May 28, 2022

 

138^th Annual Reunion

 

Saturday May 28, 2022 – Masser’s Banquet Hall – Paxinos PA - 5:45pm.

 

Opening invocation was given by Rob Ensinger ’74.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Irving Berlin’s song “GOD BLESS AMERICA” was sung by all attending with Mary Anne Brennan Stump ‘00 as the accompanist.

 

Erik Anderson ’97 – President of the Alumni Association - provided the banquet introductions.  A delicious meal was provided by Masser’s Catering.  After dessert, the business meeting started with a silent prayer in memory of deceased members.

 

The Secretary’s Report is in the April 2022 Newsletter.  With a motion by John Klinger ’68 and seconded by Mary Anne Pitorak Miller ‘74, the report was approved as printed.  All were in favor.

 

The Treasurer’s Report is in the April 2022 Newsletter.  With a motion by Jerry Waugh III ’91 and seconded by Jim Wagner ’97, the report was approved as printed and will be put on file for audit.  All were in favor.

 

President Erik Anderson ’97 presented the Class of 2022 to those attending the banquet, welcoming them to the Alumni Association.  Kathleen Amato – Senior Class President, presented the 2022 class pennant to the Association.

 

Entertainment for 170 alumni, seniors, parents and friends was presented by cast members from the Senior High Chorus.  They sang “Dear Theodosia“ from the Broadway Musical Hamilton, and “The Best of Du-Wop”, a medley which included “Teenager in Love”, “Lollipop”, “Earth Angel”, and “Sha Boom – Sha Boom”.

 

Mary Anne Pitorak Miller ’74, coordinate the prize drawing activities and was assisted by five seniors for gift delivery.

 

Mary Anne Brennan Stump ’00, Vice-President recognized the various anniversary classes and where applicable, their contributions to the Education and General Funds:

 

1947 Class - 75 years - 1 member from the Diamond Anniversary Class was able to attend.

 

1952 Class - 70 years - no member attended.

 

1957 Class - 65 years - Kay Barr Berry presented $2,025 from her class.  They donated to the Educational Fund a total of $1,600 PLUS $425 to the Peter J. Malafi Scholarship Fund.

 

1962 Class - 60 years - Barry Buriak presented $1,000 from his class.

 

1967 Class - 55 years - 1 member attended.

 

1972 Class - 50 years - 5 members from the Golden Anniversary Class attended and presented a check for $11,119.72.

 

1977 Class - 45 years - no members attended.

 

1982 Class - 40 years - no members attended.

 

1987 Class - 35 years - 5 members attended.

 

1992 Class - 30 years - no members attended.

 

1997 Class - 25 years - 3 members attended from the Silver Anniversary Class.  James Wagner spoke about the September Class reunion they are planning.  They are going to donate after the reunion.  The donation will be in memory of Matt Sandri, who served in the military and was killed in the line of duty.

 

2002 Class - 20 years - no members attended.

 

2007 Class - 15 years - no members attended.

 

2012 Class - 10 years - no members attended.

 

2017 Class - 5 years - no members attended.

 

Eric Anderson ’97 asked to honor any “Senior” Alumni attending.  This included Mrs. Henninger from the Class of 1947, the Diamond Anniversary Class.

 

The distance award was presented by Mary Anne Brennan Stump ’00 to Stephanie Bettick, Class of 2003 from Florida.

 

Matt Weller ’91 - Educational Fund President presented the Alumni Scholarship awards.  These are awards for four years.

 

Total Scholarship payout, when extended for four years equals $262,800.

 

Seven awards are from Coal Township Alumni Association (CT) while nine are from Shamokin Area High School Alumni Association (SA). Congratulations were extended to all. Recipient’s yearly awards amount, college choice, and their major emphasis are as follows:

 

1st - Skye Balonis (SA)--$6,000. Temple University, Actuarial Science.

 

2nd - Brenden Rogers (SA)--$5,500. Wilkes University, Mechanical Engineering.

 

3rd - Hannah Schaeffer (SA)--$5,200. Bucknell University, Chemical Engineering.

 

4th - Carter Smink (SA)--$5,000. Susquehanna University, Social Sciences.

 

5th - Marcus Moyer (SA)--$5,000. Susquehanna University, Economics.

 

6th - Taylor Jarrell (SA)--$4,800. Northampton County Community College, Mortuary Science.

 

7th - Garrett Kitchen (SA)--$4,500. Wilkes University, Mechanical Engineering.

 

8th - Kathleen Amato (CT)--$4,000. Penn State University, Criminal Justice.

