School: Thorp Alumni (42nd Annual Reunion - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Glasshof, Teclaw, Paskert, Hoff, Stroinski, Burzynski, Kott, McCarter, Bartl, Ceranski, Hendricks, Butek, Valek, Dudansky, Fisher, DeBauch

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) /2016

TAA Celebrates (42nd Annual Reunion - 2 July 2016)

Bringing Friends Back Together

Another large turnout of Thorp High School alumni attended the 42nd edition of the annual reunion held at the Quonset Hall east of Thorp. The memorabilia display was open at 1 p.m. along with the opportunity for early registration. The event began with the social hour at 4 p.m. followed by a traditional family style dinner.

This year the class of 1941 celebrated the 75th anniversary of their graduation. Of the class, one member and his family gathered to celebrate the event. Bill Glasshof, brother of Gerald “Jug” Glasshof ’48, lives in Palm Coast, FL. He retired from General Electric in 1985 and then worked for H & R Block for another 17 years. He and his wife, who is now deceased, have three daughters, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Nine other classmates were not able to attend; however, their interviews were published in the TAA Newsletter.

Other classes celebrating their reunions ere: 1946 - 70 years; 1951 - 65 years; 1956 - 60 years; 1961 - 55 years, and 1966 - 50 years. Both 1946 and 1961 had a large attendance.

Paula Teclaw Paskert ’68 introduced two of the five scholarship winners this year, Stephanie Hoff and Taylor Stroinski, who relayed their plans for college. They and the other three winners, Rachel Burzynski, Kristen Kott, and Juanita McCarter, have loft goals and are well equipped to attain them with the help of the TAA scholarships. Keep your eye on these young ladies.

J. Peter Bartl ’61 acknowledged those alumni who passed away since the last reunion.

Speaker for the evening was Brad Ceranski, THS high school principal and head coach of Thorp’s very first state champions in softball, the 2016 Lady Cardinals. He touched on his team and their commitment to improving each and every day. He also stressed the importance of the TAA organization’s support of the scholarships and now the structured class trips. This will give our Thorp students a step up.

The annual meeting of the Thorp Alumni Association was held on Saturday morning, July 2, 2016 at the Thorp Public library. Officers for the 2016-2017 year elected at the meeting are: President - Paula Teclaw Paskert ’68; Vice President - Brian Hendricks ’58; Secretary - Bettie Butek Valek ’61; Treasurer - J. Peter Bartl ’61. Gerri Dudansky ’58 was appointed as assistant secretary. The Newsletter contributors will be the officers and Jacqueline Glasshof ’81.

A change to the date of future TAA reunions was considered and enacted. Beginning in 2017, the TAA reunion will be held on the Saturday of the last full weekend in June. Therefore, our next reunion will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2017.

A change to the TAA’s By-laws was discussed and enacted. The TAA began funding “structured class trips" for the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors during the 2015-16 school year in addition to the five $1,000 scholarships. The School District of Thorp asked the TAA to consider extending those trips to the lower grades as well which will begin during the 2016-17 school year. This opens an exciting new chapter in the administration of the TAA Scholarship Fund.

A disk with pictures of the event is available for purchase from Sue Fisher DeBauch ’75 for $10. Contact Sue directly at 715-669-5297.

Reunions are held to reconnect with old friends and enjoy each other’s company. Plan now to attend the 43rd annual TAA