The 45th annual Parsons High School Alumni banquet was held recently at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School. The program was opened by Marvin “Bud” Parsons, president by welcoming those in attendance. He began by introducing the cooks; Nancy Dotson and Donna Cross; the servers: Chopper Evans with the New Beginnings group, servers: J.R., Tammy and Kennedy Helmick and Cathy Hebb.
The invocation was given by the Rev. Pat Cassidy.The Pledge of Allegiance was given by all followed by the National Anthem sang by Tyler Shaffer.
A memorial service was given by Evelyn Moore, Candy Sommerville and Rev. Cassidy to honor all classmates that had gone on before us.
Following dinner, the classes being honored were introduced and a spokesperson from each class was introduced. Ross Stemple spoke on behalf of the class of 1948. Also, Mary Knotts Moats spoke on behalf of her father, Kenny Knotts, also class of 1948, who was unable to attend due to health reasons. Joan Parsons Sakal, class of 1948 gave two cheers, as she was the class cheerleader. Bill Hanlin spoke on behalf of the class of 1958. Paul Mauzy, Jr. spoke on behalf of the class of 1968 and Rick Corcoran spoke on behalf of the class of 1978 and also Mark Felton and Greg Hott spoke on behalf of the class of 1978
The veterans were introduced and president Parsons said two World War II veterans in attendance were Robert Hedrick, Class of 1940 and Rich Mauzy, Class of 1943.
Korean Veterans stood and then other veterans in attendance stood.
Carol Gwinn, Tucker Community Foundation, announced the two 2018 scholarship recipients of the foundation who were Trenton Helmick and Sydney Nestor.
Emily Shaffer spoke as a former scholarship recipient who had just graduated that day receiving her degree in Osteopathic Medicine.
Sue Ann Silk announced the Parsons High School Scholarship recipients as follows: Emily Crosten, Dominique Meadows, Cecily Strawderman, Luke Poling, and Abigail Long and introduced their parents who were in attendance. Also, the Peggy Beery Clendenin scholarship who is Natalie Evans and Tanner Burns for the Hendricks Ruritan scholarship.
The Hall of Fame awards were presented by William Jack Miller, vice-president, who gave a brief summary of each recipient, to Jim Strawderman, Class of 1947, Jean Shahan Morrison, Class of 1955, Eldon Plaugher, class of 1966, John Smith, Class of 1966 and Wayne Smith, Class of 1967.
Door prizes were given out by Sue Ann Silk, Bud and Jane Parsons and Danny and Phyllis Carr. The 50/50 drawing was won by Ruth Bohon with tickets distributed by Jeanette Bishoff and Jeanie Ledden. The results of the silent auction were given out in the gymnasium by Jean Morrison, Carol Weinstein and Evelyn Moore with additional socializing.
