Kanawha Alumni Association 97th Reunion
May 28, 2016
 
   The Kanawha Alumni Association (KAA) continued its tradition with the celebration of its 97th Annual Reunion during the last weekend in May.  Festivities for the reunion began on Friday evening with the annual Burnsville School Reunion on the football field behind the school.  There, a large crowd enjoyed an extensive potluck buffet and cookout.  Attendees enjoyed bluegrass music and songs by the Burnsville Youth Choir led by Erin Bush.
 
   On Saturday, May 28, activities started off with a parade that featured 1959 Burnsville High School graduates John and Margaret (Bragg) Armentrout as parade marshals.  The theme of 'My Hometown" was present throughout the parade and other weekend activities.
 
   At the post-parade ceremony, American Legion Post 33 was on hand to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance while the Braxton County High School Marching Band played the National Anthem and provided other musical entertainment.
 
   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 four parade participants:  first place, the Outlaws Little League baseball team; second place, a 'Stars and Stripes' entry honoring those who served the country driven by Arley Murphy; third place, the Class of 1966; and fourth place to the Braxton County High School Marching Band under the direction of Courtney Cole.
 
   That afternoon, at the Burnsville Public Library, a reception was held in honor of former librarian Mary Susan (Brown) Black.  Those in attendance were able to browse pictures, share stories, and meet her son David, who was on hand for the occasion.
 
   Returning alumni and friends gathered at the school beginning at 4:00 p.m.  Auction items were on display and the Alumni Center was open to visitors.  The annual business meeting and scholarship presentations began at 5:00 p.m.  The meeting was called to order by President Tom Crutchfield after the opening curtain revealed a recreation of the old Burnsville Taxi stand.  The set was complete with signs, a life-sized replica taxi, and townsfolk shooting the breeze on a bench outside the stand.  Those on stage included Crutchfield, KAA recording secretary Paul Peck, Jennings Dancy who later delivered the invocation and benediction, and KAA Vice President Donna (Conrad) Singleton.  After the Andy Griffith Show theme song ended, the program began and eleven current Burnsville Elementary School fifth and sixth grade students who acted as servers for the dinner were introduced.  Those students were:  Lainey Hunt, Taylor Freeman, Dalton Butcher, Peyton Butcher, Olivia Ramsey, A. J. Godwin, Annabelle McMillion, Johnna Wimmer, Mackenzie Bailey, Allison Cosner, and Michaela Cool.
 
   Seven new inductees then took the oath and became official association members.  They were:  Tessa Pritt, Dalton Dean, Destini Wolverton, Michelle Ramsey, Brooke Fincham, Kayla Hurst, and Tiffany Conrad.  Barbara Godwin was on hand to present the John Godwin Memorial Scholarship to Dalton Dean.  The Lions Club Scholarship was presented by Paul Peck to Tiffany Conrad.  The Ingrid P. Powell Memorial Scholarship was presented by Rudy Powell to Brooke Fincham.  Tessa Pritt and Dalton Dean were both awarded the $1,000 Claude 'Bud' Mick Scholarship and Destini Wolverton and Michelle Ramsey received $1,000 Kanawha Alumni Association Scholarships.  Additionally, returning 2015 seniors Sarah Mallory and Megan Dean received renewals of their Mick Scholarships due to continuing academic success.
 
   The Bruin Award was presented to Sandy (Burgett) Conrad, wife of Roger Conrad, Class of 1967.  The 2016 Alumnus of the Year award was given to Dustin Crutchfield and the Alumna of the Year was given to Donna (Conrad) Singleton.  Addtionally, Imogene Cogar Slaughter and William 'Bill' Wiant and Howard Conley were recognized as the oldest alumni in attendance at the event.
 
   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, Dick Graff, with the assistance of Darwin Plumlee, held an auction for items donated to the association which raised over $700.  Items included a handmade basket (donated by Jill Crutchfield Schiefelbein), a hand-etched lamp and cookie jar (donated by Sandy Conrad), several themed baskets that were donated by local businesses, a plush throw with an image of the Burnsville High School and reunion year printed on it, and much more.  In addition, Tessie Morton McGinnis, Class of 1952, was announced as the winner of the handmade quilt made by Jan (Cosner) Crutchfield.
 
