The Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1942 has established a scholarship fund with the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation. The scholarship will be awarded annually to deserving Woodrow Wilson High School seniors who plan to attend college.

Bruce Jamieson, President of the Class of 1942, headed up the effort to establish the scholarship fund. He explained the funds have accumulated over the years thanks to surpluses from class reunions and occasional individual donations. In particular, some class members have donated to help with the expenses of a quarterly newsletter, “Kat Tracks,” that alumnus Carlton Winford published for more than 20 years. “Carlton no longer has enough free time to continue the newsletter,” said Jamieson.

After conferring with the Class Treasurer, John Fort of Weatherford, Jamieson contacted the rest of the class. With their agreement and some additional donations, the decision was made to establish a scholarship fund in honor of the whole class totaling $10,000. Mr. Jamieson is conducting an additional campaign challenging class members to double the total amount of the endowment. He has pledged to match any donations up to a reasonable limit.

Foundation president Richard H. Vitale expressed the gratitude of the entire Board of Directors. “We are inspired by this great Class of 1942,” he said. “They have remained active, loyal, and generous for nearly seven decades. This scholarship is a wonderful way to encourage and inspire future generations of Woodrow Wildcats.”

Mr. Jamieson believes there were originally about 500 members of the Class of 1942, which included a January graduation and a June graduation. Also, some graduates of other classes from 1941 to 1944 have become part of the group, which now numbers about 230, and includes residents from all over the U.S.

In recalling his years at Woodrow, Mr. Jamieson noted that by the time he graduated in 1942, everyone was focusing on World War II, declared in December 1941. “This was the group that journalist Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation,” Jamieson said. “It certainly is one heck of a class.”

The Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation was created in 2009 and serves as a central point for fundraising, grants, scholarships, and other programs and projects that benefit Woodrow as well as the public junior high and elementary schools in its feeder pattern. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered with the Internal Revenue Service and is completely independent of the Dallas Independent School District. For more information about Woodrow Wilson High School, contact Ruth Vail at 972-502-4400. For information about the Woodrow Wilson High School Community Foundation, contact Richard H. Vitale at 214-209-0334.