Shown is the Milford High School Class of 1962, which was honored at the 97th Milford High School Alumni Banquet held Saturday, June 11.
In front, from left, are Bill Troup, Mary (Zimmerman) Gerber, Ann (Schlotterback) Brooks and Linda (Moneyheffer) Miller. Back row: Ron Baumgartner, Corinne (Morehouse) Walter, Max Rarick, Jane (Beer) Templin, Janice (Rapp) Pippenger, Bob Brooks and Mary (Hollar) Duncan. Photos by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — About 80 classmates of Milford High School attended the 97th Milford High School Alumni banquet held Saturday, June 11, at Milford School. Alumni Association President Ron Baumgartner noted there were 107 attendees at last year’s banquet. He encouraged all the attendees to eat well and do some exercise so they could all gather again next year.

This year the class of 1952, which had 26 members when they graduated, and 1962, which had 34 members when they graduated, were honored. Bette Hollar was the only member of the class of 1952 to attend. Mary Duncan introduced those members of the class of 1962 and their spouses.

Corinne (Morehouse) Walters provided a 1962 “Remember When.” Back then gas was 28 cents, a hamburger was 40 cents, a car was $2,000 and the average income was $5,000.

Becky Alles, Van Buren Township trustee, cemetery sexton and senior queen, talks about how servant leadership benefits a small community. She also explained a bit about her jobs as trustee and sexton.

During his opening remarks, Baumgartner made a few jokes which drew groans from the crowd. “This is not Bob Hope. This is not the Johnny Carson show,” he said. As a trivia question he asked how many county schools consolidated into Milford School? Numbers ranging from 5 to 17 were thrown out by the crowd with 15 being the correct number.

Baumgartner noted the answer could be found in the 1968 Trojanette. He then went through the list of schools and where they were located. “Most of those had one teacher and a few students,” he said.

After a review of the alumni association’s finances, Margaret Brooks went through the necrology report for 2020-2022. During that time 22 classmates from the classes of 1939 to 1968 passed away.

Becky (Brown) Alles, Van Buren Township trustee, served as master of ceremonies. She and her husband were honored at Milford Fest as the Senior King and Queen. Alles was decked out in her sash and tiara for the banquet.

She also serves as cemetery sexton and joked she had already addressed one cemetery issue during dinner.

Alles spoke of growing up across from the school. While she didn’t graduate from Milford High School, “I remember the band room distinctly … the girls’ lockers were under the bleachers. I was sure we could be seen. The bleachers were not impenetrable.

“The choir, the band concerts, the living Christmas tree … Attending the class plays. When you’re younger than anyone else, you get to go to these things,” she said.

“I do remember in junior high while go-go boots were in. A bunch of us girls had white go-go boots and you could hear us coming.”

Alles remembered how she and Deb Wolferman were the only two varsity cheerleaders and how football started at the junior high level in 1966.

“I remember the assembly hall … study hall, boy was that a misnomer.

“The point of all this reminiscing is we all have our memories of high school. … We were fortunate to experience that in a small community. … We had a community that cared about us.

“I like to think of those people who mentored me, the servant leaders.”

Becky Alles, master of ceremonies, and Jim Moore lead attendees of the Milford High School alumni in the Milford High School song.

She mentioned several personal servant leaders in her own life and noted some of Milford’s current servant leaders are third generation.

Alles went on to explain a bit about her jobs as township trustee and cemetery sexton. She explained how the town and township share responsibilities for fire protection. “It’s really nice, there are other towns/townships that don’t have that great rapport and they really struggle,” she said.

She explained how she helps with township, medical and burial assistance and emergency shelter for those who need them.

As sexton she cares for Salem and Mount Pleasant cemeteries. Milford Cemetery is owned by an association and is funded through the sale of lots and donations. She stressed that the American Legion and the fire department, not her, are responsible for American flags being put on veterans’ graves.

“It’s my hope future generations learn that servant leaders are so vital to small communities,” she said.

For those who want to keep up with old friends from Milford High School, there is a Facebook page, Milford High School Milford, IN Friends.

Margaret Brooks, right, reads the necrology at the Milford High School Alumni Banquet. Next to her is Ron Baumgartner, alumni president.