   Following the meeting, a baked steak dinner was served to around 200 returning alumni, newly inducted seniors, friends, and guests.  Special thanks to Anita Miller and Helen Harper for preparing the lovely meal.  The full day of events concluded with music and dancing in the school gymnasium.  Entertainment was provided by local DJ, Don Niles.
 
   Any alumni that would still like to purchase a philatelic postmark commemorating the 97th reunion may submit a request to the Burnsville Postmaster within 30 days.
 
   More photos from the weekend can be seen on the KAA Facebook Page by searching for Kanawha Alumni Association. Go Bruins!  The following is a list of alumni and guests attending.  Some individuals paid at the door and their names may not have been recorded.
 
John ArmentroutShila DoakDarwin Plumlee
Margaret Bragg ArmentroutBailey DoakSandy Mayse Plumlee
Mackenzie BaileyLinda PoseyBetty Mallett Pritt
Sylvia Jean Barnette  Rebecca Wiant DurrettTessa Pritt
Carl BlakeTom DurrettCoy Pritt, Jr.
Esther Prunty BlakeTaylor FreemanBetty Graff Pulliam
Gentalee Steele BlakeJean S. GarberJimmy P. Pulliam
Charlene BlakeJane Malcomb GibsonKenneth Pulliam
Tom BlakeJames L. GodfreyOlivia Ramsey
Kenneth BosleySusie GodfreyShawna Michelle Ramsey
William "Jack" BosleyA. J. GodwinJackie L. Ratliff
Iverna M. BouchAndy GodwinLouise Bush Ratliff
Larry BoydLisa GodwinTom Ratliff
Margaret Blake BoydBob GraffWanda Malcomb Ratliff
Barbara Brown BraggCarolyn Pulliam GraffDonna Rhoads
Denise BraggDick GraffJane Anne Riddle Richter
Joe BraggLinda Jeffries GraffPatricia Wiant Ridpath
Paul BraggRichard GraffBonnie Riffle
Diana B. BrooksDean Townsend GroomsJim Robinson
Jerry Brooks, Jr.Emma HackerJunior Sanders
Darrell BrownJanet Allen HannahPhyllis Sanders
Sherri Weidemayer BrownHomer HeaterAnn Shearer
Jerry W. BrownPat HeaterVirginia Singh
Charles Eugene BuckhannonRose Buckhannon HefnerBetty Singleton
Clyde Bush, Jr.Tom HefnerBilly Singleton
Dalton ButcherBrenda Allen HindDonna Conrad Singleton
Peyton ButcherNobie HolleyDoug Singleton
Bernard ButlerLainey HuntLinda Singleton
Roberta Singleton ButlerBob JackRuth Mick Singleton
Corene S. CareyJerry KelleySally Skinner
Betty CarsonLinda KelleyEmogene Cogar Slaughter
Lamona Brown CastoMary Jane McPherson KelleyJo Ann Bosley Smith
Twila McPherson ClarkLouise Crutchfield KnightRonald Smith
Hilda J. Brown ClutterLinda Conrad LeggettJudy Cayton Steele
Patty Graff CobbShirley Singleton LloydWillard L. Steele
Barbara ConleyGeneva Williston LoveBen Strader
Carla Mick ConleyLeland Neil LoveMartha B. Taylor
Howard ConleyLaurel Wine MartinBilly Ray Ware
Michaela CoolDixie McCauleySharon Hardman West
Allison CosnerRussell McClainBonnie Godfrey Westfall
Cortney CrutchfieldCharlotte McDougalIrene Stump White
Dustin CrutchfieldTessie Morton McGinnisWilliam "Bill" Wiant
Janette Cosner CrutchfieldAnnabelle McMillionMargret Wilson Willey
Timothy P. CrutchfieldButch McPhersonEddie Williams
Tom CrutchfieldDebbie Singleton McPhersonLinda Williams
Ann CunninghamDoris Hardesty McPhersonSharon Williams
Pam Brown CuppariJennifer McPhersonCharles J. T. Wilson
Luella Nichols DancyTed MyersJerry Wilson
April DeanCarol PandoReilee Wilson
Carol Goodrich DeanBarbara Jeffries ParmerJohnna Wimmer
Colin DeanDavid ParmerMary Pritt Wine
Craig M. DeanPaul PeckRonald Wine
Dalton DeanDestini WolvertonJo Allen Worley
Jack DeanTina Riffle WolvertonWanda McLaughlin Zolla
 
 
 
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