Alumni Leadership With A Vision

rganizing an alumnus association of any kind is not an easy task. It takes a group of dedicated people to get things done. It also takes visionary leadership to bring a new organization through the necessary stages of development. Evelyn Tutton-Morgan is a visionary leader that has stepped up to the plate to become our first Northside High School Alumni Association (NHSAA) President.

As a Northside class of 1979 graduate, she has experienced all the challenges and rewards that come with organizing reunion activities by working as reunion chairperson for the class of 1979. Ranked number seventh in her graduating class, she has a love for Northside High School (NHS) that goes back to her years as a Northside student.

Mrs. Morgan lived in the Klondike community during her years at Northside. She was an intelligent, active and somewhat reserve student. While attending Northside, she was a member of the Honor Society, VOE, Junior Class Officer, Pep Club and Who’s Who Among American High School Students. After high school, she attended State Technical Institute majoring in Business Administration.

Family has always been important to Mrs. Morgan. She is a loving wife to her husband James Morgan and mother to son Courtney Talley. Courtney followed his mother’s Northside family tradition by graduating from NHS in 1997. Church has always been a family affair. She is a member of the Ellis Grove M. B. Church, where her uncle, Rev. C. W. Tutton, serves as Pastor. As an active member of her church, she has held the position of Treasury, Secretary and Community Youth Advisor. Her leisure time consists of reading and watching movies.

Currently, Mrs. Morgan works for the Regional Medical Center as a Human Resource - Benefits Administrator. “I love being able to assist our employees with all their benefit needs such as Medical, Dental, TSA accounts and Retirement and Life Insurance,” says Mrs. Morgan. Her hectic schedule does not prevent her from making time for other things.

Last Fall, she took a tour of Northside and walked away in disbelief. The school had changed so much since her graduation. The tour made her realized how much support is needed by our Alumni Association. Mrs. Morgan took time out to discuss with us her challenges and goals for the NHSAA.

-Jalia: What challenges have you faced as the first NHSAA President?

Morgan: Some of our alumni tell us that they would like to participate; however, we cannot get any support from them. The main purpose of the Alumni Association is not to party but to support and give back to Northside. Because of the many budget cuts in the school system, Northside is in need of several major items.

-Jalia: What activities do you currently have planned for the Alumni Association?

Morgan: I would love to have an alumni reunion, so that all Northside alumni can come back to visit the school and see that NHS is in need of some serious support from us.

-Jalia: What are some of the goals that you would like the Alumni Association to accomplish in the future?

Morgan: Some of the goals that I would like to accomplish are: 1) Completion of the weight room, 2) Purchase Band uniforms, 3) Purchase Choir robes, 4) Scholarship Fund, 5) More Mentors participating in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, 6)Alumni membership drive.

Jalia: What would you like to say to our alumni that are hesitant about getting involved in the Alumni Association?

Morgan: If you’re an alumnus and hesitant about getting involved in the alumni association, please take out time and go visit Northside High School. While you’re there, remember when you attended NHS and all the different activities and programs that were available to you. I promise you will feel the need to support NHS. Most of the programs that existed when a lot of us attended NHS is no longer available to the current student body. Northside gave to you and it’s time for you to give back to Northside. Let’s not look at this association as a social club for parties but as a means to give back. If you cannot give us your time, please give us your financial support. Every little bit helps. We need to give back to the students attending now and let them know that you can do better in life and that you do not have to settle for the negative things in their surroundings.

Mrs. Morgan has many challenges ahead of her. With the help of our alumnus, we can accomplish the goals of the Alumni Association. We have an opportunity to do great things for the students at NHS. The opportunity is here to do great things for the students at NHS; the time is now to get involved. Let’s make it happen cougars!