Alumni Give Back to BHS

Andover’s Class of 1974 celebrated their 50 year reunion this past Fall with a tour of Bloomfield Hills High School and a party at the Kingsley Inn. Alumni marveled at the updates to the BHHS building and reminisced while walking through some of the familiar hallways that were part of the original Andover High School building. After a busy weekend reliving old memories and making new ones, the organizers had leftover reunion funds. The committee decided to support educational grant programs by donating the remaining $2,112.97 to Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation.  

Richard Wooster, Reunion Committee Member, explained, “The Andover Class of 1974 appreciated the foundation that Bloomfield Hills Schools provided for us, both in creating expectations and giving training to meet goals. We chose to give remaining funds to the BHSF Grant program because it was a force multiplier. Affording BHS teachers unique opportunities will help them provide a broader vision to the district’s students.”

Other alumni groups have also gifted items and monetary donations to Bloomfield Hills Schools. A picnic table, located in the BHHS Legacy Courtyard, was donated by Andover’s Class of 1970. During an alumni tour, members of the class were pleased to see the donated table still in use by students. In 2017, former rivals Andover and Lahser Classes of 1997, joined forces and partnered with the BHS Foundation to establish the Compass Fund, which supports mental health initiatives, honoring memorializing six classmates. Individuals have given back to Bloomfield Hills Schools after graduation as well. The largest gift on record was an $180,000 donation, made over three years, by an anonymous alum, dedicated to the BHHS Orchestra program, however, donations of all sizes have been appreciated!

BHS Foundation Board Member and Andover Class of 1997 alum, Christine Tang, leads BHS alumni tours and explained, “As a fellow alum, I can understand why reunion groups and alumni are motivated to give back to BHS.  As they walk through the halls, reminiscing about their time in BHS, alumni often express their gratitude for all the BHS gave them and ask how they can give back.”

Since 2014, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation has awarded almost 300 grants. Grant funds have been used to pilot new programs, purchase technology equipment, host presenters, provide teacher training, support student organizations, expand libraries, subsidize field trips, replace musical instruments, and much more. Compass Fund grants have supported students’ social-emotional health, and programming including anti-bullying, suicide awareness, addiction prevention, inclusion, and internet/social media safety.

Community members can donate to the Foundation at any time. Please visit Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation webpage for more information and details on how to donate.