Hixson High School was one of the only schools in the area without an alumni association. It was, at least, until Michael Kirk and a number of other former students joined together to create one.
Kirk, a Hixson graduate of 1979, has close ties to the school. He met his future wife walking through the halls from class to class, played on the 1979 district championship basketball team, coached hundreds of Hixson alums after he graduated and served on the PTA. Perhaps most significantly, he’s part of five generations who have gotten their diploma from HHS.
“There’s just an incredible legacy with the school; I’ve always been close to it,” said Kirk. “I work to stay active in the community and with civic groups that interface with Hixson High School.”
Thus far, Kirk has helped organize three meetings for the alumni association. The group has hit the ground running. They’ve filed with the state as a chartering organization, started work on a formal website and begun looking into becoming a nonprofit organization.
Kirk said the demand for an alumni association is definitely there.
“I haven’t talked to anyone that isn’t excited about an association and the opportunity for them to engage with the school again,” he said. “In a very short period of time we’ve generated quite a bit of interest.”
The association’s first meeting was in late February, and the group has since accumulated nearly 400 followers on Facebook.
As of right now, the association’s primary goals are working to bolster HHS’ $1,000 Centennial Alumni Scholarship given to one student each year, helping to organize and host class reunions and support the athletics programs at the school however possible.
In addition to working toward the betterment of the school, Kirk said giving alumni the ability to reconnect with one another and reminisce about their time in school is also important.
“There are a gazillion stories, I’ll tell you,” said Kirk. “The most infamous prank our class was responsible for was putting the chassis of a Volkswagen on top of the school. Looking back I’m a little ashamed of it, but I bet that would make for a good Volkswagen commercial.”
Kirk said the association will work toward representing every class, not just those from the 1970s-80s. He has coached generations of players, and believes the organization can grow into being all-encompassing for former Hixson graduates.
The next alumni association meeting is tentatively planned for April 7. Contact Michael Kirk at 596-2206 for more information.