| SPPA Leadership | ||
| 2009-2010 | Bruno Ventresca – Co-President Jennifer Ventreca – Co-President |
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| 2008-2009 | Dave Camiolo– Co-President Debbie Camiolo – Co-President |
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| 2007-2008 | Marie Schroth – Co-President Tori Jones – Co-President |
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| 2006-2007 | Vira Homick – Co-President Marie Schroth – Co-President |
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| 2005-2006 | Jim Carlson - President | |
| 2004-2005 | Cheryl Kerrick - President | |
| 2003-2004 | Carole Capps - President | |
| 2002-2003 | Carole Capps - President | |
| 2001-2002 | Bruce Vermeychuk - President | |
| 2000-2001 | Deborah Feigel - President | |
| 1999-2000 | Dindy Liebert - President | |
| 1998-1999 | Susan Twiggs - President | |
| 1997-1998 | Jo-Ann Skubin - President | |
| 1996-1997 | Robert Miller - Co-President Florence Miller - Co-President |
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| 1995-1996 | Peggy Thomas - President | |
| 1994-1995 | Richard Coe - President | |
| 1993-1994 | Joseph Bartish - President | |
| 1992-1993 | Joseph Bartish - President | |
| 1991-1992 | Barbara Koolbe Chairperson | |
| 1990-1991 | Helen Callas Reiner Co-Chairperson Barbara Koolbe Co-Chairperson |
Chronology - Important Events in SPPA History |
| June 2009 | MIDN Kristen A. Sproat, Class of 2008, commissioned as 2nd Lt. USMC, completes Masters in Forced Migration at Oxford University, England. Daughter of Ward and Heidi Sproat, formerly of Berwyn, PA, now of Frederick, MD. | |
| May 2008 | MIDN Kristen A. Sproat, Class of 2008, is awarded the Richard J. Chuday Memorial Award presented to the Midshipman First Class from the Delaware Valley who has the highest Military Order of Merit at the Naval Academy at the end of the year and who has the recommendation of their company officer. | |
| April 2006 | MIDN Jordan Kehrer, USNA ’07 named Trident Scholar, son of Patti Kehrer, SPPA Member and Keith Kehrer of Middletown PA. Jordan is the first Trident Scholar from SPPA. His project involves Smooth AdS Solutions to Einstein's Equations, with Scalar Fields Advisors (Physics). | |
| April 2006 | DVD is produced of the Third Annual Firstie Parents Recognition Ceremony. This is the first time this media has been used to record an SPPA event. | |
| October 2005 | Nancy Burd (’03) is presented with a lifetime SPPA membership in respect for all she and her late husband, James, have done to support the mission of SPPA. | |
| October 2005 | Fifteenth Anniversary of the founding of SPPA is celebrated. Brunch is held at Torresdale-Frankford Country Club. | |
| August 2005 | SPPA Web Site is re-launched with enhancements including picture pages for SPPA events and web page for each SPPA Midshipmen. | |
| July 2005 | SPPA Membership grows first time to over 100 families. | |
| March 2005 | MIDN 1/C Anne O’Donnell (‘05), Swarthmore, PA, is recognized by USA Today as member of 2005 College Academic All-Star 1st Team. Criteria designed to find top 20 students excelling not only in scholarship, but leadership on/off campus. Winners received Trophies and $2,500. Her parents, SPPA members, are Pat and Charles O’Donnell of Swarthmore, PA | |
| January 2005 | MIDN 1/C Anne O’Donnell (‘05), Swarthmore, PA, is selected as Marshall Scholar -- Scholars chosen based upon distinction of intellect and character, as evidenced by academic records, achievements, and activity participation. Her parents, SPPA members, are Pat and Charles O’Donnell of Swarthmore, PA | |
| October 2004 | Jim Gormley (’02) organizes SPPA First Annual Bus Trip to a Navy Home Football Game; NAVY played Rice -- Score: NAVY, 14 -- Rice, 13 | |
| July 2004 | SPPA Club Newsletter, TELL TALES, is accessible on-line at: www.sppa.net -- News Master is Joseph Bartish (’93) | |
| April 2004 | First Annual Firstie Parents’ Salute – Recognition of SPPA Parents of 1/C Midshipmen | |
