the project
ABOUT
BHS Alumni Project
The history of Boise High School throughout the years
High school doesn't last forever, but the lessons you learned and the memories you made will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Photo by Andra Krista Photography
Boise High School has a unique set of roots. Since its opening in 1881 as the first public high school in Boise, Idaho, BHS has led the way in educational excellence and has developed a loving and supportive community of alumni. Changes in architecture, staff, class size, and demographics fluctuated over time, but the students remained the same: passionate, inclusive, and proud.
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Throughout this project, the following themes were found:
Boise High has an amazing web of students. Academically, Boise High ranks highly among other high schools in the nation. Community-wise, it's one of the most accepting. Many alumni felt that the stereotypical high school cliques were a non-issue and nearly everyone was open to being friends with anyone.
Boise High has a phenomenal staff. Keith Carlton, who passed away winter of 2016, was a legendary teacher that taught passionately at BHS for 40 years. Many generations were fortunate to have taken a class with Mr. Carlton, and remember him with high respect and much adoration.
The pride of past students still remains today. Regardless of where alumni traveled after high school, many came back to Boise to settle down, and sent their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to Boise High.
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This project was created in hopes that the current students and past students of Boise High could see how truly similar we all are, and how fortunate we are to have attended BHS.
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Project Manager & Founder
Aliya Reames
Class of 2018
Photo by Andra Krista Photography.
Aliya Reames is a current senior of Boise High's class of 2018. Starting with an assignment in her English 101 class, Aliya began with interviewing her grandmother, Arlene Rand Yinger, a 1965 BHS graduate, about her time in high school, and the lessons she'd learned.
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Inspired by her first interview, Aliya decided to use this newfound interest and incorporate it into a service project for Boise's National Honors Society. Using her passion for photography and desire to learn more about the history of Boise High, Aliya interviewed thirty-six alumni over the course of five months.
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Boise High School's National Honors Society chapter will continue this project in the years to come,
hoping to compile as many stories of alumni as possible.
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A special thanks to the following people:
*Rachel Konvalin, who created the skeleton of this beautiful website, and who supported me all the way through!
*Mr. Robb Thompson, who assisted with communication with alumni.
*Mrs. Michele Tinker and Mr. Scott Looney who encouraged me in all my efforts and were my constant cheerleaders.
*Journey Utterbeck, Gabby Klinge, Austin Bradford, Easton Anderson, Acey Norris, Sofi Serio, Serrin Kim, Brooklyn Williams, Kayshauna Freeman, Will Tanguy, and Adia Davis: thanks for helping me with interviews and for helping me stay sane.
*Any and all students and alumni who spread the word about my project! Without you, this project would not have been possible.
All current photos of alumni taken by Aliya Reames unless otherwise stated. Old photos courtesy of the Courier Yearbook.