The Kokomo School Education Foundation and Alumni Association Celebrate a Renovated Walter Cross Field
Amidst a driving rain and very cold temperatures, the Kokomo Schools Foundation and the Kokomo Schools Alumni Association celebrated a successful 5K Walk/Run, dedication of a renovated Walter Cross Field, and football home-coming victory over Marion on Friday, October 5, 2012.
Over 250 students and loyal Wildkat fans braved the weather to participate in the 5K Walk/Run prior to the home-coming football game. The Kokomo Schools Foundation netted about $1600 that will go toward athletic uniforms for middle school students. Over 190 middle school students participated. The Foundation was assisted by the Kokomo Road Runners, Athletic Department, Coca-Cola, Alumni Association, KHS Girls’ Cross Country Team, and cheerleaders in sponsoring the first event of its kind. After the Walk/Run, students and adult runnes were treated to a tailgate party, T-Shirt, and free admission to the football game.
Following the Walk/Run, Wildkat fans helped dedicate the newly renovated athletic field. The centerpiece of the renovation is the new 8 foot bronze Wildkat that now stands guard at the entrance of the field. The Wildkat statue was created by nationally known artist Matthew Grey Palmer and was funded through the Foundation by private donations. The Kokomo Schools Foundation thanks the following people for making the Wildkat possible: MSKTD Achitects, Engineers and Interior Designers; retired principal, Harold W. Canady; Matt Williams and Curt Trainer, Edward Jones Investments; Coca Cola of Kokomo and the Severns Family; McGonigal Buick-GMC-Cadillac and the Gingerich Family; Button Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram and the Button Family; Nick Pate, State Farm Insurance; Dr. Matt Pate and Dr. Rob Long, Pediatic Dental Specialists of Indiana.
The Wildkat has become so popular that the KHS football team rubs his nose at the beginning and end of each game. The next Foundation project is to put another Wildkat in front of Memorial Gym. The Foundation and the Kokomo Schools Alumni Association would appreciate alumni donations toward the Wildkat, its scholarship program, teacher mini-grants, and special project endowments. Mail any donations to the Kokomo Schools Education Foundation, Kokomo-Center Schools, P. O. Box 2188, Kokomo, Indiana 46904-2188. Be sure to designate which project you would like to support. For additional information, contact Debbie Vawter, 765-455-8000 ([email protected]).