The Syracuse Alumni Association’s 108th annual banquet was Saturday evening, June 16. Shown are members of the class of 1968. In the front row, from left, are LuAnn Mock, Nancy Koher Shields, Kathy Ritter Van Diepenbos, Julie Hughes Wozniak, Deb Gingerich Peterson, Cathy Smith Lemberg, Donna Mikel Kunce, and Andrea Arlic Hile. In middle row are Mike Smith, Tom Connolly, Darlene Rice Mathew, Tom Crews, Rusch Mauzy, Cinda Singery Culver. In back row are MIke Burdoine, Paul Stoelting, Curt Stucky, Alan Zimmerman, Kent Thomas, Gene Smith, and Terry Coverstone. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)
SYRACUSE — During the Syracuse Association’s annual banquet Saturday evening, June 16. The classes of 1948, 1958 and 1968 were honored and represented at the 109th annual banquet at the Syracuse Community Center.
It was the largest turnout ever for the high school reunion. Over 150 people attended the event.
The oldest member in attendance, from the class of 1937, was Meredith Mench Green.
The banquet began with the school song, sung by all those who attended. The song was led by Marie Eby Tom, class of 1948. Known as the Syracuse Yellow Jackets, the alumni enjoyed a catered dinner.
Three women from the class of 1936 were honored. Though they were not in attendance, their three daughters spoke on their behalf. Doris Dorsey, who is 99; Pauline Firestone, who is 100; and Laura Bachman Stucky were all honored at the alumni banquet.
Shown was a photo of the graduating class of 1948. The honored guest was Charlie Garner. A women, Marty Whitehead Scearce, from the class of 48, spoke of the many memories from that year that had 24 graduating seniors.
“We got an education, so thank you Syracuse schools,” she said.
Next, old school pictures of the class of 1968 were shown. There was 66 students in the graduating class of 1968.
Three alumni were also honored: all killed in the line of duty during the Vietnam War. Robert Ellis, class of 1964, was in the Air Force. He was the town’s first casualty during the Vietnam War. He died Feb. 29, 1968. Also, Kenneth Willard Jr., class of 1965, was killed in March 1968. Jerry Thomas, class of 1967, was killed in 1969.
At the conclusion of the banquet, Alan Zimmerman, class of 1968, was honored as the last graduating senior of Syracuse High School. This was due to the fact that his last name started with a “Z.”
The next banquet is June 15, 2019.
The class of 1958, in the front row, are Judi Kline Smith and Pat Connolly. In the second row are Dennis Bjella, Jack Hart, Morgan Sloan, Sharon Byrd Moser, Sandra Miller Baumgartner and Norma Byland Crafton. In back row are Fred Avery, Robert Simon and Delbert Thornburg. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)
Meredith Mench Green, class of 1937, was honored at the banquet. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)
Pictured, from the class of 1948, from left, are Phillip Strieby, Marty Whitehead Scearce, Willodean Wilkinson Yoder, Marilyn Miller Hodgson, Nancy Dietrick Shock, Marie Eby Tom and Donna Darr Workman. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)