90th Anniversary Banquet of the Emmitsburg High School Alumni Association

Deb Spalding

On Saturday, October 18, 2014, the 90th Banquet of the Emmitsburg High School Alumni was held at the Emmitsburg Ambulance activities building on Creamery Road in Emmitsburg. Emmitsburg High School’s first graduating class was the class of 1898. Their last graduating class was the class of 1968. The late Ada Hollinger Sperry began the alumni banquets in 1921. During World War II, there were three years during which no banquet was held.  Thus, 2014 is the 90th year anniversary of Emmitsburg Alumni banquets. The students who attended Emmitsburg High School were known as the “Liners” due to the school’s proximity to the Mason Dixon Line. The Class of 1968 was the last graduating class of Emmitsburg High School. The Class of 1969 held the distinction of closing down Emmitsburg High School a few months shy of their graduation. Thus, the Emmitsburg High School “Liners” combined with the Thurmont High School “Mountaineers” at the new Catoctin High School, where the first graduating class of Cougars received their diplomas in 1969. Classes that were honored at this banquet were those graduating in 1934, 1939, 1944, 1954, 1959, 1964, and 1969. The class of 1949 did not have a graduating class, since the requirement to graduate was changed from eleven years to twelve years. One member was present at the banquet, representing the class of 1934: Emory Motter. He did not actually graduate with the class, because he had to drop out after 7th grade to help on his family’s farm. He later received his certificate by attending night classes. Alumni President, Randy Valentine, awarded Mr. Motter an honorary Emmitsburg High School Diploma and year book. It was noted that Mr. Motter’s brother, William, drove the first school bus in the Emmitsburg area. The Alumni Association awards annual scholarships to several individuals seeking further education. This year’s scholarships were awarded to four students: Shelby Maly, Elizabeth Shriver, Taylor Shank, and Taylor Joy. Shelby Maly, daughter of Scott and Barb Maly and granddaughter of Norman and Sandy Shriver (Class of 1959), is a sophomore at Shepherd University, majoring in Sports Marketing. Elizabeth Shriver, daughter of Dave and Denise Shriver and also a granddaughter of Norman and Sandy Shriver, is a Junior at Delaware Valley College, majoring in Agronomy, with a focus in Crop Science. Taylor Shank, daughter of Duane and Anita Shank, is attending Clemson University, earning a degree in Architecture. Taylor Joy, daughter of Elaine Moffett, is attending Stevenson University, seeking a degree in Elementary Education.  This year, an additional scholarship was derived from an anonymous gift in memory of Emmitsburg’s 6th grade teacher, Mary B. Scott, who taught for many years at the old Emmitsburg School. This scholarship was also awarded to Taylor Joy. It is important to note that students who attended Emmitsburg High School at any time during their education, regardless of whether or not they graduated, are encouraged to be part of The Emmitsburg Alumni Association. Next year, the classes that end in a 5 or a 0 will be honored. Alumni historian, Joyce Bruchey (Class of 1962), is missing photos of six graduating classes for the honor book: 1924, 1925, 1927, 1933, 1935, and 1938.  Please call Joyce at 410-775-7921 if you have one of those photos that she can scan.  Pictured are Emory Moffet, Class of 1934—banquet attendee from the earliest class; and Mike Humerick, Class of 1959—traveled the farthest, all the way from Alaska.

Emmitsburg Alumni Banquet Honor Class of 1969.