MCHS Alumni Association Recognizes Distinguished Alumni for 2024, Elects Officers

King Bearcat photo providedKing Bearcat photo provided

By Sheryl Swingley—

MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association at its annual meeting in November recognized three distinguished alumni and elected officers for 2025-2027.

The three alumni recognized for their distinguished careers and contributions to their communities and Muncie Central were Joseph Stokes, who graduated in 1969; Angela Stone, 1988; and Kris Winningham, 1989.

The first distinguished alumnus to be honored was Stokes, who has had a 50-year plus career in education, which began in Muncie. He was a classroom teacher for 17 years and was selected as Delaware County’s Outstanding Young Educator in 1980 before moving into administration. He served as principal at Washington Carver (now East Washington Academy), Sutton and West View elementary schools in Muncie.

After moving to Florida, Stokes was named principal and the director of elementary education for Manatee County. He later assumed the role of assistant principal for a failing Title I school,  and over the course of three years, he led the school to its successful removal from the Florida’s targeted schools list. Then, he came out of retirement to serve as head of the Sarasota (Florida) Christian School. Under his leadership, Stokes made improvements not only in academics, but also in reviving the school’s sports programs.

In addition to his contributions in education, Stokes and his wife received specialized training to provide therapeutic foster care in their home. Over a seven-year period, 13 special needs children lived with the Stokes family, including those with significant emotional, behavioral or medical challenges.

The second distinguished alumna honored was Stone, who is the founder, publisher and CEO of a publication titled ”Hope.” She started the magazine with 100 subscribers, but it now has a circulation of more than 18,000 subscribers, along with 50,000 social media followers.

Stone also is a book author. Her first book is titled “Yes, Sisters: Surrounding Yourself with Women Who Affirm, Encourage, and Challenge You.” The book chronicles lessons Stone has learned over the course of her own career. Her second book is in the works.

Awards Stone has received includes being a past recipient of the Center for Leadership and Development’s Minority Achievers Award and the Black Alumni Award from Ball State University. She was a 2023 finalist for Muncie’s Women in Business Unlimited Athena Award.

The third distinguished alumnus to be honored was Winningham, who played on Muncie Central’s 1988 basketball championship team, is a member of the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame and a life member in the Muncie Central Alumni Association.

Professionally, Winningham is an international tax accountant for Bayer Corporation. Prior to working for Bayer, Winningham worked at Deloitte for 13 years where he was a director in the tax practice division and worked as part of a national team that worked with multinational clients throughout the country.

Aside from his regular job, Winningham contributes his expertise during tax season to help prepare individual tax returns through the United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program). He goes to the Veterans Leadership Program office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he prepares tax returns for both veterans and others who qualify financially and need tax assistance. He and his wife, who both graduated from the University of Notre Dame, also have endowed two scholarships for Notre Dame students.

Officers elected were Steve Cartwright, a 1966 Central graduate, president; Brad Polk, 1983, vice president; Joanie Taylor, 1981, treasurer; Lisa Doan, 1995, secretary; and David Wilson, 1966, past president.

Charlotte Shepperd and Linda Hollis also were recognized and honored for their service as secretary and treasurer, respectively. They have served in these offices since the founding of the alumni association in 1996. Both are 1964 graduates of Muncie Central.

The Muncie Central Alumni Association supports its awards program, student scholarships and student assistance program, as well as teacher grants, through memberships in the Muncie Central Alumni Association and donations to the association. The association also financially supports, curates and operates the MCHS Alumni Association Memorabilia Room in the North Walnut Street Fieldhouse, which will be 100 years old in 2028.

Membership forms for Muncie Central alumni and non-alumni interested in supporting Muncie Central are available from www.mchsbearcatalumni.com. Membership forms and donations may be mailed to Muncie Central Alumni Association, 2808 W. Riggin Road, Muncie, IN 47304. Checks should be made payable to MCHS Alumni Association.