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98 th Emmitsburg High School Alumni Banquet

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The annual EHS Alumni Reunion Banquet was held on Saturday, October 15, at the Emmitsburg Fire and Ambulance Building. Alan Brauer, Class of 1964 president, welcomed the 150 guests. Bill Wivell, Class of 1966, gave the invocation and blessing. Dinner was served by Keystone Restaurant. All military, doctors, nurses, first responders, public safety officials, and teachers were recognized.

 Vickie Valentine Frushour, Class of 1971 scholarship secretary, introduced the four scholarship winners. Two recipients, Max Bingman and Wyatt Davis, expressed their appreciation for the financial gift. Max is a junior at West Virginia University, pursuing a career in neuroscience. Wyatt is a freshman at Shippensburg University, studying mechanical engineering. Becky Chaney spoke on behalf of her twin daughters, Rianna and Sheridan, who are attending colleges in Oklahoma and Kansas, respectively. Both are interested in careers in agricultural communications. It was rewarding to see such fine young students receiving the scholarships.

Reports were given by Secretary Connie Baker Fisher and Treasurer Sam Valentine, both from the Class of 1964. Historian Joyce Meadows Bruchey, Class of 1962, shared the 100th anniversary event of the high school building, which was organized by Penny Stockton of the Frederick County Public Library staff. The celebration was held on September 15. Mayor Donald Briggs, FCPL Media Specialist Sheila McDuff, and County Executive Jan Gardner gave brief remarks. A ribbon-cutting of the road side sign about the high school was done by Mayor Briggs. EHS memorabilia was displayed in the activities room and the library.

Honored classes were recognized by Joyce Bruchey, who shared information about each class. Robert Gillelan and Mary Fiery were present from the Class of 1947. They were voted most athletic by their classmates. Each won top spots in 6 out of 16 categories. The FFA won state and national honors for their FFA programs. Their school assemblies started with a Bible reading, the Lord’s Prayer, salute to the flag, and the singing of “The Star- Spangled Banner.” Robert Gillelan won the $25.00 gift card. He also won the Shaklee basket, donated by Jeanne Sharrer Angleberger, Class of 1962.


The Class of 1952 had 15 graduates, including a German student. The group was the first class to graduate in the new auditorium/gymnasium addition. Miss Fiery began her teaching career at her alma mater. George Springer went to the National FFA Convention in Kansas City. The fire department scheduled a fire drill during a basketball game! Willam Umbel won the gift card.

The Class of 1957 had 18 graduates, only 4 were girls. This was the year a community college was established after school hours and on Saturdays at Frederick High School (tuition $150). It was also the first-time consolidation with Thurmont High was mentioned. Graduation was on June 14. The community was busy preparing for its bicentennial celebration, including a pageant called “Valley Echoes.” The $25.00 gift card was won by Barbara Naill Copenhaver.

The Class of 1962 had 28 graduates, like the Class of 1947. The girls’ hockey team placed second in the county. The boys’ soccer team was the county champs. EHS Liners won the district basketball championship. They went on to state class C championship and lost to Poolesville. Both the soccer and basketball teams were coached by John Horine. The seniors went on a class trip to the Catskills. Jeannie Sharrer Angleberger was May Queen. This was the year when Route 15 was identified as the most dangerous road in Frederick County. There was a big snowstorm that winter and the schools were closed for a week. The gift card was won by Dennis McGlaughlin.

The Class of 1967 was the next to last class to graduate from Emmitsburg High. Linda Keilholtz Umbel was May Queen, exactly 30 years after her mother had been May Queen in 1937. All the senior girls were in the May court. This was the first year that the yearbook staff was composed of other grades besides the seniors, and a designated class period was set aside for the staff to meet rather than after school. This was the fourth year that EHS Liners soccer team placed second in soccer, scoring over twice as many points as their opponents. Coach George Kuhn was the soccer coach. He also started the school’s first JV soccer team. The school finally offered typing classes. Joyce Kline Philpott won the $25.00 gift card.

Phyllis Chatlos Kelly, Class of1965, read the names of deceased members from the last year. A memorial station to them had been set up. Pres. Brauer thanked people who helped make the evening successful: Robert Black from Catoctin Mountain Orchards for apples for each honored class member; Pam Ellison from Vigilant Hose Company; bartenders Wanda Valentine, Tina Sayler King, and Connie Burrier, Class of 1968; and Keystone Restaurant.

Emmitsburg High School Alumni Association Holds Annual Banquet

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Executive Committee (from left) Bill Wivell, Alan Brauer, Connie Fisher, Sam Valentine, Joyce Bruchey, and Phyllis Kelly.