| May 2002 | SPPA re-initiates the issuing of the Club Newsletter, TELL TALES | |
| March 2000 | Tenth Anniversary is celebrated with a Brunch at the 94th Aero Squadron on Red Lion Road in Philadelphia, PA | |
| March 2000 | USNA Alumni Association, Philadelphia Chapter initiates First Annual USNA Information Day at Hatboro-Horsham High School; USNA Admissions, Blue & Gold, MID, Philadelphia Alumni, and SPPA Members host potential MIDs and Parents; purpose is to provide Information on Admissions Process, MID Experiences, Summer Seminars, Trips, and Parents’ Clubs | |
| February 2000 | Helen Callas-Reiner (‘91/’92) is presented with the First Life Membership Award in appreciation for her SPPA service and dedication | |
| February 2000 | SPPA WebSite is unveiled by President Dindy Liebert (‘00), who was motivating force behind its creation | |
| September 1999 | Pot Luck Dinner is implemented for SPPA meetings and is successfully initiated, providing more camaraderie amongst SPPA Members | |
| May 1999 | The First Annual Social (Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres) is held at the Orion Club (Officers' Club), NAS/JRT Base, Willow Grove, in Willow Grove, PA | |
| June 1998 | Sue Twiggs (‘99) initiates attending USNA Alumni Association, Philadelphia Chapter, Meetings and agrees to be SPPA’s Liaison | |
| May 1998 | Club petitions area Congressional leaders to supply flags flown over Capitol as graduation gifts for SPPA Firsties. Congressional leaders reply that all S/E PA USNA Graduates are to be given flags -- To distinguish SPPA Firsties, Dave Twiggs builds flag boxes for each flag. It is these boxed flags that are presented to Firsties whose parents are SPPA members | |
| May 1998 | MIDN 4/C Joshua B. Stewart, USNA ‘01, becomes the first S/E PA MID to climb to the top of the Herndon Monument, which was conquered in 2 Hours, 22 Minutes, and 55 Seconds. His Parents, SPPA Members, are Deidre and Randy Stewart of Downingtown, PA | |
| May 1998 | USNA Alumni Association, Philadelphia Chapter institutes the First Annual Richard J. Chuday Memorial Award. Award’s criteria is based upon a MID’s military standing. All MIDs from the S/E PA, South Jersey, and Northern Delaware Area being eligible to receive this Award. First recipient is MIDN 1/C David Coe of Newtown, PA (Anne and Richard Coe, David’s Parents, are active SPPA Members) | |
| February 1998 | The concept of Dark Ages Packages for Mids is initiated, and the Packages are prepared and delivered to the Yard | |
| November 1997 | Officers and Members of the USNA Alumni Association, Philadelphia Chapter, attend SPPA Meeting and pledge more interactive support | |
| September 1996 | Tailgate Committee, under the leadership of Sue Twiggs (‘99), initiates the holding of SPPA Tail-Gates at ALL Navy Home Football Games | |
| July 1996 | Florence and Robert Miller (‘98) initiates the holding of regularly scheduled Club Officers' and Directors' Executive Meetings | |
| July 1995 | First Officers' and Directors' Executive Meeting is conducted by President Peggy Thomas (‘96) | |
| November 1994 | SPPA adopts and authorizes the utilization of the Name Badge Design | |
| July 1994 | Club's Fiscal Year is changed from January-to-December to July-to-June, with a decision made to hold Elections in either April or May, depending upon Meeting scheduling | |
| October 1993 | Helen Callas-Reiner (‘91/’92) implements the Club's Phone Chain to expedite Information Exchanges | |
| September 1993 | The USNA Alumni Association (AA) Parents' Club Coordination Group initiates and holds the First Parents' Club Presidents and Officers Seminar at Alumni House in Annapolis, as part of Firstie Parents' Weekend. Joe Bartish attends as SPPA President. | |
| First Plebe Care Packages are distributed to our Plebes (Class of 1997) | ||
| July 1993 | Plebe Care Package Program is adopted by the Membership | |
| December 1992 | Yard donates an USNA Banner for utilization at SPPA Functions | |
| September 1992 | By-Laws are adopted by the Club Membership | |
