A Newman Family Streak Comes to an End Saturday

When one begins a discussion of famous streaks, it’s natural to recall some notable feats in sports.

There’s Cal Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive games; Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak; or Brett Favre’s 297 consecutive starts. A well-known family in Menomonee Falls has its own streak, which will come to an end on Graduation Day Saturday.

Since 1956, the Newman family has had one of its own enrolled every year at Menomonee Falls High School. When Village President Randy Newman’s son, Jacob, graduates that streak will come to a close. It’s a streak notable not only for its 57-year span, but also for its symbolism of deep roots one family can have in a community. 

“We have these legacy things in our family that are important to us,” said Randy Newman, who grew up with 12 other brothers and sisters. “It’s a reflection more of our parents, and how we were rooted in the community. Our parents' house was always the place to gather, and it was important for us to stay close by.”

It all started on a corner in what was once "Uptown Menomonee Falls." Mike and Clarice Newman had 13 children and raised them near the corner of Roosevelt Drive and Water Street.  In 1956, their oldest son Jim enrolled in MFHS. Every year since that date a child or grandchild of Mike and Clarice has attended class at the high school. 

“People have a lot of friends, but we have a lot of family. The pride in the Falls has always been there,” said Jim Newman, who started the family streak. “When you are in a community for such a long time, you appreciate it and its history. It’s important to this family.”

The youngest, Jacob, who will graduate on Saturday, sat in classrooms taught by teachers who went to school with his older cousins. Jacob will attend University of Wisconsin–Madison in fall to study business – dad wants him to study accounting.

“I think it’s impressive to be a part of that family history in Falls,” Jacob Newman said. “I like that we are all close to each other.”

The Newmans are also thankful for the quality education they received in Menomonee Falls. Twenty-five of the 32 Newmans have or will graduate from college. All 23 of the latest high school graduates have attained, or are in the process of attaining, their college degree.

“We can all look back on our education, and I don’t know a member of our family who has not been successful,” Jim Newman said. “The school system has always been good. It’s been very progressive.”

“Certainly the school system gave us the background of a very strong education. All the kids got into (colleges) without a problem,” Randy Newman added.

But the high school streak wasn’t the only exercise in longevity from the Newman family line. The Newmans delivered the same Milwaukee Journal paper route for around 27 years. Their parents also had a child or grandchild enrolled in St. Mary's School for over 60 years. Their father attended St. Mary’s when it opened, and a Newman was taught there for roughly 80 percent of the school’s existence.

Now, the family looks forward to Jacob’s graduation party, which is in a few weeks. Well over 70 invitations have been sent out to the family for the occasion.

“We are definitely making an investment at the Post Office,” Randy Newman said.