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MHS Class of 1976 Holds 40th Reunion

MHS Class of 1976 Holds 40th Reunion

July 11, 2016

Story submitted byTami Alonzo

The Marshall High School Class of 1976, also known as “The Spirit of ’76” or the Bicentennial Class, celebrated their 40th Reunion June 24-25 and had 140 classmates and 201 attendees including spouses and guests attending events held throughout the weekend. On Friday night, a Meet and Greet was held at Charlie’s Backyard Bar which featured classmate Anthony Parrish and band as entertainment and was attended by at least 95 classmates plus guests. On Saturday morning, Beverly Ford Hunt hosted a brunch at Roseville Bed and Breakfast for all the ladies of the class. Thirty-six attended this event including Carol Maines, whose family lived at Roseville before it became a bed and breakfast.

Memorial Table honoring 74 deceased classmates

Following the brunch, all former Camp Fire members were invited to attend a reunion hosted by Nancy Jones Gaines at her home. Twenty-two former members of various Camp Fire groups attended including former leaders Elizabeth Agnor, Wes and Jean Jones, and Linda Cupples. Scrapbooks, Camp WaCanTa, Camp NaToWa and club pictures, a Camp Fire ceremonial dress complete with beads, and other memorabilia were on display for attendees to look at and enjoy. One of their fondest memories was a Camp Fire senior trip taken by 11 girls and 4 leaders on a Winnebago in 1975 to New Orleans, Jackson, Atlanta, Panama City and finally Disneyworld. Money for this trip was raised through chili and spaghetti suppers, bake sales, etc. Those present who went on this trip included Dottiedee Agnor, Elizabeth Agnor, Judi Allen Carroll, Linda Cupples, Joanie Verhalen Campbell, Martha Dieste Voss, Nancy Jones Gaines, Jean Jones, Wesley Jones, Laura Koenig Young, and Tami Young Alonzo.

On Saturday night, the main event of the reunion was held at the Marshall Visual Arts Center from 6 p.m. to midnight. The MVAC was decorated in the Maverick colors of red, white and black with red-lighted vases containing pennants with pictures of class members taken from the 1976 annual. The 179 attendees for the event included 116 classmates who each received a nametag featuring their senior picture. There were grade school pictures, Mavette, football, and other momentos of former school days decorating the room. A memorial table was set up to honor the 74 deceased classmates containing pictures of each classmate, a votive with a candle for each and a pennant above that read, “Wish You Were Here.” Later in the evening, each classmate took a rose to the memorial table to commemorate their deceased classmates as their names were read by Victor Whitfield. Songs played by Sythia Clough Gaut during this special time included, “Maybe I Didn’t Love You” by Willie Nelson, “The Way We Were,” by Gladys Knight, and “The Rose” by Bette Midler. Food was catered by Catfish Express and included steak, baked potatoes, salad, cobbler, and tea. Beverly Ford Hunt issued a welcome to the group while Rusty Rustenhaven led the group in prayer before the meal.

Camp Fire Reunion l-r: Laura Koenig Young, Nancy Jones Gaines, Judi Allen Carroll, Elizabeth Agnor, Dottiedee Agnor, Tami Young Alonzo, Martha Dieste Voss

Entertainment for the night included a photo booth by B-fun Photos and 70’s music played by DJ Gale Adams. Group photos including grade school reunion photos were taken by Kim Martin Jackson and classmate Larry Brown as well as photos taken on both Friday and Saturday nights. All the attendees who purchased a ticket to the reunion will receive a class directory as well as a group photo. Mrs. Hunt would like to thank the ’76 Reunion Committee, her sponsors and classmates for helping put this reunion together and for making it so memorable.

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