For 85 years the Hillsdale High School alumni group has been meeting annually

Alumni and guests of Hayesville High School met at Hillsdale High School on May 4 for its 85th annual banquet.

Sixteen classes were represented with 100 in attendance. The oldest class in attendance was 1948 with Anna Mae (Glass) Beecher being the oldest member in present. She was given a potted flower arrangement.

The honored class was 1964, and a summary was given by Judy (Kline) DuBois. The class had 39 graduating members and there are 26 members remaining. Bill Harner was the class adviser. The class motto was" “The best way out of difficulty is through it.”

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Cox, representing his father Mr. Ellsworth Cox, former football coach and teacher in the Hayesville system, was in attendance.

It was noted since the last alumni banquet there were 15 alumni who died. Their names were entered into the “In Remembrance” of the Hayesville Alumni.

The committee held a 50/50 drawing, which collected $218. Half of the money went to benefit the Scholarship Fund of the Hayesville-Jeromesville Alumni Association. The winner was Jeff Cox, donated his winnings to go to the Scholarship Fund, also.

Gary Sparr, representing the Scholarship Fund, reported the balance in the account as of May 1 was $197,559.53. Two Scholarships were given in the amount of $3,455 each in 2023. The recipients were Emily McGovern and Marissa Young. Two scholarships will be awarded in 2024 in the amount of $3,551 each.

The voting members of the alumni passed the proposal to not have any more honored classes since 1964 was the last class to graduate from Hayesville.

Officer for next year will be the same as this year: Richard Dilgard, president; Dick Jones, vice president; Bill Glass, secretary; Barb (Sparr) Spaid, assistant secretary; =Kay (Seiss) Pauly, treasurer; Cindy (Baker) Young, assistant treasurer; and Judy (VanGilder) Weaver, historian.

A meatloaf meal was prepared by the Hillsdale Band Boosters. The group's next meeting will be May 3, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: For 85 years the Hillsdale High School alumni group has been meeting annually