A huge success in 2002, the Neosho All-School Reunion is expected to be even bigger and
better this year, with more than 500 Wildcat alumni already registered.
Sponsored by the Neosho High School Alumni Association, the two-day event is slated for this
Friday and Saturday and will feature a full array of activities.
The first stop will be the registration booth in front of the Neosho High School cafeteria
where alumni can pick up their name-tags from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday.
"We also have welcome bags with coupons for the weekend to area businesses and such,"
remarked Tammy Franks, co-chair of the Alumni Association.
Kicking off the reunion is the Homecoming Parade in Neosho's downtown at 3 p.m. Friday where
the Alumni Association will have a specially-themed float. Any alumnus who wishes to help
work on the float or participate in the parade may contact Lynn Otey at 451-2524.
Following the parade, a tailgate party is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Neosho High School
football field in preparation for the night's homecoming game against the Seneca Indians.
After the tailgate party, alumni are invited to attend a Rotary Club chili supper at the
high school cafeteria where tickets are $4 at the door for those who haven't pre-registered.
Pre-registration ended on Monday.
When the supper is finished, alumni may file into the Bob Anderson Stadium through a special
entrance on the south side for the Wilcats' homecoming football game. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
A fireworks display, put on by the Neosho Booster Club and Alumni Association, is scheduled
for half-time.
Saturday's events get underway with an alumni breakfast at the United Methodist Church, at
224 S. Wood, followed by a golf tournament at Neosho's Municipal Course beginning at 9 a.m.
Tournament numbers have been filled.
From noon to 2 p.m. alumni may gather for a fellowship social on the Neosho square where the
Alumni Association has arranged for a special bus tour, with the first stop being at the old
Neosho High School or intermediate school, now the Greystone Apartments. From there the tour
will take alumni to other points of interest, including the Newton County Historic Park at
the corner of Washington and McCord Streets. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the park will host
"Historic Alley" where Wildcat memorabilia from past decades will be on display.
Demonstrations, such as in woodcarving and wool-spinning, are planned to be on tap as well.
Additionally, hot-dogs and drinks will be sold on-site "at 50s prices."
From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Neosho alumni should have some old clothing on hand as they paint
"Reunion Hill" on Sherman Street behind the high school.
After a two-hour break to clean up and wash-off all the paint from their hands and faces,
alumni will be back at the cafeteria at six o'clock for the All-School Reunion Banquet.
Entertainment for this year is an Elvis impersonator from Neosho's very own Class of 1959.
The 2005 All-School Reunion will conclude in Neosho's downtown with a four-hour social and
concert, lasting from 8 p.m. to midnight. The old-style rock band "City Limits" is scheduled
to perform on the Square while swing-band "Bill Pearson and Friends" plays in the Municipal
Auditorium.
Additionally, individual classes are planning extra activities throughout the weekend as well
including: Class of 1950 through 1954 -- Meeting in Municipal Auditorium at 9 a.m. Saturday
(contact Sharon Eidson at 451-5467); Class of 1955 -- Meeting Friday night and Saturday
afternoon in the West Room of the Municipal Auditorium (contact Evelyn Harmon at 451-0434);
Class of 1972 -- Meeting on patio of The Grotto Friday night after the homecoming game
(contact Lynn Otey at 451-2524); Class of 1975 -- Holding their 30th class reunion with
activities throughout the weekend (contact Kathy Lankford at 451-9627); and Class of 1980 --
Meeting at Cafe Angelica at 7 p.m. Saturday (contact Terri Telford at 451-45483).
All proceeds from the Reunion will go toward the Alumni Association scholarship fund with
four $500 scholarships having been awarded to date thus far.
For her part, Franks is excited about the prospect of out-doing the first Reunion in 2002.
"I think we've shown this year will be even more successful based on the number of class
reunions we're seeing this time," she said. "Everyone seems to be gearing into line to
celebrate the memories of their high school years."
After this year's event, subsequent Neosho All-School Reunions will be held on a five year
cycle, with the next one in 2010.
In conjunction with the All-School Reunion, the Neosho High School graduating classes of
1950-1951-1952-1953-1954, will have a coffee at the Neosho Municipal Auditorium from 9:30 a.m.
- noon, Saturday, Oct. 1.
