2016 Minutes of the
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The 68th annual Morocco High School banquet was held in
the Morocco School gymnasium Saturday May 28th, 2016. The Morocco High
School Alumni Association Banquet was held Saturday May 28th , in
the Morocco School Gymnasium, The “Old Gold
and Black” social hour began at 5:00 p.m.
Once again the guests were
entertained by Matt Kalits, magician.
Secretary/Treasurer Connie Ackors Sell ‘63 welcomed 162 Alumni and
Guests back to the gymnasium where many events occurred during our school
days and since. So many memories of
band concerts, class plays, basketball games, pep rallies, sock hops, Jr/Sr.
Prom, P.E. class, and Graduation
Day. Yeah, we felt like adults! Lining up outside the gym, then marching
in to the tune “Pomp and Circumstance”, maybe a tear or two when we heard the
band play “The Halls of Ivy”. Little
did we realize that “Commencement”
means to begin, And so it has
been a lifetime of learning, and tonight we returned again to remember friends and educators
who encouraged us at MHS. The 2016
Alumni meeting began with President, Tim Geller ‘66, asking all who has
served in the US Armed Forces to stand.
This included two WWII veterans, Warren Johnson and Eldon Purdy, Class
of 44. In gratitude for all who have served, the veterans were thanked with a
round of applause. President Geller then led the assembled group in the
“Pledge of Allegiance”. President
Geller introduced Vice-President Roger LaCosse ’67 and Linda and thanked them
for their help in preparing for this years alumni meeting. Also a thank-you to Connie Ackors Sell
‘63 and Dave for their continued efforts that make the alumni a success. A big thank-you to the students from North
Newton and their sponsor, Julie Decker, for transporting tables from the high
school and then setting the tables
and chairs up. Also thanks to the two
young ladies and three young lads, who with Mrs. Karen Williams, Methodist
youth sponsor, assisted those who needed help with their plates and
drinks. Also President Geller
thanked the crew of Witherington catering in Rensselaer. President
Geller introduced Hattie Bailey
Abbott, Class of 1938. Hattie was presented
with a flowering plant for being the oldest alum in attendance. Hattie was accompanied by her nephew, Don
Parrish of Brook. President
Geller then called upon the spokesman for each Honored Class to say a few
words. Class of 1941:
none present. The class of 1941 graduated with 30 members. One member, Audrey Potts Grant, resides in
Watseka, Illinois.. Class of 1946:
Spokesman was Arthur Augustine. He thanked all who have contributed to the
success of the MHS Alumni Association for so many years. It is always
enjoyable to return and visit with former classmates. Those celebrating their 70th
alumni year with Arthur, were Alberta DeVelde Guiliani of Arizona, Frances
Taylor Hayworth-Zerkle, Rex Hagen, Michael Manes of Indiana. Class of
1951: Speaker for the class was Rita
Styck Barnard of California. Rita stated that it has been an enjoyable time
coming back to Morocco. The class
members who were able to attend the afternoon
gathering at the American Legion and those at the banquet are; Robert Goddard
of Morocco, Tom Clark of Nebraska, Bill Heyer of North Carolina, Don Watt of
Rensselaer, Rosemary DeGroot Armstrong of Remington, Joan Porter Carlson of
Morocco and Rita of California. Class of
1956: Jack Storey was the speaker for
his class. The class graduated with 58 members and there are 12 members
present tonight to celebrate their 60th alumni. Jack introduced classmates, Larry Bingham,
John Kessler, Martha Clark White, Eugene Hendryx, Arema Henderson Hinkle, Joe
Manes, Lester Klein, Diana McCord Scheurich, Jeremy Treado, Gloria Bigger
Denton, and Percy Styck. John Kessler
took the microphone and said a few words about the ‘56 MHS Class project to
honor “Coach James Lods“. He then introduced Lester Klein. Lester
spoke about the success of Morocco Football and the 1955 MHS FB Team that won
6-man and 11-man conference championships under Coach Lods. “This had never been done in Indiana
history”. He gave tribute to Lods who
took a chance on him after he
graduated from St. Joe College. John Kessler
then explained that they are raising funds to improve the basketball court at
the Sam Rice Field in the west end of town. The Beaver Township Trustee will
name it the “Lods Court“. This is to
honor Jim Lods who coached the Morocco High School Beavers to their last
Basketball Sectional Championship. The class has
raised some funds and are asking for more donations. Those wishing to donate can contact a
member of the 1956 Class or mail it to the DeMotte State Bank at Morocco. Class of 1961:
Ted Hayes spoke for the Class of 1961, The class graduated with 53 members,
15 of the class members were from Lake Village, 8 were from Ade and remainder
of the class were from Beaver and McClellan township. Those present
for their 55th alumni were Ted Hayes of Knox, Bonnie Boyd Wagner
of Brookston, Dan Vanderwall of Arizona. Herb Barnett of Tennessee, and John
Warring of Kankakee, Illinois. Ted recalled
that the Class of ‘61 was fortunate to have had Mr. Jesse Owens speak at
their Graduation,. The man who made history winning 4 Gold Medals at the 1936
Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany. Ted shared a few humorous memories
from his school days, by telling of a time when he called a young lady in the
class for a date 4 times in one evening
and the last time was at midnight.
