Manchester High
School Alumni Page
Akron, Ohio

   In memory of teacher and coach John McDowell

One of the most colorful personalities in Manchester school history passed away in March. Mr. John McDowell was a favorite of both students and staff members for 32 years, nearly spanning a part of all seven MHS principal regimes, from Gilbert T. Nolley to Jim France. He was hired in 1950 not only to teach sciences and physical education, but also to share the coaching load with legendary Swede Olsson. “Mac” immediately took over the basketball program, guiding the Panthers for 13 seasons, while assisting both Olsson and later France as football defensive coordinator until his retirement. At various times, he also added the duties of head coach in baseball and golf.

Prior to his teaching career, Mac was a Navy machine gunner during World War II, serving in the same branch as his friend, colleague / verbal “sparring partner,” Jim Armenti, who passed away in late ’07.

It was Mac’s trademark dry wit that set him apart. In the classroom, he called everyone by their last name only, and got a kick out of straight-faced teasing. One alum recalls him prepping a young class for a true/false quiz, advising “Now, whatever you think the right answers are, mark down the opposite…you’ll get a better grade.” Mr. France said “we’ll be telling stories about him for the next 50 years.”

And here's your chance...

CLICK HERE to add a memory about Mr. McDowell , or to read other postings

Manchester has lost several beloved staff members in recent months. Many alumni continue to read or add entries to their guestbooks, so we’re leaving the links online awhile longer for your convenience.

CLICK HERE to add a memory about Mr. James Armenti

CLICK HERE to add a memory about Mr. Dale Covey

CLICK HERE to add a memory about Mr. Robert Hauenstein

The annual Fine Arts Festival will be held at Manchester High School on Thursday, April 17th from 5:30 to 8pm. A tradition for over 30 years, various departments from the HS, middle school and Nolley display a wide assortment of student projects, including artwork, sewing, creative books and woodworking.

Then on May 2 and 3, the Drama Club presents its annual Spring Musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Saturday night’s performance will be a Dinner Theatre, with steak, baked potato, salad and dessert. Tickets are now on-sale in the MHS front office and at Cope Pharmacy.

Stay informed! Bookmark this link to the high school music department.

At least three MHS classes will hold reunions in 2008, with reps from several others still exploring possibilities. Some groups are already making plans for next year, when these classes will celebrate milestones: 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2004, in addition to the annual Old School Reunion.

For coordinators starting out, it’s best to assemble a dedicated committee to track down phone numbers, email and home-addresses of each classmate. The Alumni Assn. can give you a head start with contact info, but for a good turnout, some phone work really helps. The website zabasearch.com is a handy resource to get phone leads.

Please keep the Alumni updated on your plans or requests for information, so we can post it here on our website “Reunions” link and also in our bi-monthly newsletters. Email Todd Lindeman at tlindeman@neo.rr.com.

The Manchester Alumni Association produces a bi-monthly newsletter, Panther AlumNotes, which is emailed to those in our current database. We want to help keep you up-to-date on reunions, alumni events, obits, sports teams, classmate tidbits and special news involving the schools and grad community.

If you are not receiving PantherAlumnotes, click on the "Update Your Info" link at left and enter your contact information, or email Todd Lindeman at tlindeman@neo.rr.com. Please encourage your family and friends who are also Manchester grads to register! This is a great opportunity for the thousands of MHS alumni nationwide to maintain regular contact with their alma mater.

The 2007-08 school year marks an interesting milestone for the Nimisila Elementary School building. Any thoughts? Click the photo for the answer!

Click on Photo for the Answer!