Submitted by Brooklynn Baughman

The 103rd Fairfax Alumni Banquet was held Friday, May 19, 2023, in the Fairfax High School auditorium. The theme for the night was Sesame Street and four seniors, Braden Graves, Natalie Hedlund, Kierra McDonald, and Cameron Oswald, were initiated into the Alumni Association.

The crowd of 181 was welcomed by Jayne (Graves) McFarland and a response was given by senior Braden Graves. President Crystal (Beck) Woodring then introduced the initiates and their parents. After the invocation the attendees enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Nishna Valley Café from Shenandoah, Iowa. During the meal the initiates were given tasks to perform as their initiation.

The business meeting was conducted following dinner. The minutes were read by Brooklynn (Morris) Baughman, secretary, and the treasurer’s report was given by Aleesha (Ball) Lemar.

Members voted to increase the alumni scholarship to $500, effective immediately. They also voted to use the funds they have been raising for the last few years to purchase a new sound system for the school auditorium.

Nominations for the 2024 alumni officers began. While nominations were taking place the alumni collected more donations for the sound system. The alumni raised another $1,035.00 for the new sound system. The officers elected for the following year are: Katie Beck, president; Keifer Neymer, vice-president; Brooklynn Baughman, secretary; and Aleesha Lemar, treasurer. The 2023 Alumni Scholarship was awarded to Braden Graves.

Debbie Johnson brought her beautiful Alumni Bulldog stained glass, sponsored by the Class of 1973, to the stage for the raffle winner to be announced. Proceeds were donated to the Alumni Association for future expenses. The winner of the Alumni Bulldog was Chelsea Miller.

The honor classes were then introduced and each class had a member speak on their behalf. President Crystal Woodring announced that the oldest alumni at the banquet were Norma Bradfield, Class of 1946, and Blaine Barton, Class of 1949.

Many memories and laughs were shared throughout the alumni banquet and it ended with the announcement of the 104th alumni banquet to be held on May 17, 2024.