The closeness of the pose defies a 70-year gap between Jean Harding Arthur and Dan Egly, lone representatives of Hughesville High School classes 1936 and 2006. The twosome portrayed the earliest and most recent alumni during the 75th gathering at a banquet attended by 180 guests.

HUGHESVILLE – A diversion from usual proceedings during the Hughesville High School’s annual alumni banquet occurred during its 75th gathering Saturday evening.

A podium banner, donated by fellow alumni committee members, was given in memory of the late Grover Danley. In a tribute to her late classmate, Vivian Stiger Mills said, “Grover was a quiet, unassuming person who lent a hand wherever needed.” As three of the couple’s children looked on the 1955 HHS graduate’s widow was presented a long stemmed red rose, appropriate as her husband was a cultivar of roses. Embroidered in white on a background of green, the banner’s wording reads, ‘Hughesville Alumni Association.’

Attended by eight alumni classes, 180 were seated at the Hughesville Fire Company Social Hall.

Speakers for reunion years included Jean Harding Arthur, only member present from the class of 1936. Jasper Smith, a retired Canton area Methodist minister from the class of 1941 also gave the invocation. Robert Webster told of events current to his graduation years of 1946, while Beryl Harris Wickert introduced her class of 1951. Frank Poust presented the 1956 graduates, and Garman Zehner recalled tidbits about the class of 1961. Lone members from years 1966 and 2006 were Mary Ann Poust and Dan Egly respectfully.

A tree and stone marker in memory of deceased classmates was placed in the high school lawn by the 50-year class. They also donated to the Alumni Association’s senior awards fund. Jean Hill Fry announced the name of senior Brandt Snyder, the winner of $300 to be credited to his account at Emerson Collage’s bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. A quote shared written by Jamie Bower, the school’s guidance counselor, said “Brandt is a quality young man.” The $500 salutatorian award, yet to be determined, will be announced at graduation.

The evening concluded with the singing of the Alma Mater led by Don Myers (’49) with Evelyn McConnell Derrick (’59) piano accompanist.