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From left, Davenport Central High School Class of 1964 graduates Judy Koehler and Tom Ketelsen; Sally Crino, executive director of the Davenport Schools Foundation, and Nancy Czubara, another ’64 graduate, pose after the class donated $6,000 toward Central’s Future Teachers Scholarship, fall 2024.
An archived photo from the Davenport Central Class of 1964.
While many people eventually lose contact with their high school classmates, school spirit remains high among the Davenport Central Class of 1964.
The class celebrated its 60 year reunion this fall, and they’ve hosted monthly “Breakfast Club” events for the past 14 years.
“Most of the local people, about 30 to 40 of us, get together for breakfast,” said Tom Ketelsen, class reunion committee co-chair. “We just get caught up on ‘gossip’ and talk about what’s going on in everyone’s life.”
An archived photo from the Davenport Central Class of 1964.
They also stay connected through fundraising efforts, having raised more than $80,000 for Central High School’s “Future Teacher’s Scholarship Fund” to date.
The Class of ’64 launched the scholarship fund in 2014, in celebration of the 50-year reunion. The Future Teacher’s Scholarship Fund annually awards $1,500 to a graduating Central senior who plans to pursue a career in education. These are formally presented at the Davenport Schools Foundation’s Scholarship Banquet each spring.
“Our initial goal was to create a fund of $20,000,” Ketelsen said.
Partnering with the Davenport Schools Foundation, and thereby making donations tax deductible, Ketelsen said he and his classmates were able to gather “a lot of extra cash” toward the fund in recent years.
“We were notified that there was (another) large contribution here in the last 10 days, by one of our classmates,” he added. “We wanted to give a hug to that person.”
The Central Class of ’64 totaled 517 students, of which 156 attended the 60-year reunion — representing about 30% of the class.
Ketelsen pointed to his team’s consistent networking as how the class stays so engaged with their alma mater.
From left, Davenport Central High School Class of 1964 graduates Judy Koehler and Tom Ketelsen; Sally Crino, executive director of the Davenport Schools Foundation, and Nancy Czubara, another ’64 graduate, pose after the class donated $6,000 toward Central’s Future Teachers Scholarship, fall 2024.
“We constantly contact our class,” he said. “If there’s any passing of a classmate, we send out a notice (to) fellow classmates. … I think that’s gone a long way in keeping in communications.”
Class historian Kent Anderson said the Central Class of ’64 was one of the largest to ever graduate, as they were on the “leading edge” of the post-WWI baby boom.
“I think all off us are incredibly proud and grateful for what our class scholarship gift has accomplished,” he said. “More than 150 classmates have donated to the (scholarship fund), and even one of our retired teachers made a donation.”
Nine students have received the scholarship so far, most of whom are now teaching, Anderson said.
As the Central Class of ’64 network continues to run strong, Ketelson said his team also hopes to expand the Future Teacher’s Scholarship Fund to include either more money per recipient or more recipients per year. In the meantime, he’s just proud of his class’ efforts thus far.
“I have a great sense of pride, (being) able to give back to our younger students,” Ketelson said. “And, of course, continue networking with our classmates who, we basically grew up with — it’s a lot of fun.”
Davenport Community School District seniors form a line after receiving 2024 Davenport Schools Foundation scholarships on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the district’s Achievement Service Center (702 N. Main Street in Davenport.)
The Davenport Schools Foundation awarded a total of $109,000 in scholarships to 42 district seniors.
Davenport Central senior Michael Tucker Jr. shakes hands with district leaders after receiving a 2024 Davenport Schools Foundation scholarship on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during a ceremony at the district’s Achievement Service Center (702 N. Main Street in Davenport.)
The Davenport Schools Foundation awarded a total of $109,000 in scholarships to 42 district seniors.
Davenport Central High School senior Olivia Roberts shakes hands with school board member Kent Paustian after receiving a 2024 Davenport Schools Foundation scholarship on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during a ceremony at the district’s Achievement Service Center (702 N. Main Street in Davenport.)
The Davenport Schools Foundation awarded a total of $109,000 in scholarships to 42 district seniors.
Davenport Central senior Simone Green shakes hands with school board member Kent Paustian after receiving a 2024 Davenport Schools Foundation scholarship on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during a ceremony at the district’s Achievement Service Center, in Davenport.
Davenport Central High School senior Briana Cabrera shakes hands with superintendent TJ Schneckloth after receiving a 2024 Davenport Schools Foundation scholarship on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during a ceremony at the district’s Achievement Service Center (702 N. Main Street in Davenport.)
The Davenport Schools Foundation awarded a total of $109,000 in scholarships to 42 district seniors.
Davenport Central High School senior Carter Belby shakes hands with superintendent TJ Schneckloth after receiving a 2024 Davenport Schools Foundation scholarship on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during a ceremony at the district’s Achievement Service Center (702 N. Main Street in Davenport.)
The Davenport Schools Foundation awarded a total of $109,000 in scholarships to 42 district seniors.
Davenport Community School District students and families gather before the 2024 Davenport Schools Foundation scholarship ceremony on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the district’s Achievement Service Center (702 N. Main Street in Davenport.)
The Davenport Schools Foundation awarded a total of $109,000 in scholarships to 42 district seniors.
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From left, Davenport Central High School Class of 1964 graduates Judy Koehler and Tom Ketelsen; Sally Crino, executive director of the Davenport Schools Foundation, and Nancy Czubara, another ’64 graduate, pose after the class donated $6,000 toward Central’s Future Teachers Scholarship, fall 2024.
An archived photo from the Davenport Central Class of 1964.
From left, Davenport Central High School Class of 1964 graduates Judy Koehler and Tom Ketelsen; Sally Crino, executive director of the Davenport Schools Foundation, and Nancy Czubara, another ’64 graduate, pose after the class donated $6,000 toward Central’s Future Teachers Scholarship, fall 2024.
An archived photo from the Davenport Central Class of 1964.
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