Emmitsburg High School Alumni Association Holds Its Annual Banquet
The Emmitsburg High School Alumni Association (EHSAA) met for its 101st banquet on Saturday, October 18, at the Vigilant Hose Community Building with 125 attendees. A 3:00 p.m. social hour was prepared and served by Carolyn Keilholtz Maddox, Nancy Mathias Summers, Shirley Wireman Freshman, and Wanda Valentine. A delicious dinner was provided by Mountain Gate Restaurant.
Vice President Phyllis Chatlos Kelly led the meeting since President Alan Brauer had a prior commitment. He briefly stopped by to thank all who helped and attended the banquet. Phyllis led the salute to the flag and invocation. Treasurer Vickie Valentine Frushour introduced the teachers who taught at Emmitsburg High School (EHS). Mary Fiery and Joyce Meadows Bruchey were presented with fruit baskets from Catoctin Mountain Orchard.
Vickie Frushour introduced the five winners of scholarships. Rebecca Chaney, mother of scholars Riana and Sheridan Chaney, told the group how much she appreciated the financial aid. The girls are now in their senior year and went to college exclusively on earned scholarships. Another set of twins, Lauren and Alayna Kelly, were winners, along with Shaymus Stull.
Phyllis Chatlos read the list of deceased members and a moment of silence was observed in their memory.
Historian Joyce Bruchey introduced the honor classes by reading the 1990 banquet opening remarks. Anna Margaret Martin and Mary Catherine Shields were recognized for the many years they served as secretaries. Each honored class was invited to the stage, asked to introduce themselves, and to share a high school memory.
Honored classes were those graduation years ending in “0” and “5”. The Class of 1950 was the first class required to attend 12 years of school. During their senior year, the cafeteria and auditorium addition was started. Their senior prom was held at the White House Inn, presently the Carriage House.
The class of 1955 had 44 members in ninth grade, but only 20 graduated. The school had a total enrollment of 421, with 240 students in elementary grades and 191 in high school. Their senior trip was to Atlantic City for three days.
The Class of 1960 had successful sports teams. The girls were the county’s volleyball champs. Two class members, Tess Umbel and Jack White, along with Junior Terry Fleagle, were awarded berths on the All-County Basketball Team. The soccer team had a 6-2 season. The final game against a much larger Montgomery Blair High School ended after two overtimes, 4-4.
The Class of 1965 was very active: an increased lunch by 10 minutes, experimented with two extra periods each week for clubs, and the E-Hi Times newspaper expanded to 10 pages. Mr. Woods, beloved industrial arts teacher, moved to a supervisory position for Frederick County Public Schools. The class took a three-day trip to the World’s Fair in New York City. EHS, the smallest county school, defeated the largest county school in girls’ basketball.
The Class of 1970 spent ten and a half years at EHS. Halfway through their Junior year, they moved to Catoctin High School. The class tied with the Class of 1968 for the most graduates: 38. Unlike previous classes, they did not experience making a yearbook or the senior edition of the school newspaper. They enjoyed their final year at Catoctin High.
Phyllis led a short business meeting. Connie Baker’s minutes and Sam Valentine’s treasurer’s reports were approved. Retiring treasurer, Sam Valentine, was presented with a gift for his many years of service and advice.
Vice President Phyllis Chatlos thanked Pam Ellison (VHC), Catoctin Mt. Orchard, Mountain Gate Restaurant, EHSAA Alumni Board, social hour workers, Cortney Wiles (photographer), and all who supported, helped set up, cleaned up, and attended the event.
The evening closed with a raffle provided by 19 local businesses and individuals. The donors were Jubilee, Palms, Ott House, Paul’s Pit Stop, Mountain Gate Restaurant, Catoctin Mt. Orchard, Dynamic Automotive, E+Printing, Avanti Safety, Carleo Italian Pizza, Rube’s, Chick-fil-A, Tuscany’s Pizza, Seton Shrine, Carriage House, Ann Ruppert, Lois Layman, Wanda Valentine, and Lois Trout.
The closing prayer was given by Bill Wivell. The 2026 Alumni Banquet will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Class of 1970
Pictured from left: (first row) Carolynn Keiholtz Maddox, Bev Davis Adams, Shirley Wireman Freshman, Nancy Mathis Summers; (back row) Harold Cregger, John Martin, and Calvin Chatlos.
Class of 1965
Pictured from left: Jim Martin, Phyllis Chatles Kelly, Dale Sharrer, and Joan Wormley Houck.
Class of 1960
Pictured from left: Francis Sayler Angelberger and Lois Fisher Orndorff
Class of 1955
Pictured from left: Harriet Fitez Glass, Kenneth Glass, and Mildred Tyler Weather.
Class of 1950, Doris Fisher Mercer.
