119th Alumni Banquet Held

The 119th Alumni Banquet was held Saturday, May 31, at the Porch Restaurant at the Lamb in Springfield with Alumni Association president Walter Lee 7W8 acting as master of ceremonies.

The evening began with a reception and dinner, and then school founder Isaiah V. Williamson, as portrayed by Russ Harvey 5W0, made a surprise appearance, telling the crowd how pleased he is with the current state of his school.

More pictures of the 119th Alumni Banquet can be found on the Williamson Facebook page.

Then Therman Madeira, the Class of 6W4’s fund-raising chairman, presented his class’ 50th anniversary gift, a large facsimile check for $50,700, to President Michael Rounds on behalf of Williamson.

Next, Wayne Watson 4W8, board chairman, presented the C.W. Schrenk 4W9 Young Alumnus Award to Kevin Brown 0W3 and the Isaiah V. Williamson Award to Chancellor Paul and Cheryl Reid.

Marty Jeffers 7W6, chairman of the Distinguished Alumnus Award Committee, then introduced the award and John Rex 7W5 presented it to Trustee Nicholas Davey 8W5, and Bob McNabb 7W3 and Gregg Trexler 7W8 presented it to Jim Bowdler 8W8.

Ron Rinker 8W5, Alumnus of the Year Award Committee chairman, introduced the Alumnus of the Year Award, and Russ Harvey 5W0 presented the award to Dick Phillips 4W8.

Ron then announced next year’s Association officers: Bob Abbot 8W1, president; Stacy Starr 6W8, 1st VP; Bill Goodworth 8W2, 2nd VP; Phil Lock 6W9, treasurer; Ed Hatchigian 6W0, corresponding secretary; and John Brown 8W5, financial secretary.

Then, Walt Lee 7W8, outgoing Association president, passed the presidential gavel to incoming president Bob Abbot 8W1. The evening closed with Russ Harvey and the Class of 6W4 leading everyone in singing the alma mater.