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.
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