PHS Alumni Honor Roll Profile: James Bush

James Bush.

Blogger's Note: On Friday Oct.19, 2018, the Pottstown School District Alumni Honor Roll Committee will induct four alumni in to the District’s Alumni Honor Roll at the 33rd annual event. In preparation, The Digital Notebook will present profiles of all four inductees as provided and prepared by the Foundation for Pottstown Education.

Today we present James Bush, Class of 1962.

Representing the Pottstown High School Class of 1962 is James R. Bush. After graduation in 1962, Jim served in the U.S. Army Reserves and attended Peirce Junior College earning his Associates Degree in Accounting in 1970. Jim then earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ursinus College. From May of 1964 through September 1968, he worked as a Commercial Loan Officer and Assistant Branch Manager for the Philadelphia National Bank in Pottstown. Then in 1980, Jim returned to his Alma Mater becoming the Supervisor of Accounting/Assistant Business Administrator before being hired as the Business Administrator/Board Secretary in 1968 until his retirement in June of 2006.

When asked about what the phrase “Proud to be from Pottstown “ mean to him, Jim responded
“I have been involved with the Pottstown School District for fifty ( 50 ) Years of my life ( 12 years as a student, 38 years as an employee 1968-2006). The Pottstown School has been and continues to be a leader in education in the area".

He lists several examples:

-- The establishment of a Foundation for Pottstown Education ( 1985 ) to help raise private funds for student scholarships and some programs unable to be funded through the school district

-- Early Childhood Education: The school district started a Four Year Kindergarten program in the early “90’s “and a full day kindergarten program in the early 2000’s. Today the Pottstown School through its Early Childhood program (PEAK) is a statewide model.

-- Senior Citizen Program: In 1995 the school district started the Golden Sage Program which allows senior citizens to volunteer at the school district and receive a credit up to $500 on their property taxes.

-- Dual Enrollment Program: In the early 2000’s, the school district and the Montgomery County Community College established a program to allow students to attend the college during their high school years and receive College credit. Initially this was funded with local and state funds. The Foundation for Pottstown Education now funds the Dual Enrollment Program.

The school district provides excellent education and co-curricular programs staffed by excellent teachers that provide opportunities for students to be successful. Pottstown School District students excel in academics and receive recognition for their accomplishments. Pottstown students receive accolades for their involvement in community service programs.

“YES! I am proud to be a graduate of the Pottstown School District,” he said.

This recognition has special meaning to Bush.

“ I am honored to be recognized by the School District as a member of the Alumni Honor Roll. Since its establishment in 1986, there have been 125 graduates who have been inducted to the Alumni Honor Roll. When I look at accomplishments of those previous and current inductees, I am proud to be included as a member of the Alumni Honor Roll."

When asked what one piece of advice that he would give to the current students of the Pottstown High School, Jim responded “Set Your Goals. Challenge yourself to meet those goals. Whatever career path you decide to follow, always give maximum effort.”

The Alumni Honor Roll was established in 1986 as a way to recognize outstanding Pottstown High School Alumni who has made significant contributions to their community and profession. With the addition of this year’s honorees, 129 alumni will have been recognized with this honor.

The four 2018 honorees represent Pottstown High School Classes of 1962, 1979, 1982 and 1991. Aram Ecker, chair of the Alumni Honor Roll Committee placed the names of James R. Bush, Theresa Rinaldi, Jonathan C. Corson and Heather M. Thiret as the nominees for this year’s class to the Pottstown School Board on Thursday April 19, 2018.

They will be recognized at the Annual Alumni Honor Roll event on Friday Oct. 19, 2018. The event will begin with a continental breakfast at the Pottstown High School followed by a tour of the Alumni Gallery. The recognition ceremony will be held during an assembly in the High School’s Stanley Davenport Auditorium. The induction ceremony will be followed by a luncheon at the Brookside Country Club. Members of the community as well as all Pottstown High School Alumni are welcome to the event and can purchase tickets for $50 per person which includes admission to all of the events listed above. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. Tickets for the luncheon are on sale and can be reserved by contacting Diane Nash in the Superintendent’s Office 610-970-6601.

Members of the community as well as all Pottstown High School Alumni are welcome to the event and can purchase tickets for $50 per person which includes admission to all of the day’s events. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. Tickets for the luncheon are on sale and can be reserved by contacting Diane Nash in the Superintendent’s Office 610-970-6601.