The 100th annual Fairfax Alumni Banquet was held Friday, May 17, 2019, in the Fairfax High School Gym with 307 alumni and guests in attendance. Doors opened at 5:00 p.m. so guests could spend time visiting with old friends and former classmates.

The theme for alumni week was “Let’s Have a Grand OleTime.”Theeightinitiates spent the week walking the streets of Fairfax made up as elderly people. When an alumna yelled, “Wow 100,” the initiates sang the school fight song. Friday morning, they swept Main Street of Fairfax while community members and out-of-town alumni looked on.

The seniors were welcomed by Marcia (Slemons) Martin, Class of 1962, and her son, John Brown, Class of 1985, with John’s son, Tyler, one of this year’s initiates, giving the response. The eight initiates and their parents were then introduced. This year’s initiates were Katy Baker, Tyler Brown, Zach Garrison, Shanna Gilpin, Max Hopkins, Shelbey Morris, Destany Theas, and Kinley Thornhill.

The invocation was delivered by Suzanne (Davis) Southard, Class of 1970, followed by a buffet catered by Nishna Valley Cafe of Shenandoah, Iowa. Throughout dinner, the seniors were given their initiation challenges to complete, many with the help of banquet attendees.

After dinner the business meeting was called to order by President Alicia (Clark) White. Alicia recognized the oldest male and female alumni in attendance: H.B. Lawrence, Class of 1945, and Maxine (Hall) Murray, Class of 1943. Alicia (Wensel) Straub presented the 2019 Alumni Scholarship to

Shanna Gilpin. The minutes from the 2018 banquet were presented by Krys (Fisher) Carlock, alumni secretary. They were approved as read. Lisa (Southard) Mitchell then gave the treasurer’s report which was also approved.

The alumni continue to raise money to assist the school in purchasing a new sound system. Donations from the Class of 1967 and Blaine Barton, Class of 1949, were received as well as the collectionof$1,188fromthose in attendance at the banquet.

Ann (Graves) Wensel presented the slate of officers for next year: Lauren Clark, president; Crystal (Beck) Woodring, vice-president; Krys (Fisher) Carlock, secretary; and Lisa (Southard) Mitchell, treasurer. The officers were approved as presented and the business meeting was adjourned.

A representative from each of the honored classes introduced their class members who were in attendance. The honored classes began with the class of 1949 with members Rosalee (Sly) Seymour, Maxine (Gubser) Porter, and Blaine Barton in attendance, all the way to the present class of 2019. After the recognition of the honored classes, banquet attendees were asked to share specialmemoriesoftheirtime at Fairfax R-3.

Members of the 2019 banquet planning committee were Kerry (Wensel) Baker, Ann (Graves) Wensel, Alicia (Wensel) Straub, and Chelsea Miller, as well as the officers. They did a great job with the theme, decorations, and initiation. Next year’s banquet will be held Friday, May 15, 2020. Share with classmatesandfriendssothat the alumni can continue to have one of the best alumni associations in the state.

The FHS Class of 1969 50-year honorees of the Fairfax Alumni Association included, from left to right: front row – Richard Larabee, Ralph Ball, Jim Hunter, Danny Umbarger, and Kevin Smith; and back row – Shirley (Hargus) Rader, Marva (Walker) Brown, Debbie (Williams) Kriezel, Pete (Smith) Cooper, Joetta (Kerr) Hicks, Linda (Volker) Blakemore, and Sharon (O’Riley) Barlow.

The FHS Class of 1959 60-year honorees of the Fairfax Alumni Association included, from left to right: front row – Wanda (Thompson) Johnson, Linda (Massie) Phelps, and Joe Davis; middle row – Donna (Hedrick) Porter, Brenda (Whitford) Scamman, and Barbara (Watkins) Bindrup; and back row – Gary Wennihan, Marvin Griffey, and Larry Lawrence.
(Photos submitted by Krys (Fisher) Carlock)

The FHS Class of 1979 40-year honorees of the Fairfax Alumni Association included, from left to right, H.A. Hawkins, Barry Simmons, Lori (Miles) Smith, Tonya (Lewis) Hann, Krys (Fisher) Carlock, Rick Kemerling, and Paul Whittington.

The FHS Class of 1989 30-year honorees of the Fairfax Alumni Association included, from left to right: front row – Kim Wake and Melissa (Smith) Rogers; and back row – Jeff Weedin and Jason Combs.

The FHS Class of 1999 20-year honorees of the Fairfax Alumni Association included, from left to right, Brandee (Hawkins) Graves and Katrina (Ball) O’Farrell.

The FHS Class of 2009 10-year honorees of the Fairfax Alumni Association included, from left to right, Chase isley, Kristi Sons, Scott Clark, Amanda (Geib) Haas, Jessica VanGundy, and Amanda (Yocum) Rector.

The FHS Class of 2019 Fairfax Alumni initiates included, from left to right: Max Hopkins, Zach Garrison, Tyler Brown, Shelbey Morris, Kinley Thornhill, Destany Theas, Shanna Gilpin, and Katy Baker.