On August 16, 1992 the Girard High School Alumni and Friends Association became a reality through the vision of its founder Gene Cushman (class of 1941). Gene always reminded the association "Our purpose is Scholarships". The primary purpose of the Association was to establish and maintain a Scholarship Fund for graduating GHS Seniors and to continue that scholarship for the student for his or her 4 years of college. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 12 to 15 GHS Alumni who are each elected to a three-year term of office.

Gene Cushman remained the President of the Association until his death in early 1996. At that time James Matuska (class of 1964) became the President in May 1996 and is currently President in 2005.

The current Board is as follows:

James Matuska, President & Director • Class of 1964

David Richardson, Vice Pres. & Director • Class of 1973

JoAnn (Wertz) Allen, Treasurer & Director • Class of 1950

Donald Denby, Financial Advisor & Director • Class of 1952

Shirley (Miller) Sigley, Secretary & Director • Class of 1958

Phil Collins, Director • Class of 1968

Karen (Boston) Dowell, Director • Class of 1963

Lorraine (Jones) Hart, Director • Class of 1966

Jack Miller, Director • Class of 1957

Bill Nichelson, Director • Class of 1989

Dan Reischauer, Director • Class of 1941

Charles Sanson, Director • Class of 1960

Tami (Traylor) Snyder, Director • Class of 1976

Elizabeth (Burns) Whitler, Director • Class of 1944

The Board meets 4 times a year. The annual Alumni Dinner is held on the Saturday evening preceding Memorial Day in the Girard High School Gym. Membership is open to everyone and the $5 annual membership fee entitles one to all Association correspondence, including newsletters, and notification of the Annual GHS Alumni Dinner. If one wants to be a Lifetime member the fee is $125. As of March 2005, the Association has approximately 700 paying members and 66 Lifetime members. Members come from all over the United States to attend the Alumni Dinner each year.

The first GHS Alumni Scholarship was awarded in 1993 and was worth $1,100 each year up to 4 years at a qualified higher institution of learning. Generous support from the membership has allowed the yearly scholarship to increase its current award of $1400 each year for four years.

In May 1996 the Gene Cushman Memorial Scholarship was established. All memorials given to the Association go towards this scholarship. The first Gene Cushman Memorial Scholarship was awarded in 1997 and was worth $500 each year up to 2 years at a qualified higher institution of learning. Generous support from the membership has allowed this scholarship to its current award of $1400 each year for two years.

The scholarships are awarded to a winner and a runner-up. The scholarship committee of six people who are not on the Board of Directors and President James Matuska reviews all of the applications submitted by the current GHS four-year graduates. These scholarships are awarded at the annual Alumni Dinner and also presented to the winners on Graduation Day.

GHS Alumni Scholarship and Gene Cushman Scholarship Recipients

Click here to access the Girard Schools Website

Mailing address:

GHS Alumni and Friends
Joann Allen
320 West Washington St.
Girard, IL 62640

or to contact Jim Matuska
by email click here.