The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

The annual meeting of the Haxtun High School Alumni Association was held on Sept. 30 at the High School Gymnasium. LaVone Hart, Alumni Coordinator welcomed 30 past graduates along with spouses and friends to the gathering. Hart led the group in singing the National Anthem. An update on finances was given. The scholarship fund which is funded by donations is in good shape this year and hopes are to be able to continue giving scholarships to HHS graduates in the future. 2023 recipients of $500 each were awarded to Cassidy Goodwin, daughter of Amanda (Freemyer) Goodwin and Aly Lock, daughter of Brian and Michelle (Wolff) Lock at the May graduation. The girls were unable to attend the meeting, but it was reported that each one was attending a college this semester.

Members from the class of 1973 were hosts for the meeting. Paul Knott from Juniata, Neb. served as emcee. Knott called for the oldest class in attendance. The Class of 1948 was represented by Alma Koch Smith from Longmont, and Lester Weers from Haxtun. This year marked the 75th reunion of their class.

HAXTUN'S graduating Class of 1953 met on Friday, Sept. 29 to celebrate their 70th reunion. Those in attendance are pictured front row (l-r), Janice Tubbiola, Shirley Salyards, Carol Scheel and Dick Hinde; back row (l-r), Eddie and Joy Lousberg, Zeke Garretson, Ina and Bob Stansbury and Pearl Hinde.

Members from the Class of 1973 were introduced by Knott. Memories of their high school days were shared. Paul went on by sharing his memories of those years. Some of the stories he told were about the value of living in the small town of Haxtun, like being able to ride a bike freely around town, making lifelong friends, attending a good school and knowing almost everyone in Haxtun. He and his parents had a paper route in Haxtun, getting up early in the morning to deliver the Haxtun Harvest to many houses. He remembered a special teacher, Mr. Verl Timm, who made movies with students as one of their projects for the year. Paul married his high school sweetheart, Betty Barkey who was also in the Class of 1973.

Introductions were different this year. After recognizing the class of 1948, every year thereafter was called upon. The Class of 1953 was attended by Janice (Bailey) Tubbiola from California. Her classmates were together on Friday evening at the Haxtun Manor. They celebrated 70 years of being HHS graduates. Most of the other classes represented at the meeting were various members from the classes of the late 50s through the 70s. It was a good way to recognize each graduate who was there to represent their class.

Hart concluded the meeting by reminding the group to keep their addresses current with the database at the school. She led the group in singing the school song and shared the original school song with the group. Many of the older people remembered that song.

The next meeting of the HHS Alumni will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.