HHS class of 1965 holds its 50th reunion

The Hillsboro High School class of 1965 held its 50th reunion on Saturday, July 4, at the Elks Lodge in Hillsboro.

One hundred guests were in attendance, including 61 of the 144 classmates who graduated in 1965. This class holds the distinction of being the first to hold an outdoor graduation on Richards Memorial Field. It was the largest class up to that point, with an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 in attendance to watch the ceremony. Harry Bennett was superintendent and Walter Shannon was principal.

The evening opened with introductions, followed by a tribute to the deceased members of the class: Boris Alexander, Jon Beery, Gary Burkhard, Lonnie Butler, Donnie Cluff, Karen Gleadle, Ramona Ross Green, Donna Harrison Meddock, Marilyn Lowe Seymour, Phil Lucas, Jim McConnaughey, Sandra Moon, Bill Nace, Victor Silcott, Tom Stanforth and Joe Thompson. Veterans of the class were also recognized for their commitment and service to the country.

Beautiful wooden replicas of the old Hillsboro High School were awarded to the classmate attending from the longest distance, Betty Jones Davis of Arizona; living in the same home in Hillsboro the longest, Carol Cashman Mullenix, 50 years; having the most surgeries, David Lowell; and having the most children and grandchildren, Frank Johnson, with 13.

Classmates warmly welcomed teachers – Bill and Marilyn Atsalis and John Porter and wife, Cheryl. All three teachers spoke of their fond memories of the class, and John Porter laughingly apologized for being a first-year teacher in 1964-65.

The room was decorated in a festive “65” theme with displays of old photographs of members, former teachers and places in the community, articles of school happenings and copies of 1965 magazines. Music was provided by D.J. Jimmy Mack. Each classmate was presented with a memory book including classmates’ biographies and photos of Hillsboro places and buildings 50 years ago and how they appear today.

Members were given an opportunity to tour the new high school on Sunday.

Committee members were: Joe Bryan, Sue Walker, Carleen Alexander, Gary and Joyce Breeze, Sharon Wisecup, Judy Huebner, Sally Rogers, Barb Storer, Jim Gorman, Mike Dunnagan, Earl Smith, Melissa Smith and David Lowell.

Members of the Hillsboro class of 1965 are pictured at their 50-year reunion (first row, l-r) Sally Roush Rogers, Carleen Miller Alexander, Pat Moore Sonner, Betty Lou Jones Davis, Barbara Bridges Storer, Dottie Griffith Creed; (second row) David Lowell, Brenda Wagner, Marva Wilkin Smith, Susie Bare McCarty, Diane Robbins Wilson, Sue Stanforth Walker, Carol Moore Colville, Melissa Miller Smith, Joy Wallace Quickle, Carole Cashman Mullenix; (third row) Jim Redkey, Frank Johnson, Joe Bryan, Ken Kessler, Patty West Kessler, Jim Gorman, Dr. Judy Post Swank, Doug Applegate, Sandy Chaney Simbro, Judy Angels Huebner, Marvin Meddock, Dianne Schraw Cluff, Judy Cornelius Reno, Joyce Wills Breeze, Terry Moore, Larry Moore, Ken Naylor (hidden), Sharon McDaniel Wisecup, Lynn Williams Raitz, Margaret Sampson Harshbarger, Dr. Larry McElwee (partially hidden), Bill Wilkin, Mike Jones, Craig Mathews, Richard Runyon, Larry Edwards; (back row) Jim Stinson, Earl Smith, David Kerr, David Shaffer, Gary Breeze, Jeff Rhude, Ken Murphy, David Carter, Ed Bayless (partially hidden), Mike Dunnagan, John Stephens, Kenny Naylor (partially hidden), John Miller, Ken Harshbarger, Ralph Holt, Bill Snyder and Larry Edwards.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2015/08/web1_HHS-class-of-65-pic.jpgMembers of the Hillsboro class of 1965 are pictured at their 50-year reunion (first row, l-r) Sally Roush Rogers, Carleen Miller Alexander, Pat Moore Sonner, Betty Lou Jones Davis, Barbara Bridges Storer, Dottie Griffith Creed; (second row) David Lowell, Brenda Wagner, Marva Wilkin Smith, Susie Bare McCarty, Diane Robbins Wilson, Sue Stanforth Walker, Carol Moore Colville, Melissa Miller Smith, Joy Wallace Quickle, Carole Cashman Mullenix; (third row) Jim Redkey, Frank Johnson, Joe Bryan, Ken Kessler, Patty West Kessler, Jim Gorman, Dr. Judy Post Swank, Doug Applegate, Sandy Chaney Simbro, Judy Angels Huebner, Marvin Meddock, Dianne Schraw Cluff, Judy Cornelius Reno, Joyce Wills Breeze, Terry Moore, Larry Moore, Ken Naylor (hidden), Sharon McDaniel Wisecup, Lynn Williams Raitz, Margaret Sampson Harshbarger, Dr. Larry McElwee (partially hidden), Bill Wilkin, Mike Jones, Craig Mathews, Richard Runyon, Larry Edwards; (back row) Jim Stinson, Earl Smith, David Kerr, David Shaffer, Gary Breeze, Jeff Rhude, Ken Murphy, David Carter, Ed Bayless (partially hidden), Mike Dunnagan, John Stephens, Kenny Naylor (partially hidden), John Miller, Ken Harshbarger, Ralph Holt, Bill Snyder and Larry Edwards.