KSB ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
80th Annual Conference and Convention
August 28 – 29, 2026
Best Western Louisville East Inn and Suites
9802 Bunsen Way, Louisville
MAJOR SPONSOR
Louisville Downtown Lions Club
It’s time for the 2026 KSB Alumni Conference and Convention, and you are invited to attend this weekend filled with information, fun and friends. Share memories, get updates on our historical preservation projects, renew friendships and make new friends, and eat lots of good food.
The Conference and Convention will be held at the Best Western Louisville East Inn and Suites, 9802 Bunsen Way in Louisville. All events will be held on the first floor. The Conference and Convention will also be streamed on the Radio Storm, Michael and Angie McCarty’s Internet radio station; listen on the web at www.theradiostorm.com or on your Echo device by first saying “enable My Tuner Radio” and then asking Alexa to play the Radio Storm. For help, call (502) 233-1701.
FRIDAY ACTIVITIES
Registration opens at 5:00 PM on Friday, August 28 in the East Midlands Room on the first floor of the hotel. This is where you pick up your convention badge and program, become a sponsor, and turn in door prizes. The live stream on the Radio Storm will begin at 6:00 PM.
The Cloyd Oaks Flag Ceremony, Barbecue and Program will be from 6:00 to 8:30 PM in the Stanstead Room (ticket required). Enjoy a summertime meal of pulled pork barbecue sandwiches, potato salad, and baked beans; top it off with a cool treat from our ice cream sundae bar. The program will be a celebration of the KSB 1999 girls conference championship swim team. We’ll all join in a game of KSB Swim Trivia at 8:30, and then enjoy the rest of the evening requesting our favorite songs and giving a shout out to all of our KSB friends, either live in the Stanstead Room or by calling The Radio Storm at 502-233-1701. The live stream will end at 11:00 PM.
SATURDAY ACTIVITIES
A complementary breakfast for those staying at the hotel is available between 6:30 and 9:30 AM in the breakfast area on the first floor near the elevator. It offers cereals, fruit, bagels, toast, yogurt, biscuits and gravy, bacon or sausage, omelets, waffles, and breakfast potatoes. Please note that breakfast is self-serve. Hotel staff are not available to assist you with the buffet. They may not speak English, and they use a translation app to communicate.
The Alumni will have a limited number of volunteers between 8:00 and 9:00 AM on Saturday morning to assist with breakfast. If you would like assistance, go to our meeting room to connect with a volunteer.
The Memorial Service will begin at 9:00 AM, and the Radio Storm will begin streaming by that time. Share memories of KSB Alumni, staff, students and family who have passed away since we were last together in 2025. On our list this year are:
KSB alumni
Clint Applegate, Jerry Grimes, David Hadl, Patti Johnson, Linda LeMaster Miracle, Mike Ward, and Ronnie White
KSB Staff
John Aaron, Wanda Biggs, Patty Rollins
KSB Student
Anthony Brettnacher
Family Member
Marty Montgomery’s mother Merle.
Let us know if there are other names that should be added to this list.
The annual Alumni business meeting will begin at 10:30 AM, followed by From the Principal’s Office with KSB Principal Peggy Sinclair-Morris. Lunch will be at 12:15 (ticket required); the menu will include ham or turkey sub sandwiches, chips, and a fruit cup.
Spend the afternoon lounging around the indoor pool (if you are staying at the hotel), playing cards or other self-directed games in the East Midlands Room, or socializing with friends and swapping stories in the Stanstead Room. The Radio Storm will also play some recorded music and clips by KSB alumni and staff.
Enjoy delicious food and an outstanding program at the Making Memories Banquet at 6:00 PM (ticket required). Feast on roast beef and citrus chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans, broccoli and cheese casserole, salad and dessert. Our speakers will be Linda Smith, former KSB physical education teacher, swim coach, and director of outreach, and Jerry Ennis, retired KSB physical education teacher and swim coach. We will honor the classes from 2016, 2001, 1976, 1966, 1956, and 1951 at the banquet (see “Our Special Classes” below).
SUPPORT THE ALUMNI
This year the KSB Alumni has been active in several projects in addition to the annual Conference and Convention. The Alumni has provided activities at Christmas and other occasions for the students at the school, and presented gifts to the seniors at commencement. The Alumni played an active role in assisting KSB staff in the planning and presentation of the Founders’ Day program. Work is also continuing in co-operation with the Kentucky Historical Society of the Blind and the American Printing House Museum (now called The Dot Experience) on the KSB Alumni Archive of trophies, photos, audio, video, documents, and memorabilia, which will help to better preserve our past.
Here are ways you can support the Alumni:
1. WIN CASH – Enter our 50/50 drawing. There will be three lucky winners, and you don’t have to be present to Win! Entries are $10.00 each; purchase them on the pre-registration form and at registration. We’ll fill them out and drop them in the hat for you. Winners will be drawn at the banquet. Congratulations to the 2025 winners – first place, Emma Swafford, Louisville; second place, Jason Abrams, Harrodsburg; and third place, Annabelle Johnston, Louisville.
