Ark Valley News - VCHS Alumni Banquet draws 215

Class of 1966
Front row from left: John Hosford, Linda (Penner) Starr, Carol (Dunn) Lafalier, Sue (White) Johnson, Nancy (Hart) McKee, Sheri (Robinson) McMillen, Linda (Crebs) Werries. Second row from left: Dennis Maley, Marilyn (Sawhill) Carpenter, Karen VanErt, Mary Jane Stauffer, Nancy (Wilson) Anderson, Jan (Voth) Winter. Back row from left: Janace (Wright) Seyb, Rex Snavely, Jan (Purcell) Shewmake, Phyllis (Gillmore) Davison, Terry Rogers, Jim Davis.

VCHS Alumni Banquet draws 215
By Ron Black
Last Updated: June 16, 2016

Valley Center High School alumni have a special day marked every year. On the first Saturday of June, they come from all over the United States to the Alumni Association's annual reunion banquet. This year's banquet on June 4 was a great success, with 215 attendees enjoying the shared friendships, stories of "Oh, remember when…", reliving adventures, and just having a good time, besides getting some good things to eat!

Running continuously on video screens during the banquet was a really great series of photos, news articles and interesting facts about early Valley Center that was prepared by Vince Marshall, a Valley Center historian.

The oldest class represented was 1939 (that's 77 years) and the farthest travelled attendee was from Winlock, Wash., where their claim to fame is that they have the world's largest egg —12 feet long and weighing 1,200 pounds. That sort of proves that you will never fail to learn something at school.

The 50th-year honor class was 1966, and they had 19 alumni attending and receiving Honored Alumni Certificates. Dennis Maley was the spokesman for 1966, and his presentation remarks had everybody "rolling in the aisles." The 25th-year class had nine alumni present. The Class of 1961 had the largest group for their 55th year reunion, with 55 class members and spouses. Also of note was 1956, which had 18 attendees to celebrate their 60th year.

Caleb Smith, Valley Center High School assistant principal, athletic director and football coach, had a presentation announcing a Valley Center Hall of Fame that will honor the heritage and tradition of VCHS by inducting alumni who have gone on to great accomplishments in athletics and the arts. More information will be forthcoming, he says.

Attendees were quite impressed with the new digital display of senior pictures. All of the senior class display boards, starting with the first senior class in 1916, have now been digitized and are in a searchable display system that will search by first names, last names and by year.

The actual original picture display boards are being preserved as well. Susan Sayler, Alumni Association membership chairman, formed a committee to seek donations to build new display cases to house the original display boards and with the help of the school, individuals and Alumni Association funds, the $9,000 needed is getting close. If you would like to see these real pieces of VCHS history preserved, Susan is still receiving donations. Call her at 617-2222.

It was a great time, and it will happen again next year, first Saturday of June (that's June 3, 2017) when the Valley Center High School Alumni Association will celebrate 2017 Valley Center High School Alumni Association Reunion Banquet. See you there.