About Us
Learn More
Recent Events
Alumni Reunion - November 5, 2022
Alma Mater
On a hill in old Carolina’ neath the skies so blue,
Proudly stands the de la Howe School, noble, grand, and true.
Lift the chorus, speed it onward, make the welkin ring,
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater, loud her praises sing!
Hail to those who with us labor, teaching us each day,
Guiding us in mindful honors, striving every day,
Hail to thee, our dear old State School, hail to thee our song,
May the happy memories ever linger with us long!
*
History of the Alumni Association
The first reunion of John de la Howe School Alumni was held on July 13, 1957, with 450 persons in attendance. On February 2, 1958, An Alumni Committee voted to form the John de la Howe School Alumni Association. During 1959 and 1960, the development of a Constitution and By-Laws was accomplished with the proposed document read and discussed on January 17, 1960. A Certificate of Incorporation was issued from the State of South Carolina on July 7, 1960. Then on January 29, 1961, the Charter of John de la Howe School Alumni Association was presented.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Association shall be to promote acquaintance and fellowship among the members of the Association; to promote fellowship and cooperation between the Association and the school; and to promote Christian education and the high ideals for which John de la Howe School was founded. To provide a source of revenue for unfunded supplies, equipment, and financial assistance – to enhance the quality of life for the students of John de la Howe School.
Membership for John De La Howe Alumni Association
If you would like to join the John de la Howe School Alumni Association, please send Tammy E. Hill a letter or an email with your Name, Address, City, State, and Zip Code, and your email address and please indicate the years you attended the school. You do not have to be a member of the Alumni Association to send us your contact information.
The dues for joining the Alumni Association are $15 per year for a total of $30 for two years. We normally collect the dues at the Alumni Homecoming/Reunion on the even number years on the second Saturday in October. The dues are for financial expenses for the reunion as well as providing assistance to students and the school when needed.
Each reunion we prepare a Roster which includes names and addresses of alumni. If you have not received any information from us in the last couple of years, please send your updated address so that it can be included in the roster. We send out a newsletter usually in the later part of August of the year before the Homecoming/ Reunion to let everyone know the date of the reunion and activities planned for that day.
We have a website for the Alumni as well on the S.C. Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe. The address is: https://delahowe.sc.gov/our-community/alumni.
The website the Alumni Association was using was Family Crossings and has now closed. Jo Durst researched and found EasySite.com. Jo has been working to set up and upload pictures and information. You can contact Jo Ann Alewine Durst at JoDurst1954@yahoo.com or Ernie Willis at themajicman7@gmail.com to get set up for the website. You will need to provide them with your email address and they will provide you a link for the website.
There are several de la Howe groups on FACEBOOK that you may want to join, such as “So You 'Say, You Went to JOHN DE LA HOWE?", John de la Howe Friends, and John de la Howe School Friends.
Alumni Reunion
The John de la Howe School Alumni Homecoming/Reunion is held every two (2) years on the even numbered years on the second Saturday in October. The Homecoming/Reunion is held to promote fellowship among the members of the Association.
The Homecoming/Reunion is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 8:30 AM beginning with registration.
ACCOMMODATIONS: There are normally rooms reserved at Hickory Knob State Resort Park. You will be required to pay a portion of the rate upfront when you make the reservation. You can call 800-491-1764 for reservations. There are also hotel rooms on the campus of John de la Howe in Shiflet Hall (upstairs of the old school building). Other options are hotel rooms at John de la Howe School in the old school building, now referred to as Shiflet Hall. Email Scott Mims at scott.mims@delahowe.sc.gov and copy Amy Romines at amy.romines@delahowe.sc.gov to check availability at the school. Other options are: Belmont Inn in Abbeville, SC at 104 E Pickens St, Abbeville. Call Reservations at 864-214-7453 ~ Culler’s Inn, Lincolnton, GA. Call 706-359-6161. ~ Fairfield Inn, 527 ByPass 72 NW, Greenwood, SC 864-330-3300. ~ Holiday Inn Express, 300 W. Creek Blvd, Greenwood 864-889-8900. ~ Comfort Inn 110 Birchtree Dr, Greenwood, SC 864-413-1203. ~ Days Inn, 233 Birchtree Drive, Greenwood SC 864-223-1818 ~ Sharon Manor B & B, 12 Firehouse Road, Abbeville, SC 864-378-9310. Local Campgrounds are available at Hickory Knob State Resort Park, Elijah Clark State Park, and many more in the area. Check online or call to make sure campsites are open.
*
Schedule of Events, Saturday, October 12, 2024
7:30 AM Gates at the Front Entrance will be open throughout the day
8:30 AM Registration begins at the L.S. Brice School Building for Alumni
9:00 AM Photo Albums in the L.S. Brice School Library
10:30 -11:00 AM Alumni Group Picture will be taken on the steps of the Chapel.
11:00 – 12:00 PM Alumni Association Business Meeting to be held in the Chapel. Please join your fellow Alumni for an assembly and be an active part of your Association. Drawing for door prizes at the end of the meeting. Great Door Prizes!
12:00 – 1:15 PM Lunch at the Dave L. Hayes Cafeteria. Tickets for lunch are $5 per ticket. Tickets may be purchased at the entrance to the cafeteria. Lunch will include chicken strips, hot dogs, chili, corn, French fries, cookies, drinks.
1:30 – 3:00 PM Campus Tours – Residential Halls (Cottages). You may visit other sites around campus.
3:00 – 5:00 PM Bingo in Cafeteria and Corn Hole and Horseshoe Tournaments on grounds at Cafeteria
NO EVENING MEAL PLANNED
7:00 – 11:00 PM After-Hours Social Event at the Dairy Barn with a DJ playing great music!
