Joyce Castle to Deliver Foundation Luncheon Address
Baldwin High School alumna Joyce Castle will speak at this year’s annual Baldwin Education Foundation Luncheon at noon on March 8. 
“We are so delighted and honored that Joyce Castle is able to be here. She has performed all over the world, and we are excited she can share some of her stories with us. We are also happy she will be able to see our new Performing Arts Center,” Patty Irick, BEF President said.
“This year the luncheon will take place in the Baldwin Junior High Commons. Then we will adjourn to the Performing Arts Center for the program portion of the event, ” Irick said. ” This give the community a chance to see our beautiful new facility – many will be there for the first time.”
Also at the luncheon, the recipients of BEF’s Innovative Project grants will be recognized. Last fall, the Foundation awarded 20 grants to 41 teachers – $13,114 in total. Baldwin High School senior, Kylie King, is creating a video about the Innovative Project Grants. The video will highlight several of projects.
“As always the luncheon will bring together community members and educators to celebrate education in our district,” Irick said. Last year the event raised $4000 for the Baldwin Education Foundation, the proceeds going to support the funding of the Innovative Project Grants,” Irick said.
The event will be held at Baldwin Junior High School Commons and the Performing Arts Center, 400 Eisenhower, Baldwin City. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Individual tickets are $25 and available at the Baldwin Junior High School or on-line at baldwineducationfoundation.org/giving-to-bef/ or contact Kathy at kgerstner@usd348.com. Please RSVP by March 5.
Mike Carriker, ’73 to Deliver Foundation Luncheon Address
Baldwin High School alumnus, Mike Carriker ’73, will speak at this year’s annual Baldwin Education Foundation Luncheon at noon on March 10. “We are so excited Mike is able to join us. He is currently the Chief Test Pilot working on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. He narrates and appears in a new IMAX movie, “Legends of Flight”. He has had a distinguished career as an aviator serving in the Navy, where he was a test pilot and instructor before joining Boeing,” Patty Irick, BEF President said. “After last year’s luncheon, we decided it would be fun to bring in a distinguished BHS graduate to speak. We are honored that Mike agreed to attend.”
Another unique happening at this year’s luncheon will be the dedication of the Merle Venable Sports Complex. The USD 348 board voted last fall to dedicate complex in Coach Venable’s honor. He and his family will be present for the formal dedication. (See related article below.)
The recipients of BEF’s Innovative Project grants will be recognized. Last fall, the Foundation awarded 17 grants to 29 teachers – $11,322 in total. Mr. Kit Harris and students from his Journalism class are working on a video about the projects which will be presented at the luncheon. The luncheon will also feature BHS Band members under the direction of Mr. Will Cooper.
The event will be held at Stony Point Hall. Tickets are $25 and available at the Baldwin Junior High School or on-line at baldwineducationfoundation.org/giving-to-bef/ or contact Kathy at kgerstner@usd348.com. Please RSVP by March 4.
Coach Venable to be Honored at Luncheon & Reception
Last fall, the USD 348 School Board voted to rename the sports complex adjacent to BHS and the Baldwin Junior High School the “Merle Venable Baldwin High School Sports Complex”. A formal dedication will take place at the Baldwin Education Foundation Luncheon on March 10. Coach Venable and many members of his family will be in attendance to receive the honor.
On Friday evening March 11 a reception will be held from 5 – 8 p.m. at The Lodge in Baldwin City to further honor Coach Venable. Expect old photos, scrapbooks and lots of good stories at the event on Friday. The committee in charge of events wanted to have a time where former players and friends could come together to reminisce with Coach Venable.
Due to the overwhelming positive feedback the committee received regarding the complex naming, they also decided to create “The Merle Venable Scholarship Fund”. The $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a senior boy or girl who participated in athletics, maintained a 3.0 GPA and plans to attend a post-secondary school. The Baldwin Education Foundation serve as administrator.
Donations may be made to the “Merle Venable Scholarship” fund though the BEF website at baldwineducationfoundation.org/giving-to-bef/ or for more information contact Kathy Gerstner at 785 594 0404 or the Merle Venable Naming/Scholarship committee @ VenableCommittee@embarqmail.com