The Chenoa High School Alumni Banquet has been a tradition in our community for over 94 years.  Despite the consolidation of Chenoa High School with Prairie Central District, support for the alumni banquet has only grown stronger in recent years with attendance well over 200.

People travel from all over the area and from out of state to participate in the alumni banquet tradition.  Participants regularly share how much it means to them to be able to return to their roots, reconnect with old friends and relax in the schools where many of their life’s experiences come flooding back.

As you may know, the Chenoa Alumni Association used to have officers; but in recent years, it has established a volunteer committee to organize a banquet.  This can be a very rewarding experience for those who serve; but for the alumni banquet to remain a lasting tradition in our community, it was realized that a leadership succession plan was essential.

In that light, a plan has been established that would have members of the 30 year CHS class of each annual alumni banquet ready to plan this traditional banquet.  Joni Schickedanz Meyer contacted class members from 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982 and was able to recruit a chairman willing to serve for the next five banquets, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  With this plan engaged, it allows classes to plan ahead…similar to a Junior/Senior Prom.

The 30 year class was selected for a host of reasons.  Reconnecting with one’s roots becomes an ever increasing priority.  Also by that time people have accumulated the life’s experiences needed to be successful in leading a banquet event.  Further, many classes have chosen to integrate their class reunions with the banquet, strengthening both events.  The 2009 banquet chair from the Class of 1979 will be announced at 2008’s banquet. We welcome MC’s, entertainment, ideas, and volunteers from other classes to participate at the banquet; and they will know the class and chairman a year in advance.

With the advent of email, fax machines and cell phones, any alumni can be available to volunteer.  Help support this new CHS Alumni Association 30 Year Plan for continuing our annual alumni banquets.  Before long we will be celebrating the Alumni Association’s 100th  banquet!!

We know that you will want to plan ahead and volunteer for the annual banquet when you will be celebrating your 30th.  Please contact this year’s chair, Lisa Wilson Livezey, 815-945-7729, or email her at blma@verizon.net or Joni Schickedanz Meyer, 815-467-5742 /jonimeyer@sbcglobal.net.