Hugs, laughter return with high school alumni

Chase County High School alumni returned for a weekend of activities, highlighted by a banquet and program Saturday night that drew more than 170 people, a lot of hugging and constant laughter.
But that wasn’t the only event that gathered alumni. Several classes had individual get-togethers, a bus tour took people around the community Saturday afternoon and there was a photo session for those in the honored classes. Memorial Day services also drew alumni to Mt. Hope Cemetery in Imperial.
At Saturday’s banquet at the Nutrien Event Center on the fairgrounds, classes ending in “4” were in the spotlight. Each member of the honored classes was introduced by Alumni President Marlon Kunnemann.
Heading that group was Gerald Weiss, the only living member of the CCHS Class of 1944, who returned for his 80th year celebration. He was presented a ‘Horns ball cap from the alumni committee.
Weiss, 98, a U.S. Navy veteran who enlisted right out of high school, attended the banquet from Colorado Springs, Colorado, traveling to Imperial with two of his daughters. His sister, Mary Ann Stinnette, lives in Imperial.
Other classes with alumni at the banquet were 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014. Several from the Class of 1959 also had a small reunion celebrating their 65th year.
The 50-year class from 1974 had the largest turnout among the honored classes. Twenty-eight were on hand for the class photos prior to the banquet.
The class of 1954 was easy to spot at the banquet. The table where 1954 alumni and guests were seated sported several posters from their senior class play at CCHS 70 years ago. Marcia Einspahr Rider said she’s kept them in storage all these years.
Alumni President Kunnemann, reminding attendees why Memorial Day is celebrated, took time to recognize all veterans present, asking them to stand to a round of applause. The song “American Soldier” by Toby Keith was played in remembrance.
“Those who sacrificed and have gone before us is why we observe Memorial Day,” Kunnemann said.
As a thank-you to those who served in the military, the class of 1994 donated funds to purchase a drink for all veterans at the banquet.
A gift certificate to The Imperial Republican was given to the CCHS alumni who traveled the furthest for their reunion. Three members of the class of 1974, back for their 50th year, live in Florida - Mike and Jane (Davidson) Moreland are in Vero Beach, while Roxie Norman Ellis lives in Spring Hill. A check with travelmath.com shows the Morelands are about 100 miles further at 1,808 driving miles away versus 1,708 for Ellis.
The 2024 necrology, remembering alumni who died since last year’s gathering, was delivered by planning committee member Carol Johnson Kunnemann. This year’s list numbered 39 deceased alumni.
Door prizes donated by local businesses were awarded to alumni during the evening. Joel Grosbach, member of the class of 2004, gave the invocation. Mathew Chandler-Smith, a CCHS graduate from Grant, provided music for the dance after the banquet. Beverage Barn sold drinks during the evening.
Grubin’ 308 prepared and served the smoked pork chop banquet meal to 171 alumni and guests.
Shawn Jaeger emceed the bus tour through the community which left from the school Saturday afternoon and traveled to sites around town. Six were on the hour-long tour, riding in the school’s Longhorn activity bus.
Besides Marlon Kunnemann, others on the alumni committee include Arlys Cox Cupp, vice president; Jacque Harms Banks, treasurer; Rebecca Bernard, historian; and planning committee members Kelsey Cupp Steinkraus and Carol Johnson Kunnemann.