The Bradford Area High School Alumni Association held its 2018 annual October banquet at the Bradford Club with 80 reservations having been received.
A total of 23 classes were represented with members from 1942 through 2018 attending.
Proceedings were opened by president Bill Moore, who asked for a moment of reflection for the six members who were deceased since the last dinner. Some thoughts and memories were shared about Alice Razzano, ’56; Colleen Murphy Allen, ’53; William Wallace, ’53; Benny Pessia, ’42; Albert DiFonzo, ’48; and Carolyn Mendell Burgess, ’56.
After dinner, Donna Moore and Donna Charles conducted drawings for several prizes. This was followed by introduction of officers, as well as the local group, which meets monthly throughout the year as an operating committee for the association. It was explained that the lunch meetings are held for all members on the fourth Thursday of each month with 20 or more usually in attendance.
Officers named were Nancy Allen, treasurer, and Marion Chentz, secretary. Special recognition was given to committee members working on the dinner: Donna Moore, Marilyn Johnson, Marge Rounsville, Pattie Brink, Janet Glover, Joan Burns and Carol Pecora.
Also named were members who traveled to be part of the reunion and the 12 people who were attending for the first time, including Sarah Nichols, Class of 2018, who was especially honored by the group. Nichols was one of the five graduates chosen for this year’s alumni scholarships and attended the dinner accompanied by her parents, Grant and Debbie.
The group heard a brief review of the scholarship program, which is supported by nominal dues and supplemented with member donations. To date, 37 awards have been given, with at least three more scheduled for spring 2019. The latest classes to cease having five-year reunions — 1953 and 1958 — donated their treasuries to the fund. They were represented by Marge Grove and Bonnie Smith, 1953; and June Brown, Larry Brown and Kay Sullivan, 1958, who were honored by the group.
Recent comments received from members were summarized since over 50 percent do so throughout the year with their thoughts included in the twice yearly newsletters. Included was a call from the association’s oldest member, Jim Diefenderfer, ’41 from Florida, to give his regrets but add “maybe next year.” He had attended all other reunions.
The next banquet is scheduled for Oct. 5, 2019. Anyone interested in joining the association — it’s open to anyone who attended Bradford High, whether a graduate or not, or served the schools in any capacity — can do so by writing to Box 754, Bradford, or calling 368-6892.
