Kurt Fowich (class of 1963) is one of a long line of York Alumni that spans generations and he has agreed to share his family’s history for this Duke Spotlight. The story begins with Professor Herman Brodt who taught German at Elmhurst College in the 1890s. Herman had a son, Hugo, who graduated from then Elmhurst High School (present-day site of Hawthorne Elementary School) in 1905 and went on to own the “ice house” in town, supplying ice to residents prior to the existence of our go-to appliance, the refrigerator/freezer.

Bonnie was born on the south side of Chicago and moved with her family to Elmhurst at age three. Bonnie attended Churchville Elementary School through 5th grade, (which is now the middle school) followed by Roosevelt for 6th grade (the school has since been torn down) and Sandburg for 7th and 8th grades. As a York student, Bonnie found the research, writing, journalism and speaking skills she learned in English class to be invaluable. Bonnie enjoyed her Social Studies courses in Government and Civics, which sparked a life-long interest.

Erik was born and raised in Elmhurst in a home on South Street. He attended  Edison Elementary School and Sandburg Middle School before attending York. In high school, Erik was a three sport athlete that included football, wrestling and track. He was chosen as one of a small number of York student representatives to the very selective J Kyle Baird program, a national program for high school athletes that were also exemplary students.