The Tuscola High School Alumni Association began with a simple “dining room table” conversation. Susie Harbaugh ('75) and Marci Shoemaker ('74 and TCHS Library Aide) talked about how they could help make Homecoming at TCHS special for students, the community, and alumni alike.

After ideas began to flow, they met with Principal Kyle Ransom and Ron O’Hearn on May 12, 2009. From that meeting, the idea of a “Black & Golden Reunion” was formed to honor the Class of 1959 on their 50th year of graduation. This tradition has continued each Homecoming since, with the honored class also being recognized before the football game.

This renewed spirit also brought back the TCHS Hall of Fame, originally established during an All-School Reunion in 1987 led by Wilbur Hoel ('37) as general chairman. That event welcomed nearly 500 alumni from 22 states and one foreign country, with 24 alumni inducted into the Hall of Fame. In 1992, another reunion was held with 7 inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

Building on that legacy, the first modern Hall of Fame induction luncheon was held at the Douglas County Museum on Homecoming Saturday. The celebration continued with an alumni reception in the high school library following the parade, and an All-School Reunion hosted by Ristorante Tuscano after the football game.

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The following year, efforts turned toward formally establishing the Tuscola High School Alumni Association. The founding committee included Marci Shoemaker, Susie Harbaugh, Bob Utterback, Jessie Kleiss, and Chris Hunt. We became an official public charity as a 501c3 from the IRS in the spring of 2015, beginning the process in May 2014. The Board consisted of Patti Waters, Bob & Barb Utterback, Danny Matthews, Bruce Wood, Susie Harbaugh, Alan & Marci Shoemaker, Ryan Hornaday, Cheryl Bozarth, Kathy Frye, Sherri Stewart, and Justin Bozarth.

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Seventeen years later, what began as a small conversation has grown into a lasting tradition—one that continues to celebrate the pride, history, and connection of Tuscola High School alumni.