It seems that Palmetto Senior High Principal Janet Hupp isn't the only person in Pinecrest that's "proud to be a Panther."

On March 6 the Palmetto Alumni Association held its first meeting at O'Casey's Restaurant and twenty-five enthusiastic alumni attended. All volunteered to form a steering committee to guide the organization throughout its early stages.

The group divided into four categories -- a bylaws-mission statement committee, a Hall-of-Fame committee, a communications committee and a membership committee.

Those attending the meeting were excited about forming the association and expressed optimism for the projected goals of recognizing outstanding alumni and becoming an ongoing resource for Palmetto High School. A call for additional volunteers was issued.

The next meeting will be held April 19 at 12:00 p.m. in the Ana Capri Restaurant, 12669 South Dixie Highway in the South Park Centre. To attend or to learn more about the Palmetto Alumni Association, please call 305-669-7355, ext. 216; or access the Internet website at www.palmettoalumni.com.

Steering committee members include (graduating class in parenthesis): Grace Alvero (1995), Marcie Aronow (1972), Larry Ashe (1980), Sara Baron (1993), Eduardo Cardim (1964), Debbie Davidson (1976), Cindy Falkey (1974), Rick Fisher (1973), Dr. June Gentle (1974), MacAdam Glinn (1994), Kimberly Groome (1984), Janet Hupp (Faculty), Scott F. Kenward (1972), Teri Kulikowski-Fisher (19740, Cindy Lerner (1970), Ron Lieberman (1964), David Marks (1997), Andy Massimino (Faculty), Grant Miller (1975), Carla Pough (1970), Karen J. Siegal (1970), David Soderholm (1978), Rhonda Vanderwyden (1971), and Jack Weitzman (1964).