Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 24, 2010

The 2010 Mount Ayr high school alumni reunion was held Saturday evening, May 29, 2010 at the high school commons. The invocation was given by Helen SCHARDEIN from the class of 1937 to open the reunion. The meal was served by Kathy COMER to 101 graduates and guests.

Joen GROSS BROWN from the class of 1964 extended a welcome to the graduates and guests in attendance. Norma SWARTZ FRENCH from the class of 1945 shared "Down Memory Lane with the Class of 1945." All enjoyed her recollections and memories. She noted there were two choices in high school: business or normal training. They also had manual training classes, vocal music and band. The sports of football and boys basketball had an overall record of 26 wins and five losses. The 1944 and 1945 football team was undefeated. She noted her class started kindergarten in 1933 and was soon able to use the recently destroyed 1936 building when it was new. She stated the rock (still placed at the southwest corner of the newly created elementary building) is really the only outward member of their high school building. Mike AVITT from the class of 1975 shared historical facts about the old, earlier buildings, some records of the sports teams, noted the date when the school colors changed from black and blue to the current black and white, and his recollections of some of his early classroom and sport activities. Both speakers were most interesting.

The class of 1960 was honored for graduating 50 years ago.

Those present to celebrate this milestone were Kenneth HERREN, Janetta SALTZMAN HEGGS, Jane BEMER SIMPSON, Joan LYNCH JACKSON, Karen RICKER BROWN, Paul BURRELL, Marilyn SHIELDS FAY, Marvin LANE, Roger HORNE, Lyndon HACKER, Sharon FORCE KENNEDY, Marilyn BROWER, Ann MILLER FERGUSON and Lillie COMBS RINEHART.

Ruth MOFFATT ANGUS from the class of 1934 was the earlies graduate present followed by Zoe ELLIOTT NICHOLS (1936), Helen THOMPSON SCHARDEIN (1937), Clarice STEPHENS MINNICK (1938) and Margaret DAILEY RHODES (1938).

Janet HUDSON HICKMAN reported $150 scholarships were given to Tom HOSFIELD and Maci SICKELS on senior awards day. A freewill offering was received for providing 2011 scholarships. Other scholarship committee members were Theola HIGHTSHOE WEEDA and Martha DAILEY LANDPHAIR. Mari REES McGEHEE gave the secretary-treasurer report. She and Rose JOHNSTON JAMES, president, and newly volunteered Marilyn PRITCHETT JOHNSON are the current alumni association officers. The officers do express thanks for the help of Janet HUDSON HICKMAN, Marilyn PRITCHETT JOHNSON and Jessie WARD WOOLLUMS.

The evening closed with the old school song "March Forever On" and the new Raider fight song. After a time of visitng and reminiscing, the group adjorned until the next reunion on May 28, 2011.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2012