By Alice Stratman Smith
The annual Dresden Jefferson High School Alumni Banquet was held on Saturday, June 25th in the Tri-Valley auditorium. A social hour was held from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. followed by the meal prepared by the Dresden Fire Department and served by the Tri-Valley Band members. The Alumni gave the Tri-Valley Band $100 plus $287.50 in donations collected. The front cover of the program featured a Jayhawk drawn by Olivia Jenkins, the granddaughter of Treasurer Diana Adams Schaefer.
President Alice Stratman Smith welcomed the alumni followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the National Anthem and the Invocation by Rev. Carl Schaefer.
After dinner, the Dresden Fire Department was recognized for the delicious meal. Also recognized for organizing the banquet were Martha Fritts Prince, Diana Adams Schaefer, and Jeanette Scweitzer Curry. The 1957 class students were recognized as the 65th-year graduates of JHS. They were: Donna Porter, Donna Younkins, Irene Romine, and Sylvia Weaver.
The program included Memoriams for 2020, 14; 2021, 16; and 2022, 19. Not listed were Joe Balo 193?, Ann Mattingley 1953, Bill Thompson 1956, Kay Hall 1956, and Myron Stratman 1957.
President Alice Smith introduced the speaker, David Bice, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. David is a 1964 graduate of Jefferson High School. He is listed on page 304 of the book, Words From The Heart by 1959 graduates Pati Tyson Redmond and Sally Thompson Prouty. Some highlights of his message were four people who impacted his life at Jefferson High School: 1. teacher Mrs. Mabel Little, 2. typing teacher Mrs. Saurbrey, 3. track coach, 4. English teacher Mrs. Martin. He typed a one-page report for General Collin Powell and the Queen of England shook his hand.
Ken Norris presented five $1,000.00 Scholarships to Molly Shuppert, Reece Smith, Rachel Meadows, Kiera Lacy, and Aubrey Fritter. Diana Adams Schaefer gave the Treasurer’s report followed by the Recording Secretary’s report by Martha Fritts Prince. Alice Stratman Smith gave the closing benediction.
CAPTION: Pictured at the Jefferson High School Alumni Banquet is speaker, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel David Bice with Alumni President, Alice Smith.
