By Martha Jacob –
It’s been 50 years since the graduating class of 1966 from Ripley High School received their diplomas.
The Ripley Alumni Association has been busy organizing the upcoming class alumni reunion, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. with a social hour and a dinner/meeting set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 at the Ripley Elementary School, according to Alumni Association member Betty Campbell.
“We are holding our event at the Elementary School because the Ripley High School will be setting up to honor this years graduates the following day,” Campbell said.
“It’s hard to believe but the RULH High School Alumni Association has been active for more than 80 years.
“At our alumni dinner this Saturday, we will welcome and induct the newest members to the Alumni Association with the current ‘Class of 2016’.”
According to Campbell, also being recognized at the Alumni Reunion will be members of the graduating classes from 25 years ago (1991) the class from 30 years ago (1986), the class from 40 years ago (1976) and 60 years ago (1956).
“I am a graduate of Ripley High School from the class of 1966,” Campbell said, “and I am so excited to attend this event. When I graduated we had 70 graduates, which, at that time, was the biggest class to ever graduate from the school.
“Paul Grippa, who was president of our class will speak on behalf or our graduating class. We are also thrilled to recognize Dwight Marriott who graduated from Higginsport High School 80 years ago.”
Campbell said that two $500 scholarships will be awarded by the association as well as four Thomas Glenn DeFosse “Self Reliant Awards.”
“Tom DeFosse was from our class of 1966,” Campbell said, “he was a member of the Marine Corps and was the only soldier from Ripley who died in the Vietnam Conflict.”
The four ‘Self Reliant Awards’ are sponsored by four area banks from Higginsport and Ripley.
Musical entertainment will be provided by Harriett Groh, also a Ripley High School graduate.
Matt Carpenter is the president of the Ripley Alumni Association.