La Cygne High School alumni gather for annual reunion

Nancy Feldman Heidrick, center, shares a laugh with her classmates and husband John at the La Cygne High School reunion on Saturday, May 23. Nearly 80 people attended the event. (Photos by Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)

By Roger Sims, Journal staff

linncountyjournal@icloud.com

LA CYGNE – Nearly 80 graduates and their family memers attended the annual La Cygne High Reunion on Saturday, May 23, at the La Cygne Library's Great Room.

Following a meal served by the Cadmus 4-H Club, alumni association co-president Linda Farris (class of '69) greeted the attendees. That was followed by the invocation by Jim Farris ('69), and memorial by co-president Sandy Hopkins Ernst ('68). Linda Farris sang the song in memory of those who had died since the last reunion.

Alladene Moody Johnston, left, and Norma Pease were the LHS class of 1951 alumni who attended the event.

Past president Linda Stewart talked about three members of the association board who had died and their contributions to keeping the spirit of the reunion alive. Those board members included Paulette Obermeier Perry, Joyce Sergent, and Mary Ellenstainbrook.

Treasurer Jane Prike Wade ('57) gave the treasurer's report, which included more than $430 in donations and ticket sales for the reunion and nearly $1,100 for the scholarship fund. Scholarship committee member Kathy Pease Nicholson ('61) announced that the scholarship this year went to Averille Hightower.

Following her report Eugene Mendenhall ('63) nominated the current officers to remain on the board, and the nomination was approved unanimously.

Katie Hime Jones was the representative from the class of 1956.

Vice president Judy Long Patterson ('63) recognized classes from 1949 to 1956, and Wade recognized classes from 1957 to 1962, and vice president Artie White Stuteville ('63) recognized classes from 1963 to 1969. Following the recognition, raffle tickets were drawn with prizes ranging from a painting by the late Esther Shields as well as coasters and LHS buttons.

The annual meeting ending with the attendees standing and singing "God Bless America" with Glenna Farris leading.

The LHS class of 1961 was well represented with alumni, from left, Archie "Ace" Reynolds, Steve Lindsey, Kathy Pease Nicholson, Mary Milton, Bob Lee, and Ron Wier.

The LHS class of 1966 attendees included, from left, Barbara Rhynerson, Linda Andersen, and Donna Burnett Keyser.

Robert Stainbrook (class of '49) was recognized as being the oldest LHS graduate living in the area. He was accompanied by his wife of 75 years, Wilma Rhynerson Stainbrook, a 1950 graduate.

The alumni association officers included, from left, co-president Sandy Hopkins Ernst, vice president Judy Long Patterson, co-president Glenna Francis Farris, treasurer Jane Prike Wade, and vice president Artie White Stuteville.

The Cadmus 4-H Club members and adult sponsors catered the reunion meal.