1966
Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER!
Since that warm and bright Sunday, May 22, 1966 when The Reverend Mr. Thomas Oler pronounced the benediction for our Baccalaureate, the Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER! has met the world head-on, determined to repay our debt to the Pierceton School and the community that supported us. Here’s what our classmate Cheryl Rager DiPietro wrote in the Pierceton Echoes that year:
This last year of our high school education was a busy one, filled with fun, sports, club activities, and a lot of work. We spent much of our time trying to earn enough money to go on our long-awaited trip to Washington. DC. Remember the card sales, Jon Hoppus’ careful management of the concession’s room, our after-game dances, our terrific “football jerseys” that Doug Gregory sold so many of with his wonderful sales pitch, and those cake raffles we held during the half-time of the basketball games? Yes, we did a lot this year, and we were represented in nearly every organization, sport, and club activity.
Although we are leaving PHS, we will always remember the crowded halls, the long lunch line, the noon games, the fun, the students, the teachers, and, most of all, the knowledge we gained there. The class of ’66 is on its way, and we know that Pierceton High School has prepared us well.
Cheryl couldn’t have known how exactly right she would be about us! Since the Pierceton School Alumni Association was re-organized in 2014, we have joined in their mission to promote the heritage and legacy of the Pierceton Schools. Members of the Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER! have contributed over $12,500 to PSAA projects and special funds for the benefit of our classmates, our community, and the PSAA organization.
So, it was not surprising the Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER! led the way in sponsoring the 131st Pierceton Alumni Banquet held in June 2024. That’s right! we contributed $200 to defray the cost of the meal and provided a $35 gift certificate for the Silent Auction.
Beginning in late 2018 members of our superlative class pledged $270 to the Teacher Appreciation Project to support the faculty and staff of the Pierceton Elementary School as part of the PSAA Back-to-School Project. By May 9, 2021, we had received $435 of the $270 we had pledged. In June 2021 we pledged $200 to the Whitko Scholarship Fund, and we gave them $250. That’s Right!! We receive MORE from our glorious classmates than we pledge…because, well, that’s who we are! Really, could our incredible class be any more marvelous?!? NO, WE COULD NOT!! (Well, of course…we could if we wanted to.)
In addition to our financial contributions, we donated over 120 volunteer hours to that Alumni Back-to-School Project for the 2018 – 2019 school year, and just over 70 hours in 2019 – 2020, because the school year was cut short. About half of all volunteers for the Project come from the incredible Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER!
Those are just some of the things you do when you are part of the
Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER!
And, we meet every month for a class luncheon.
Every month, members of the Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER! meet where we want, eat what we want, talk about what we want, and behave the way we want. Of course, where we meet, what we eat, what we talk about, and how we behave are all perfectly appropriate, as is becoming of the outstanding individuals we, by definition, are.
Class Lunch History
April
A big wade of incredible members of the Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER! met at Wings, Etc. in Columbia City on April 9. We traded stories of deeds well-done and thoughtful remembrances that touched the hearts and minds of those around us in our every-day lives. Yeah, it was great. The server was non-plussed at our overall wonderfulness, and commended himself by remembering most of our names…and many of our orders. More Good Times!
March
A Baker’s Dozen of magnificent persons from the Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER! gathered at Don Pablo’s Family Restaurant in Warsaw on March 12. While the food was, well, whatever, the conversation was crisp, well-honed, and brilliant, as we regaled one another about our wonderful grandchildren and how great our children are doing. Certainly, everyone would have to acknowledge it was a two hours well-spent.
January
The Mother Of All Class Luncheons (MOACL) was hosted by Edd and Cheryl Habegger on January 8 at their home in Winona Lake. They had left their Christmas decorations up for all of us to enjoy…and OH MY, was there plenty to enjoy! Edd and Cheryl provided ham sliders and numerous side dishes and classmates carried in enough food to feed our entire graduating Class of 1966, Best PHS Class EVER! We made a big dent in the food and visited for over three hours, just enjoying one another’s company.
December
Wednesday, December 11, a sweet young lady employed by Salvatori’s Italian Eatery in Warsaw had the incredible pleasure of serving 20 of the most amazing people on
the face of the earth. Notwithstanding the size of the group, she managed the task with perfection, which was amazing because she was totally awe-struck by our presence. We chatted about what we got our grandkids for Christmas and lied about the wonderful achievements of all our children and grandchildren.
November
Wednesday, November 13, discovered 16 exceptionally wonderful people descend on the American Table Restaurant in Warsaw. The two servers were in obvious awe of our magnificent personages, but they performed admirably under those circumstances. We ate heartily, as we are wont to do, and stayed a loooong time regaling each other with tales of incredibly smart grandchildren, and, for the military veterans, tales of deprivations during our time in service. Long story short…GREAT TIME!
May
The Palette Restaurant in Warsaw was the destination for 16 of the world’s most incredible people on May 8. Apparently, everyone in Warsaw was aware we were planning to be there, so no one else dared to enter the restaurant while we were attending. Probably can’t blame them, but still…. We had a fun time exchanging stories about new fishing trips, recent household moves, and more. Our server was awestruck, as they normally are!
April
We haven’t graced the Boathouse Restaurant in Winona Lake with our phenomenal presence for several years until we stopped in on April 10. But we more than made up for our prolonged absence with a raucous couple of hours regaling each other and our server with stories of the overall wonderfulness that we exude.