Courtesy Photo

On October 16, 2021, members of the Emmitsburg High School Alumni Association (EHSAA) met at the Emmitsburg Fire and Ambulance Building for the 96th and 97th banquet. Due to the COVID pandemic, the 96th banquet was postponed a year. Approximately 150 attended, with a social hour from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Dinner was prepared by Keystone Family Restaurant and served by the Pen Mar Blue Star Mothers.

Bill Wivell, Class of 1966 and president, opened the meeting with the invocation, salute to the flag, and prayer. Teachers from the high school were introduced: Mary Fiery, Betty Ann Hollinger, and Joyce Bruchey. Veterans who served in WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Iraq and Afghanistan Wars were recognized, as well as those who also served their country. Secretary and treasurers’ reports were shared and approved. There was no old or new business.

Scholarship winners and their perspective colleges for 2020 and 2021 were acknowledged by Phyllis Kelly (Class of 1965): (2020) Alexi Baumgardner—Virginia Wesleyan University, Max Bingham—West Virginia University, Grace Blanchard—Frederick Community College, Gage Franz—Wheeling University, Audrie Gadra—Towson University, Molly Knighton—Loyola University, Issac Turner—Brigham University; (2021) Dylan Click—Virginia Tech, Emily Dewees—Hood College, Savannah Morris—Mount St. Mary’s University, Gage Franz—Wheeling University.

The EHSAA has given 95 scholarships for a total of $89,000 since 1994.

The deceased members were recognized with a memorial station, listing the birth year and death date, as well as obituaries collected by Mary Catherine Shields. Alan Brauer asked for a moment of silence in their honor.

Alan Brauer (Class of 1964) was elected president, and Vickie Frushour (Class of1971) will serve as assistant secretary. Phyllis Kelly (Class of 1965) will become vice president.

Treasurer Sam Valentine and Secretary Connie Fisher (both Class of 1964) and Historian Joyce Bruchey (Class of 1962) will continue their roles.

Joyce Bruchey shared a new book available, EHS in The Emmitsburg Chronicle. Newspaper articles were collected from the website established by Eric Glass of the Taney Corporation, “Archives of Emmitsburg Chronicle” from 1879-1918 and 1948-1977. With the help from Mary Mannix, librarian of the Maryland Room at the C. Burr Artz Library, and Joe Jennings, MD Room volunteer, over 500 articles were collected about EHS news.

The honored classes in attendance were recognized by sharing events that occurred during their senior years. Honored classes of 2020 ended in “0” and “5” while those of 2021 ended in “1” and “6”.  Displays with memorabilia from each honored class were assembled. Thomas Hoke (Class of 1940) was the oldest EHS graduate present, and it was his 81st anniversary. The Class of 1950 was the first class required to attend twelve years, thus there was no graduating class in 1949. A new addition, comprising of a gym and cafeteria, began this year. The school newspaper, E-Hi Times, was published for the first time. The Class of 1955 had a class member, Ray Harner, who completed eleven years of perfect attendance. The first discussion about consolidating Emmitsburg High and Thurmont High began during the senior year of the Class of 1956.

EHS girls were the county volleyball champs during the Class of 1960’s senior year. Dr. Morningstar, a well-respected local doctor came to town also. The Class of 1961 experienced the snowiest season in record-keeping history-62.7.” During their senior year, the class of 1965 saw the retirement of a beloved first-grade teacher, Mrs. Leary, and the promotion of a respected shop teacher, Mr. Eugene Woods, to County Supervisor of Industrial Arts. Land was bought for the new Emmitsburg-Thurmont High School in Thurmont and was to be named Catoctin. Emmitsburg PTA asked that ninth grade be included since only tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades were initially proposed. The Class of 1966 dedicated their yearbook to Vietnam soldiers (sold for $3). The student body worked hard to present an outstanding production of The Sound of Music. It was so well received that the cast was asked to perform it at Frederick High. Classes after 1968 graduated from Catoctin High. However, the classes of 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972 have been invited to join the EHS alumni association since they spent at least eight years at EHS. The Class of 1971 is the last class to celebrate a 50th anniversary at EHS. Bobbie Black of Catoctin Mountain Orchard gave apples to all honorees.

Anyone who attended Emmitsburg High School is encouraged to attend the annual banquet and meeting. The 2022 meeting will take place at Emmitsburg Fire and Ambulance building on Saturday, October 15. EHSAA executive committee would like to acknowledge Bill Wivell’s contributions serving as president for six years, and the support of his wife, Rachel.