Alumni weekend to continue, but more young volunteers still needed

The century-old tradition of Powell High School alumni gathering for a reunion will continue for its 101st year, thanks to a team of volunteers who agreed to carry the torch for another year — but more younger volunteers would be appreciated.

A total of 13 PHS alums will join previous PHS Alumni Committee members Colleen Cush and Ben Keller as plans are made for next year’s Alumni Weekend. Other previous committee members agreed to stick around for a few months to help the newcomers with the planning process, too.

“I will stay on as a consultant for a year,” Susan VandenBoom said. “I am just a phone call away.”

Elaine Bushey welcomed the next batch of volunteers.

“You will do a great job — the next one will be a successful one,” Bushey said.

Only three of the 20 people in attendance were younger than 60, so more young volunteers are being sought.

“We need younger people in those classes to step up,” Carolyn Shelby said. “I don’t know how to get young people involved. It is happening with everything — all the clubs are going down. It is too bad; they don’t participate, you don’t see new people in Kiwanis, Rotary, in everything.”

Cush said she lived on the East Coast for years, and there’s nothing similar to the Powell Alumni Weekend out there.

“This can’t stop; it really can’t,” Cush said. “This is a good boost for the community, and a good chance to see everybody ... It would be a shame to flush it down the toilet.”

Committee member Pat Graham said the turnout for the 100th Alumni Weekend was great, but he wasn’t sure if the reason behind it was because it was a milestone year or because it was possibly the last one.

“We have our 50th (class reunion) coming up, and I’d hate to see it go away,” Gerry Wilkins said. “Next year’s is the 101st, and that is pretty big. I retired finally, so I’ll help — it is a cool deal.”

Laurie Larsen is returning to the committee after some time away from it.

“Like everyone else, I don’t want to see it die,” Larsen said.

“It is great,” committee member Ben Keller said when asked about getting enough volunteers to keep the tradition going. “Most of the people I talked to before, during and after said don’t stop.”

Organizing an Alumni Weekend isn’t as simple as throwing a regular party. A dance permit is needed from the Police Department, a malt beverage permit is needed from the City Council, and advertisements must be purchased too, VandenBoom said. The banner over Bent Street also requires payment to the city.

“And, the night isn’t over until the garbage is picked up,” VandenBoom said.

One of the challenges in organizing the Alumni Weekend is getting vendors to come, since there’s no real guarantee of how many people will show up, Graham said. He suggested looking into pre-selling wrist bands for a dollar, then charging more at the door so a better estimate can be given.

Several of the people in attendance Thursday night said alumni wanted a more casual atmosphere with food vendors set up.

The group has a few thousand dollars set aside for next year’s reunion — but it won’t be enough, VandenBoom said.

“We had an anonymous Powell High School student give us a $5,000 check (earlier this year),” VandenBoom said. “He wished to remain anonymous, but I got to visit with him about a week ago, and he had a great time that weekend and was glad we put it to good use.”

Many of the events this year went over well; the car show was a big hit, and the parade was a local favorite. But the horseshoe tournament didn’t go over too well.

“I think we had six show up for horseshoes and three or four were recruited,” Gene Shuler said. “Horseshoes used to be big in Powell — it is just a dying sport, but it might make a comeback.”

The Powell High School Alumni Association as a whole was the winner of the Powell Schools Association’s Distinguished Alumnus award. VandenBoom brought the glass award to the meeting and said it was for all members of the last 100 years.

If the alumni association ever disbands, its funds would go to the school foundation, she said.

The application with the Guinness Book of World Records wasn’t filled out quite right, Graham said. Instead of applying for most reunions as an all-class reunion, it was turned in as most consecutive class years.

“There is a possibility someone might take that over,” Graham said.

The next PHS Alumni Committee meeting will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Eagles Hall in Powell. During the next meeting, the committee plans to select the date for next year’s alumni weekend as well as what events they would tentatively like to schedule for it.

Anyone interested in participating in planning or joining the committee is encouraged to attend.

“We need more people to serve, we would be glad to have more,” Larry Earhart said.