Lori
Regelbrugge Ray, Class of 1976, has been named the David Ainsworth Alumni Spirit award winner.
Reesha Brown
PISD Communication and Alumni Coordinator
Lori Regelbrugge Ray, a 1976 graduate of South Houston High School and former football cheerleader, has been named the recipient of the 2018 David M. Ainsworth Alumni Spirit Award.
Ray will be recognized during the 61st annual homecoming celebration on September 28, 2018, along with six new inductees who have been selected for South Houston’s Alumni Hall of Honor.
The Ainsworth Award is presented annually to a SHHS graduate who has made significant contributions to the alumni program. The award is named after its first recipient, David Ainsworth, a member of the Class of ‘68 who helped build and strengthen social media connections for his class and other South Houston alumni until succumbing to cancer in 2013.
A product of Pasadena ISD, Ray has coordinated high school reunions for the past 30 years, in addition to spearheading various fundraising efforts for classmates in need.
Utilizing social media, she continuously builds connections among graduates and keeps them informed about alumni-related matters.
“Her dedication to our class and our school is what helps keep us a tight-knit group even after 42 years,” said Tina McKinley, a long-time friend and classmate.
Ray reflected on her experience as a student at South Houston High School.
“I enjoyed my high school years,” Ray said. “I feel fortunate that we have a great class of people who get together as often as we do.”
Ray was involved in numerous organizations and activities throughout high school, including National Honor Society and cheerleading. As head football cheerleader her final year of high school, she had the opportunity to be part of SHHS history as the Trojans captured the game winning trophy against LaMarque High in the bi-district game.
“That was the best day ever. We got to cheer at the Astro Dome. It was really cool,” Ray said.
After high school, Ray graduated from North Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, where she gained hands-on experience working with people with special needs.
Ray started her career in the same field while working for the City of La Porte. She was in charge of a recreation program for individuals with special needs, called “Special Populations Organized Recreational Therapy” or “SPORT”. Therapies involved gross and fine motor skills, Special Olympics participation/organization, and Special Arts, among others. Ray was responsible for writing grants to get a handicapped accessible facility.
Ray was recognized for her contributions to the SPORT program with a portrait that now hangs in her honor in the foyer of the Special Program Center in LaPorte.
Ray, whose brother is autistic, said, “It has always been a passion of mine to help those in need because of him.”
Her generosity extends beyond family.
She has been involved in numerous charity events and organizations in her community, including the Assistance League of the Bay Area and Just a Pretty Table, benefitting the Bay Area Museum Guild.
“She has always been someone to volunteer and get involved, never leaving the work to someone else to do,” McKinley said. “She cares deeply for our class and our school and proves it time and time again in the smallest and the biggest of ways. I can speak for the Class of ’76, there is no one that deserves this award more than Lori.”
Ray will be recognized during the South Houston High School Hall of Honor ceremony, September 28, during the homecoming celebrations, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The induction honorees will also be recognized before the homecoming football against the Kingwood High School Mustangs at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Other festivities include:
Homecoming Raffle – purchase a ticket for $1 or 5 tickets for $20 for grand raffle package ($500 hotel and restaurant to any Hilton and any Landry’s restaurant – 10 a.m.
Homecoming Pep Rally – 2 p.m.
Alumni Mixer – 4-6 p.m. at Pepper’s Restaurant in Pasadena Independent School District
PISD Athletics Hall of Fame Museum Open House – 6-8 p.m.
Homecoming Football Game – 7 p.m.
