The 9th Annual Stanley-Boyd Alumni Association Reunion (SBAA) was held on Saturday, October 2, at Stanley-Boyd High School gymnasium. After a year off due to COVID-19, over 170 alumni registered to attend this year’s event, where classmates, friends and relatives gather to annually celebrate their alumni mater, renew acquaintances, and provide special recognition of former and present school personnel/ teachers and fellow alumni.

Many attendees again arrived early in order to maximize visitation time. The oldest graduate to attend was Milton Ryba, Class of 1945-Boyd High School. Members of the host Classes of 1960 and 1961 and the Board of Directors greeted attendees, checked them in, and assisted wherever needed.

A huge Silent Auction, again served as a fundraiser for the Scholarships offered annually by SBAA. This year’s committee consisted of Tess Poulter Burlingame, Barbara Endvick Johnson, Kim Witt Nelson, Jean Geist Rygiel, and Marian Voytovich Walsdorf. The auction again spread out along the east side of the gymnasium and included a good number of homemade items donated by alumni, items made by inmates at the Stanley Correctional Institution, and merchandise/gift certificates from local and area businesses. The $3,415 in proceeds from auction sales help support awarding $1,500 scholarships, that will be given this year to three Stanley-Boyd graduates. Memorials were again accepted with many deceased alumni recognized with lite candles at their class tables. Diane Herrick Meyer and Alvina Hera Depa coordinated the Memorial Project. At 11 am, President Ken Seufzer called the Annual Meeting into session. David Jankoski and Gary Simenson, co-host representatives of the 1960 and 1961classes,providedwelcomes. Simenson,Class of 1961, welcomed his classmates and others in attendance and offered memories from being the last high school class to graduate from the old high school. Jankoski, representing the Class of 1960, also offered a welcome, followed by a few tidbits of history related to 1959 and 1960. Concluding the welcoming ceremonies, a Patsy Cline Impersonator from Las Vegas (Class of 1960 member Colleen Barron Nowobielski), made an appearance, and provided entertainment reminiscent of the American country singer, by singing one of her hit songs, “She’s Got You,” to the delight of the attendees.

President Seufzer, also welcomed the hearty attendees, and thanked the Board of Directors for their dedication. After concluding his comments, Seufzer called on Eileen Stangret Samplawski, Secretary, who drew attention to the various alumni data/information displayed at a table on the gym’s south wall and noted her summarized Board Minutes, that were at eachtable. ShewasfollowedbyDavidJankoski, Treasurer, who presented the SBAA 2020 Fiscal Year Financial Report, which showed Income of $16,610 and Expenditures of $15,454.66, with the largest expenditure being a transfer of $10,000 to the SBAA Scholarship Trust Fund. President Seufzer called for, and had approved, a motion that the By-Laws limiting terms be dismissed to allow a Board Member to continue serving for another three-year term and another foraone-yearterm. JeanGeistRygielthenpresented the Nominating Committee’s Report. Voted in for three year terms were Rose Wellner Ebert, Class of 1973, David Jankoski, Class of 1960, and Donald Zais,

Submitted photo. Class of 1960. Carole Henkins Licht, Class of 1960, was elected to fill out a resigned Board member’s one year term. With two Board vacancies as of the January 1, 2022, attendees were encouraged to consider membership on the Board of Directors. Anyone interested can contact any Board Member or Officer.

Following the Annual Meeting, President Seufzer orchestrated the Awards and Recognition ceremonies. After recognizing several former Board Members, he honored three individuals for their Educational Support of Stanley-Boyd students. Next weeks Stanley Republican will carry a separate story on the three honored, Betty Bernklau Plombon, Eugene Hatfield and Larry Norrell.

Prior to lunch, Stanley-Boyd School District Administrator, Jeffery Koenig addressed the assemblage and shared some of the school district’s highlights. In his presentation, he discussed the impact of COVID on education, both this school year and last year, pointing out that students in the lower grades did very well, while students in the middle and high school to a much lesser degree. He also shared that due to space shortages, currently there are studies underway that will likely result in an addition to the east side of the middle school and a reconfiguration of the middle school. HisaudiencegaveDistrictAdministratorKoenigarousing round of applause following his presentation.

President Seufzer recognized the Milestone classes in attendance. He began by noting the presence of Milton Ryba and Susan Tomkowiak Ryba, as the oldest attendees. Milton graduated from Boyd High School in 1945 and Susan from Stanley High School in 1947. Other classes celebrating were: 1951 – 70 years, 1956 – 65 years, 1960 and 1961, the host classes – 60 and 61years, 1966 – 55 years, 1971 – 50 years, 1976 – 45 years and 1981 – 40 years.

Prior to dinner being served, Ed Kyle, Class of 1960, provided an invocation/table prayer. Due of COVID a plated roast beef dinner was served through the school’s cafeteria.

Following the formal program and meal, bidding on the auction items was encouraged and at 2 pm, the successful bidders took home the many treasures from the silent auction.

The SBAA Board of Directors expresses their sincere appreciation to the administration, office staff, janitorial staff, and head cook Glenda Schuebel and the food service workers for again, under unusual circumstances, helping make this year’s All-School Reunionanothersuccess. Asattendeeswereabouttodepart, a reminder was issued to save the date for the 2022 All School Reunion, that will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, with the Class of 1962 as hosts.

Following the Reunion the Board of Directors met for a short meeting. The Board Members present offered observations from the reunion just completed, received the Preliminary July- September Quarterly Financial Report, and learned of another successful Silent Auction.