About Us
The South Bend Alumni Association aspires to support education in our schools by funding extra- and co-curricular activities that are not tax funded and by instilling an awareness of the need for student service in the community.
We support all schools with South Bend Community School Corporation and the South Bend Empowerment Zone.
How We Help
Through fundraising and donations, we are able to financially support students in the South Bend Community School Corporation through three main avenues.
1
Grants & Sponsorships
Co-Ex activities provide support for athletic teams, drama and fine arts clubs, academic competitions and other after-school activities.
2
Scholarships
College scholarships are available for SBCSC graduating seniors and children or grandchildren of SBAA members.
3
Fundraiser Events
We support programs and scholarships for students in the SBCSC through several signature fundraising events.
SCHOOLS BENEFITTED FROM STUDENT SERVICE
GRANTS FUNDED IN 2023
STUDENTS IMPACTED
IN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO 3 RECIPIENTS
Our History
The South Bend Alumni Association was founded in 1985 as the South Bend School Boosters with a single objective: to save the School Field stadium and complex from demolition and reconstruction as a service facility and bus parking lot. Louis Baker formed the original committee to address fundraising for the project. The committee elected Edwin Ehlers as its first Chairman of the Board when it was decided to continue on a new mission: to assist with education in our schools and incorporate as an Indiana 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation.
The name “Boosters” often led to the belief the organization focused entirely on athletics. To change this perception, the Boosters organized as the Alumni Association in 1989 and named Joseph S. Fragomeni, Sr. as its first chairman. In 1994, the Boosters and Alumni Association merged under the name South Bend Alumni Association, with Mr. Fragomeni serving as Chairman until 2000.
In recent years, the South Bend Alumni Association has grown to be a powerful support for SBCSC schools, faculty, staff, and most importantly, students. Because of the support of generous donors and corporate sponsors, the Co-Ex Grant and scholarship programs have continued to grow, and we are also able to explore new and innovative ways to to support education in South Bend.
Board of Directors & Staff
Trustees
- Duane Wilson – Chairman
- Emily Bastine-Hernandez – Vice Chair
- Jason Whitmer – Treasurer
- Tim Baker
- Jack Champaigne
- Ryan Kring
- Greg Humnicky
- Jim Kapsa
- Steve Luecke
- Karla Lee
- Jim Seitz
- Rickey Miller
Staff
Kris Arizmendi Choinacky, MNA
Executive Director
kchoinacky@sbcsc.k12.in.us
Kara O’Malley, Office Manager
sbaa@sb.school
Kathleen Kovach, Event Coordinator
kkovach@sb.school
Emeritus Members
- *Louis Baker – Riley
- Kevin Butler – Associate
- Virginia Calvin – Associate
- Patricia Czarnecki – Washington
- *Tom DeBaets — LaSalle
- *Robert DeCola
- Gary Downey – Adams
- *Bill Gates – Jackson
- Mike Harding – Adams
- Maggie Kernan – Associate
- Liz Farr – Central
- David Lerman – Riley
- Andrew Place – Jackson
- Richard Rice – Associate
- **Esther Robinson – Adams
- Mark Tarner — Clay
- Mort Ziker – Adams
*Chairmen emeritus
**Officer emeritus