Emmitsburg Alumni Association Celebration
The Emmitsburg Alumni Annual Banquet was held on October 19 at the Ambulance Building in Emmitsburg. Approximately 150 people attended. A social hour was held at 4:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres were prepared and served by Wanda Meadows Valentine, Class of 1968; Shirley Wierman Frushour, Class of 1970; Tonya and Troy Bates.
President Alan Brauer Sr., Class of 1964, welcomed the attendees. Bill Wivell, Class of 1966, gave the invocation and the pledge was said. A turkey and ham dinner followed Bill Wivell’s blessing. The meal was served by Mountain Gate Restaurant. Special recognition was given to former Emmitsburg Elementary teachers, Mary Fiery, Class of 1947; and Joyce Bruchey, Class of 1962. The recent death of teacher Betty Ann Hollinger Baker, Class of 1950, was acknowledged. Vickie Valentine, Class of 1971, introduced the scholarship winners, as well as the colleges they would be attending: Peyton Davis and Abby Mannix, Frederick Community College; Savannah Morris, Mt. St. Mary’s University; Lily Bingman and Joel Miller, Coastal Carolina University.
Guests, Maryland Representative Willam Valentine and Emmitsburg Mayor Frank Davis, were introduced, spoke, and presented commendations from the state and the town to the organization on the alumni’s 100th anniversary celebration. Calvin Chatlos, Catoctin Class of 1970, shared memories of growing up in Emmitsburg and encouraged the group to reflect on their own memories. Secretary Connie Baker Fisher, Class of 1964, and Treasurer Sam Valentine, Class of 1964, submitted their reports.
A moment of silent prayer was observed in remembrance of the deceased members; Phylis Chatlos Kelly, Class of 1965, read the list of those who had passed: Betty Ann Hollinger Baker, Eddie Baker, Terry Fleagle, Mike Humerick, Clyde Keilholtz, Fred Keilholtz, John Krom, Sara Taylor Miller, Bill Rogers, John Springer, Richard Swomley, Lola May Wastler, Richard Fisher, Jeffrey Meckley, and Linda Frock
In old business, Alan Brauer shared the wall plaque that was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary. All the graduates of Emmitsburg High from 1898 through 1968 were listed. It presently hangs in the school by the first-floor elevator. The efforts of Sam Valentine and Vickie Valentine Frushour, Class of 1971, in creating the final product, were recognized. A discussion followed on moving the annual 100th banquet to a lunch time meeting so as to negate seniors having to drive at night. The association voted to have lunch meetings.
Historian Joyce Meadows Bruchey, Class of 1962, recognized the honor classes: 1944, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969. There was no Class of 1949 because that year education requirements moved to 12 years. Rebecca McNair Wisnotskey was the only 1944 graduate from a class of 22. She shared what it was like to be living during WWII. Rebecca was the oldest EHS attendee, and Wanda Valentine claimed the title of the youngest person to graduate from the school. Each was given a fall arrangement.
The class of 1954 had 13 graduates, with four members present. This class had one of the longest-serving EHSAA executive boards member: Mary Catherine Shields. The 8th grade school year began on September 9 with 34 students. Only 13 remained to graduate from EHS. This was the only year that all the seniors participated in the glee club. The class of 1959 had 28 students, with 7 boys and 24 girls. Six graduates attended this year’s banquet. The class had two Beckys, two Susans, two Sandys, and two Margarets. Mr. Weaver was the new coach. The county instituted a new report card. The school had numerous improvements made: painted classrooms, a chemistry lab, florescent lights, and green boards. The class was known to be very boisterous, and teachers decided to sit them alphabetically! The class went on their senior trip to Wildwood, New Jersey.
The class of 1964 graduated 28 seniors; 10 were present. They restarted the year book tradition under Rita Remavage and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Laws’ supervision. Emmitsburg consistently had good sports team, but that year was an especially good one: basketball team was number three in the county and number one in defense. Coach Kuhn organized the first track team since the school’s addition was completed. The girls were champions in lacrosse and volleyball. The class went to the World’s Fair in New York for their class trip for three days and two nights.
The class of 1969 had a split year; half was at EHS and the other half was at the new Catoctin High School. The 22 seniors moved to the new school on February 7. Each honored class introduced themselves, told where they reside, and shared memories. One person in each won a $25.00 gift card from Walmart.
The last order of business was distributing the raffle prizes, donated by local businesses: Jubilee, The Palms Paul’s Pit Stop, Carriage House, Avanti Safety, Chubby’s Barbecue, Mountain Gate, Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Emmitsburg Vigilant Fire Company, Applebee’s, Ott House, Farmhouse Exchange, E+ Printing, and Subway. Becky Hayes Jones, Class of 1959, donated a framed painting of the high School, which was painted by her late husband, Ben Jones. Sam Valentine won it and presented it to Joyce Meadows Bruchey for her contributions to the alumni association. Pres. Alan Brauer, with the help of Mayor Davis and Phyliss Chatlos Kelly, announced the winners.
The president thanked Pam Ellison, the Vigilant Hose Company, EHSAA board members, and all who help set up and clean up for banquet. All were wished a safe trip home. Next year’s banquet will be October 18.
Class of 1964: (front row) Patty Hyde Shorb, Frances Hartman Eyler, Eugene Eyler, Harry Harner; (back row) Sam Valentine, Beverly Kemp, Connie Baker Fisher, Thelma Herring Byard, Grace Flory Wormley, and Alan Brauer Sr.
Class of 1959: Maryann Sharer Fisher, Sandy Pittinger Shriver, Norman Shriver, and Morris Zentz Jr.
Mayor Frank Davis and Maryland Representative William Valentine.
Roger Adams, Sharon Sharer, and Tom Long.
Class of 1954 (from left): Ruth Umbel Clark, Ronald Kelly, and Jeanne Troxell.
Wanda Valentine (Class of 1968): The youngest person to graduate from Emmitsburg High School; Rebbecca McNair Wisnotskey (Class of 1944): the oldest graduate attending the banquet.
