Thurmont High School Alumni Annual Banquet
Maxine Troxell
Volunteers with the Thurmont Alumni Association hosted the Thurmont High School (THS) Alumni Annual Banquet at the Thurmont Event Complex on June 10, 2023. Alumni President Ron Pearcey (Class of ‘64) welcomed the crowd of 184, and Ron Free (Class of ‘64) served as Master of Ceremonies. Nancy Duncan (Class of ‘58) gave the invocation.
Fond alumni memories were shared, with a big screen video developed by Maxine Troxell (Class of ‘62), with photos from the good old days in school.
In addition to the social aspect of the banquet, some association business was conducted, with the reading of the organization’s last meeting minutes by Secretary Viola Noffsinger (Class of ‘58), as well as the Treasurer’s Report and Scholarship Fund Report by Treasurer Becky Linton (Class of ‘58).
Scholarships totaling $21,700 were awarded to this year’s scholars. Those receiving scholarships this year were:
From the Donald Lewis Community Impact Fund: Katie Glass – Alumnus, Linda (Wastler) Glass – 1966; Natalie Hafler –Alumnus, Jerry Smith – 1971; Tanner Seiss – Alumnus, Linda Marie (Finneyfrock) Smith – 1969 and Daniel Seiss – 1965; Skyla Smith – Alumnus, James Lee Royer – 1963 and Peggy (Favorite) Royer – 1966.
From the Donald P. Dougherty Memorial Fund: Adam Bollinger – Alumnus, Sterling E. Bollinger – 1946, Maggie Doll – 1971; Paige Willard – Alumnus, Morris Thomas Willard – 1952.
From the Thurmont High School Alumni Association: Matin Donnelly – Alumnus, Arleen (Miller) Donnelly – 1969, Peggy (Ennis) Willard – 1969 and Dennis Willard – 1968); Collin Dowling – Alumnus, Carol (Shriner) Martin – 1965; Ashlynn Holmes – Alumnus, Nancy (Fair) Titman – 1957; Alexander O’Connell – Alumnus, Shirley (Wierman) Freshman – 1970.
Anniversary classes honored at this banquet were graduating classes: 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973.
This year, the Alumni honored THS Cheerleaders: Deborah Fornwald (CHS ’73), Connie (Long) Fream (THS ’64), Joan (Bittner) Fry (THS ’56), Penelope (Wood) Joseph (THS ’69), Peggy (Wachter) Laster (THS ’55), Carol (Gearhart) Long (CHS ’72), Cathy (Smith) Petree (THS ’69), Linda (Elower) Sicilia (THS ’68), Margo (Emrich) Trexler (THS ’63), and Susan (Long) Wireman (CHS ’72).
The oldest person was Ed Coleman (Class of 1942). The furthest distance traveled was Frances (Lampkin) Purcell (Class of 1958) from Fillmore, California.
The items that were auctioned: original brick from the school, donated by Ray May (‘59); Cat’s Meow’s by Dick Creager (‘53); a 1958 Chevy Impala miniature car, donated by Gladys Baker (‘61); two books written by Terry Miller (‘57); and a Thurmont sweatshirt.
Raffles were a 50/25/25 raffle; a Goodie Basket by Carol (Gearhart) Long (‘72), won by Betty Martin (Class of ‘56); and Baked Goods by Nancy Gearhart Rice (‘62), won by Ernest Rice (Class of ‘55),
Door prizes donated by various local businesses and organizations was hosted by Ron Pearcey.
Other committee members were: Bill Eyler, Rusty Hauver (Vice President), Carol Long, Ray May, and Lela Weaver.
The banquet was closed by President Ron Pearcey.
Next year’s THS Alumni Banquet will be held on June 8, 2024.
The Thurmont High School Alumni would like to thank the following donors of door prizes and auction: Bollinger’s Restaurant, Catoctin Mountain Orchard, The Ott House, Gateway Candyland Market, Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, Rocky’s Pizza, Trouts Foods, Roy Rogers Restaurant, Fratellis New York Pizza, Weis Market, Jubilee Grocery, Maple Run Golf, Carriage House Inn, Mountain Memories, The Wedding Bouquet by Karen Myers, Hillside Turkey Farm, Kountry Kitchen Restaurant, and Mountain Gate Restaurant.
Photos by Maxine Troxell
Class of 1953
Pictured: (back row) Dick Creeger, Naomi Long, Raymond Long, Dot Budd; (front row) Charlotte Nusbaum, Pat Weddle, Cecelia Fraley, and Betty Mumma.
Class of 1958
Pictured: (standing) James Bittner, Delores Whipp, Mike Miller; (middle row) Rebecca Linton, Tena Karinshak, Nancy Allen,Frances Purcell; (front row) Viola Noffsinger, Doris Simpson, Nancy Fraley, Georgette Stitley, and Joyce Bohn.
Class of 1963
Pictured: (standing) Bob Benjamin, George Zinkham, Roger Stull; (middle row) Larry Freshman, Margo Trexler, William Wagaman; (front row) Sam Royer, Beverly Hessong, Shelby Wagaman, and Carolyn Sexton.
Class of 1968
Pictured: (standing) Richard Long, Peter Sicilia, Jr.; (front row) Marsha Ridenour and Linda Sicilia.
Class of 1973
Deborah Fornwald
Teacher Clarence Piper
Scholarship Winners: Alexander O’Connell, Matin Donnelly, Katie Glass, and Adam Bollinger.
Winner of the Baked Goods, Ernest Rice
Winner of the Gift Basket, Betty Martin (Class of 1956)
*Next year’s Thurmont High School Alumni Banquet will be held on June 8, 2024.
