The largest class ever to graduate from Washington High School (with 188 members) celebrated the golden anniversary of their graduation the weekend of July 10 and 11. The weekend started with a casual gathering at the home of Allen and Patty (Wilson) Griffiths for a pizza party on Friday evening.
On Saturday, Dale Lynch conducted tours of the School Apartments on North Street (which was the building which the Class of ‘65 attended) and of the current Washington and Middle School complex on Willard Street. The second tour also included the placement of a bench, donated by Alan Robbins on behalf of the class, which now sits in the corridor outside of Liberty Hall. The bench, which sports Blue Lion blue, notes that it was given on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the graduation of the WHS Class of 1965.
The evening’s festivities were emceed by Class President Gary Anders. Following the steak and chicken dinner, a video tribute was given for the 33 class members who are deceased. A group picture was then taken by Brandan Ellars of Exposure Photograph LLC. Dale Lynch then conducted a trivia contest called “Blue Lions Blitz” for which the title of “True Blue Lion” was awarded to Rob Rodenfels.
A video highlighting the class’s four years of high school was presented. The video, which had been assembled 10 years ago by Rob Rodenfels and was updated for this occasion, was a big hit and because of demand the class is now selling the DVD for $15. (Contact Carol Carey for more information at (740) 335-1107.)
The evening climaxed with the distribution of a booklet which was assembled from submitted biographies from class members. A few copies are still available for a limited time for $10 each. (Again contact Carol Carey). Music from the 1960s and much renewal of old friendships rounded out the evening.
Class members attending from out-of-state were: Ralph Baughn (Mich.), Bruce Core (Ore.), Lana (Jamison) Crain (Mo.), Darrell Hixon (Ariz.), Donna (Schneider) Johnson (Fla.), Joe Keefer (N.C.), Pam Hartley Lynch (Fla.), Dave Marlin (Utah), Sally (Smith) Moffat (Ariz), Bonnie (Frazier) Morarity (Fla.), Jack Powell (Fla.) (Friday only), Rob Rodenfels (Fla.), and Judy (O’Flynn) Sunderland (Penn.).
From Ohio (outside of Fayette County) were Caryl (Bogan) Bolser, Rita Bondurant, Brenda (Burkitt) Browning, Rob and Jeannie (Montgomery) Brubaker, Gary Burris, Ed Campbell, Gary Card, Janet (Brock) Darling, Carole (Henry) Haines, Larry Jean, Emma Lou (Sowders) Knisley, Bekki (DeWitt) Kratzer, Gale Lynch, Connie (Shonkwiler) McCalla, Barbara (Phillips) Mechling, Alan Robbins, Chris (Kerns) Stephens, Mike Stritenberger, Dixie (Campbell) Tipton, Gary Ware, Jerry Warner, Rodger Whaley, Bob Wilson, Ron Wilson, and Janet Wood.
Local class members in attendance were: Brenda (Allen) Looker, Gary Anders, Jim Anderson, Carol (Witherspoon) Carey, Wilma Coulter, Allen and Patty (Wilson) Griffiths, Pam (Caldwell) Haines, Anna (McConkey) Hurles, Dan Kelley, Jennifer Lee, Dale Lynch, Jill (Jamison) Neuder, Mike Pentzer, Sharon (Christman) Prater, Debbie (Everhart) Roby, Judy (Penwell) Shaw, and Terry Underwood.
The guests for the evening were retired high school history teacher Don Moore and his wife Frances. Moore received a rousing round of applause and was mentioned in the book by several class members as being one of their favorite WHS memories.
Members of the organizing committee for the various reunion events were Gary Anders, Wilma Coulter, Carol Carey, Allen and Patty Griffiths, Pam Haines, Dale Lynch, Barb Mechling, Jill Neuder, Mike Pentzer, Debbie Roby, and Gary Ware.
