Minutes

85^th Annual Weedsport Alumni Association Banquet
Weedsport, NY
June 21, 2008

Weedsport Alumni and friends began gathering in the High School Cafeteria at 5:45 PM for visiting and hors-d’oeuvres while Superintendent Shaun O’Connor conducted members of the Class of 1958 on a brief tour of the building.

The delicious family-style roast beef dinner, prepared by Our Lady Of The Snow Parish, was served at 6:35 PM to the 264 banquet attendees.

President Dennis Randall greeted everyone and introduced the head table. Present were School Board Members Mrs. Debbie Schwarting, Robert Scarborough, and Norman Chirco, Schools Superintendent Shaun O’Connor and his wife, Sheila, Alumni Treasurer/Historian Amy Fults Chirco, Vice-President Jenny Fritsch and Secretary Penney Cosentino.

He then recognized Robert H. Ward, Class of ’48, his wife Barbara, their children, and family members of the late Ella Joyce Oliver Schoonmaker, Class of “33; tonight’s recipients of the second Annual Graduates of Distinction Awards. He also indicated the seven special reunion groups of old grads and guests occupying reserved tables, and the 38 attending members of the 2008 graduating class.

During dinner, Denny reminded the alumni to read over copies (placed on each table) of the 2007 Minutes and the Treasurer’s Report. A Motion of Acceptance for the Minutes was made by Bruce Christopher and seconded by Bonnie Wargo. Charlie Kreplin moved the Treasurer’s Report be accepted; seconded by David Kinney. Both motions were carried.

A raucous (competing reunion tables) Roll Call of Classes was conducted during dessert:

’38 –2 (70 yr) ’55 –3 ’65 –2 ’80 -3

‘40 –1 ’56 -5 ’67 –1 ’81 -2

’45 –1 ’57 –13 ’68 –16 (40 yr) ’83 –3 (25 yr)

’46 –1 ’58 – 24 (50 yr) ’70 –1 ’84 -1

’47 –2 ’59 –4 ’71 –3 ’86 -1

’48 –11 (60 yr) ’60 –6 ’74 –1 ’87 -1

’49 –1 ’61 –1 ’75 –2 ’88 –3 (20 yr)

’51 –1 ’62 –1 ’76 –1 ’91 -2

’53 –11 (55 yr) ’63 –5 (45 yr) ’78 –9 (30 yr) ’97 -1

’54-1 ’64 –4 ’79 –2 2001 –1

2008 graduates attending as our guests –38

The two alumni celebrating their 70^th reunion year were Irma Young Goodrich Keel, and Harold Sturgis of the Class of 1938.

Traveling the farthest was Ed Cartner (Class of ’58) from Alaska, and a total of 11 alumni from California were reported present.

We had 8 Veterans in attendance. The alumni attending the most consecutive years were: Bunny Moody Vella, (since 1951) – 57 yrs, Ray Weller – 53 yrs., Charlie Kreplin – 49 yrs, Joe Moody – 47 yrs., Dale Thompson – 44 yrs., Wayne Thompson – 39 yrs. The only years Charlie Kreplin and Joe Moody did not attend the Alumni Banquet were the years they were serving in the armed forces.

In relation to the members of the Class of 2008 in attendance, there were 29 individuals present representing two generations of graduates, 19 of three generations, 3 of four generations, and 1 fifth generation graduate (with three generations present).

We removed to the Auditorium at 7:20 PM for the “State of the District Address” and awards. The alumni were invited to note, on their way down the main hallway, the Local History Mural painted in 1976 by EJ Schoonmaker, one of tonight’s honorees.

President Randall introduced Stan Weller, of the Class of 1958, who, sans microphone, using his “phys ed voice”, said a few words regarding his classmates, their enjoyment of the alumni weekend and the Banquet, and the sad fact that of the 44 graduates of 1958, there are only 33 left. He announced that his class was donating to the Alumni Association their collection of $715.00 (for which the Association is very grateful).

“A Tribute to 1958/2008”, a video presentation by Theresa Leonardi’s Video & Text Class, was next on the agenda. This annual highlight is much anticipated by the faithful Alumni Banquet attendees as each year Ms. Leonardi and her students research the photos and fads of the 50^th year reunion class and juxtapose scenes of the lives and music of a half century ago with the present day’s graduating class. We who lived back there in the world of black and white often tear-up as much as we laugh and cheer. Especially poignant are the pictures of some of our favorite administrators and teachers, such as Mr. Lampman, Miss McPeak, Miss Palmer, Mr.Skvorak, Mr.Abraham, and Mr.”D”.

Luke Baker, President of the Class of 2008, thanked the Association for the dinner, for the honor of joining the Alumni, and presented us with a copy of the 2008 Yearbook. The Yearbook is given over to the Old Brutus Historical Society for preservation and reference in the Museum’s Genealogy Department.

Mr. Shaun O’Connor, District Superintendent, then addressed the Association on the State of the District. Weedsport continues to excel in academics, and has been again recognized as a “High Performing School of New York State” and as a “High Quality Academic Institution”. In grades 3 through 8 we rank first and second in Cayuga County in Math and ELA. In the high school, our rankings are in the 90%’s to 100% in Regents and all subjects including ELA, Math, Social Studies, Sciences, French and Spanish. The high school Odyssey of the Mind team went on to the World Competition – again, and the Envirothon Team placed 14^th out of 55 teams in the New York State Competition.

The students’ participation, as individuals and in teams, in Section III sports is still outstanding. Among some of the top efforts were the Girls’ Volley Team and the Boys’ Track Team who fought to League Championships, and our Section III Champion Boys’ Cross Country Team.

