PAXINOS - Shamokin Area High School Alumni Association held its 130th annual reunion Saturday at Masser's Banquet Hall.
The opening invocation was given by the Rev. Betsy Martin Bruaw, class of 1983.
The Pledge of Allegiance and Irving Berlin's song, "God Bless America," was sung by all attending, with Irvin Liachowitz, class of 1942, as the accompanist.
Entertainment for the more than 225 alumni, seniors, parents and friends was by various Shamokin Area High School students under the direction of Mary Anne Brennan Stump, class of 2000. Two selections were presented from the musical "Jekyl and Hyde."
Maxine Howerter-Harvey, class of 1983, president of the association, provided the banquet introduction. The meal was provided by Masser's Catering. After the meal, the business meeting was started with a silent prayer in memory of deceased members.
A motion was made by John Klinger, class of 1968, and Mary Ann Pitorak Miller, class of 1974, to approve the secretary's report, which is included in the newsletter. Helen Zeigler, class of 1964, and John Schankweiler, class of 1943, made a motion to approve the treasurer's report, which is also in the newsletter.
Howerter-Harvey presented the class of 2013 to those attending the banquet, welcoming them to the alumni association. Paul Gurba, senior class president, presented the 2013 class pennant to the association.
Pitorak Miller, assisted by senior girls for delivery of gifts, coordinated the prize drawings as part of the banquet.
Joseph Bordell, class of 1968, vice president, recognized the various anniversary classes and when appropriate, their contributions to the education and general funds:
- Class of 1943 - Three members attended the banquet.
- Class of 1948 - Tom Olcese presented a check for $1,950 for the general fund.
- Class of 1953 - Ten members attended, presenting $530 for the Richard Hilbush Scholarship Fund and $7,953 for the educational fund. In addition, two checks were already received by the treasurer, one for $255 (general fund) and one for $347 (education fund).
- Class of 1958 - Two members present.
- Class of 1968 - Thirteen members attended, presenting a check for $1,968.
- Class of 1973 - One member attended.
- Class of 1978 - One member attended.
- Class of 1983 - Two members attended.
- Class of 1993 - No members attended.
- Class of 1998 - A check was presented for $600 for the educational fund.
- Silver anniversary class of 1988 - Five members attended.
- Golden Anniversary Class of 1963 - Seven members of the class attended, presenting a check for $5,600 ($4,478 educational fund and $1,122 general fund).
- Diamond anniversary class of 1938 - No members present.
Al Fecko from the class of 1936 attended the banquet and was recognized.
Gifts to the Golden Anniversary Class (1963) from the alumni association and the distance award were presented by Liachowitz.
Janet Lark Shipman, class of 1963, won the distance award, coming from Fort Collins, Colo.
Liachowitz presented the Alumni Scholarship Awards. These are awards for four years. Forty-four students took a competitive test. Five awards are from the Coal Township Alumni Association (CT), while seven are from the Shamokin Area High School Alumni Association (SA).
Recipients, yearly award amount, college choice and their major emphasis are:
- First - Darien Craft (CT), $3,000 Bucknell University, biomedical engineering.
- Second - Stephanie Dressler (SA), $2,700, Bloomsburg University, music.
- Third - Theodore Deptula (CT), $2,500, Penn State University, engineering.
- Fourth - Autumn Peck (SA), $2,200, Wilkes University, pharmacy.
- Fifth - Andrew Hasuga (CT), $2,000, Wilkes University, biology.
- Sixth - Marlena Ford (CT), $2,000, Penn State University, undeclared.
- Seventh - Christie Munson (CT), $2,000,Wilson College, psychology.
- Eighth - Paul Gurba (SA), $1,900, Penn College, physician assistant.
- Ninth - Ashley Keiser (SA), $1,700 York College, psychology.
- 10th - Michael Yucha (SA), $1,500 Wilkes University, premed/biology.
- 11th - Samantha Schiccatano (SA), $1,200, Pitt/Johnstown, pharmacy.
- 12th - Kayla Hart (SA), $900, Wilkes University, pharmacy.
High School Principal Chris J. Venna gave a report on the SAHS and included information on academics, athletics, fine arts (music/art/drama) and computer technology.
Eugene Boughner, class of 1960, recommended and alumni ratified appointment to the education (scholarship) committee of David Marateck, class of 1972; H. Robert Mattis Jr., class of 1968, and David Donmoyer, class of 1948.
Approved as members of the education (scholarship) fund board were Boughner, president; Susan Kropinski Hass, class of 1975, vice president; Francis Lee Brennan, class of 1963, secretary, and William Korbich, class of 1954, treasurer.
Kropinski Hass and alumni ratified officers of the executive committee: Bordell, president; Sandra Dilliplane Rosnock, class of 1994, vice president; Claire Clutcher Varney, class of 1962, secretary; William Korbich, class of 1954, treasurer; Helen Jane Murphy, class of 1943, historian, and Jeffrey Clutcher, class of 1978, registrar.
Outgoing president Howerter-Harvey introduced the new officers and thanked the many committees and members for their help this past year. She especially thanked the committee for the planning and setup for the banquet. Klinger and Rob Ensinger, class of 1974, were the co-chairs. She also encouraged all alumni to become active with the alumni association.
The senior class led the association in the singing of the alma mater and Bruaw closed the business meeting with the benediction.
Afterglow entertainment was provided by the Vic Boris Trio. Refreshments were included.