Blanchester High School Alumni Association Annual Alumni Dinner Banquet

Story and photos contributed by Ida Miller

The Blanchester High School Alumni Association hosted its Annual Alumni Dinner Banquet on June 6 at the Roberts Center in Wilmington. A social hour preceded the buffet-style dinner, giving more than 100 alumni and association members an opportunity to mingle with friends and classmates, reminisce, and celebrate their Wildcat pride.

Several items were raffled throughout the evening, with proceeds benefiting the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Following a delicious dinner catered by the Roberts Center, two Blanchester Girl Scout troops assisted by serving the senior alumni. The Scouts then presented the Colors, and Harry Brumbaugh opened the brief business meeting with prayer.

The evening included several special class recognitions. The BHS Class of 1976 was honored for its Golden 50th Anniversary. Classmates Vicki Jones Giannetti, Catherine McCall Perry, and Mark Dobbs spoke on behalf of the class, taking members on a walk down memory lane as they recalled the friendships, experiences, and traditions shared in the hallways, classrooms, playing fields, and social gatherings of their years at Blanchester High School.

Also attending from the Class of 1976 were Leslee Brashears Brooks, Pam Goodwin Pell, Gary Moore, Fred Crowe, David Putman, David Criss, and Dave McFarland. Additional members of the class gathered the following weekend to celebrate their 50th class reunion.

The BHS Class of 1956 celebrated its 70th anniversary. Those pictured included Miriam Florea, Felix Rhude, Regina Buerkle Carey, Leroy Docter, Diana Barricklow Henderson, and Naomi Lair Nichols.

The BHS Class of 1966 also gathered to celebrate 60 years since graduation. Attending and pictured are Pat Fenner, Phil Burchett, James Estep, and Terry James, along with Patty Hart Tripp and Phyllis Allen Yanke.

Scholarships were another highlight of the evening. Alumni Association Scholarships were presented to Josie Freudiger, Audrey Wilson, and Hailee Harris. The Class of 1976 also presented a scholarship to Emma Williams.

The Blanchester Historical Society welcomed alumni to a special reception where they could view memorabilia from days gone by. 

Pictured is Felix Rhude, a member of the Class of 1956, he was especially surprised and delighted to discover a trophy he had won as a student at Blanchester High School.

As the evening drew to a close, the spirit of friendship and Wildcat pride remained strong, with plans already underway for next year's gathering.

Alumni are encouraged to save the date: June 5, 2027, for the next Blanchester High School Alumni Banquet at the Wilmington Roberts Center!

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