Alumni group gathers

New London High School Alumni gathered June 21 in the school cafetorium for the 135th Alumni Association Banquet. Alumni Association president Eric Ebinger, Class of 1995, led the banquet and meeting. He introduced Gloria Gentry, Class of 1971, who presented her son, Tyson Gentry, the featured speaker for the evening. Gentry was paralyzed in 2006 playing football for Ohio State, and his message was a description of how he was injured and the long path hehad to take to get where he is today. This included despair, pain, surgeries, rehabilitation, prayer and perseverance. He said two truisms he learned are, "trust that things will work out and despite the odds, never give up." Today he and his wife Megan and two young sons live in Georgia. He is the founder and president of New Perspective Foundation, a nonprofit that provides assistance to individuals hospitalized due to spinal injuries. Members of the honored 50-year Class of 1975 presented their version of the TV show "Laugh-In," popular during many of their growing-up years. Other honored classes included 1965, 1970, 1980 and 1990. Superintendent Brad Romano welcomed everyone and highlighted some of the recent school accomplishments, including the new stadium that will officially open in the fall and the fieldhouse that is under construction and will complete the campus. He noted the board of education recently decided not to put an emergency levy that expires next year up for renewal because of the school's favorable financial situation. Also, among other accomplishments, the school is receiving its second literacy grant, and students recently participated in the third annual Community Service Day to assist churches, the parks and individuals in need. Four students received scholarships from the Alumni Association, including Aiden Ruggles, Maya Killgrove, Tate Landis and Madison Rowland. They and other members of their class presented flowers to the most senior members in attendance. They were Dee Cooke, Class of 1941 and grandmother of Gentry; Dean Bailey, Class of 1945; Norma Bilton, Class of 1946; Jean Myers, Class of 1947; Vaughn Neel, Class of 1948; and Lois Neel, Class of 1950. Tom Neel, Class of 1977 and president of the New London Area Historical Society, announced that the project to digitize the copies of the New London Record back to 1872 is being completed. Around $15,000 was raised for the project, and he thanked all those who donated. Boy Scouts and leader Terry Knudsen, Class 1973, posted the colors, and Vickie Bilton Maynard, Class of 1967, gave the blessing. Those assisting Ebinger were Pam Bilton Boss, Class of 1971; Kitty Calhoun Sutherland, Class of 1964; Jonna Hanville Rowland, Class of 1969; Laura Mekoleske Landis, Class of 1975; Marla Yates Helms, Class of 1974; and Jane Pheifer Lavengood, Class of 1971.