CAROL SHETLER/The Luminary (Left-right): Mary Hill, Joyce Taylor, Audrey Wertman, Joanne Fuller and Dick James represented the Montgomery Area High School Class of 1946. The five were members of the earliest class attending the 2016 MAHS banquet held June 11, 2016 at the Clinton Township Fire Hall.

MONTGOMERY – The Montgomery Area High School alumni banquet, held at the Clinton Township Fire Hall June 11, 2016, was attended by 247 members and guests.

Sixteen of the 19 classes from years ending in one and six were represented. Five graduates from the earliest class attending, that of 1946, were as follows: Mary Hill, Coraopolis; Joyce Taylor, Montgomery; Audrey Wertman, Muncy; Joanne Fuller, Reading; and Dick James, South Williamsport.

The invocation was given by Cheryl Eck Spencer, class of 1966, who was among 29 members celebrating their 50th year. Shirley Pentz Sallach of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was recognized as the class member traveling the greatest distance. The class presented a check in the amount of $4,300 to Alumni President Mandy Feinberg which will be applied to the scholarship fund. Presenters were William Munn, Barbara Kellerman, and Lynne Trefsgen.

The class of 1966 surprised Alumni historian Leona Dewalt with a gift certificate and plaque inscribed as follows: “Thank you Leona for all your help and guidance. MAHS class of 1966.”

The 25-year class, 1991, had seven present with Christine Richardson traveling from Sicklerville, NJ.

The alumnus coming from the farthest distance overall was Paul Wustner, Seattle, WA, class of 1954.

Geneva Hoover, class of 1938, at age 95, was the eldest graduate in attendance.

Under the direction of Carina Mausteller McNear, class of 1992, musical selections were given by students from Virtuoso.

The association works diligently to provide funds to disburse as scholarships. Alumni classes donate, as well as raise funds held by the association. The 2016 recipients of the Alumni Awards of $2,500 each and the colleges they’ll attend were: Casey Aunkst, Penn College; Samantha Thomas, Penn College; and Amy Winder, Penn State.

The Margaret Stolz scholarship in the amount of $600 went to Kelsey Roberts who will attend Bloomsburg University.

Those identified as receiving the Edna Fox Scholarships of $750 each and their potential colleges are: Amber Beaver, Penn College and Tiffany Manthey, Coastal Carolina University.

Updates on the progress of the Red Raider foundation were presented by Bonnie Taylor. Bonnie also spoke of the ‘Hall of Fame,’ announcing the first group of inductees and identified those making submissions. Of the nine names applied, three have the distinguished honor of being the first group. They were: Leona Dewalt, suggested by Larry Stout; L. Eugene Pauling, suggested by Leona Dewalt; and Lynn McCormick Matrisian suggested by Bonnie Taylor. Dewalt’s biography will appear in this issue with Pauling and Matrisian in succeeding weeks to come.

Montgomery Area High School alumni officers include: President, Mandy Feinberg; Treasurer, Karen Pauling; Historian secretary, Leona Dewalt; and Secretary, Roberta Specht.