Class of 1954 Celebrates Reunion
The graduates of Central, Chester, Laketon and Manchester high schools gathered for a reunion June 28. They were joined by a very special guest from Hamlin, Germany. Karin Press was an exchange student and joined with her former classmates in celebration of the 60th anniversary of their 1954 graduation. Press resided with the Noffsinger family while studying in North Manchester.
David Zinsmeister, teacher, and Nancy Alspaugh, principal, presented a program entitled “Beyond the Classroom, Beyond our Borders” about the Manchester-Bergsstedt student exchange. North Manchester students along with accompanying teachers spent three weeks in Bergstedt, Germany, absorbing the culture and sites, then returning home to host students and teachers from the school in Bergstedt for three weeks in North Manchester.
The distinguished alumni awards have become one of the highlights of the annual affair. Recipients, nominated anonymously, for this year were Phil Enyeart, Thelma Butler, Jerry Purdy, Karl Merritt and Jane Spencer Craney.
Nancy Alspaugh kept the evening moving from the welcome to the closing remarks. Special recognition was given the 50th anniversary class (1964) as well as the 45th (1969), 55th (1959) and 60th (1954) anniversary classes. Introductions of administration and former teachers followed the celebration of life, recognizing currently deceased alumni.
Group singing included “I’m Proud to Be an American,” preceded by recognition of all veterans in attendance, and the traditional singing of the four school songs. Becky Landes, head cook, was in charge of the menu.