Big crowd expected Saturday; alumni to honor pair of classes

    They had to wait a full year thanks to COVID-19, but Chase County High School alumni who didn’t have a banquet last year to celebrate have their chance this weekend.
    Alumni classes ending in “0” will join the current year honor classes ending in “1” this weekend as the CCHS Alumni Association hosts its annual banquet.
    Alumni Association President Marlon Kunnemann said Wednesday they are expecting upwards of 275 alumni and guests for the banquet, based on reservations received.
    The banquet will start at 6 p.m. at the fairgrounds expo building.
    “I think people will be excited to see their classmates and friends,” Kunnemann said.
    Honor classes will not only get reacquainted with their own classmates, but also with alumni from a year ahead or behind them who were in high school the same time, he said.
    Several alumni from classes in the 1940s are planning to attend, he said. They come from the 1940, 1941 and 1947 classes.
    With the space allowed in the new building, there should be enough seating, he said. The beverages will be moved to an outdoors tent, just west of the building, to allow more tables inside, he said.
    Kunnemann will have to rest his voice before the banquet, since he’ll be introducing twice as many honor class alumni this year.
    The tables for honored classes will be marked with balloon decor contributed by Mary Beth Mullanix, who is returning from Kansas for the banquet, Kunnemann noted.
    A dance will follow the meal and program with music from Matt Chandler-Smith of Grant, a Chase County alum who owns Orpheus Music and Sound. The dance will be opened to the public at 8 p.m., Kunnemann said, for a $5 cover charge.
    There is no bus tour of Imperial on this year’s schedule.
Pictures at 4 p.m. at school
    Staff from The Imperial Republican will be at the school for honor class pictures starting at 4 p.m. in the Longhorn gym.
    Group photos of honor classes ending in “0” and “1” will be taken. The “0” classes will be first at 4 p.m. Pictures of honor classes ending in “1” are set for 4:30 p.m.
Wauneta-Palisade event set
    Wauneta-Palisade alumni from classes ending in 0 and 1 will also be honored at a banquet at the gym in Wauneta Saturday at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Advance reservations were needed for the meal. Class pictures will be taken by Allison Sandman..
    The Wauneta Chamber is serving a free lunch starting at noon at the Wauneta Community Building. The public is welcome to come to reminisce.