98 th Emmitsburg High School Alumni Banquet
The annual EHS Alumni Reunion Banquet was held on Saturday, October 15, at the Emmitsburg Fire and Ambulance Building. Alan Brauer, Class of 1964 president, welcomed the 150 guests. Bill Wivell, Class of 1966, gave the invocation and blessing. Dinner was served by Keystone Restaurant. All military, doctors, nurses, first responders, public safety officials, and teachers were recognized.
Vickie Valentine Frushour, Class of 1971 scholarship secretary, introduced the four scholarship winners. Two recipients, Max Bingman and Wyatt Davis, expressed their appreciation for the financial gift. Max is a junior at West Virginia University, pursuing a career in neuroscience. Wyatt is a freshman at Shippensburg University, studying mechanical engineering. Becky Chaney spoke on behalf of her twin daughters, Rianna and Sheridan, who are attending colleges in Oklahoma and Kansas, respectively. Both are interested in careers in agricultural communications. It was rewarding to see such fine young students receiving the scholarships.
Reports were given by Secretary Connie Baker Fisher and Treasurer Sam Valentine, both from the Class of 1964. Historian Joyce Meadows Bruchey, Class of 1962, shared the 100th anniversary event of the high school building, which was organized by Penny Stockton of the Frederick County Public Library staff. The celebration was held on September 15. Mayor Donald Briggs, FCPL Media Specialist Sheila McDuff, and County Executive Jan Gardner gave brief remarks. A ribbon-cutting of the road side sign about the high school was done by Mayor Briggs. EHS memorabilia was displayed in the activities room and the library.
Honored classes were recognized by Joyce Bruchey, who shared information about each class. Robert Gillelan and Mary Fiery were present from the Class of 1947. They were voted most athletic by their classmates. Each won top spots in 6 out of 16 categories. The FFA won state and national honors for their FFA programs. Their school assemblies started with a Bible reading, the Lord’s Prayer, salute to the flag, and the singing of “The Star- Spangled Banner.” Robert Gillelan won the $25.00 gift card. He also won the Shaklee basket, donated by Jeanne Sharrer Angleberger, Class of 1962.
The Class of 1952 had 15 graduates, including a German student. The group was the first class to graduate in the new auditorium/gymnasium addition. Miss Fiery began her teaching career at her alma mater. George Springer went to the National FFA Convention in Kansas City. The fire department scheduled a fire drill during a basketball game! Willam Umbel won the gift card.
The Class of 1957 had 18 graduates, only 4 were girls. This was the year a community college was established after school hours and on Saturdays at Frederick High School (tuition $150). It was also the first-time consolidation with Thurmont High was mentioned. Graduation was on June 14. The community was busy preparing for its bicentennial celebration, including a pageant called “Valley Echoes.” The $25.00 gift card was won by Barbara Naill Copenhaver.
The Class of 1962 had 28 graduates, like the Class of 1947. The girls’ hockey team placed second in the county. The boys’ soccer team was the county champs. EHS Liners won the district basketball championship. They went on to state class C championship and lost to Poolesville. Both the soccer and basketball teams were coached by John Horine. The seniors went on a class trip to the Catskills. Jeannie Sharrer Angleberger was May Queen. This was the year when Route 15 was identified as the most dangerous road in Frederick County. There was a big snowstorm that winter and the schools were closed for a week. The gift card was won by Dennis McGlaughlin.
The Class of 1967 was the next to last class to graduate from Emmitsburg High. Linda Keilholtz Umbel was May Queen, exactly 30 years after her mother had been May Queen in 1937. All the senior girls were in the May court. This was the first year that the yearbook staff was composed of other grades besides the seniors, and a designated class period was set aside for the staff to meet rather than after school. This was the fourth year that EHS Liners soccer team placed second in soccer, scoring over twice as many points as their opponents. Coach George Kuhn was the soccer coach. He also started the school’s first JV soccer team. The school finally offered typing classes. Joyce Kline Philpott won the $25.00 gift card.
Phyllis Chatlos Kelly, Class of1965, read the names of deceased members from the last year. A memorial station to them had been set up. Pres. Brauer thanked people who helped make the evening successful: Robert Black from Catoctin Mountain Orchards for apples for each honored class member; Pam Ellison from Vigilant Hose Company; bartenders Wanda Valentine, Tina Sayler King, and Connie Burrier, Class of 1968; and Keystone Restaurant.
