"We do not see alumni as a part of Franklin’s past, but as an integral part of Franklin’s present and its future. Students do not just pass through Franklin; they are Franklin and always will be. Being a Franklin alum is an unchangeable, lifelong relationship."

– Delores Winfield, Acting Principal

• Ben Franklin Comedy Show
• Give to the Franklin Future Fund
• Sculpture electrifies school
• Summer Internships Needed
• Buy Office Depot, Support Franklin
• Franklin Reunion Updates

• Link to Franklin High School site

Franklin alum commits to create links between deaf communities in Austin, Texas and Mali

Elizabeth Dupont’s Mali project with UT Reed was highlighted at the University Conference for Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) at Tulane in March. She was asked (the only student) to present at the CGI Mid-year meeting in New York where she met with Bill Clinton and the Nobel Peace laureate winners from IPCC.

Read about the CGI initiative >>Read Lizzy's Mali Blog >>

Ben Franklin Comedy Show!

Benjamin Franklin High School is hosting a comedy show on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM in the school’s auditorium. There will be three stand-up comedians performing, including Franklin’s own, Kenneth LaFrance, as well as Mike Strecker and an opening comedian. Material will be PG-13.

Tickets can be purchased at the school for $10. Concessions will also be available outside the auditorium to purchase. Proceeds will benefit the Speech and Debate Team and help defray the cost of attending the NCFL Grand National competition.

For more information, contact Mrs. Barbara Fontenot at (504) 304-4311 or visit our web site at www.benfranklinhighschool.org.

You're invited to the annual Ben's Bash!

Friday, May 23, 2008
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cricket Club – 2040 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans

Open Bar, food and music
$15 per person

Is it time for your REUNION?

The Alumni Association provides $200 seed money to get you started. In return the Alumni Association asks for two things:

• That your class provide an updated address, phone and email list for your classmates to our database chairman, Heidi Charters ’75, following your reunion.
• That someone from your class write an article about the reunion to be published in the Alumni Newsletter. The article should be emailed to Carl Indest ’79.

To request the seed money, email the treasurer, Diane Allison ’79. To have your information put on this website, email the information to the Development/Alumni Director, Christy Cowart Read ’89.

Also, the school will pay for the printing and mailing of one invitation or postcard for your reunion. Email the Development/Alumni Director, Christy Cowart Read ’89 or call (504) 286-2615 for more information.

Give to the Ben Franklin Future Fund

Since we are now a charter school, which is essentially an independent public school, the financial disparity between our state revenues and what it actually costs to run our school is even more apparent. CLICK HERE for more information about the fund and for ways you can contribute.

New Sculpture Brings Electricity to School

Charlie Brown could never get his regulation kite to fly, but your Alumni Association has succeeded in placing Ben's Kite, 40 pounds of stainless steel, aluminum, and brass twenty feet above and behind Hiram Power's 1860 marble sculpture of Ben Franklin in the school's atrium, despite the lack of any upward lift by the school's air conditioning system.

Three years in the planning and execution, Ben's Kite (2007) was sculpted by Carlos Zervigon, a former teacher at the school. Sam Charters '75, a marine engineer, took time off from work to design the hanging of the sculpture as well as to help manually roll a lift across UNO's campus when the delivery truck broke down with time ticking down towards the school's 50th anniversary celebration.

Thanks also to Sacha Clay '79 who was able to secure Mr. Zevigon's talents for us, to Christie Read '89, who arranged for a contractor and the lift, to Mr. Zevigon, who also assisted with the kite's hanging and placement, to Coach Firnino, who went so far as to lend us his nylons while making certain the installation was an uplifting experience, and to all the alumni who contributed to the sculpture through the "10 for Ben" program.

The kite is a wonderful complement to Ben. It is a permanent reminder of the alumni's appreciation for the school. It is especially impressive at night, so drop by the school when an evening function is being held, and take a look for yourself. This summer we plan to add a permanently lit neon lightening bolt, so don't forget to add another $10 for Ben with your dues payment.

Summer Internships/Jobs Needed for BFHS Students

Could you use some extra help at your place of business this summer? BFHS is trying to put our students to work in exciting, challenging and learning situations for 5-10 weeks in the summer of 2008. If you are interested in a student for a special project or to fill in for vacationing employees, please contact Kimbel Burt, Parent Liaison, at bfhsliaison@yahoo.com or kimbel_burt@benfranklinhighschool.org

Now, you can choose electronic distribution of the Benjamin Franklin POST. technical questions

Ben's Biographies...