The Kanawha Alumni Association (KAA) observed its 102nd reunion celebration during Memorial Day Weekend 2021. Festivities for the weekend began on the evening of Friday, May 28 with the annual Burnsville School Reunion on the football field behind the school. There, the crowd enjoyed a meal and music as everyone reminisced with classmates and old friends.
On Saturday, May 29, activities kicked off with a parade that featured Mrs. Barbara Godwin as parade marshal. The theme for this year’s festivities was “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.”
At the post-parade gathering, Master of Ceremonies Butch McPherson led the crowd in a moment of silence in memory of veterans and fallen soldiers. Later on, awards were presented to the top three parade participants: Class of 1975 (first place), Dennis and Debbie Gillespie (second place), and Class of 1971 (third place).
Later, returning alumni and friends gathered back at the football field. Alumni and the veterans in attendance were recognized from the stage by Association President Tom Crutchfield. KAA Vice President Donna Singleton administered the oath of membership to six graduating Braxton County High School seniors before awarding several scholarships.
The John Godwin Memorial Scholarship was given to Conner Bragg. Graduates Conner Bragg, Noah Allen, Haley Fincham, and Nicole Helmick received Claude ‘Bud’ Mick Scholarships. The Kanawha Alumni Association also awarded scholarships to Camylle Leake, Allen, Fincham, and Helmick. Karlena Boyce, a 2020 graduate and association inductee, was also on hand to receive a second-year renewal of her Mick Scholarship due to satisfactory academic progress in her ongoing college endeavors.
The Alumnus of the Year award was presented to Dave Mace and the Alumna of the Year award was given to Brittany Stewart Pescetto.
Throughout the evening a silent auction was held with several items for attendees to bid on, ranging from beautiful etched glass donated by Sandy Conrad to an Americana-themed quilt by Cindy Sprouse to assorted baskets, a chocolate cake, and more.
The event was capped off with a served dinner accompanied by music from Willie and Tonya Shaver.
The Kanawha Alumni Association appreciates all those who attended this year’s reunion. The officers are already planning for the festivities during Memorial Day Weekend 2022 and they encourage alumni and friends to mark their calendars.