Annual alumni brunch fills hearts, souls, stomachs and the Same Hall of Fame

On Sunday, Sept. 16, the Alumni Brunch was held at the Elks Lodge, celebrating many of the esteemed Samo Hall of Fame inductees, as well as introducing new alumni. The Alumni Association celebrated eight individuals who have had a profound impact on their community in the past decade.The annual event was hosted by the Samo Alumni Association (SAA), an organization that provides alumni with ways to support their viking heritage and connect with others. The president of the Alumni Association, Phil Brock (’71), got all the alumni together for the celebration. The SAA pays homage to our many graduates over the past 134 years, by hosting reunions for graduated classes amongst other things. They also aide with senior grad night and with college scholarships, by receiving donations and more. Aside from SAA, members of Key Club, ASB, the Chamber Orchestra, and Beauty Shop Choir (Samo’s acapella group) all attended the brunch. Key Club helped by setting up, ushering people to tables and helping wherever they were needed. Guests listened to Chamber Orchestra while they ate and Samo Beauty Shop Choir sang the “Hymn Of Praise” to end the event. ASB president, Ryan Chien (’19), gave a speech about what life at Samo is like today, and about the impact it has on current and former students to see the successful individuals that Samo has produced.“[It is so great to] see classmates reunite from the 80s, see current day students talking with alumni from the 60s, see music and other school organizations carrying on Samo traditions that have lasted decades,” Chien said.The inductees were all alumni who have made large strides in their field. The eight individuals honored were Nobel Peace Prize winner Jeremy Pal, State Senator Ben Allen, aerospace engineer Jon Arenberg, Susan P. Crawford, who served as President Obama’s Special Assistant for Technology, mountaineer John Dahlem, writer Sandra Tsing Loh, actor John Beasley and award winning writer Jan Steckel.Phil Brock, President of the SAA, believes that it is important to remember all of the people who have achieved greatness in their time after Samo, and honor their success.“[Samohi] is made by the students who walk the halls and make our future history. The pride that our new inductees showed was self-evident. Attendees flew in from around the nation to be honored. Current Vikings will honor their legacy by walking proudly in their footsteps,” Phil Brock (’71).