Staff writer
It’s been more than 50 years since Lincolnville had its own high school, but alumni of the school meet every three years to keep its memory alive.
At least 61 graduates, 33 spouses, and 21 guests attended a reunion Saturday at Lincolnville Community Center. Betty Batt of Marion, a former teacher, also attended.
The oldest alumni present were 101-year-old Tillie Hein of Tampa, who graduated in 1927, and 94-year-old Edmund Steiner of Lincolnville, a 1934 graduate. Hein received a vase of flowers.
Jim Cott of Salina, president of the alumni association, presided, and his family prepared and served the noon meal.
Other officers were Betty (Bernhardt) Merrill, secretary, and Betty (Holub) Stroda, treasurer.
Sylvia (Svitak) Bezdek of Ramona read a list of alumni who have died since the last reunion in 2007.
The group was entertained by the Alex Stuchlik Polka Band.
Alumni appointed to organize the 2013 reunion were Merrill, president; Ed Silhan, vice president; Lloyd and Carol Sklenar, co-secretaries; and Stroda, treasurer.
A history
The first high school class at Lincolnville was organized in 1899 with nine members. In 1912, the two-year school expanded to four years. The first senior class graduated in 1916 with five members.
In 1926, brick additions to an elementary school provided a building that housed all 12 grades.
After World War II, as consolidation commenced, students from East Creek, Oliver, and other country school districts came to Lincolnville.
Lincolnville High School became known as District 11 South in 1956, when a joint rural high school was formed to include Ramona, Burdick, Lincolnville, and Lost Springs.
The Lost Springs school included Ramona and Burdick students, and was known as District 11 North.
The last senior class at Lincolnville graduated in the spring of 1958 with 15 members.
Area residents approved construction of a new school building, which opened in the fall of 1958 two miles north of Lincolnville and became known as Centre High School.
Elementary school students remained at Lincolnville for another 10 years before being transferred to Lost Springs.
The Lincolnville school building has been demolished but memories remain in the minds of its students.