The 95th Chenoa High School Alumni Banquet was held on Saturday evening, May 24th, and was deemed a huge success by all 175 persons in attendance.
     The theme "Memories Are Made of This" was truly fitting as graduates and friends first enjoyed the social hour. Former students, teachers and friends indulged in handshakes, hugs and kisses. The one coming the farthest was from Arizona. Frank Ackerman of Chenoa, a 1934 graduate, was the oldest alum present.
     Jana Schrag Schopp of Bloomington, Class of 1978, was toastmistress and kept things moving with her jokes, stories and introductions of program participants. Darleta Marti Gramm of Lexington, also a 1978 class member, gave a very fitting invocation.
     The FCCLA members and parents, under the direction of Jeanea Shier, served a delicious dinner, after which the Pledge of Allegiance was given, and former cheerleaders led the School Song, "Come, Let us Stand." The roll call of classes followed, with 118 alumni present.
     Toasts were given by Dorothy Jacobs Streid of Chenoa, Class of '38; John ("Jack") Degnan of Bloomington, Class of '48; Gilbert Landrus of Normal, Class of '58; Christine Schrag Diener of Goshen, Indiana, Class of '68; and Craig Bertsche of Bloomington, Class of '88.
     "Special Recognition" was given to both Mrs. Norma Eash and Richard Whitver, both former teachers in the school system. Each received a dated brick from the now razed 1911 school building.
     A 25-member chorus, all dressed in former CHS red robes, was directed by Mrs. Norma Eash. Accompanists were Donita Main and Mary Jo Grau.
     Trumpet selections were presented by Mr. Richard Whitver. A song sheet allowed the crowd to sing along with older popular songs, and the attendants were encouraged to guess the year the songs were popular.
     The Class of '78 members Lisa Wilson Livezey, Jana Schrag Schopp, Darleta Marti Gramm, Donna Edwards Schweitzer and Pam Rhoda Norris formed the committee for the reunion and were assisted by many other committees. It was announced that the Class of 1979 will be in charge of next year's reunion, scheduled for May 23, 2009.
     Mark your calendar now for next year's 96th banquet and invite fellow alumns to attend. Remember to check your Chenoa Web site www.chenoail.org

Pictures taken by Michael Sechrest at the 95th Chenoa Alumni Banquet

The thirty-year class of 1978 at dinner. In the foreground are Brian and Lisa Livezey and Jana and Rusty Schopp.

Frank Ackerman, second from left, was the oldest alum present, having graduated in 1934.

Dorothy Jacobs Streid gave the 70-year toast, having graduated in 1938. She became a teacher, and also served 12 years on the local school board.

John Degnan, Class of 1948, regaled the crowd with stories from his four years at CHS. His mother, and best friend, Ellen Degnan, taught at CHS during all four years of his high school career.

Gilbert Landrus, Class of 1958, has been a businessman ever since his graduation, and claims that the basics he learned at CHS have helped him always in his work.

Christine Schrag Diener, Class of 1968, now living in Goshen, Indiana, recalled that her high school learning led her to a teaching career, alongside her husband who is also a teacher.

Craig Bertsche, Class of 1988, recalled many good times at CHS and also gave his education received there a great help for his future work in communications, both at WJBC and State Farm Insurance Cos.

The dinner prepared by members and parents of FCCLA directed by Jeanea Shier was excellent and very nicely delivered.

A number of former teachers were present, including Vic and Shirley Bell, Don and Anne Daluga, Gene and Diane Jontry.

The 25-member choir, made up of former students and directed by Mrs. Norma Eash, was a huge success. Dressed in former CHS red robes added to the lovely music they presented.

Richard Whitver played several numbers, then led the crowd in songs from previous eras and allowed them to guess what year they were popular. "Tie a Yellow Ribbon On The Old Oak Tree" seemed to be the favorite.

Here Mrs. Eash receives a dated brick from the 1911 school building as a Special Recognition part of the program.

Here Richard Whitver receives a dated brick from the 1911 school building as a Special Recognition part of the program.