Wildcat spirit hits the Web

"School spirit and Oak Harbor High School alumnus Lee Eygabroad Jr. go hand in hand.I used to wear yellow sweatshirts and sweatpants to school almost every other day, he said.In proud display of that spirit, the class of '89 graduate started an unofficial OHHS alumni Web site at the end of July, and he continues to update the site regularly. It's a place for alumni and people who lived in Oak Harbor a short time in their lives to communicate with one another, he said. Eygabroad said almost 2,000 people have visited the site, and 350 of them were just in the last week.The word is spreading, Eygabroad said. It's already gone global. He's had alumni visit the site from Canada, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico and Switzerland.He got the idea for the site by while looking through an alumni directory, www.classmates.com, on the Internet. Eygabroad was making a CD-ROM and book for his 10th highschool reunion last year that included pictures, '80s music, trivia and other memories of their time at school. I noticed everyone was looking for everyone else, he said. People were looking for lost friends and lost loves.So, after getting some encouragement from other alumni and after class of '85 graduate Mike Estes from Pioneer Internet Service donated the pages, the site was a go. The Unofficial Oak Harbor High School Alumni Web site has many options. In the gallery section, users can look at pictures from reunions, memorabilia, Whidbey Island and more. In the reunions section, information and updates on future and past reunions is included. Perhaps the most useful and interesting section is the guestbook. Users can see who has logged on to the site and find out a little information about them. There is something surprising about Eygabroad's enthusiasm about Oak Harbor High School.The most ironic thing is that I left during my senior year in '89, he said. Eygabroad said that many people who have visited the site said they grew up in Oak Harbor, but they didn't necessarily graduate there. They like the site because it helps them find out about what's happened to Oak Harbor and its people.Eygabroad now lives in Pennsylvania. He is the co-owner of KNL Enterprises, where he builds and repairs computers and does Web design.He met his wife online in April of 1996, and they married last year at Fort Ebey during the same weekend as his 10 year high school reunion.There's quite a few horror stories out there, but ours (marriage) has been great so far, he said.Cats on the WebThe unofficial Oak Harbor High School alumni Web site is located at www.oakharbor.net/ohhs/index. Lee Eygabroad, its creator, welcomes help. He's looking for contributors, sponsors and donations. "

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.