The 2024 Stanley-Boyd Alumni Association All School Reunion is on the books.
Ready to greet the attendees Saturday, Oct. 5 were Ken and Jane Schuebel from the Class of 1964. Many businesses donated items to the silent auction.
Getting underway after 11 a.m., Class of 1964 graduate Norm Christianson gave a speech, regaling attendees with the memories of high school (including lower prices) and how many had matriculated to Stanley from country schools, where, “the older kids helped younger kids,” he said. “That’s kind of how it worked.
Some students only had party lines in the country, while the JFK assassination had been announced over the intercom. A new house in 1964 cost $13,000, while the average income was $6,000.
Following Christianson’s address, Jean Geist Rygiel introduced Class of 1988 graduate Jenny Sallis, who shared the minutes from last year’s meeting. Rose Ebert gave the Treasurer’s report, while current board members were largely reinstated, with two board vacancies.
A certificate for Audrey (Smoczyk) Folczyk was accepted on her behalf by Ebert. Attendees were addressed by various speakers, including Jan Witt Wagner. The Community Achievement Award was awarded to Class of 1997 graduate Robert “Bob” Geist, whose list of achievements include being a Little League umpire at Lotz Park, Boyd village president and a WIAA sports official. Although he wanted to be there, Geist sent word that he could not as was his wedding anniversary and he also had a family wedding to attend.
The award was accepted for Geist by Jean Geist Rygiel and later presented to him at the October village board meeting at Boyd.
Next in addressing the attendees was SBAA scholarship recipient and Class of 2019 graduate Ben Milas, who shared his journey since high school. Now a resident of Stevens Point employed with Skyward, Milas said the location helped him keep connection to two places he called home, Stanley and Madison.
Also speaking to event attendees was middle school principal and Class of 1999 graduate Greg Burzynski, who shared school test statistics and how he had met his future wife in the hallway at Stanley-Boyd in 1997.
Later graduating and attending college before returning, Buryznski had started as a coach in 2008, coming on as a teacher in 2011. A $2,000 check to the district from the SBAA towards help with purchasing the school stage curtains was accepted by Burzynski.
With food supplied by Boyd Catering for the meal that followed, the next SBAA All School Reunion is Oct. 4, 2025.