2. BE A REUNION SPONSORS – Whether you can attend the reunion or not, you can be a 2026 sponsor. Be a black ($15), green ($25), yellow ($50), white ($100), blue ($200), red ($300), or purple ($500) sponsor. Sponsors attending the reunion will receive a special ribbon for their Conference badges. They will be recognized at the Friday evening Cloyd Oaks Barbecue and at the Saturday evening Making Memories Banquet.
3. HONOR SOMEONE SPECIAL – For $100, you can honor a special school friend, staff member, or friend of the Alumni by having his/her name engraved on the Alumni plaque; see below for a list of names currently on the plaques. You can also make a donation of any amount to the Alumni in honor or memory of a special someone. Individuals so honored are recognized during the conference.
REGISTER AND WIN!!!
Plan to register, whether you attend one event or the entire weekend. Wear your badge at all times; it is required for all free and ticketed events.
Everyone who registers is automatically entered in our Easy Money jackpots and Friday and Saturday door prize drawings.
1. Pre-register by August 24 and be entered in the $50 Early Bird Jackpot; the winner will be drawn on Friday evening, and you don’t have to be present to win.
2. Register on Friday or Saturday at the hotel and have a chance to win the $50 Easy Money jackpot, to be drawn at the banquet. All Early Birds will also be entered in this jackpot. Again, you don’t need to be present to win.
3. Register to be eligible to win cash, gift cards and other door prizes. You MUST be present to win door prizes.
Pre-registration saves you time and money. Tickets cost less when you pre-register; your badge, tickets and program will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive at the Convention.
Pre-register on-line; it’s quick and easy when you visit www.ksbalumni.org. Or pre-register by mail or by phone; pay by check, money order or credit card. Both pre-registration and payment must be received by August 24 in order for discounts to apply. See the pre-registration form for complete instructions.
Registration opens in the East Midlands Room at 5:00 PM on Friday afternoon, and again at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning. Tickets for events may be purchased at registration, but keep in mind that events may sell out and pre-registration discounts DO NOT APPLY.
DOOR PRIZES
Donations of door prizes are much appreciated. All prizes must be in new or unused condition. Let us know if you plan to bring a door prize when you pre-register; turn in door prizes at the Alumni registration table.
HOTEL INFO
Discounted room rates at the hotel for Alumni weekend are $97 plus tax per night. Rooms have microwaves and small fridges. Free breakfast and use of the fitness center and indoor heated swimming pool are included with your night’s stay. Check-in time is 3:00 PM; check-out time is 11:00 AM. Special pool hours for the Alumni are 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM; SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK; NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY.
Guide dogs are not permitted in the pool. Swimwear is not permitted in the lobby, meeting rooms, and other public areas in the hotel.
Parents are responsible for their children at all times. Do not leave children or guide dogs unattended in hotel rooms or at the pool etc.
Pick up trash, pick up after your guide dog, and groom your dog in advance to prevent excessive shedding in guest rooms and meeting rooms. Do not remove furniture or any other hotel property from hotel rooms. Do not alter or modify hotel rooms. Do not enter any hotel room unless invited by its occupant.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The KSB Alumni Association is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Conference and Convention by creating a welcoming, professional, safe, and respectful environment for all who attend or participate. Prohibited conduct includes unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, gender identification, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law, or disrespectful, offensive and/or threatening conduct, verbal abuse, stalking, bullying, violence, intimidation or excessive use of profanity. All participants are required to adhere to this Policy on Prohibited Conduct.
Any person who believes that he or she has experienced behavior prohibited by this policy may report the conduct to the Alumni President. Any third party who believes he or she has witnessed prohibited behavior or activity toward another person is strongly encouraged to first speak with the alleged victim to confirm that such behavior or activity was considered inappropriate and necessitates the filing of a complaint.
Upon receipt of an allegation reported under this policy, the Alumni will offer opportunities for the parties to engage in informal conflict resolution, may conduct a formal investigation, and will thereafter determine what, if any, action will be taken based on the circumstances. Such action may include banning the individual from the event where the conduct is determined to have occurred, and any future events.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Call the Best Western at (502) 499-0000 to make reservations; choose 1 from the menu to let them know you are with the Kentucky School for the Blind Alumni Association.
Make reservations by August 21 in order to be guaranteed the discounted rate. If you make a hotel reservation and you then must cancel, you may be charged one night’s stay UNLESS you cancel at least 24 hours prior to your arrival.
OUR SPECIAL CLASSES
Alumni who graduated in special anniversary years (5, 10, 15, 20 etc.) and who attend the reunion will receive special ribbons to wear on their registration badges. Alumni who graduated in 2016, 2001, 1976, 1966, 1956, and 1951 will be recognized at the banquet. If you attended KSB but graduated from your public school, you may be eligible to receive an Alumni pin; contact us by August 15 for more information.
