COAL TOWNSHIP - The Coal Township High School Alumni Association celebrated its 77th anniversary with a banquet at Brady Fire Company Banquet Hall on May 25. It was attended by 217 classmates.
The opening invocation and the blessing were provided by President Sam Weaver.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" led by Weaver, class of 1964.
Following dinner, a military presentation was given by Walter Summers, class of 1948, honoring 47 veterans in attendance. A moment of silence was observed in memory of all departed veterans. The playing of "Taps" and a salute concluded the program.
Theresa Targonski Sandri, class of 1943, nominating committee chairperson, presented the recommendation for the slate of officers. They were: President, Weaver, class of 1964; vice president, James Gresavage, class of 1946; secretary, Doris Olley Ziemba, class of 1964; treasurer, Diane Grego Kerstetter, class of 1964. With the office of historian being open, Sharon Diettrick Criniti was nominated from the floor. The officers were then elected.
Nineteen members of the class of 1963 celebrating their 50th year anniversary were awarded a pen and pencil set from the alumni by Tom and Sarann Keyack, class of 1957.
Forty-four Shamokin Area High School seniors took a competitive test for five Coal Township scholarships. The 2013 Coal Township scholarship recipients are:
- Darien Craft, George Nagle Scholarship, $3,000 per year. Craft will be attend Bucknell University with a major in biomedical engineering.
- Theodore Deptula, Frank Marcinek Scholarship, $2,500 per year. Deptula will attend Penn State University with a major in engineering.
- Andrew Hasuga, George Lytle Scholarship, $2,000 per year. Hasuga will attend Wilkes University with a major in biology.
Marlena Ford, Coal Township Alumni Scholarship, $2,000 per year. Ford will attend Penn State University, undeclared.
Christie Munson, Coal Township Alumni Scholarship, $2,000 per year. Munson will attend Wilson University with a major in psychology.
Faculty and administration from the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center made the recommendation for Keisha Foulds to receive a $2,500 per year scholarship from the alumni. Foulds will attend Bloomsburg University with a major in nursing.
Coal Township Class of 1951 presented a one-time award of $625 to Chelsea Moroski.
The Shamokin and Coal Township scholarship winners were presented, introduced themselves, talked about their majors and their school of choice.
Weaver reported the Coal Township Alumni Association continues to serve the community and young people of Shamokin Area. In the last year, 33 high school graduates received $64,000 in Coal Township Alumni Scholarship monies. The monies, received from class and individual donations to the scholarship fund and the generosity of the Andrew C. Long Foundation, will continue to finance the CTHS scholarships well into the future.
Robert Shuey, Class of 1943, presented to the alumni $300 to the Century Club and $2,193 to the general fund.
Aldine Lashay, class of 1936, was recognized as a 77-year alumnus.
Weaver thanked the banquet committee members, Diane Kerstetter, Doris Ziemba, Sarann and Thomas Keyack, Theresa Sandi and Genevieve Daniels for the planning and decorating. Classes were recognized and thanked for their continued support. All members are encouraged to become active with the alumni association.
The business meeting closed with the singing of the Coal Township alma mater, led by Weaver.
Anniversary class pictures were taken by Harry Deitz.
During the after glow, The Shoreliners entertained the assembly. Refreshments were included.
Class members donating $100 or more to the scholarship fund become members of the Coal Township Alumni Century Club. The previous year's Century Club donors are listed in the annual alumni newsletter.