Her mother answered the phone and informed him that she was not home.
He was crushed. He also
remembered the ‘56 class slogan
“Greatest Guys, Slickest Chicks, we’re the Class of 56“. and gave credit to
the one who had penned that jingle, (no one confirmed or denied ) that they
were the one. Class of
1966: Oscar Reyes spoke for his class
who graduated with 59 members. The 50th
year celebration began at the American Legion in the afternoon and he thanked
those who had helped with the “Mardi Gras” decorations. Their Senior Trip was
to New Orleans and this was a reminder of what a good time they had had .
Something said about “Let the Good Times Roll”. He also made note of the fact that this was the last senior
trip for MHS. Oscar introduced
a former classmate Kerry Jones, Kerry had left Morocco after his junior year,
and was glad to join the class on the 50th year reunion. Other classmates celebrating were,
Michaleen Balka Basham, Janet Blann Ohren, Joe Castongia, Joe Clarkson, Henry
Dick, Gladys Hall, David Loveall, Glen Martz, Richard Parker, Mike Plaster,
Estella Banister Purdy, Alfred Purdy, Laurie Pike Vaught, Karen Ross, Sheryl
Samuelson Wirt, Hale Sargent, Cathy Smart Oakes, Terry Vinkovich, Jerry
Wagner, Victoria Vinkovich Cassens, and Tim Geller.. The banquet
began with the invocation given by Bonnie Barnett Storey ‘57. Alumni and
guests were directed to the banquet tables by President Geller. Business
Meeting: President
Geller announced that Recording Secretary,
Jo Alice Warne Belt ‘65, could not attend this evening, but the 2015 MHS
Alumni minutes are on the web-site. If there are any additions or corrections
please make them known to JoAlice. The treasurers
report: Secretary./Treasurer Connie Ackors Sell ‘63 reported that the balance on December 31, 2015 was $4515.74. Total
donations in 2015 for the Ruth Corbin Scholarship was $1057.00. This year $432 has been received and (bucket
collection) tonight of $413 is a total of $845 for 2016. Larry Schanlaub
added that 2016 winner will be announced at the Awards program this
next week. Connie
announced that again we had to secure the services of another caterer (last
one went out of business) and that the cost went up. The paper products and
drinks were not included so thanks to the officers (Pres. and V-Pres.) who
helped with that. Treasurers
report was approved as read. President
Geller continued with the order of business, stating there is a need to increase the price for the Alumni
ticket. He would like to entertain a
motion from the floor. After some discussion, Janet Barnett’63 made a motion
to increase each ticket price to $25.00 . John Hess ‘64 seconded the
motion. Motion Passed. The slate of
officers for the 2017 MHS Alumni Association, was presented by President Tim
Geller ‘66. For President,
Roger LaCosse ‘67; Sec/Tres, Connie Ackors Sell ‘63; Recording Sec., JoAlice
Warne Belt ‘65; Historian, Judy Cupp
Schultz ‘58. President Geller
reported that he was unable to find anyone to fill the office of
Vice-President . He stated if there are no volunteers, there will not be a
2018 Alumni. After a few seconds
of silence, Carol Potts Warring ‘63,
graciously raised her hand and volunteered to be the Vice-President for the
year 2017. Motion made to accept the
completed slate of Officers for 2017.
Motion passed, and a loud round of applause followed from all. President
Geller presented Sec/Tres., Connie Ackors Sell ‘63 and Historian , Judy Cupp
Schultz ‘58 with a flowering plant and thanked them for their continuous
support of the Alumni Association. He also spoke about the Morocco High
School Alumni web-site and thanked Dave DeKoker ‘63, webmaster. Historian Judy
Cupp Schultz ‘58 made a plea for MHS pictures, stating the fact we are all
getting older and the time is getting short to record these photos of MHS for
history. There are still sport
pictures that were not included in the book that Ronald Rush had
compiled. If you have school photos
of class plays, sport teams, band photo’s, FFA etc. please identify, scan and
send to Dave DeKoker by clicking on any of the “webmaster” links on the www.moroccohighschoolalumni.org
website. Also Judy made
it known that Beth Bassett (Morocco native) and Janet Miller of Kentland,
members of the Newton County Historical Society, have been involved with the
efforts to publish the history of each township in Newton County. Lake township is the next and last one to
be compiled. I would like to
encourage all who have lived in Lake township or have family from there, to
start collecting and writing their family history also look for grade school
pictures, family photos and articles
of interest. (including obituaries).
This project takes an effort from many volunteers, but I encourage all
to get involved, you will not be disappointed. Plan a visit to the Newton
County Historical Center in Kentland and view the books that have been
published. This will provide an idea of what can be done. (Historical center
is next to the jail.) Once again
before closing, President Geller called on the MHS Cheerleaders to step up
and lead us in the school song.
Cheerleaders were,: Linda Mashino Gibson ‘57, Carol Potts Warring ‘64,
Carolyn Holley Geller ‘67 Cathy Smart
Oakes ‘66. Motion was
made to adjourn and seconded. Motion
passed and meeting was adjourned. Respectfully
submitted, Judy Cupp
Schultz ‘58 Acting
Recording Secretary |