The WNHS Alumni Association Foundation is very excited to announce a new award recognizing an alum who has shown exceptional service and commitment to the mission and work of the Association to provide college scholarships to deserving WNHS seniors.
The inaugural recipient of this new award is Roger Heaton, Class of 1967. In his honor, we are naming this new award the:
“Roger Heaton Award for Outstanding Service to the WNHS Alumni Association Foundation.”
Congratulations Roger, on receiving this award! We are forever grateful for your dedication to the Association, not only as one of its initial founding members, but also through the years as you served as President and have been a constant supporter of student scholarships.
Roger will receive a plaque and certification of appreciation from the current Board members .
Please read on for more information about Roger and his contributions to the Association since its inception.
Roger Heaton, Class of 1967
Beginning at the 40-year reunion of the Class of 1967, Roger Heaton led the process of founding the Wheaton North High School Alumni Association. Since those early conversations, Roger has been the heart and soul of the Association. In part, this role arose from his many leadership positions in the first class to graduate from Wheaton North, including Student Council President, Lettermen’s Club President, and the National Honor Society. He also taught and coached at our school from 1975 to 1978; several of his students and team members went on to amazing careers in entertainment and professional football, further securing Roger’s memory in the legends of Wheaton North. Later he earned a J.D. and practiced law for many years.
Building upon the early conversations at the 2007 reunion, Roger’s love for and dedication to Wheaton North inspired him to lead the Association to focus on raising funds for scholarships for deserving students graduating from our high school. He served on the original Board of Directors from 2008 through 2015, including four years as President, managing the group’s path through some tough periods. His creativity and energy in fundraising will always be appreciated and difficult to match. For example, for many years Roger loved challenging classmates and friends to be “the last to donate on New Year’s Eve” or “the first to donate in the New Year”.
As someone truly and deeply dedicated to Wheaton North, Roger Heaton in many ways guided the Wheaton North High School Alumni Association to become the vibrant organization it is today. Those of us who have benefitted from Roger’s efforts recognize his leadership with gratitude.
