The Ruston High School Alumni Association was formed in 2005 by a group of RHS alumni who had a desire to give something back to Ruston High School. Our first membership drive ran through October 22, 2005 - Homecoming Weekend for RHS. At that time, it was the decision of the Board of Directors that all members who joined on or before that date would be Charter Members.

The 2005 homecoming was an historic event. The RHS Alumni Association sponsored the first annual Ruston Bearcat Ultimate Tailgate Reunion that was open to anyone who was interested in attending. It was held on the Ruston High School Campus from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M., on Saturday, October 22, 2005. Guided tours of Ruston High School by students and faculty were available. Or those who preferred could take a casual walk-through of the school at their own pace.

The Association would like to encourage each class or group of classes to hold a reunion during homecoming weekend at an off campus site. For those classes who may be planning an upcoming reunion, please contact Jack Thigpen, 318-255-0869, or the Webmaster to have your reunion posted on our web site. Information that we have on upcoming individual class reunions can be found here.

We would like to have as many RHS graduates as possible to become members of the Ruston High School Alumni Association. There is a lifetime, one-time registration fee of $25.00 to join. Associate memberships are also available for any non-graduating former Ruston High School student, as well as any person or organization who would like to support RHS. Associate membership registration is also a one-time $25.00 fee. Associate members have no voting rights.

Our mission statement as written in our "By-Laws" follows:
"The primary purpose of the corporation is researching and maintaining a current database of all Ruston High School graduates and their addresses; giving assistance in funding academic programs, equipment or capital improvements for the school benefiting all students; fostering the school's rich history, spirit and tradition for graduates and current student body; supporting functions for the benefit of all students and graduates; establishing endowments, scholarships, teacher enhancement programs and the like in order to foster and improve the education of current and future students attending Ruston High School in Ruston, Louisiana."

Here are just some of the past and current projects of the Ruston High School Alumni Association:

	The Association hosts a luncheon during RHS Homecoming weekend at which time the following honors are bestowed:       Distinguished RHS Alumni       Distinguished Past RHS Educator       Distinguished Present RHS Educator
	Hosts an all-class reunion during homecoming weekend each year
	Presents a $1,500 Outstanding Achievement Award to a graduating senior each year
	Provided the funds to build two large trophy cases for the remodeled lobby of Ruston High School
	Bought a large tent for Ruston High to be used at football tailgating, track meets, homecoming functions, and many other high school events
	Maintains this alumni association web site with current information, announcements, photos, list of past award winners, school history, a guestbook to leave comments and messages, and a list of current alumni association members
	Provides assistance in funding academic programs, equipment or capitol improvements for Ruston High School
	Continues to foster the rich history, spirit and tradition of Ruston High School

In addition, here are some of the future projects planned by the association:

	To provide a display of Distinguished Alumni Award winners in a prominent place in Ruston High
	To create and publish a newsletter for all Ruston High School Alumni members
	And to eventually have an office space at Ruston High School, staffed by an alumni director to handle alumni business

Becoming a member of the RHS Alumni Association is a small token of thanks to an institution that has had such an impact on our lives. We encourage you all to participate.

Jack Thigpen, President
RHS Alumni Association

This organization did not begin overnight; we are the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people - people who love and support Ruston High School and what she stands for. We are proud Ruston High School graduates and friends who formed this non-profit corporation to support our Alma Mater. We encourage all alumni, former students, parents, staff and faculty to join us in our endeavor.