Walking into the East Fund board meeting, SM East parent Beth Fowler was carrying more than just boxes — she held decades of SM East history with her.
From yellowed uniforms and old SM East sports awards to hall passes from the 1960s, board members' eyes widened with excitement and curiosity over these artifacts.
As longtime parent volunteer and self-described “East Historian,” Fowler has spent nearly 20 years preserving the school’s past while helping students, staff and alumni stay connected.
While her four children attended SM East, Fowler worked largely behind the scenes, organizing historical materials, supporting school programs and maintaining alumni tours that continue decades after graduation.
Fowler is one of the most notable contributors to SM East, according to president of the East Fund, Allison Taylor. Over more than two decades, Fowler has preserved hundreds of historical items — yearbooks, photographs, trophies, band uniforms, letter jackets, pep club jackets and more.
Many of these materials are used at reunions and alumni events, helping former students reconnect with both the school and each other. Others are carefully cataloged and stored either in her mudroom or in a basement to ensure they aren't lost or damaged.
Fowler’s involvement began in the mid-1990s, when her children attended SM East. Then, what started as typical parent volunteering gradually turned into a long-term commitment.
“It’s a good school, and my kids got a good education out of it,” Fowler said — adding that she felt it was important to keep track of the school’s history.
After her children graduated — particularly after her youngest's graduation in 2008 — Fowler became even more involved. While she had previously helped at sporting events and banquets, especially for SM East swimming, because two of her sons, Michael and Robert swam for SM East, her role expanded through her work as PTSA president and starting the fiftieth celebration for SM East.
“Being the point person as the historian is important because it gives people one place to go when they have a story or piece of history,” SM East alum and Beth’s eldest son, Michael Fowler, said.
At a recent East Fund board meeting, Fowler arrived with boxes of artifacts, printed programs from early football games, old yearbooks and photographs labeled in her handwriting. As she spread them across the table, she explained how each piece fit into the school’s broader story.
“It was inspiring for our board to see her passion come through,” Taylor said.
That passion has translated into meaningful support for the school through the East Fund, a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 by 50 parents to provide additional financial resources for SM East. Grants from the East Fund have supported projects such as digital scoreboards, biology lab equipment, band room improvements, late buses and Columbia Brew, the school's student-run coffee shop.
In addition to fundraising and archival work, Fowler has played a role in major school milestones, including planning SM East’s fiftieth anniversary celebration. She has also emphasized the importance of preparing for future milestones such as the school’s seventieth anniversary in 2028 by maintaining organized and accessible historical records.
Fowler continues to attend the principal's council meetings, where teachers and administrators meet quarterly to share updates on upcoming plans. According to Fowler, she’s present to represent alumni perspectives and provide historical context as she begins transitioning some responsibilities to a new volunteer.
As East continues to grow socially and academically, Fowler remains a central resource for photos, stories and historical materials related to the school.
“We were blown away by her immense knowledge about the school and the Prairie Village community as a whole, and her love for all things Shawnee Mission East,” Taylor said.
Although Fowler is stepping down from some formal roles, she plans to remain involved. The East Fund is currently working to identify and train someone who can eventually take over her alumni tour and archive management responsibilities.
“I’m going on 20 years, and I have 11 grandchildren. I travel, and I’m old, so I have to pass it on,” Fowler said. “I can’t do it forever, but I’m glad I did it as long as I can.”
Fowler’s contributions will be formally recognized at the East Fund Shindig on Jan. 31, where she will be honored for her years of service to the school.
“She is truly a cheerleader for SM East,” Taylor said. “If you could name a loyal Lancer award, it would be named after Beth Fowler.”
Leave a Reply