The Legacy of the Bonn American High School Alumni Association: From Humble Beginnings to a Global Community

The creation of the Bonn American High School Alumni Association (BAHSA) stands as a testament to the dedication, camaraderie, and hard work of a few passionate individuals who sought to keep the spirit of their high school alive long after its doors closed. It all began in the late 1980s, long before the age of Facebook and digital communication, when Linda Wagner, Janet Sharpe and a small group of alumni, armed with typewriters and boundless enthusiasm, set out to build a lasting connection between former students.

In those early days, the work was far from simple. Newsletters were typed by hand, printed, folded into envelopes, and sent out worldwide through traditional mail. This effort, involving a global network of alumni, required not only time but commitment. Memories were forged during the long hours of newsletter preparation—such as when Janet, Jackie VanDouser Boswell, and Susan Hahn gathered in Columbus, Ohio, for one particularly memorable (and typo-filled) session fueled by too much wine and good humor.

Beyond newsletters, the association’s founders created directories and even sent care packages to alumni serving overseas, such as Mike Brown and Paul Leytem, ensuring that their ties to the BAHS community remained strong. But it didn’t stop there. The association was also instrumental in organizing reunions across the U.S., from Denver to San Diego, culminating in the first Homecoming reunion in 1997. At this event, three scholarships were awarded to members of the last graduating class—a modest but heartfelt gesture of support.

A significant chapter in the association’s history came with the closure of the school, when alumni, led by Wolfgang, Hans, and Christian Hahne, Steve DeSanto, and Marc Westerhorstmann, ensured that BAHS memorabilia, trophies, and uniforms found a safe home. While the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) initially intended to send Clarence, the school’s beloved mascot, to Bitburg, the alumni intervened, ensuring that Clarence would forever remain a Crusader, symbolizing the deep pride and loyalty of the BAHS community.

As time went on, leadership passed to others like Maureen Clyne, Bob Shackleton, and Sean Terry, who continued to nurture the association. For the founders, including Janet Sharpe, it has been heartwarming to see their efforts flourish into something that alumni around the world still enjoy today. The association, born from a simple phone call and a dinner meeting more than 35 years ago, has become a vibrant community that keeps the memory of Bonn American High School alive. Truly, Bonn’s Best lives on.

Linda Wagner was one of the first individuals to engage with the Alumni Association. She has shared these cherished memories with us, ensuring that they do not fade into oblivion. To honor her contributions, I have dedicated this space to preserve and celebrate her recollections.

Rekindling Old Bonds: The Origins of Our Bonn Reunion

In 2015 (or was it 2016?), I had a conversation with Hans Hahne, where we discussed the idea of organizing a reunion in Bonn – the birthplace of our shared history. After so many years had passed since the last reunion in 1997, we realized that it was high time to invite classmates and friends back to where it all began.

Hans was was easy to convince that this was a great idea. Together, we invited some of our former classmates and friends, who were still living in and around Bonn, to get involved in organizing the event. We divided the tasks: Hans, with his connections in the local gastronomy scene, took charge of negotiating contracts with venues and restaurants, while I pushed forward with the marketing through Facebook and our website.

From these modest beginnings, the last two reunions in Bonn were born. The response was overwhelming, and during the last reunion, there was a unanimous decision that this should not be the end. Rumor has it, there may already be plans for another reunion in 2026 – and who knows, perhaps this will be the start of a new chapter in our story.