45th Class Reunion
The Haysi High School class of 1961 met for their 45th class reunion at The Breaks Interstate Park on July 21-22, 2006. Twenty-four members of the graduating class and several friends, family and spouses were present.
The class members attending were: John Anderson, Denver Bailey, Phyllis Rasnake Bostic, Kennith Branham, Patsy Dye Conner, Sue Counts, Alta Delaney Edwards, Kay Powers Edwards, Chris Guss, Ira Mac Hay, Janice Pauline Cochran Hutchens, Woodrow Lockhart, Jr., Nancy Barrett Killian, Kelly Puckett, Kathleen Barton Rasnick, Bonnie Sue Deel Ratliff, David Jack Ratliff, Daniel Boone Sutherland, III, Mary Lee Owens Sutherland, Kit Sykes, Margaret Campbell Turner, Johnny Van Dyke, Johnny Viers, Zay Powers Viers.
The classmates met for an enjoyable gathering, wiener roast, and music and songs (by Kit Sykes and Johnny Viers) on Friday night. On Saturday morning, the group met for Breakfast at the Lodge. Some of the group were able to tour the Haysi High School Building. A few of the members of the class then drove to Clintwood for a tour of the Ralph Stanley Museum. On Saturday night, the class members and their friends, family and spouses met in the Dickenson Room of the Lodge to continue their fellowship. All of the classmates shared stories, remembered our deceased classmates and enjoyed catching up on each others lives. Sue Counts’ mother, Allene Sykes was with us again this year. In addition, Katy Jo Powers, retired Home Economics Teacher, attended this year.
Sue Counts gave a report on the Haysi High School Class of ’61 Memorial Scholarship Endowment which was started in 2001 at the 40th class reunion in memory of those classmates you have died. The Scholarship Endowment Fund is under the Watauga County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the NC Community Foundation. This website was created to keep everyone updated.
As of 06/30/2006, the fund balance was $7,764.35. The 2006 recipient of the $350 scholarship award from the Memorial Scholarship Fund was Tarah Coleman (this was the fifth scholarship awarded). She is attending Virginia Tech and studying Chemistry. The $350 will be sent to Virginia Tech to be used for college related expenses.
Donations to this Scholarship Endowment are welcome, and contributions are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to Haysi High School Class of ’61 Memorial Scholarship Fund and mailed to Sue Counts, PO Box 2642, Boone, NC 28607.
As a result of the donations made by the members of the Class of 1961 during the evening of July 22, 2006, an additional $2,325 was contributed to the scholarship endowment, bringing the total to over $10,000. CONGRATULATIONS to the entire class for this accomplishment! In less than five years, the Haysi High School Class of 1961 Scholarship Endowment Fund has given five scholarships amounting to $1,350 and still has a balance of over $10,000 in the Endowment.
The 46th Haysi High School Class of 1961 will be held on Saturday, July 21st, 2007 in Abingdon, Virginia. Mark this date on your calendar NOW so that you can be a part of our BIG 46th Celebration! Mary Lee Owens Sutherland and Alta Delaney Edwards will be the co-chairs of the 2007 reunion.
Kneeling: Jimmy Van Dyke, Kelly Puckett, Denver Bailey, Johnny Viers, Kennith Branham.
Sitting: Margaret Campbell Turner, Alta Delaney Edwards, Nancy Barrett Killen, Janice Pauline Cochran Hutchens, Sue Counts, Patsy Dye Conner, Mary Lee Owens Sutherland, Kathleen Barton Rasnick, Kay Powers Edwards.
Standing: Kit Sykes, Chris Guss, Daniel Boone Sutherland, III, Woodrow Lockhart, Jr., John Anderson, Phyllis Rasnake Bostic, Ira Mac Hay, Zay Powers Viers.