Each year the Hundred/Littleton Alumni Association celebrates the 50th year class. Pictured above are members of the Class of 1961 at last year’s reunion. The annual banquet will be held Saturday, 6 p.m., at Long Drain School.

The Hundred High School/Littleton High School Alumni Association was established in 1961. The founding members were Carl Williams, HHS Class of 1943; George Williams, HHS Class of 1951; Frank Berdine, LHS Class of 1921; and Nelle Murphy, LHS Class of 1930. Littleton High School was closed in 1945 and all of the students attending the school were transferred to Hundred High. Frank Berdine and Nelle Murphy were both teaching at Hundred High School at the time the alumni association was organized. The first banquet was held in the old Hundred High School building. Miss Murphy, who taught Home Economics at the school, catered the dinner. Several of her students helped prepare and serve the meal. Carol (Null) Roberts, who currently teaches at Long Drain School, was one of the girls who helped Miss Murphy with the dinner.

George Williams was president of the association for several years. Then, Jim McGlumphy, HHS class of 1973, became the president and continues to hold that office today. The other present-day officers are Carol (Null) Roberts, HHS Class of 1966, who is the vice-president, Carolyn (Smith) Hostutler, HHS Class of 1973, who is the secretary and Karen (Johnson) Longwell, HHS Class of 1973, who is the treasurer.

Initially, there were guest speakers at the annual banquets. The late A. James Manchin, who once taught at HHS, was one of the early speakers. Later on it was decided that folks weren’t very interested in hearing speeches, but wanted more time to visit and to interact with one another. Therefore, the practice of having a guest speaker was discontinued. The date of the banquet was changed many times over the years. Finally, the first Saturday in October was established as the date for holding the affair every year. For some time now, the event has been held at Long Drain School. Each year the class celebrating its 50th anniversary is honored and given special recognition. Various classes will often come early and meet somewhere in the area for a reunion prior to attending the banquet at Long Drain.

Every year the alumni association awards a $500 scholarship to an outstanding HHS senior who is planning to attend college. The recipient of the scholarship always returns the next year to report on his/her experience in higher education and to thank the association for its support. Murvyn and Emily Ann (Snider) McDowell have established a $1,000 college scholarship, which is awarded annually to some deserving student. Emily Ann, who taught in the nursing program at Fairmont State for several years, graduated from Hundred High School in 1952.

The Hundred/Littleton Alumni Association has grown in membership over the years. There are now approximately 250 members and around 200 people attend the annual banquet. This past October, the alumni association observed and celebrated the 50th year of its founding. As a part of its celebration, the association honored Miss Ethel Riddle, HHS Class of 1943, by naming her the first alumni homecoming queen. Throughout the years, Ethel has been a dedicated member of the association. She has worked tirelessly gathering the current addresses and phone numbers of Hundred and Littleton graduates from the 1940s. Ethel has recruited many of these graduates into the association.

The HHS class of 1961 also celebrated its 50th anniversary. There was a large turnout and several alumni came considerable distance to attend the event. The author’s sister, Nancy (Masters) Santee, was a member of this class. She came up from her home in South Carolina for the reunion and banquet. Nancy was elected homecoming queen during her senior year.

And so for over a little more than half a century the Hundred/Littleton Alumni Association has grown and flourished. Graduates of both schools have shown a great deal of interest in their old alma maters. They have enjoyed their annual gatherings and have supported the alumni association and its various programs. One hopes that the association will continue to grow and flourish throughout the next 50 years.

The annual reunion and banquet this year will be held at the Long Drain School on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.