2023 New Paris High School alumni banquet was the last

The New Paris High School Alumni Banquet honoring the classes of 1953 and 1958 will be the alumni association’s last all-school event. The banquet was held June 17 at Dal-Mar Banquet in Nappanee.

Hubert Schmucker, outgoing alumni president, explained the reason for ending the all-class banquet was partly due to losing four members of the planning committee and no one was willing to volunteer.

This year’s banquet had 170 classmates attend the banquet, which Schmucker said was about 50 more than normal. He said he believed the higher number of classmates who attended was due to this year being the last for the reunion.

“All good things come to an end,” Schmucker said. “We just decided to go out on a high note rather than bleed it dry.”

Individual classes have been encouraged to meet on their own. Schmucker said some classes are already getting together independently.

“There is still some connection among classmates in the school,” Schmucker said.

He continued saying he appreciated all the hard work the planning committee put into holding the banquet and those who attended.

The banquet has been held at Dal-Mar Banquet Hall in Nappanee for the past decade. Schmucker had high praise for the staff at the banquet hall.