Organizers of the Salem High School All Class Reunion are pleased with the weekend and the overwhelmingly positive response from the attendance.
Debbie Woodruff was among the ten-member committee.
“I think it exceeded our expectations. When we have postponed not once but twice and had to reschedule for a third time we were really concerned we would not get a good turnout. But what happened was the reverse of what we feared. We had over 600 register and more than that come through our doors.”
Co-Chair Diane Secrest says it was a huge success and she couldn’t be happier.
“The result we got from all that hard work was a fantastic weekend for everyone. We have just been showered with compliments. Everyone enjoyed the show, the mixer, tonight’s dinner was fabulous. Everything turned out so wonderful so moving forward we will take the lessons moving forward and do better and not make it so hard on ourselves and continue on what we have built.”
Secrest added when she saw the ladies crying when 99-year-old Gene Stiman was playing his trombone because of the way it touched their hearts, it made her “all in” to do it again.
Woodruff also feels most of the committee will want to do it again after they have some time to rest. She would like to see more join the group. Some of the work done for this All Class Reunion will remain for future events, including the work of Bob Payton of the Class of 1976 to computerize a list of SCHS graduates from each class they were available. That will allow for e-mail blasts.
Woodruff was in charge of the All-Class Talent Show that wowed the audience with several standing ovations on Saturday, including to the 99-year-old Stinman who hadn’t lost a beat in playing three songs on his trombone.
Woodruff says she stalked and was persistent in getting those from past classes to return for the variety show. It included the return of many of the past Masters of Ceremonies and music from the Invaders, 1960 graduate Tom Baker, and 1972 graduate Linda Meador Stoudt. Scott Wells of the Class of 1969 provided a lesson on magic. The Salem Community Band and Choir along with current and former Cheerleaders and Dance Team members also performed.
SCHS Superintendent Dr. Brad Detering provided the welcome. He noted he has held the position as Superintendent for 13 years and has been in the building for 27 years.
“There’s something special about this building that when it catches on to you, you don’t turn loose. So on behalf of the students, staff, and the board of education…welcome back to SCHS.”
Other weekend highlights included the Friday night mixer organized by Karen Rankin Owens, the Saturday morning Academic Hall of Fame induction organized by the Salem Academic Foundation, and the Saturday night Dinner Dance chaired by Rhonda Jenkins Mulvaney. The overall committee was chaired by Secrest and Rich Sinclair.
Marla Beckham Salvati (Class of 1978) sings ‘At Last’ with Gene Stinman.
The Invaders which continue to play music more than 50 years later returned to SCHS for the All Class Variety Show.
Magician Scott Wells performs Magic and then explains his trick at the All-Class Talent Show.
Linda Meador Stoudt (Class of 1972) sings Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man.
Cheerleaders from throughout the years perform.
Danny Piper, who later played with several groups including Head East, returned to SCHS to perform during the All-Class Variety Show.
Dance Team members from a number of classes combine their talents.
The SCHS Wildcadets perform on the stage with a kick dance.
Salem Community High School Band on the gym floor with the SCHS Community Chorus on the stage in the rear.
