One of the top scholar-athletes from the Jackson High School (JHS) Class of 1973 will represent the class at this year’s Jackson High School Alumni Association’s Annual Reunion and Program.
Ross County resident and retired educator and coach Kenneth (Kenny) Valentine will deliver the 35th-year anniversary toast for the Class of 1973 when the Reunion and Program is conducted, starting at 5:45 p.m., Saturday, May 25, at the Jackson Middle School auditorium.
Valentine will be returning to the school building where he made a name for himself both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. He was chosen “School Citizen” by his peers and also was an outstanding performer on the football and track teams and still holds three school track records. He recalls that Al Riffey and June Eubanks were his favorite teachers.
After graduating from JHS, he enrolled at Central State University and graduated in 1977 with a B.S. in Education. He earned a Masters in Education in 1994 from Ohio University.
Valentine is retired from a career which spanned 36 years in public education, including 30 years as an intervention specialist for the Unioto Local School District near Chillicothe.
Valentine is the son of the late Coit and Flosie Valentine and came from a large family which included four boys and four girls.
His brothers are: James of Columbus, Coit David of San Diego, California and Darwin of Houston, Texas. His sisters are: Melanie of Columbus, Brenda of Jackson, and Rhonda of Houston, Texas. Another sister, Norma, is deceased.
Currently, Valentine works as a classroom and in-car instructor for novice drivers with AAA of Chillicothe. He also is a member of the Slater Brothers Band, which plays in the area and at blues festivals specializing in rhythm and blues.
Valentine and his wife and “soul mate,” Joanna, have two sons: Todd, 36, and Troy, 32. They have four grandchildren: Josh, 8; Laiah, 3, Christian, 3, and Chan 1 1/2.
JHS Alumni Agenda
The toastmaster for the 2013 JHS Alumni Reunion and Program will be Rodney Warner of the Class of 1953, and other toasters will be Mona Hutchinson Flax of the Class of 1963 and Megan Malone of the Class of 1973.
The JHS Alumni Association will once again be hosting its Happening event, immediately following the Reunion and Program, from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Jackson Area YMCA at 594 East Main Street. This event is a party open to all JHS alumni and their guests.
The price of admission includes a food buffet and musical entertainment from local DJ Tommy Hill.
Advance tickets cost $20 per person and can be purchased at A.L. Terry Jewelers, located at 214 Broadway Street in downtown Jackson during regular business hours. All tickets at the door will be $25 each.
Checks for advance tickets should be made payable to the Jackson High School Alumni Association and must be purchased no later than Monday, May 20. For information, call JHS Alumni Committee member Nea Stockmeister Henry at 740-418-4135.