Kanawha Alumni Association Members, Friends Observe Annual Reunion
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
The Kanawha Alumni Association (KAA) observed its 107th reunion celebration during Memorial Day Weekend 2026. Festivities for the weekend began on the evening of Friday, May 22 with the annual Burnsville School Reunion on the football field behind the school. Although the weather was rainy and overcast, the crowd still enjoyed music from the Kowboyz as everyone gathered to reminisce and dine with classmates and old friends.
On Saturday, May 23, activities kicked off with a parade. The theme for this year’s festivities was “Be True to Your School,” which recognized the memorable and talented instructors who taught at Burnsville High School over the years.
After the parade, the Braxton County High School marching band played the National Anthem and the school song at the stage behind the school. Friends were then able to visit and enjoy concessions provided by the First Baptist Church of Burnsville and baked goods from the Burnsville CEOS Club.
Later, returning alumni and friends gathered back at Burnsville Elementary School. The oldest alumni in attendance were recognized by Association President April Ramsey Boyce; they included Ruth McLaughlin Updike (Class of 1952) and Dixie McCauley (Class of 1954). The oath of membership was also administered to new members Aaron Anderson, Ceaira Crislip, Bailey Pritt, Lauren Pritt, Aryan Sartin, and Nathaniel Thayer.
The $500 John Godwin Memorial Scholarship was given to Bailey Pritt. The John Elmo Wines scholarship, presented by Bob Wines, was awarded to Thayer. Lauren Pritt and Thayer both received a $1,500 Claud ‘Bud’ Mick Scholarship. The Class of 1974 presented Sartin with their scholarship, totaling $1,500. The Kanawha Alumni Association also awarded scholarships to the graduates to bring each up to a $2,500 total award; $2,000 to Bailey Pritt and an additional $1,000 to Sartin and Lauren Pritt. Additionally, Allie White, a 2025 graduate, received a second-year renewal of her Mick Scholarship due to satisfactory academic progress in her ongoing college endeavors.
Since 1994, over $100,000 in scholarship funds have been presented to Burnsville area high school graduates during the Kanawha Alumni Association annual reunion thanks to the generosity of its members. This year alone, over $11,000 was awarded.
Alumni of the Year awards were presented to Jessica Hosey Vandernick (Class of 2001) and Terry Vankirk (Class of 1986). The Heart of a Bruin Award was presented to Bryan Luzader (Class of 2003). Mike McCoy was also recognized for his 30+ years of service as a teacher and principal at Burnsville School.
An auction of assorted items and baskets was held before a baked steak dinner was served. Following dinner, visitors had the option to stay and visit in the school building, or cross the street and attend a square dance that was held in the Burnsville Community Building. All told, around 160 graduates and friends were on hand for the Saturday evening events.
The officers of the Kanawha Alumni Association appreciate all those who attended this year’s reunion. The officers would also like to extend special thanks to Angie Doddrill Wilmoth, Kim Flint Butcher, the family of Shirley Singleton Lloyd, Oras and Trixie McNemar, Eva Brown Hinkle, Darrell Brown, Amy Ramsey, Sandy Conrad, Appalachian Glass, Calhoun Banks, United Bank, and Go Mart for their generous donations of door prizes and auction items. Members are already planning for the festivities during Memorial Day Weekend 2027 and all alumni and friends are encouraged to mark their calendars.
Special thanks to Sandy Conrad, Donna Singleton, and Cortney Crutchfield for photos from the reunion weekend.
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