*
Alumni Association Annual Business Meeting Agenda
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 11:00 AM, Chapel
Call to Order & Opening Remarks……………………………….Gene Swygert, President
Invocation………..……………………….……………………………………….Ernie Willis
Special Recognition of Alumni Board of Directors
& Recognize Past Superintendents........................Gene Swygert, President
Welcome………………………………………………….……Timothy S. Keown, President
Introduction of Legislators & Special Guests……………….Timothy S. Keown, President
S.C. Governor’s School of Agriculture Foundation Update……...Stacie Smith, Executive Director
S.C. Governor’s School of Agriculture Board of Trustees Update…....Hugh Bland, Board of Trustees Chair
Memorials, Silent Prayer, Candle………………………..Billie Compton Gerstenberger & Kirk Gerstenberger
New Website Update………………………………………………...Jo Anne Alewine Durst
Minutes………………………………………..........…..…………..Tammy E. Hill, Secretary
(Copies of the minutes are provided at registration for your review.)
Treasurer’s Report……….…………………………….……………Sandi Knight Boazman
Recognition of Veterans….…………………………………………………..…Ronnie Davis
Business……………………………………………………………..Gene Swygert, President
A.Old Business…………………………………………….Gene Swygert. President
a. None
B. New Business
a. Election of New Officers & Board Members…………………...Ron Davis, Parliamentarian
b. Special Recognition………………..…….Ernie Willis, Incoming President
Closing Remarks…………………………...………………Ernie Willis, Incoming President
*
John de la Howe School Alumni Association 2022-2024
Board of Directors/Officers
Gene Swygert, President (1950-1955)
Ernest A. Willis, Vice President (1970-1974) Staff
Tammy E. Hill, Secretary (1986-2006) Staff
Sandi Knight Boazman, Treasurer (1973-1978)
Ronnie M. Davis, Past President (1967-1973)
Sharon Davis Hughes (1967-1975)
Jo Ann Alewine Durst (1969-1972)
Billie Compton Gerstenberger (1963-1967)
Raymond L. Allen (1963-1973)
Yvonne Smith Stimpson (1973-1975)
Christine Jenkins Bennett (1982-1983)
Jake Simpson (2020-2022)
Trey Haddon (2020-2024)
*
John de la Howe School Alumni Association 2024-2026
Proposed Slate of Nominees for Board of Directors/Officers
Ernest A. Willis, Vice President (1970-1974) Staff
Ronnie M. Davis, Parliamentarian (1967-1973)
Tammy E. Hill, Secretary (1986-2006) Staff
Sandi Knight Boazman, Treasurer (1973-1978)
Gene Swygert, Past President (1950-1955)
Sharon Davis Hughes (1967-1975)
Billie Compton Gerstenberger (1963-1967)
Sierra Tinsley
Raymond L. Allen (1963-1973)
Mike Yates (1963-1971)
Jake Simpson (2020-2022)
Trey Haddon (2020-2024)
Members that want to volunteer:
· JoAnn Durst
· Christine Bennett
· Yvonne Stimpson
· Jason Connors
· Hannah Mosely
· Jahira Freeman
Fundraising Activities
Fundraising activities are held by the Alumni Association to assist in providing an Alumni Homecoming/ Reunion. We have been very busy over the last several years in decorating the foyer and common room area of the cottages/dorms once they have been renovated. Over the years, the Alumni Association has provided many necessary items for the cottages and students as well.
Over the last several years, the Alumni Association has been sponsoring a Dinner and Dance with a live band, and delicious food. Tickets are sold to whoever would like to attend and we would love to have members of the de la Howe alumni join us for this event. We will post the flyer for the dinner and Dance as it becomes available. You will see how to obtain your tickets. We provide a delicious meal, a wonderful selection of Silent Auction Baskets for guests to bid on. It is so much fun to watch everyone bidding and checking on their bids. We also have a 50/50 raffle and provide fabulous door prizes to guests during intermission.
Our next fundraising event will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Savannah Lakes Village Recreation Center in McCormick, S.C. We have a live band, Coastal Carolina featuring Rhonda Hill McDaniel, who is local to McCormick, S.C. Everyone enjoys the music and dancing.
The proceeds from the fundraising events have allotted us the funds to decorate many of the cottages/dorms to give them a feel of home.
The next cottages/dorms to be renovated are Charleston and Hessie Morrah which renovation is currently underway. The last cottage/dorm to be renovated will be Hester and it will probably be sometime next year when it will be renovated.
We are also working on a Veteran’s Monument to be erected on the campus to honor current and former veterans from those who have attended John de la Howe School and other areas. If you have someone special you would like to honor, please contact Ron Davis at Ronald.m.davis52@gmail.com. Once enough money has been raised for the monument, the monument will be erected near the Flagpole on campus.
The John de la Howe School Alumni Association is also providing a scholarship at the end of each academic year to a deserving student.
As always, we hope our fundraising efforts will allow us to continue providing for the students after the cottages/dorms have been renovated by either providing monetary support or whatever needs some of the students may have.
If you would like to donate to the Alumni Association, please make your check payable to the John de la Howe School Alumni Association, and mail to John de la Howe School Alumni Association, C/O Mrs. Tammy E. Hill, 2727 Greenwood Highway, Bradley, S.C. 29819. Tammy is the Secretary for the Alumni Association.
If you have a specific area you would like to make your donation, please note this information on your check or a note with the check. We thank you for caring in a special way.
Alumni Newsletter