Mount Ayr High School Alumni Reunion, 2011

SCHARDEIN, GROSS, BROWN, AVITT, CARR, HERRINGTON, HAUPTMAN, RICE, KIMBLE, SPURRIER, MOFFAT, ANGUS, THOMPSON, STEPHENS, MINNICK, ABARR, LAWHEAD, HUDSON, HICKMAN, RICHIE, GREGG, HIGHSHOE, WEEDA, DAILEY, LANDPHAIR

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/12/2011 at 20:04:44

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 9, 2011

Mount Ayr High School Alumni Reunion

The 2011 Mount Ayr high school alumni reunion was held Saturday evening. May 28, 2011, at the high school commons. The invocation was given by Helen SCHARDEIN from the class of 1937 to open the reunion. The meal was catered by Creston Hy-Vee to approximately 101 graduates and guests.

Joen GROSS BROWN from the class of 1964 extended a welcome to the graduates and guests in attendance.

Mike AVITT from the class of 1975 shared memories and his recollection of some of his high school experiences. He recalled eighth grade wrestling practice being held in the "old" gym and its small size, cement bleachers and the contrast between it and the modern facilities. He mentioned he drove a 1954 Dodge Royal and gas was 40 cents a gallon. He recalled Maurice CARR, Maxine CARR, Dale HERRINGTON, R. E. HAUPTMAN, Ezra RICE and Larry KIMBLE (the latter as paddlers for improper conduct!) He noted the very first time Mount Ayr went to a state basketball tournament was the boys team of 1915-1916 (their best year ever) with Harry SPURRIER as captain. He stated the Mount Ayr girls basketball team had gone to state in 2010 and 2011 (with a second place finish in 2010). He was happy the teams were still going strong 95 years later! His speech was most interesting and well received.

The class of 1961 was honored for graduating 50 years ago.

The classes of 1951 and 1956 were also well represented.

Ruth MOFFAT ANGUS from the class of 1934 was the earliest graduate present, followed by Helen THOMPSON SCHARDEIN (1937), Clarice STEPHENS MINNICK (1938) and Florence ABARR LAWHEAD (1938).

Janet HUDSON HICKMAN reported $121 scholarships were given to Ian ABARR, Trevor RICHIE and Rebecca GREGG on Senior Awards Day. A freewill offering was received for providing 2012 scholarships. Other scholarship committee members were Theola HIGHSHOE WEEDA and Martha DAILEY LANDPHAIR. Mari REES McGEHEE gave the secretary-treasurer's report. She, Rose JAMES, president,and Marilyn PRITCHETT JOHNSON,vice-president, are the current officers.

The group thanked Rose for serving five years as president.

The new president is Sherry NORRIS with the other two officers continuing.

The evening closed with the old school song, "March Forever On," and the new Raider fight song.

After a time of visiting and reminiscing, the group adjourned until the next reunion on May 26, 2012.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2011