Almost 200 alumni and friends attended the recent 2022 Bainbridge High School Alumni Association’s 107th annual banquet at the Bainbridge Community Building. The evening was highlighted by the recognition of the 2022 BHS Alumni $1,000 renewable scholarship winners who graduated from North Putnam High School this spring. Ellis Lyons is the four-year scholarship winner and the son of Greg and Brenda Lyons. He plans to attend Rose Hulman Institute of Technology this fall majoring in computer engineering. This year, for the first time, a second scholarship was awarded for vocational trades. It went to Alex Hoke, who is the son of Mark and Jennifer Hoke. He’ll be attending Vincennes University this fall majoring in welding. Janet Houser O’Hair (BHS 1969), who chairs the BHS Alumni scholarship committee, conducted the recognition.
Three members of the BHS class of 1947 (75 years since graduation) were introduced. They include Alice Shoemaker Clodfelter of Greencastle, Doris Keck O’Hair of Brownsburg and Dorothy Job Houser of Bloomington. All were friends since the days they attended the old New Maysville School for eight years together prior to coming to Bainbridge for high school.
Those in attendance from the 1952 class (70 year class) were introduced as follows: Marcia Malayer Cloncs, Raquel Etcheson Hueber, Donna Mae Blois Miles, Clifford Knauer, Doyne Priest and Richard Thompson.
The class of 1957 (65 years since graduation) were recognized as follows: Mary Anne Higgins Albee, Sandra Clodfelter, Edwin Estes, Barbara Luther Fine, Dale Martin and Linda Games Stark.
Speaking for the class of 1962 (60 years since graduation) at the banquet was Dr. Michael T. O’Hair. Also attending from the class were: Don Griffin, Jessie Lukenbill Detro, Janet Stanley Oliver, Emily Hanks Swords, Janet Austin Parker, David Priest and Steve Winslow.
June Eileen Stine Kays from the BHS class of 1943 was honored as the graduate from the most senior class represented at the banquet. Recognized as the alumni that came the farthest from Katy, Texas, to attend the banquet were Harry Elliott from the BHS class of 1954 and his wife Sandra Clodfelter Elliott, BHS class of 1957. Contributions to the BHS Alumni scholarship fund in the names of all three of these honored alumni have been made by the BHS Alumni Association.
The Hanks family had the most siblings present, four, from the same family that attended BHS. The Hanks family members present were: Emily Hanks Swords (BHS 1962), Mary Lynn Hanks Emery (BHS 1961), John Hanks (BHS 1966) and Jim Hanks (BHS 1968.)
David Priest (BHS 1962) led the recognition of the outstanding BHS music program. He shared a Power Point presentation that included many photos of BHS bands, chorus and singing groups, majorettes and drum majors along with some comments about his high regard for the music program. The recognition concluded with all former BHS band and chorus members coming forward to help Priest lead the singing of the school song as he played the music on his high school trumpet.
Three former faculty members at Bainbridge, Pat Rady of Terre Haute, Jim Sharp of Quincy and Bill Henson of Cloverdale, were introduced.
Over 20 graduates of North Putnam High School who had attended BHS before it closed in 1969 were recognized.
The class of 1967 had the most classmates present with 16 at the alumni banquet.
The ’67 classmates attending included: Carolyn Roth Hiser, Donna Patrick Tippin, Dean Rossok, Sharon Branham Deeter, Roger Riggen, Benny Whitlock, Carolyn Smith Webber, Gus Martin, Patty Minnick, Sally Scobee Coffman, Earl Coffman, Karen Parent Craft, Mike Dozier, Linda Phipps Truax, Richard Knapp and John Nichols. The class graduated 55 years ago from BHS.
Just prior to the dinner the pledge to the American Flag was led by all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces attending the banquet. The invocation was given by class of 1966 member Rev. Norman Taylor of Fillmore.
Members of the banquet decorating committee in addition to the officers included: Janet O’Hair, Tyler Martin, Paula Martin, Jim and Glenda Nelson, Steve Winters and Rick Parent.
The banquet was catered by Cochran’s Catering of Jamestown. The sound system and music were provided by Brent Pruitt.
Officers of the Bainbridge High School Alumni Association this year included: Patty Minnick of Lebanon, president; Marilyn O’Hair Winters of Greencastle, vice president; Joe Martin of Greencastle, treasurer; Pat O’Hair Martin, of Pittsboro recording secretary and Alan Ader of Rockville, corresponding secretary.
As vice-president Marilyn O’Hair Winters automatically progresses to president for 2023 and from the class of 1969, Carol Evens McFarland of Paris, Illinois was elected as the new vice-president. Joe Martin, Pat O’Hair Martin and Alan Ader were re-elected to their positions.
The 108th Bainbridge High School Alumni banquet is scheduled to be a luncheon on June 24, 2023 at the Bainbridge Community Building. Further information is available on the Bainbridge Alumni website at: www.bainbridgealumni.webs.com which is maintained by Doyne Priest of Greencastle or by e-mailing Alan Ader at alan.ader@sbcglobal.net, Joe Martin at rjmartin@cinergymetro.net or by calling one of the officers.
