OHS class of 1976 35th reunion to establish scholarship
Organizers of the Orrville High School class of 1976 35th reunion, to be held Sept. 16-17, have announced plans to establish the Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship to go to a worthy Orrville High School senior who will be furthering his or her education. Classmates, teachers, and administrators are encouraged to attend the reunion. The activities will kick off on Friday evening, Sept. 16, at Orrville High School prior to the annual homecoming football game for a tailgate party, and will continue on Saturday, Sept. 17, with an all day and evening gathering at Caskey’s Campground & Recreation Center, located northeast of Orrville. During the Saturday evening activities the renowned band Liquid Sky will be performing. The professional band features class of ‘76 member Ed Marthey on keyboards.
The scholarship is a way to give back to the school while at the same time honoring the memories of classmates who have since passed away. “One of our committee members remembered that at one time there were scholarships given away in the memory of Daniel Rehm and Steve Rogers, both former OHS class of ‘76 classmates who we lost, Daniel while in high school and Steve shortly after graduation,” explained Ruth Walentik-Johnston, co-chair of the reunion committee along with Deb Gerber-Lacy. “We thought it might be a nice gesture to do something on their behalf as well as other classmates we have lost over the years.”
With that in mind, and after discussing it with school officials, organizers are planning fundraising activities during the reunion weekend as well as exploring other options and opportunities to raise money for the scholarship fund.
“We want to raise as much as possible during the reunion as well as successive years in order to award a scholarship, perhaps two, during the 2016 commencement exercises at Orrville High School, the 40th anniversary of our graduating class,” Walentik-Johnston continued. “It’s our hope we can do enough fundraising over the successive years that we can keep the scholarship going annually after that. We are working on other possibilities and are open to suggestions from our classmates as well. We’ll be releasing details of our fundraising activity soon.”
In the meantime, anyone can donate to the Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship fund at anytime by sending a check to the reunion committee. Donors are asked to signify on the check memo that the monies are designated to the scholarship fund. Additional information can be found on the OHS class of ‘76 reunion website, http://ohs76.wordpress.com.
“Any funds left over from our reunion will also be placed into the scholarship fund,” added Walentik-Johnston.
Members of the OHS class of ‘76 reunion committee are Walentik-Johnston and Gerber-Lacy, co-chairs; Jeff Brest, treasurer; and Jerry Edwards.
On Friday evening, Sept. 16, classmates are invited to attend a tailgate party in the parking lot of the Orrville High School stadium 45 minutes before kickoff. Soft drinks and chips will be provided and all classmates are encouraged to wear red, white, and black that evening.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, beginning at 1 p.m., classmates will meet at Caskey’s Campground & Recreation Center for a full day and evening. Family time will begin at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. “We will provide beverages and pizza throughout the day for family time,” stated Walentik-Johnston. “Classmates can bring their children and grandchildren, their swim gear, baseball gear, outdoor chairs and the like for a day of fun!”
From 5 p.m. until 11 p.m., it will be adult classmate time that will feature a casual meal for classmates and their significant others followed by a guest speaker and limited program. The remainder of the evening will be spent listening and dancing to music and socializing. Caskey’s Campground & Recreation Center is located at 14847 Fosnight Rd., northeast of Orrville.
Many more details about activities will be released in the upcoming weeks. Tickets for the Saturday event at Caskey’s are $12 each if purchased prior to August 31, and $17 at the door. Checks and money orders should be made out to OHS Class of ‘76 Reunion and mailed to: Ruth Walentik-Johnston, 327 Wabash Ave., Orrville 44667.
Classmates, teachers, and administrators are encouraged to contact reunion chair Ruth Walentik-Johnston with their updated contact information. Classmates are asked to forward their information to Walentik-Johnston by calling 216-820-1439 or emailing ruthjohnston@sbcglobal.net, or by visiting the reunion website at http://ohs76.wordpress.com.
The scholarship is a way to give back to the school while at the same time honoring the memories of classmates who have since passed away. “One of our committee members remembered that at one time there were scholarships given away in the memory of Daniel Rehm and Steve Rogers, both former OHS class of ‘76 classmates who we lost, Daniel while in high school and Steve shortly after graduation,” explained Ruth Walentik-Johnston, co-chair of the reunion committee along with Deb Gerber-Lacy. “We thought it might be a nice gesture to do something on their behalf as well as other classmates we have lost over the years.”
With that in mind, and after discussing it with school officials, organizers are planning fundraising activities during the reunion weekend as well as exploring other options and opportunities to raise money for the scholarship fund.
“We want to raise as much as possible during the reunion as well as successive years in order to award a scholarship, perhaps two, during the 2016 commencement exercises at Orrville High School, the 40th anniversary of our graduating class,” Walentik-Johnston continued. “It’s our hope we can do enough fundraising over the successive years that we can keep the scholarship going annually after that. We are working on other possibilities and are open to suggestions from our classmates as well. We’ll be releasing details of our fundraising activity soon.”
In the meantime, anyone can donate to the Class of 1976 Memorial Scholarship fund at anytime by sending a check to the reunion committee. Donors are asked to signify on the check memo that the monies are designated to the scholarship fund. Additional information can be found on the OHS class of ‘76 reunion website, http://ohs76.wordpress.com.
“Any funds left over from our reunion will also be placed into the scholarship fund,” added Walentik-Johnston.
Members of the OHS class of ‘76 reunion committee are Walentik-Johnston and Gerber-Lacy, co-chairs; Jeff Brest, treasurer; and Jerry Edwards.
On Friday evening, Sept. 16, classmates are invited to attend a tailgate party in the parking lot of the Orrville High School stadium 45 minutes before kickoff. Soft drinks and chips will be provided and all classmates are encouraged to wear red, white, and black that evening.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, beginning at 1 p.m., classmates will meet at Caskey’s Campground & Recreation Center for a full day and evening. Family time will begin at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. “We will provide beverages and pizza throughout the day for family time,” stated Walentik-Johnston. “Classmates can bring their children and grandchildren, their swim gear, baseball gear, outdoor chairs and the like for a day of fun!”
From 5 p.m. until 11 p.m., it will be adult classmate time that will feature a casual meal for classmates and their significant others followed by a guest speaker and limited program. The remainder of the evening will be spent listening and dancing to music and socializing. Caskey’s Campground & Recreation Center is located at 14847 Fosnight Rd., northeast of Orrville.
Many more details about activities will be released in the upcoming weeks. Tickets for the Saturday event at Caskey’s are $12 each if purchased prior to August 31, and $17 at the door. Checks and money orders should be made out to OHS Class of ‘76 Reunion and mailed to: Ruth Walentik-Johnston, 327 Wabash Ave., Orrville 44667.
Classmates, teachers, and administrators are encouraged to contact reunion chair Ruth Walentik-Johnston with their updated contact information. Classmates are asked to forward their information to Walentik-Johnston by calling 216-820-1439 or emailing ruthjohnston@sbcglobal.net, or by visiting the reunion website at http://ohs76.wordpress.com.
Published: June 8, 2011