This year Tom McGraw, (’68) was inducted into the Weedsport Sports Hall of Fame. Wendy Williams Berry, (’82), and Stephen Lee, (’72), are the 2008 nominees for the Performing Arts Hall of Fame, and will be inducted at a concert in October. Wendy is the first alumnus to be so honored for both Sports and Performing Arts.

Mr. O’Connor then explained the process of selection for Weedsport’s Graduate of Distinction Awards. Anyone may submit information on a Weedsport graduate who has distinguished him/herself through community contribution or career. Simple nominating forms are available from the District Office throughout the year. All entries are kept and reviewed for future consideration by an anonymous committee under the sponsorship of the Board of Education. (It is not a committee of the Alumni Association.) Weedsport has had many worthy graduates in the past 150 years, this is only the second year of this prestigious award, and all submissions are encouraged.

Ella Joyce Oliver Schoonmaker, who died in 1999, was the first honoree of the evening. Mrs. Schoonmaker had just turned sixteen when she graduated at the top of her class in 1933. As a student she was asked by her classmates to design a logo for the school paper incorporating “wisdom” (an owl), “learning” (a book), and “wealth of knowledge” (the owl, holding the open book, stands on two cornucopia). This was the basic design used from that time until fairly recently on school publications and class rings.

She was the village librarian, a library aide and assistant teacher in reading and art at both schools for many years, and an early remedial reading advocate. She taught painting classes to both adults and children at Cayuga Museum, local churches and her home. She painted murals in homes, churches, and both schools, and was a founding member and dedicated volunteer of the Old Brutus Historical Society and Museum. She was honored with several painting exhibitions and prizes, and created huge backdrops and detail painting for local theater groups. As a hobby, she built stone walls and fireplaces.

Her son, Walt Schoonmaker, (Class of ’54), as representative for the family, accepted her Graduate of Distinction plaque, saying she never looked for rewards so would have been very deeply honored and humbled by this recognition.

Robert Hudson Ward, Class of 1948, is well known for his friendly smile and cheerful optimism throughout Central New York. The way he tells it, he got into Cornell with the coaching of certain teachers here at Weedsport, and didn’t dare do poorly after that. He gave special recognition to Principal William Lampman, Geraldine Palmer, his class advisor, guidance councilor, and English teacher, and Mr. Rose, band director. After graduating from Cornell in 1952, he spent two years serving in the Korean War, then came home to Weedsport to live a good life with his wife, Barbara (Howe, Class of ‘47).

Bob was a partner in the Howe Insurance Agency for sixteen years, and sole owner for the Howe-Ward Agency for 25 years. His honesty and fairness made him a trusted friend to all who dealt with him. He served on the Cayuga County Patrons Fire Association board, and as Director of Midstate Mutual Insurance Company. He was recognized as the Business Person of the Year by the Weedsport Area Chamber of Commerce in 1994.

Bob’s service with the Lions Club is almost legendary. He served as an active member and President of the local chapter with perfect attendance for 54 years. He was District Governor for the Lions Club International, and received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship in 1995. In addition, his singing talent was obvious in the periodic fund-raising Lions Club Shows and in barbershop harmony.

He has been a leader in the Weedsport Baptist Church, the Weedsport Alumni Association, the Town of Brutus, and the Old Brutus Historical Society. He believes in the health and goodness of our community and urged the new graduates to consider coming home to raise their future families, and make our village bigger and even better.

A committee of teachers determines the recipients for the Alumni Association Scholarship Awards and the results are unknown even to the Association officers until presentation at the Banquet. The students must complete one college semester in good standing and be enrolled in their second semester to receive their checks.

This year the Frances Hoffman Sine Award of $500 was given to Matthew O’Neil.

Five Alumni Association Scholarships of $300 each were awarded to Jacob Ekross, Oliver Jordan, Katie Loperfido, Kathryn Scarborough, and Chelsea Stoecker.

Assisting with the Scholarship awards was Charles Pine (Class of ’58) who originally proposed the establishment of an Alumni Scholarship Fund way back in 1961; the year Charlie’s sister, Charlene, graduated from Weedsport. Her family is presently establishing a memorial scholarship in her name, targeting June 2011, which would have been her 50^th class reunion. To obtain more information on Charlene’s memorial scholarship contact Christopher A. Pine admin@capstonepine.com.

Denny Randall announced his intention of stepping down as Association President. Jenny Fritsch, the current vice-president would prefer to remain in that capacity so the floor was open for nominations. Joe Moody, (’60), was nominated by Ronald Berry (’57). Bruce Christopher (’57) seconded and moved the nominations be closed. Seconded by Bonnie Wargo (’58).

Denny proposed the remaining officers continue to hold those posts for the 2008/2009 year: Jenny Fritsch- Vice-President, Amy Fults Chirco – Treasurer/Historian, Penney Cosentino – Secretary.

Bonnie Wargo moved to accept, Burt Ward seconded, Call of “ayes” passed.

Tickets were drawn for the 50/50 winners. From the total kitty of $500, two winners of $75.00 each, and one winner of $100 were pulled from the well-shaken box:

First –$75.00 - Teresa Cichello from mail-in purchase

Second -$75.00 – Stephanie Cook Martin (present)

Third - $100 – Board Member Norman Chirco, who returned the full amount to the Association. We thank him.

The full assembly sang the Alma Mater, accompanied by Shirley Dennison, on piano.

A group of the graduating class chorused a motion the meeting be adjourned, seconds abounded, all agreed.

Respectfully submitted,

Penney S. Cosentino, ‘56

Minutes (pdf file - 54 KB)
June 16, 2007


Minutes (pdf file - 1460 KB)
June 17, 2006


Minutes (pdf file - 325 KB)
June 18, 2005

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