EHS Class of '78
Thirty Five Year Reunion
Front Row: (L-R) Rusty Melton, Chris Little, Courtney Riddle, Steve Shepherd, Steve Cohran, Todd Bernshausen, Mark French, Todd Hale, Second Row: Lorie Crow, Judy Wilson, Penny Shook, Karen Rice, Cindy Greer, Ellie Lincoln, Sherry Edney, Gail Greely, Bea Oliver. Lisa Watson, Barbara Lacy, Row Three; Lisa Greer, Donna Bowers, Genelda Greshem, Beverly McKinney, Teresa Hughes, Beverly Simmons, Debbie Wilson, Keely Isaacs,Back Row: Allen Rasnick, David Ritchie, David Hughes, Ron Berry,Marvin Elliott, Tim Broyles, Barry Ward, Michael Guinn. Robert Benfield, Leo Meredith, Larry Adams.
Friday Night Football Game
(Editor's Note: This page is dedicated to the memories associated with the Elizabethton High School's graduating class of 1978, the class that I am honored to be part of.)
It was once said that the most authentic friends that you will ever have are those of your childhood. That is certainly true in my life and was evident during the thirty five year reunion of the EHS graduating class of 1978. The two evening event began with a group of classmates meeting in the west endzone at Brown Childress stadium during the Homecoming game between the Elizabethton Cyclones and the Davy Crockett Pioneers. This is the same field that many of the classmates played or marched on more than three decades ago. This will be the last time that this group will ever assemble in this stadium since this stadium will be partially demolished in the next couple of years to make room for classrooms for the T.A. Dugger Jr High.
It was once said that the most authentic friends that you will ever have are those of your childhood. That is certainly true in my life and was evident during the thirty five year reunion of the EHS graduating class of 1978. The two evening event began with a group of classmates meeting in the west endzone at Brown Childress stadium during the Homecoming game between the Elizabethton Cyclones and the Davy Crockett Pioneers. This is the same field that many of the classmates played or marched on more than three decades ago. This will be the last time that this group will ever assemble in this stadium since this stadium will be partially demolished in the next couple of years to make room for classrooms for the T.A. Dugger Jr High.
Beverly Ward McKinney joins the Alumni Band
The group would sit in the endzone beside the "Betsy Band" which many were a part of in years past. There was even one of the classmates that participated in the Alumni band which consists of the 2013 Betsy Marching Band along with any former band member that wishes to participate. The Homecoming parade would begin at the Monument in Downtown Elizabethton and would continue up Elk Avenue then all the way to the stadium. This is another event that will never take place again when the new sports complex is built due to its proximity to Downtown. For more information on the Betsy Band you can click here.
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As the band made their way into the stadium, the classmates began to filter into the endzone. Lots of smiles, handshakes and hugs were exchanged as more classmates made the short walk from the track to the stands.
The Orange and Black Cyclones would easily handle the much smaller Davy Crockett Pioneers with a winning score of 52-0. |
Below are several photos associated with the Homecoming parade and the classmates at the game.
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After the game, several of the class headed to a local restaurant for a quick bite, a few drinks and a little more time to reminisce. Keely Isaacs had made special arrangements with Amigo's Mexican Restaurant to stay open until midnight just for our group.
Many of the group had driven several miles for the game and needed to head home but for those that could, this was a great venue to rebuild friendships that were forged several years ago.
Many of the group had driven several miles for the game and needed to head home but for those that could, this was a great venue to rebuild friendships that were forged several years ago.
Below are a few photos taken after the game at Amigo's Mexican Restaurant.
Event Planning
Organizer Keely Isaacs Batchelder
Before I go any further, I have to thank those who organized the weekend. As you all know, Teresa McKinney is our class president but due to health reasons is unable to attend our reunions. In the past, Donna Bowers has taken over the role in order to organize and help plan our events. Donna has now moved out of state and asked for someone to take charge this year. For this year's event, Keely Isaacs Batchelder is the one who spent hours upon hours making phone calls, picking up payments, contacting class mates, working with food vendors, getting entertainment, working on decorations and the list goes on. Donna Bowers, Barbara Lacy, Tim Broyles, and others also worked hard to make this a memorable weekend. These events don't just happen. Much preparation is needed to have a near perfect weekend such as we had. If there are any names I have failed to mention, I offer my deepest apologies.