 

9th - Dallas Scicchitano (SA)--$4,200. Elizabethtown College, Civil Engineering.

 

10th - Graig Kerstetter (CT)--$3,500. University of Pittsburgh, Biomedical Engineering.

 

11th - Lauryn Helt (CT)--$3,000. Penn State University, Undecided.

 

12th - Maximus Madden (CT)--$3,000. West Virginia University, Business Management.

 

13th - Lane Reese (CT)--$3,000. University of Pittsburgh, Psychology.

 

14th - Dominic Diehl (CT)--$3,000. Susquehanna University, Business Management.

 

15th - Isabelle Kapushinski (CT)--$3,000. Susquehanna University, Biomedical Sciences.

 

16th - Cynthia Zheng (SA)--$3,000. University of Pittsburgh, Molecular Biology.

 

Additionally, seven Thomas Lynch Awards were presented at the banquet by Matt Weller '91.  They are for $5,000 each for 2 or 4 years, depending upon area of study.

• Austin Kopp - Workforce (for now)
• Brent Costa - California U of PA
• Robert Harvey - Military
• Sara Vazquez - Temple University
• Kloey Baney - Bloomsburg University
• Booker Lewis - Penn College of Technology
• Francis Sanzotto - Triangle Tech

 

High School Principal Todd Hockenbroch ’97 gave a report on SAHS and included information on academics, athletics, music and art.  He opened his comments with gratitude to the Alumni Association for their efforts and generosity.  Once again, our students are able to take advantage of more and more opportunities provided through the Alumni Association.  This year both Alumni Associations (Shamokin and Coal Township) will be graciously giving a total of 23 scholarships, the most and largest amounts ever.

 

Science-had a successful plant sale for the first time since 2019 in a remodeled greenhouse that includes an irrigation system, new shelving, and a fresh coat of paint.  Our Science team is the reigning champions of the Science iditarod and will look to defend their title next year-2023.

 

In English – we added applied English 7 and applied English 8 in middle school to help with the loss of learning.  We had a sophomore win the News-Item “It Can Wait” essay contest about distracted driving.

 

We had a senior scored 1400 on SAT with a 760 in math.  We have senior students attending Pitt, Temple, Bucknell and most ever accepted to Susquehanna University all on scholarships.

 

The High School Music department was able to perform the spring musical “The Little Mermaid” only because Mr. Styer drove to Chicago to pick up the costumes and then drove back the next day.  That is the type of staff we have here at Shamokin Area.

 

In conclusion, Mr. Hockenbroch mentioned the end of the year senior activities, including baccalaureate, awards night, and commencement.

 

As the meeting continued, the following Educational Scholarship officers were presented for ratification for 2022-2023.

 

PRESIDENT:    Jeff Clutcher ‘78

SECRETARY:  Matt Weller ‘91

 

Bonnie Benner Anderson ‘73 made a motion to accept and Bonny Ensinger Klinger ’68 seconded the motion to approve the officers.  All were in favor.

 

John Klinger ’68 presented the following Alumni Association officers for ratification who were nominated by the Executive Committee for 2022-2023.

 

PRESIDENT------------------------------Mary Anne Brennan Stump ‘00

VICE-PRESIDENT----------------------Charlie Wayne ‘77

SECRETARY-----------------------------Jamie A. Hoffman Bordell ‘75

TREASURER-----------------------------Gregory Dwulet ‘68

REGISTRAR/HISTORIAN-------------Jeffrey Clutcher ‘78

 

Bonnie Benner Anderson ’73 made the motion to accept and was seconded by Bonny Ensinger Klinger ’68 to approve.  All were in favor.

 

Outgoing Alumni President Erik Anderson ’97 introduced the new officers and thanked the many committees and members for their help this past year.  He also encouraged all alumni to become active with the association by attending meetings which are held 3 times per year - fall, winter and spring.  Check the website for details.

 

https://www.indians.k12.pa.us/alumni.

 

Giving your time to serve on committee and financially supporting the General and Education funds is appreciated.

 

The Senor Class led the Alumni Association in singing the Alma Mater, which was accompanied by Mary Anne Brennan Stump ’00.

 

AFTERGLOW:  Trivia Game was held.  Erik Anderson ’97 was the advisor for this event with Rob Ensinger ’74 as the Master of Ceremonies.  There were many alumni, seniors and parents participating.  Prizes were given.  The evening was enjoyed by all.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Jamie A. Hoffman Bordell ’75

Secretary