KANAWHA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES ONE HUNDRED
YEARS May 24-25, 2019
The Kanawha Alumni Association
(KAA) observed its centennial reunion celebration during Memorial
Day weekend. Festivities for the weekend began on the evening of
Friday, May 24 with the annual Burnsville School Reunion on the
football field behind the school. There, a large crowd
enjoyed a potluck buffet and cookout. Melodies of gospel and
bluegrass music emanated from the stage as classmates and old
friends reminisced. The event was dedicated to the memory of Jim
Pritt and Tim Crutchfield, both of whom passed away earlier in
2019.
On Saturday, May 25, activities
kicked off with a parade that featured former Burnsville High
School teachers Jack Stalnaker, Ed Stewart, and Ken Skidmore as
parade marshals. The theme for this year's festivities was "
Coming Home".
At the post-parade
gathering, Master of Ceremonies Butch McPherson led the crowd in a
moment of silence in memory of veterans and fallen soldiers.
Later on, he presented awards to the top three parade
participants: Class of 1962 (1st place), Class of 1964 (2nd
place), and the Burnsville Bruin Ball Team (3rd
place). Later,
returning alumni and friends gathered at the school beginning at
4:00 p.m. to tour the building and visit the Alumni Center.
The annual business meeting and scholarship presentations began at
5:00 p.m. Just before the meeting, a video presentation was
shown that featured images from throughout the years at Burnsville
School, from 1911 all the way to present day. The stage
decorations featured the old Feeney Funeral Home, a nod to founding
member of the Kanawha Alumni Association. Tom Crutchfield was
joined on state by KAA Vice President Donna Singleton and Jennings
Dancy, who later delivered the invocation and benediction.
Eight current Burnsville Elementary School students who acted as
servers for the dinner were also introduced.
Several new inductees
later took the oath and became official association members.
The John Godwin Memorial Scholarship, presented by A. J. Godwin,
was given to Jasmine Leake. The Jim Pritt Memorial
Scholarship was also given to Jasmine Leake. Amber Belknap, a
2018 graduate and association inductee, was on hand to receive a
second-year renewal of her Claude 'Bud' Mick Scholarship due to
satisfactory academic progress in her ongoing college
endeavors. Graduates Ashley Fincham and Mackenzie King
received Mick Scholarships as well. The Kanawha Alumni
Association also awarded scholarships to Macy Rush, Jasmine Leake,
Mackenzie King and Ashley Fincham. Russ McClain
was presented with the Bruin Award. The Alumnus of the Year
award was presented to Howard "Sam" Conley and the Alumna of the
Year award was given to Marge Hardman Burke. With a vote of
the members in attendance, the previous slate of KAA officers were
reinstated for another year. At the end of the meeting,
auctioneer Dick Graff held an auction for items donated to the
association. Special thanks to members of the BHS Class of
1962, John Armentrout, Sandy Conrad, and all others for their
donations to the auction. Following the
meeting and auction, a baked steak dinner was served to around 240
returning alumni, newly inducted seniors, friends, and
guests. The full day of events concluded with music and
dancing in the school gymnasium. Entertainment was provided
by local DJ, Don Niles.
Copies of the second
volume of the KAA Cookbook "Cooking with Class" are available as
are BHS shirts, polos, flags, and buttons. Those
interested can also visit the Burnsville Post Office for a copy of
a special 100th year commemorative postmark. For more
information on purchasing the aforementioned items, to see more
photos from the reunion weekend, or to update your contact
information, visit our website atwww.bhskaa.com
or find us on Facebook by
searching for Kanawha Alumni Association.
Go Bruins!
The following attended the 100th
reunion:
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