Saturday at Meredith Cabins
On Saturday, several of the "Class of '78" classmates gathered a the Meredith Cabins for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship.
The food was catered by "J's Corner" and the meal consisted of Sliced Beef BBQ, pasta salad, slaw, baked beans,and two specially made cakes by Kim Rasnick (wife of Allen Rasnick) which were both beautiful and delicious. Following the meal, several people browsed through high school annuals and talked about families, careers, old friendships, and precious memories. A contest was held to determine who had traveled the farthest to attend and the title went to Todd Bernshausen who had traveled from Denver, Colorado to attend the weekend's event. There was also a contest to see who was the youngest classmate. This tile went to Steve Shepherd who beat out Rusty Melton by one week.
The food was catered by "J's Corner" and the meal consisted of Sliced Beef BBQ, pasta salad, slaw, baked beans,and two specially made cakes by Kim Rasnick (wife of Allen Rasnick) which were both beautiful and delicious. Following the meal, several people browsed through high school annuals and talked about families, careers, old friendships, and precious memories. A contest was held to determine who had traveled the farthest to attend and the title went to Todd Bernshausen who had traveled from Denver, Colorado to attend the weekend's event. There was also a contest to see who was the youngest classmate. This tile went to Steve Shepherd who beat out Rusty Melton by one week.
Special guest Jeff Swafford supplied some well performed dinner music and was joined for a couple of songs after the meal by guitarists Barry Ward, Todd Hale, and Rusty Melton.
The classmates seemed to really enjoy the music and joined in with some singing and dancing.
The classmates seemed to really enjoy the music and joined in with some singing and dancing.
As the evening came to a close, the attendees adjourned to an open field where the most wonderful memorial tribute took place that I have ever been a part of.
For each of the twenty five classmates that have passed away over the years, there was a memorial lantern launched in their memory. The lantern had the name of a fallen classmate written on them in someone's handwriting and was launched by a classmate that once called that person friend.
Although the mood was light, there were a few tears and hugs. The mood would usually shift back to laughter when a lantern would not act as planned and someone, (Usually Tim Broyles) would make a remark about how that lantern reflected a facet of the personality of the one it represented.
As the night sky filled with the rising lanterns, the group broke out into a spontaneous acapella version of "Go Ye Ole Betsy" which was our way to saying good-by to our classmates that have gone on before us.
As the night closed, Steve Shepherd spoke briefly about our love for God, each other, and life itself.
The classmates that have passed away are as follows:
For each of the twenty five classmates that have passed away over the years, there was a memorial lantern launched in their memory. The lantern had the name of a fallen classmate written on them in someone's handwriting and was launched by a classmate that once called that person friend.
Although the mood was light, there were a few tears and hugs. The mood would usually shift back to laughter when a lantern would not act as planned and someone, (Usually Tim Broyles) would make a remark about how that lantern reflected a facet of the personality of the one it represented.
As the night sky filled with the rising lanterns, the group broke out into a spontaneous acapella version of "Go Ye Ole Betsy" which was our way to saying good-by to our classmates that have gone on before us.
As the night closed, Steve Shepherd spoke briefly about our love for God, each other, and life itself.
The classmates that have passed away are as follows:
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David Blevins
Crystal Birchfield Teresa (Tweet) Byrd Tommy Carriger Kim Crowe (Russum) Melissa Davenport (Hensley) Keith Gray Jane Hagler Mike Hall Mike Hamm Vincent Helbert Debbie Keylon Bill Linebaugh |
David Moore
Tonya Pate Ricky Pearce Jimmy Proffitt Joseph Roberson, Jr. Becky Smith (Dugger) Terry Smith Shirley Stanley Kathy Thomas George Ward David Wilson Willie Wiseman |
Below are several photos of the weekend. For best viewing, click on the first photo then use your left and right arrows to scroll through the photos.
