The 103rd Buckskin Alumni Banquet, held in South Salem on Saturday, June 15, 2019, was an evening of reminiscence and recognitions.

The classes of 1969, 1959 and 1949 were honored as the 50-, 60- and 70-year graduates.

Seven members of the class of 1969 attended, including five who attended all eight grades at Buckskin and four at McClain together.

Ten from the class of 1959 attended and one of the three living members of the class of 1949 (Karl Free) attended. In addition, one member of the class of 1938 (Suzanne Benner Gregg) received special recognition.

The Alumni Association honored Lew Speakman (a.k.a “Mr. Buckskin”) for his years of dedicated service to the community, the school, and its alumni, following in the footsteps of Wilson Moon and E.G. Shaw, who started the Alumni Association in the early 1900s.

School spirit was summed up with the nostalgic, “Buckskin then, Buckskin now, Buckskin forever!”

Bev Mayo presents a Senatorial Citation to Lew Speakman.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Lew-and-Bev-with-Senatorial-Citation.jpgBev Mayo presents a Senatorial Citation to Lew Speakman. Courtesy photo

Rosemary Stewart presents a plaque from the Buckskin Alumni Association, with Lew Speakman.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Lew-and-Rosemary-with-plaque-2-.jpgRosemary Stewart presents a plaque from the Buckskin Alumni Association, with Lew Speakman. Courtesy photo

The 2019 Alumni Officers: Kathy Crusie Mincey, Treasurer; Rosemary Stewart, Vice President; Carolyn Shumaker Owens, Secretary; and Bev Johnson Mayo, President.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_2019-Alumni-Officers-2.jpgThe 2019 Alumni Officers: Kathy Crusie Mincey, Treasurer; Rosemary Stewart, Vice President; Carolyn Shumaker Owens, Secretary; and Bev Johnson Mayo, President. Courtesy photo

Class of 1938 grad Suzanne Benner Gregg with daughter Sue Ellen Eckhart.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Class-of-1938.jpgClass of 1938 grad Suzanne Benner Gregg with daughter Sue Ellen Eckhart. Courtesy photo

The Class of 1949 was represented by Karl Free.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Class-of-1949-Karl-Free.jpgThe Class of 1949 was represented by Karl Free. Courtesy photo

Class of 1959 attendees: first row, Bonnie Hollar Smith, Terry Kerns Edgington, Janie Streitenberger King, and Wanda Storts McMurray; second row, Donald Smith, Ronald Mick, Gary Garrison, Larry Garrison, Jim Rodgers, and Charles Wisecup.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Class-of-1959-2.jpgClass of 1959 attendees: first row, Bonnie Hollar Smith, Terry Kerns Edgington, Janie Streitenberger King, and Wanda Storts McMurray; second row, Donald Smith, Ronald Mick, Gary Garrison, Larry Garrison, Jim Rodgers, and Charles Wisecup. Courtesy photo

Class of 1969 attendees: first row, Larry Johnson; and second row, Steve Parker, Mike Johnson, Kathy Crusie Mincey, Bev Johnson Mayo, Sandy Anderson, and Debbie Sams Bond.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Class-of-1969-2.jpgClass of 1969 attendees: first row, Larry Johnson; and second row, Steve Parker, Mike Johnson, Kathy Crusie Mincey, Bev Johnson Mayo, Sandy Anderson, and Debbie Sams Bond. Courtesy photo