FSHS Class of '92 seeks classmates for 15-year reunion

Without any funds available, members of the Fort Scott High School Class of 1992 have still managed to plan their 15-year class reunion that is scheduled to take place next month.

Class member Lori Fleming (Bolton) said the class president typically plans reunions and other class events, but as the summer passed and no reunion was planned, several class members assembled to discuss planning an event.

"We contacted the board office and confirmed nothing had been planned for our class, and then started planning a weekend," Fleming said. "The idea quickly caught on via e-mail, and many people have volunteered to try to put together an event."

Fleming said she and several other former classmates, parents and other volunteers began discussing the idea of a 15-year reunion earlier this summer, and it took about two months to finalize plans for the reunion. Because reunion planners had no funds at their disposal to organize the reunion, classmates will be required to use their own money to pay for activities they attend, Fleming said.

Even though planners had no money to work with, they still received much support in planning the event, Fleming said.

"Planning has been a bit difficult because due to the lack of funds, the events need to be 'pay as you go,' but local businesses have been very cooperative with our situation and we have a great weekend planned."

The reunion is currently scheduled to take place Oct. 12 and 13 at various locations in Fort Scott.

A party for classmates is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in the upstairs loft of the Meeks and Klutman law firm, 119 S. Main St. Local attorney Justin Meeks, who works at the firm, is a member of the class of 1992. Those interested in attending the Fort Scott Tigers home football game against the Iola Mustangs that evening will meet at Frary Field to watch the game and plan further activities, Fleming said.

A family day is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Ave. Planners have arranged a variety of Halloween-themed games for children to play, and have also arranged to have basketball and volleyball equipment available for classmates to participate in these outdoor sports. Those attending should bring their own food and beverages to share with the group, Fleming said.

The reunion will conclude Saturday evening with a dinner at Mayberry's Restaurant, 101 State St. Classmates will meet for dinner at 6:30 p.m., and then participate in a karaoke activity and listen to music provided by a local disc jockey starting at 9 p.m.

There were about 100 graduating members of the Class of '92, but the class roster that reunion planners obtained from the USD 234 Board of Education only lists contact information for about 65 percent of class members. This, along with the fact that organizers had no class funds to work with, has made it difficult for them to get the word out to classmates about the reunion and to organize the weekend of activities, Fleming said.

The Internet is one method organizers used to help them inform their classmates about the reunion.

"Making contact even more difficult is the fact that no e-mail addresses are included on the roster," she said. "A mailing is impossible due to the fact there aren't any class funds that could be located or accessed, and most of the addresses on the roster are outdated. Therefore, we have been using the Internet to attempt to track down and contact class members."

Fleming said response to invitations that planners sent out has been better than expected. About 30 class members have been contacted thus far, with about 25 of those former students having already confirmed their attendance, along with their spouses and children, Fleming said.

Fleming added that she encourages any class member interested in attending the reunion to visit the USD 234 Web site, www.usd234.org, where more detailed reunion information can be found.

"Class members have been very vocal about how important it is to them to keep in touch with each other, so everyone has been willing to pitch in and help, and in several cases, the parents of class members have helped," Fleming said.

Reporter's note: Fort Scott Tribune staff writer Jason E. Silvers is also a member of the FSHS Class of 1992.