About Us

HISTORY NOTES:

▪  1879:  There were 3 graduates in the 1879 GCHS class.

▪  1882:  The first Alumni Banquet was held in a church basement following the graduation ceremony.

▪  1940:  For the first year, the Banquet was held in the gymnasium (now Vets’ Auditorium).

▪  1942:  The meal price was 50 cents. 

▪  1947:  The Banquet was held on Thursday, May 15, at 7pm.

▪  1950-1960:  Reservations were required to attend the Banquet.

▪  1960:  The Alumni Association began to have rotating terms for board members.

▪  1962:  This year, Linden joined with Panora to form Panora-Linden.  The Banquet was permanently moved to the Saturday night of “Decoration Day” Weekend.  Prior, the Banquet was held on the last Friday night in May.

                 The Alumni Association made Mrs. LaVon McKay an honorary Alumnus for her 45 years as teacher and principal.  She was presented a plaque.

▪  1966:  The Banquet was held on June 4 with no explanation in the Minutes given.

▪  1969:  The Music Department (mothers) of P-L began preparing & serving the meal.  Later, the music students served the Banquet for 20 cents per plate.

                

Other Interesting Facts:

▪  Local church women’s groups rotated every year to prepare and serve the meal for the Banquet.

▪  The Banquet came to an end every year with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” by everyone.

▪  The  Association had lots of committees:  program committees, menu committees, decorating committees, and a table committee (usually men to get the tables from the areas churches to be used at the Banquet.

▪  Fundraisers over the years have included football with Alumni against the faculty, “pass the hat” at the Banquet, and “pass the hat” among the officers.

2nd GCHS Building

Built in 1876

OFFICERS:

 

President—Steve Houp, Class of 1977

 

Vice-president—Kristine Jorgensen, Class of 1988

 

Secretary—Sheri Herman Heiland, Class of 1971

 

Treasurer—Sandra Reynolds Teale, Class of 1963

EXECUTIVE BOARD:

 

Executive Secretary—Carol Schlieman, Class of 1946

 

Verlee Trent Ulrich, Class of 1953

 

Sandra Kemble Jorgensen, Class of 1963

 

Virginia Mobley Harrison, Class of 1957

 

David Arganbright, Class of 1975

 

Candice Knowlton Thompson, Class of 1968

 

3rd GCHS Building

Built in 1897