BARB BARRETT/The Luminary Michael Pawlik, Superintendent of ELSD, and Larry Michael from the class of 1967, accept a check donation of $23,500 raised by the class for an endowed scholarship.

HUGHESVILLE – A wonderful concept was introduced at the 50th high school reunion for the graduating class of 1967. Shortly after a tour of the high school and a dinner served by the LCTC students at the cafeteria, class member Larry Michael suggested contributing some funds to the East Lycoming Education Foundation to establish a scholarship fund for graduating seniors. A consensus led to a contribution of $23,500 that will generate an annual $1,000 scholarship.

The class that meets every five years readily agreed and for many members, this past reunion was the first that many came back according to Michael. With 84 in attendance, a presentation was given on the Foundation by guest speaker, Michael Pawlik, Superintendent of East Lycoming School District.

By the end of the evening in May of 2017, two thirds of a $25,000 goal was reached. There was enough interest and two months later, $23,500 was raised to start a fund to generate $1,000 per year. “Two hundred years from now, the scholarship will grow with interest every year,” said Michael.

The donor-designated fund will be given annually to a high school senior who is continuing his or her education at “an accredited institution of higher learning.” The selection committe stated that a successful student will have demonstrated integrity, high moral character, leadership and community involvement as well as academic achievement. The ideal candidate should also show evidence of volunteerism, activities and employment.

Michael said, “For our class, we consider this to be a legacy – to create a scholarship that will help students forever. We are the first class to do this for Hughesville, and we want to set the challenge for future classes.” The scholarship was established by fifteen contributors, and it shall be administered by the East Lycoming Education Foundation.

BARB BARRETT/The Luminary This plaque was donated by the Hughesville High School class of 1967 with the planting of the maple tree in May 2017. It lines the front sidewalk of the high school building facing Cemetery Street.

There were 114 in the graduating class of 1967 with 105 remaining. “We all feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be raised and educated in the greater Hughesville area,” added Michael.

“The contributions made by the HHS Class of 1967 will be a tremendous help to our future graduates. They are the first class to endow a scholarship, and we are hopeful that other past graduating classes will use this as an example as a catalyst to also step forward in ways to help future students,” Pawlik said.

In addition to the scholarship, the class made donations earlier in the year to assist the school with purchasing a new educational drone, some student calculators and planting a memorial tree with a dedicated plaque.

The plaque adequately represents the opportunities given to this class with their beginnings at Hughesville High School, and a quote sums it up perfectly: “Like branches on a treewe may grow in different directions, but our roots remain as one.”

Contributors were Janet Callenberger, Ginni (Chestnut) Michael, Rod Elser, Cindy (Fought) Bower, Dan Frantz, Stuart Gansell, Steve Houseknecht, Carol (Mann) Gansell, Larry Michael, Judy (Ryder) Simmons, Bob (Curt) Simmons, Ann Marie Simons States, Ellen (Smith) Wise, Class of 1967 Treasury Account, Anonymous (1).