Ryan Alumni Reunion -- September 2-3,2011
The Ryan Alumni Association Reunion Weekend has come and gone once again! A number of
alumni attended the home football game on Friday night. Saturday morning
dawned bright and early for Walker and Linda Ryan as they prepared a chuck wagon
breakfast across from the Senior Center. Alumni started pouring into town
as early as eight a.m. and continued all morning. Many old acquaintances
were renewed up and down the street and at the Center. Many alumni took
the opportunity to visit Laura Thorn Jackson's "Parlor" where the old Grantham
Funeral Home used to be. The Parlor was a hit with everyone who saw it as
it is filled to the brim with Ryan School and area history.
The Alumni Banquet was held as an informal afternoon event for the first time
ever. There was a very positive response to the change from an evening
affair. Johnny Baker, 1966, gave the Innovaction. Appoximately 235
people went through the cafeteria line for a wonderful meal of chicken-fried
steak, baked potatoes, green beans, salad, bread and dessert prepared by Circle
D Cafe of Ryan. There were additional people in the Hall bringing our
attendance to an estimated 275 people. Caleb Good, 2011 graduate,
played the piano as the group went through the serving line and to their tables.
After the meal, Furman Clark, 1967, gave a brief talk on the Alumni Scholarship
Fund and the improvements that have been seen in the level of donations.
He also challenged everyone to give what they can, that every donation is
important. The group was told that the Association is now recognized by
the IRS as a tax-exempt, non-profit, charitable association and that donations
are tax deductible. An election was held for Association officers.
Officers for 2011-2013 are President, Angela Williams Sullivan; Past-President,
Barbara Robinson Gillum; Vice-President, Sheilah Jackson Underwood; and
Secretary/Treasurer Loretta Keller Corley..
The Memorial List of those graduates who have passed since our last reunion in
2009 was read. After that, all classes in attendance were recognized.
The 'oldest' graduate was Emmadelle Cash Gibson, 1943. The youngest
graduate present was Caleb Good, 2011. The graduate traveling the farthest
was Harold Bachtold, 1950, traveling 1200 miles from Wyoming. Each of
these graduates was presented with a special Ryan School blanket.
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Linda Kafer Cain, 1965, emceed the entertainment portion of the program.
Janey Cephus Newton charmed the audience with her Patsy Cline numbers and
received a standing ovation. 'The Original Us', a student group from the
1970's, got back together after all these years to perform songs from that era,
They performed The Sound of Silence and the Sweetheart Tree under the direction
of Merl Winslett, their former teacher. Don Johnson, 1969, ended the 2011
reunion when he gave the Benediction.
Thanks to everyone who helped put this reunion weekend together. Many
people gave of their time and energy to make this a successful event. Much
of the feedback we have received is that this reunion was the "best ever!"
We will now start looking forward to 2013!