). Snoball has taken on many forms and variations throughout the years.
A quick look through the CHS yearbooks gives a glimpse into the social activities of the CHS student. As far back as 1911, a winter dance was scheduled Sartell’s Hall. Although not named Snoball, according to the White Pine, “The evening was spent in dancing. Punch and wafers were served between dances. The hall was prettily decorated in purple and white. A three-piece orchestra furnished music for the evening.”
Winter dances continued for the next several decades, and in 1946 Snoball became the official name of the dance. Styles changed, décor changed and 3-piece orchestras gave way to live bands of the time.
Themes of the early Snoballs held steady with silver bells for many years in the mid-century.
The dance was held in the school gym, which students spent days decorating.
As the years progressed from the 1960’s to the 70’s and 80’s, themes of Snoball changed from year to year. Professional photographs were added and the high school gym once again became transformed to host the premiere event before Christmas.
The youngsters of 1911 would hardly recognize their sweet little winter dance, as the turn of the century brought along many fun changes to Snoball. Soon the dance would be relocated to another venue – usually a larger space in Duluth. Grand march is a welcome addition as it allows the kids to show off their dates and dresses to the whole community. Somewhere along the line Snoball moved from December to January.
For some, it’s a winter night of fun with your friends, for others an exciting rite of passage with a date and for many a fond memory. CHS Snoball has changed since the first small dance in 1911. However, one thing remains the same: Because she asked, it led to a winter dance.