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Sistersville Alumni Weekend Celebration

By Staff | Jun 1, 2022

1st Place and Peoples Choice Award Class of 1987 Price is Right

After a long two-year absence Memorial Day weekend welcomed the return of the Sistersville Alumni Celebration to town in grand style. Signature cheering crowds, themed floats and happy children lined the streets of downtown anxiously awaiting the familiar sound of the SHS fight song and returning classmates celebrating reunions long overdue. “Game On” was the theme of this year’s event, and the beautiful class float entries in the parade this year set the bar high for all following years. Alumni, from as far away as Hawaii, returned home to Sistersville where they joined classmates to celebrate with several events over the two-day period.

The weekend started with the traditional Chapel Ceremony on Friday, May 27th in the old high school gym at nine o’clock in the morning. Eight class speakers brought back great memories of their days attending SHS, along with a presentation from the historian of the 2022 graduating class of TCHS, Avery Kemp. The winning Chapel speaker was delivered by Dana Johnson, Class of 1970.

The conclusion of the program was a memorial service recognizing 132 deceased SHS classmates from the last three years whose names were read while placing an orange rose in their honor to form a large bouquet.

Following Chapel, the President’s Luncheon was held in the ballroom of the Sistersville Elks. A large crowd enjoyed wonderful food prepared and served by the Ladies of the Sistersville Baptist Church.

Also returning was the Alumni Golf Tournament played at the Sistersville Country Club on Friday afternoon.

Friday night record numbers of members and guests joined the festivities at the Elks enjoying the sounds of Sugabuz in the downstairs Riverboat Lounge.

Saturday which started foggy and grey, changed its tune, and became sunny as ten floats participated in the Alumni parade. The streets were lined on both sides to view the floats, antique cars and the always popular, SHS Alumni Band. The Tyler Consolidated Pep Band performed before the parade at the corner of the Sistersville Museum as a special addition for the entertainment of the crowd. The Alumni band played the Tiger fight song as they marched through the streets bringing the crowd to their feet as they cheered and sang along to the familiar tune.

On Saturday night the Elks ballroom hosted the annual banquet featuring a menu of stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and cake for dessert. Benji Kyle, the banquet keynote speaker, delivered a heartfelt speech recalling his days growing up at Sistersville High School. He shared with the audience his feelings about the positive experience of growing up in a small town like Sistersville. His speech was enjoyed by all in attendance.

The night ended with Track Nine featuring, SHS graduate PT Dabbs, entertaining the crowd at the annual alumni dance.

Alumni officers Jaime Hissam, Darlene Henderson, Mary Ann Rutherford, Beth Hendricks, Diane Rial and committee members deserve a huge thank you for all their hard work in making the 2022 Alumni Weekend spectacular. Jamie Hissam introduced next year’s officers: President, Darlene Henderson; 1st Vice President, Mary Ann Rutherford and 2nd Vice President, Stephanie Light Riddle. 2023 President, Darlene Henderson, then revealed her theme for next year’s Alumni weekend: “Cabaret Extravaganza!”