By Ranelle Fortier Class of ’75

Alumni Gather to Celebrate the Life of Beloved NAHS Teacher Arlene East  

Family, friends, and former NAHS students honor 25-year educator with memories, memorabilia, and a toast to her 86th birthday  

A heartfelt Celebration of Life was held yesterday for Ms. Arlene East, a cherished educator who touched countless lives during her 25-year tenure at Nürnberg American High School (NAHS). The memorial, which drew former students from across multiple decades, took place at the historic 1915 Kennedy Elementary School, now a beautifully preserved hotel, restaurant, bar, and event center in the heart of Portland.

Ranelle Fortier and Estrella Faelnar, former NAHS students (Class of ’75 and ’90, respectively ), noted the profound appropriateness of the venue for a woman who dedicated her life to education and the arts. The building, where 57 original classrooms have been converted into hotel rooms, served as a poetic backdrop to honor a teacher whose classroom once shaped young minds overseas.

The gathering provided a meaningful opportunity for NAHS alumni to reconnect. Estrella Faelnar Sung, from the Class of ’90, was among the fellow “Eagles” in attendance. Ron Burgess (Class of ’72) had planned to join the tribute but was unfortunately sidelined by an emergency room visit following an accident. Alumni in attendance extended their heartfelt wishes for his speedy recovery.

One of the most moving moments of the service came when a letter written by a fellow Eagle was read aloud to the assembly. The correspondence eloquently described Ms. East as an “Angel on earth,” a sentiment that visibly resonated with the room and echoed the deep admiration held by her former students.

A striking tribute was also on display through a memorial shirt created by alumnus Jim Weatherwax, specifically designed to honor Ms. East’s remarkable legacy. The shirt was a hit with both family and friends, with many attendees requesting photos to capture the commemorative design.

The celebration carried a spirit of warmth and remembrance, highlighted by a special toast to what would have been Arlene’s 86th birthday. In keeping with her personal traditions, the family raised glasses filled with her favorite drink, which she affectionately called the “Gintonic.”

In a touching gesture, the family displayed Ms. East’s beloved collection of miniature shoes and offered them to attendees as keepsakes. Choosing a memento from her vast assortment, Ranelle Fortier selected a platform shoe, a nostalgic nod to the 1970s era shared with the late teacher.

The Celebration of Life was a beautiful testament to a woman who left an indelible mark on her students and community. As one attendee reflected, the memories of Ms. East will be carried forward with gratitude and love. Cheers to Ms. East, a teacher, an artist, and an angel to so many.

Editor’s Note: Article compiled and edited for publication by Victor Rivera, Trichter Editor.  

About the NHS Alumni Community

The Nürnberg High School alumni network spans generations and continents, united by shared educational experiences and a lifelong commitment to honoring the educators who shaped their formative years.

For more information or to share your own memories of Ms. East, please contact the Trichter Editor at Sage2go@gmail.com.

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Hello Eagles!

I wanted to provide a short update on some activities your NHS Alumni Representatives have been up to recently.

Well, we visited two cities to explore possible sites for our next reunion in 2028. Both were wonderful, and the hotels met—and in some cases exceeded—our expectations. We are currently discussing options with a couple of hotels and will then provide your Board with the results so they may discuss and vote on a final destination. We should have these results soon and will be announcing the outcome on our members’ website [www.nurnbergeagles.com]

If you haven’t already joined or are interested in news and updates about our Nurnberg High School happenings, check out our website and don’t forget to sign up for a membership. It’s only $20 per year, or you can get a discount by joining for three years at $50. This gets you exclusive access to our Trichter Newsletter and information on events posted by members. If you let your membership accidentally expire, no problem—just use the link on our website to renew. If you’ve never been a member, give us a try and come join us at our mini-reunions and the next triennial reunion in 2028, which will be announced soon. If you prefer to send a check, you can download the Membership Dues and follow the instructions therein.  Here’s the download link:  [Membership Dues Form].

It doesn’t matter if you were heavily involved or just a student like me who spent the majority of their time in Erlangen hanging out at the AYA. New friendships will form and memories will be made! I invite everyone to join us, and we will see you in [TBD] soon!

Prost from your Nurnberg Alumni Association!

Is your membership in the Nürnberg Alumni Association up to date?

You can easily go online to our Nürnberg Alumni Association Website (nurnbergeagles.org) at any time, click on “Renew Membership” and renew your membership using PayPal.

Or, you can download the membership form –> [Membership Dues Form]. Once downloaded, print and mail it, along with your check for the current annual dues of $20, or the special three-year dues of $50 (save $10), payable to “Nürnberg Alumni Association” (a single membership fee also allows you to bring a spouse/partner/guest to future reunion events), to:

Diana DuPree, Treasurer
c/o Nürnberg Alumni Association
10002 Apache Village
San Antonio, TX 78245-1159

Thank you for your membership, as it goes along way in supporting our NHS Alumni Association.

Get your Trichter today! 

Hello, fellow NAHS Alumni!

The crisp fall air always brings back a flood of memories from our days at NAHS. As we put together the upcoming Fall Trichter, we want to fill its pages with your stories, the moments that defined our time there and the memories that still connect us.

Do you have a tale from the “good old days” that you still share with friends? We’d love to read it and share it with our NAHS alumni community. Your story could be about…

• The Teacher Who Made a Difference: Remember that educator who saw your potential, challenged you, or left a lasting impression?

• Triumphs & Traditions: The electric energy of a championship game, the silliness of a pep rally, or the pride in a unique NAHS tradition.

• Friendship & Found Family: How a club, sport, or simply hanging out in the cafeteria forged the friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

• The Hilarious & The Hilariously Embarrassing: That time something went so perfectly wrong it’s now a legendary laugh-out-loud story.

• Firsts & Lasts: The milestone moments, from the nervous first day to the bittersweet walk at graduation.

Submission Guidelines:

• Word Count: Stories typically range from a short anecdote (180 words) to a more detailed account (up to 720 words).

• Photos: Please include any photos you have! They bring your stories to life and are a wonderful addition.

A Quick Note from Your Editor:

The goal is to feature as many of your stories as possible. To make everything fit in the Trichter newsletter, we may need to do some light editing for length and clarity, but Iwe will always work with you to ensure the final piece is one you’re proud of.

Ready to take a walk down memory lane? Send your stories and photos by clicking on the black cirlce next to (Contact Victor) below to access the submisson form:

Let’s fill the Trichter with the spirit that makes NAHS so special!

Best Regards,

Victor Rivera

Trichter Editor