Our first meeting was in the Library at Kearny. Mr. Lorch presented his idea to us. His thought was to establish a Hall of Fame on campus, which would consist of those alumni who had applied themselves in school and who had become successful in their adult lives. We liked the idea, but with each consecutive meeting, we found ourselves discussing ways we could help the students and our Alma Mater. We slowly drifted away from the original Hall of Fame concept and found ourselves considering the idea of forming an alumni association.

As 1995 drew to a close, membership applications to join the association had been sent to members of our respective classes and before long the applications were returned along with the $10 membership donation. We registered with the Secretary of State as a California Corporation. We elected officers, opened a bank account, voted on an association logo, and ordered T-shirts and ball caps.

Our first years were not easy. At times it seemed like we would take three steps forward and fall back five, but we perservered.

In 1997, Kearny's then current football coach, Tom Barnett, approached us. Coach Barnett needed our assistance with raising funds to purchase the traditional striped football jerseys for his players. The school district allocates funds for the district's teams, but because our jerseys were unique, they cost more. We answered his call. The "Save the Jerseys" campaign was launched and we raised $5,000 towards the new jerseys. Our "stripes" live on.

Also, in 1997, we held our very first rummage sale in the parking lot in front of our school. It was a huge success and has become a yearly fund raising event.

In 1998, the Association bought warm-up suits for the Girls' Basketball team. The "Lady Komets" have been CIF champions in 1998, 1999 and again in 2000. It has been our pleasure to see them outfitted in their maroon and white.

Our first annual golf tournament was held in 1998 with all proceeds earmarked for our newly established scholarship fund. We awarded our first two $1,000 scholarships in May of 1998. The proceeds from our second annual golf tournament in 1999 enabled us to award four $1,000 scholarships in May of that year. We have continued to grant scholarships each year.

Also in 1999, we provided the wrestling team with team shirts to complete their uniforms.

Our annual fund raising dances have been successful and provided us the opportunity to spend an evening with old friends and to make new ones.

At several fund raising events, letterman's jackets have been raffled and the winners have kindly donated the jackets to deserving senior athletes who otherwise might not have had one.

Since 1998, we have sponsored barbecues for both the junior varsity and senior varsity football teams prior to kick-off of the football season. During the football season, the teams eat dinner at the school prior to the games. The parents, local restaurants, and the alumni association provide the dinners.

At the close of 1999, the Internal Revenue Service approved our application for non-profit, tax exempt status under Section 501 (c) (3). We worked long and hard to attain this status. It is rumored that our association is the only high school alumni association in San Diego to be granted this privilege.

Our goals for 2004-2005 include our annual rummage sale and golf tournament. In addition to our granting of annual scholarships, our pursuit of the purchase and installation of a lighted marquee in the parking lot in front of the school has paid off. We want all who pass by to know they are in "Komet Kountry." Drive by and see it for yourself. Kearny has undergone many changes and we are constantly working with the administration and faculty to determine how we can best help our Alma Mater, it's students and the community of Komets.

If you attended Kearny High School and are not yet a member of the association, please consider joining us.