Honored classes, other alums enjoy camaraderie of reunion

The 79th annual Odessa High School Alumni Banquet was held Saturday, June 20, in the community center, honoring the classes of 1955, 1965, 1975, 1990, 2005 and 2015. Alumni Association officers, all members of the class of 2005, organized the banquet and conducted the business meeting that concluded the evening's activities. President Marcus Horak led the meeting, assisted by vice president Kodey Lobe and secretary Brooke Voise Lovgren (treasurer Tyson Largent did not attend). Classmates Lauren Fink and Ashley Smith also joined the officers at the head table.

The 2015 scholarship committee of Jeff Scrupps, Raye Galloway Scrupps, Drew Fink and Larissa Zeiler Fink reviewed the scholarship applications and awarded the three Alumni Association scholarships to Carsen Weber, Thorsen Wehr and Jenna Shafer. All three new graduates were present at the banquet. Next year's committee will consist of Jeff and Raye Scrupps, Alex Null and Hannah Galloway Null.

Several of the honored classes met early in the afternoon to get a head start on catching up with their former classmates. The classes of 1965 and 1975 were large classes and were well represented by returning alumni, both groups meeting at Any Occasion Banquet Hall.

The 60-year class of 1955 had only three members present: Virgil King, Carol Weber Schott and Jerry Walter. Several others who had intended to come had called in to cancel due to illness. The three who were able to be present met earlier in the day at Chiefs Bar & Grill to visit and catch up on news of other classmates. Unfortunately, The Record was unable to corral them after the banquet for a picture.

The 25-year class of 1990 had not a single representative present.

The organizers from the class of 2005 held a raffle this year to benefit the scholarship fund instead of awarding gifts to alums who traveled the farthest, had the most grandchildren, etc.

The banquet itself was catered by the Odessa High School chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America. The students, their parents and advisor Terri King worked to provide the meal and at the same time earn money for the 20 FBLA members who qualified to give presentations at the National Leadership Conference to be held this year in Chicago.

The meal consisted of roast pork with a cherry-based sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, rolls, steamed carrots, green salad with strawberries and walnuts, watermelon salad with onions and olives, and a choice of either strawberry cheesecake or brownie sundae for dessert.