Kanawha Alumni Association
99th Reunion May 26-27th, 2018
The Kanawha Alumni
Association (KAA) moved one year closer to its centennial reunion
celebration with the observation of the 99th Annual Reunion at the
end of May. Festivities for the weekend began on the evening of
Friday, May 25 with the annual Burnsville High 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.
On Saturday, May 26, activities started off with a parade that featured Burnsville graduates Jerry Wilson, Class of 1966, and Margret Wilson Willey, Class of 1963, as parade marshals. The theme for this year's festivities was 'Let's Go to the Spot'--recalling Burnsville's iconic restaurant, The Spot. 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, under the direction of John Kimble, played the National Anthem. 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 1978 (first place); Bruin statue (second place), and Class of 1953 (third place). As part of the
weekend of events, the Burnsville Public Library held an open house
and honored members of the Burnsville Volunteer Fire
Department as hometown heroes. Fire Chief Summers gave brief
remarks during the event and accepted a certificate from Library
Director Beth Anderson. Visitors were also able to view several
displays featuring photos of current and former BVFD members,
accident scenes, and fire trucks. Later, 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 began at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was then called to order by President Tom Crutchfield after the opening curtain revealed The Spot restaurant. The set was a recreation of the interior of the restaurant, complete with counters and stools, milkshake mixer, and candy display. Crutchfield was joined on stage by KAA recording secretary Paul Peck and Jennings Dancy, who later delivered the invocation and benediction. Fourteen current Burnsville Elementary School students who acted as servers for the dinner were also introduced. Those students were: Aurora Andritsis, Shae Arnold, Karl Boyce, Paxton Conley, Emma Conrad, Allison Cosner, Haley Morris, Nova Newhouse, Erica Nicholson, Kaden Nottingham, Bailey Pritt, Lauren Pritt, Allie White, and Josh Wimmer.
Four graduating
seniors took the oath and became official association
members. They included Seth Arnold, Amber Belknap, Beth
Ramsey, and Abby Wilmoth.
The John Godwin Memorial
Scholarship, presented by A. J. Godwin, was given to Abby Wilmoth.
The Lion's Club Tom Casto Memorial Scholarship was given to Seth
Arnold. The Claud 'Bud' Mick Scholarship was presented to Amber
Belknap. All four graduating seniors also received additional
scholarship funds from the Kanawha Alumni Association. Seniors
from the previous year--Logan Wilson, Justin Vankirk, and Tristen
Brown--all received second year renewals of their Mick Scholarship
due to satisfactory academic progress in their ongoing college
endeavors.
Dick Graff was presented with the Bruin Award. The Alumnus of the Year award was presented to Jerry Wilson, Class of 1966, and the Alumna of the Year award was given to Jan Cosner Crutchfield, Class of 1982. Additionally, Howard Conley (Class of 1945), William 'Bill' Wiant (Class of 1945), and Iverna Bouch (Class of 1949) 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 Terry and Justin Vankirk, held an auction
for items donated to the association which raised nearly $750.
Special thanks to David Parmer, Sandy Conrad, Boody Talbert, and
Lost Road Candles in Flatwoods for their donations.
Following the meeting, a baked steak dinner was served to around 150 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. More photos from the weekend can be seen on the KAA Facebook page by searching for Kanawha Alumni Association. Go Bruins! Alumni attending and their guests:
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