CCHS alumni classes reminisce at annual reunion, banquet

    Close to 200 alumni class members from Chase County High School gathered Saturday as the Chase County Alumni Association hosted its annual reunion.
    Based on the laughter and conversations, it can be rated another successful day.
    Alumni Association President Marlon Kunnemann said  shy of 200 were served the grilled pork chop dinner catered by Casey Francis, who’ll return for the 2023 event.
    “We had raves about the food,” Kunnemann said.
    Members of the honor classes present at the banquet were introduced by Kunnemann.
    Sitting near the front was Leota Jaeger Cook, a Class of 1942 member who marked her 80th year since graduating. She was presented a yellow rose from Kunnemann, who said not many graduates return for their 80th reunion.
    Two of her 1942 classmates live in Imperial, Wava Clements Daschofsky at Parkview/Heights and Jack Claney at the Imperial Manor. She was able to visit with them over the weekend.
    Cook, 98, lives in Meeker, Colorado, and traveled the 430 miles to the banquet with her daughter Mary Jessup of New Castle, Colorado.
    Jessup said the family used to return to Imperial every year and the trip meant a lot to her, as well.
    With 30 at the reunion, the Class of 1972, celebrating its 50th year, had the largest group present.
    Fifty-one seniors were listed in the 1972 graduation program, and five have passed away, said class co-director Connie Pribbeno, so they had close to a 60% turnout.
    The class introductions were followed by a reading of alumni who have died, given by committee member Carol Johnson Kunnemann.
    Being Memorial Day weekend, Association President Kunnemann recognized U.S. veterans and their service to the country.
    All veterans attending were asked to stand and received a round of applause.
    Kunnemann also took time to give roses as a thank-you to other alumni association officers there—Becky Bernard, Carol Kunnemann, Jacque Banks, Kelsey Steinkraus and Arlys Cupp.
    In an emotional gesture, Kunnemann left the podium to give a rose to his oldest daughter, Amber, who was among the Class of 2002, back for her 20th reunion.
    “It’s always good when the kids come home,” he said.
    The alumni association sponsored events started mid-afternoon with a bus tour of the community emceed by Shawn Jaeger, Foundation & Marketing Coordinator at Chase County Community Hospital/Clinics and a 1989 CCHS alumnus.
    Jaeger said 10 were on the hour-long tour, which took them along Miracle Mile, then through downtown Imperial, to the golf course and Campbell Park, as well as the Imperial Manor, Parkview/Heights and the hospital/clinic.
    From there, the bus traveled by Broken Arrow Cellars, and back on Broadway past the courthouse and city offices. Many saw a section of the former high school they attended, now known as Wellington gym, and were told of the housing development plans at the former football field to the north.