Franklin Quakers in the News

Howard Bell, class of 1929, was featured in a story in the Oregonian on Tuesday, January 27, 2009. Mr. Bell, 98, volunteers in Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital's Short-Stay Unit, where he helps with paperwork and errands. For the full text of the story please visit:

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/98yearold_howard_bell_has_neve.html.


Mr. Bell's wife, Elaine Turnbull Bell, also graduated from Franklin High School in 1929. She passed away in 1999.


David Trotter, current member of the faculty at Franklin High School, had the opportunity to entertain President Barack Obama on Inauguration Day. Mr. Trotter plays the clarinet in the Portland-based "Get A Life Marching Band". This group participated in the Inauguration Day Parade in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 2009. Mr. Trotter teaches math and is the test coordinator and has been at Franklin for seventeen years.


Former Franklin principal, Dr. Charles Hopson, also attended the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Attending with the Arkansas Delegation, he had a front-row seat at this historic event. Dr. Hopson is from Arkansas and has family still living there. Dr. Hopson is currently the High School Director for Franklin, Grant, Lincoln and Cleveland High Schools here in Portland.

Ben's Birthday Bash

Members of the Franklin High School Choir and their director, Glen Ludtke, serenade Dr. Franklin with "Happy Birthday" on his big day.

Members of the Franklin High School Rally Squad sing the Quaker fight song at Ben's birthday party.

Dr. Franklin visits with Franklin High School Alumni Association President Pam Knuth Child ('75) at his birthday party. By all appearances, he is looking quite fit at 303!

The members of the committee organizing this year's event:

(from left to right) Beverly Blanchard Entrikin ('60), Terri Bollinger ('67), Joyce Stroud Gago ('54) and Janette Entrikin Sprando ('51). Not pictured: April Whitley Avery ('67)

Dr. Benjamin Franklin celebrated his 303rd birthday on Friday, January 16, 2009 in the Media Center of Franklin High School, named after the distinguished gentleman from Philadelphia. On hand were members of the Franklin High School Alumni Association, faculty from the school and friends in the community. The FHSAA celebrates Ben's birthday every year with coffee and pastries for teachers and staff as their way of saying "Thank you" for the work they do. And a special thank you to Dr. Don DeSpain for playing the part of Dr. Benjamin Franklin.

On a more serious note, the day also included the dedication of the main hall desk. This desk was donated to the school in memory of long-time staff member, Steve Armony. Mr. Armony lost his life in an auto accident on October 6, 2008. The funds for the desk were donated by the following individuals and groups:

Imago Dei Community Church

Franklin High School Alumni Association

Jerome Mannenbach, Franklin High School Faculty

Intrepid Marble and Granite, Drew Brandt ('84) and Leslie Hugo Brandt ('84), Owners

Charles Landers ('74)

Joyce Stroud Gago ('54)

Steve Matthews ('70)

Stu Johnson ('52)

Members of Steve Armony's family and friends look on at the dedication ceremony.

On the left, Russ Brown, Presient of the Franklin High School Development Endowment and on the right, Dr. Charles Hopson, High School Director for Franklin, Cleveland, Grant and Lincoln, speaking at the dedication.

"Discover Franklin" Open House

All alums, friends of Franklin, prospective students and their families and neighbors in the community are invited to the "Discover Franklin" Open House. The event will be held at the school on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Come and enjoy this chance to see what the students and faculty of Franklin High School are all about.