By Jane Parsons
The 43rd annual Parsons High School alumni banquet was held Saturday May 28, 2016 at Tucker Valley Elementary Middle School. Registration was from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., the dinner hour. A silent auction and 50/50 chances were given out in the gymnasium before and after dinner, where classmates gathered.
Marvin “Bud” Parsons, president welcomed members and guests. The invocation was given by Rev. Allen Crosten. The National Anthem was sung by Tyler Shaffer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
A memorial service was held honoring former PHS graduates led by Evelyn Moore, Judy Fairbanks and the Rev. Allen Crosten, with the lighting of a candle in their memory.
The veterans were honored for those in attendance.
Dinner was prepared by Chef Carrie Shahan of Pro Start of Tucker County High School and her students who prepared the dinner. Assisting with the dinner was Assistant Principal, J. R. Helmick and his wife and daughter. Also serving was assisted by Daniel “Chopper” and Barbie Evans and the “New Beginnings” group. During dinner, Vocal selections of previous years was sung by Tyler Shaffer.
Following dinner, Bud introduced the classes being honored this year and a spokesperson from each class. Bruce Carr spoke on behalf of the class of 1946. Charles “Bobby” Sturms spoke on behalf of the class of 1956. David Nestor, President of the class of 1966, spoke on his classes behalf. James Chris Michael spoke on behalf of the class of 1976.
Our guest speaker was Dr. Eddie Campbell, Superintendent of Tucker County Schools. He thanked the Parsons High School Alumni Association for the many scholarships given to Tucker County High School Seniors throughout the years.
Mr. Parsons Introduced Robert Burns of the Tucker Community Foundation who announced that the PHS Alumni Foundation scholarship would go to Lesley Nestor. He also introduced William Jack Miller of the class of 1956 who would make a presentation to the foundation. The class of 1956 had a classmate make an initial challenge of $1,200.00 and asked his classmates to match that donation. Following several donations from members of that class, they were able to raise $10,650.00 from their members and presented a check in that amount to Robert Burns to the Tucker Community Foundation.
The Parsons High School Scholarship recipients were announced by Sue Ann Silk in the amount of $1,200.00 each to Scottie Bowley, John Chambers, Lydia Mullenax and Lily Nestor. She also had their parents or family members to stand and be recognized. Also the “Peggy Beery Clendenin” scholarship was awarded to Seth Evans and the Hendricks Ruritan Scholarship would go to Eric McCrum
The PHS Hall of Fame presentation was led by Phyllis Carr & assisted by Bernice Hymes. They were, Nola DeVilder, Class of 1951; Michael McCauley, Class of 1966; David Nestor, class of 1966; Jean Myers, Class of 1957; William Jack Miller, Class of 1956 and Sylvia Rosenau, Class of 1956.
Door prizes were given out to those attending by Sue Ann Silk, Jeanette Bishoff, Bud and Jane Parsons. Favors for the banquet were provided by Mountain Valley Bank, State Farm Insurance and Mon General Hospital.
Following dinner, guests gathered in the gymnasium for results of the silent auction. The 50/50 drawing was won by Randy Moore and he donated his share back to the PHS Alumni Association.