2016 graduates who attend the reunion banquet will receive a special Alumni gift. 2001, 1976, 1966, 1956, and 1951 graduates are eligible to receive alumni pins IF they attend the banquet in person OR submit a request IN WRITING IN ADVANCE. The request should explain why it is not possible for the pin recipient to attend the banquet. Our special classes are:
2016
Kenneth Lee Breeden, Matthew Ryan Caudill, Trevor William Gravil, Savannah Marie Hively, Austin Lee Stephens, Selena Dolores Tirey, Kianna Nicholle Waller
2001
Gary Lee Brown, Sherrill Yvette Campbell, Dominique Rashad Coulter, Danielle Maure Fernandez, Nikki Sherrill Saylor, Philip Michael Spaulding, Seth Gerarde Thomas
1976
Danny Wayne Beemer, Shirley Eileen Cain, Valerie Lynn Evans, James Randall Haycraft (d), David Patrick Jackson, Virginia Mae Madden (Martin) (d), Joseph Edward Martin, Raymond J. Martin (d), Karen Sue Pickard, Theresa Marie Ridner (Spare), Stephen Edgar Robbins, Rhonda Sue Spurlock (Skidmore)
1966
Bobby Ray Adams (d), Jo Ann Cox (Combs), Linda Lou Crase (d), Grady Jasper Curlin (d), Norbert Keissler, Linda Jean Meadors (Chavira)
1956
Caola Mae Warfield (d)
1951
Jessie Doll Brown (d), Curtis Crum (d), Beverly Jean Damal (Bernard) (d), Robert M. Johnson (d), Oral O. Miller (d)
2026 NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
Submitted by Lonnie Swafford
President Kenny Jones appointed a nominating committee to create a slate of candidates for positions to be filled at the 2026 Alumni Reunion. Members of the Committee were Lonnie Swafford (chair), Denise Gill, and Sandra Williams.
The 2026 Alumni business meeting will be on Saturday, August 29 at 10:30 AM. Under the new KSB Alumni Constitution, adopted at the 2023 Conference and Convention, four directors are elected to the Alumni Board in even-numbered years. The following candidates are submitted for consideration at the 2026 Alumni reunion: Angela McCarty, Farmer Brock, Joey Couch, and Ashley Swafford. Nominations may also be made from the floor. Nominees must either be present at the time of the nomination or must have indicated, in writing and in advance, their willingness to serve.
ALUMNI PLAQUES
The following names have been placed on the Alumni plaques by individual donors as a way to honor living persons and/or memorialize those who are no longer with us. They are arranged here in alphabetical order for easy reference.
Jesse Melton Allen, Bernadine K. Baker, Joan Balot, J.J. Barton, Patsy Sexton Barton, Woodrow Bates, Dan Begley, Ernest Bourne, Margaret Bourne, Imogene Bradley, Ethel Mae Bray, Darrell Buford, Anna Rose Cain, Tina Caldwell, Jerry Cameron, Daniel Camic, Noah Beatty Carver, Claudia Dotson Case, Manus Castle, James Clifford, Charles E. Ned Cox, Justin Allen Cox, Curtis Crum, Hubert Davis Jr, Richard Davis, Roger Herman Davis, Debbie Deatherage, Scott Dietrich, Avery Dotson, James Carl Dotson, Jane McHenry Dotson, Lula Dotson, Otis Eads, Barbara Evans, Will D. Evans, Donald Wayne Franklin, Carol Frey, Friends of Dialysis Patients, Friends of Stroke Victims, Jack L. Gearheard, Thelma Harris, Roy Haynes, Kathy Hicks, Kenneth Howard, Linda Huffman, David Hume, Arthur H. Johnson, Robert Bobby Johnson, Louise Kimbrough, Joseph Kuczwara, Linda Kuczwara, Bradley Mann, Russ Maple, Richmond Marcy, Cassie Mayer, Pat Mayerchak, Charles McCullough, Marie McCullough, William Mootz, Tom Morton, Betty Green Nicely, Norma Nichols, Dorothy Nolen, Cloyd T. Oaks, Martha Parker, Paula Penrod, Shauna Perry, Edmund Phillips, Mary Hall Randles, Rufena Randles, S.J. Richie, Rick Ricks, Edith Ries, John Roberts, Alma Robinson, Ben Robinson, Trimble Runyon, Adam Ruschival, Carla Ruschival, Melissa Saylor, James Scoggins, Sue Scoggins, Tom Scoggins, James F. Shaw, Allan Steinberg, Hugh Stogner, Ashley Swafford, Beverly Thompson, Margaret (Peggy) Traub, Lula Mae Wash, Alan Craig Weisbard, Mary Helen Welsh, Pat Wheatley, Jack White, Jimmy Whitehouse, Julia Whitmer, Eric Wilkerson, Tabitha Wilkerson, Lucy Williams, Eugene Willis, Paul Edison Wommack, Loralee Wright
KSB ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- President – Kenneth Jones
- First Vice President – Debbie Deatherage
- Second Vice President – Bill Wright
- Secretary – Lonnie Swafford
- Treasurer – Carla Ruschival
- Immediate Past President – Adam Ruschival
Directors:
- Joey Couch
- Kendall Perry
- Angela McCarty
- Ashley Swafford