| July 1992 | Joseph Bartish (‘93) agrees to be the next Club Newsletter Editor | |
| December 1991 | First All Service Academies' Military Ball is held and hosted by the U. S. Military Academy (Army), with major support from SPPA and NAVY. It is also agreed by All Concerned / Involved Delaware Valley Service Academy Parents' Organizations that the subsequent Affairs will be hosted, in a rotation based upon each Institution's founding date. Those Founding Dates are: US Military Academy, 1802; US Naval Academy, 1845; US Coast Guard (CG) Academy, 1876; US Merchant Marine Academy, 1943; and US Air Force Academy (AFA), 1957 | |
| December 1991 | SPPA initiates Group Seating for the Army/Navy Football Game | |
| July 1991 | SPPA Members attend and distribute the first Club Parents’ Handbook to the incoming Class Of 1995 Plebe Parents at the Plebe Luncheon, held at the Officers' Club, JRT/NAS, Willow Grove | |
| First Football Tailgate Party is held at the Homecoming Football Game at USNA’s Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Field | ||
| October 1990 | Bob Gantert (‘89) designs the initial SPPA Logo, The SHIP! | |
| September 1990 | Club selects TELL TALES as the Newsletter Name | |
| June 1990 | First Welcome Aboard Picnic for Plebe Parents is held at the Helen Callas-Reiner Home | |
| June 1990 | SPPA Members begin to attend Plebe Luncheon to solicit incoming Plebe Parents to join the Club. This Luncheon is held annually at the Officers' Club at the Naval Air Station (NAS)/Joint Reserve Training (JRT) Base, Willow Grove, PA, and is sponsored by the USNA’s Southeastern (S/E) Pennsylvania’s (PA) Blue & Gold (B&G) Officer, Captain Donald A. McRae, USNR (Retired) | |
| February 1990 | Bob Gantert (’89) agrees to be the Club's first Newsletter Editor | |
| February 1990 | First Official Meeting is held at the Helen Callas-Reiner home to formally establish our Parents' Club At this Meeting, Helen Callas-Reiner (‘91/’92) and Barbara Kolbe (‘92) agree to jointly chair this new Organization for Fiscal Year 1990-91 | |
| December 1989 | Informal Meeting is held by S/E PA Area Parents at the Helen Callas-Reiner Home to discuss any interest in the forming of a Parents' Club, as a result of a letter of inquiry sent out by Helen Callas-Reiner (‘91/’92) in the late Fall of 1989 | |
The Candidate Guidance Office at the U.S. Naval Academy recognized many years ago that the right kind of parental guidance could greatly help to ensure the success of a Midshipman. They felt that the development of this guidance could be best accomplished by uniting parents of Midshipmen to form local Parents' Club. The main purpose of a Parents’ Club would be for informational guidance and support with a lesser emphasis on social activities. This concept was approved by the Naval Academy, the Alumni Association and the Midshipmen themselves.
In April of 1973, under the guidance of Tom Teshara, West Coast Regional Director of the Blue and Gold Program at the Naval Academy, the first Parents’ Club was formed in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since then, the concept of Parents’ Clubs has spread across the country. There are now eighty clubs, some of which are joint service academy clubs, across the continental US, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. At the request of the Superintendent, Parents’ Clubs are administered by the Naval Academy Alumni Association.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Parents' Association (SPPA) is an official Parent's Club associated with the USNA and has been established within the framework, guidelines, and policies developed by the USNA Alumni Association.
The concept for a parents group in the Southeastern Pennsylvania area was initially formulated in mid-December of 1989, as a result of the urging of the Midshipmen sons of Ms. Helen Callas-Reiner (’91/’92) of Willow Grove, PA, and Ms. Barbara Kolbe (‘92) of Perkasie, PA.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Parents’ Association was officially recognized on February 26 1990.
