Decades of Wildcats reconnect at reunion

By Editor | July 23, 2026 |

Photos by Shari Harris
Denece Mitchell, left, presented the married alumni wed for the most years, Jane and Bill McKinney, with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They have been married 67 years.

Melvalee Watson was the earliest graduate attending, from the class of 1949.

Six members of the class of 1956 attended, and were joined by other alumni from the 1950s. From left, seated, are: Dee Hood, Opal Beasley, Nita Lycke, Jane McKinney (‘56), Sylvia Bates and Margaret Burch (‘56); standing: Sue Hadley, Donna Gibson, Bernadean Schultz, Gene Scott, Myrna Friend, Fred Brookshire, Carolyn Lyons, Mac Benson, Dale Mansfield (‘56), Don Gibson (‘56), Rosalee Scott (‘56) and Norman Neal (‘56).

The 1960s decade was the best represented. From left, seated, are: Laura Driesel, Cookie Hatch, Dale Diedrich (‘66), Linda Roberts (‘66), Janice Barwick (‘66), Twyla Hackman, Darlene Reed and John Mitchell; standing: Myrna Calhoun, Peggy Edwards, Sue Barr, Bobbie Krewson, Vickie Chambers, Karen Davis, Margie Benson, Gary Cavaness, Bonita Cavaness, Donald Stewart (‘66), Gerald Cavaness (‘66), Roger Hill (‘66), Junior Greer, Jerry Mitchell (‘66), Mitchell Barwick, Bill Booker (‘66), Christine Karnes, Tim Moloney (‘66), Stanley Hooper, Jim Cameron, Doug Williams (‘66) (back), Linda Smith (‘66), Joe Cadle (‘66), Shirley Hamilton, Jim Heavin (back), Gerald Karnes, Phyllis Ary, Jim Hagler, Pat Zoellner, Fred Decker, Peggy Tripi and Ann Hagler. Not pictured from the Class of 1966 was Larry Garrison.

The Class of 1976 joined with other alumni from the 1970s. From left are: Denece Mitchell, Mike Creech, Mary Hill, Connie Buckner, Ed Corder (‘76), Lonnie Buckner (‘76), Linda Mondy (‘76), Cindy Twitchell (‘76), Coy Ward (‘76), Debbie Gabel (‘76), Sari Schrepferman (‘76), Mike Hooper, Cheri Nelson (‘76), Carole Roling, Barbara Lane (‘76), Brian Friend (‘76), Leroy Lane (‘76), Karen Lycke (‘76), Doug Wulff (‘76), Mike Layton (‘76), Bill Goetz (‘76), Robert Lyons (‘76), Tom Trentham (‘76), Sandra Aiken (‘76), Alan Bates, Brenda McGowan (‘76), Kathy Hooper, Cheryl Floyd, Elaine Jones and Linda Friend.

Photo by Hazel Krewson
The 1980s alumni were, from left, Shari Harris (1985), Carolyn Lynch (1980), Rita Edwards (1986) and Billie Krewson (1985).

Representing the 1990s were, from left, Class of 1996 alumni Rhonda Mitchell-Turner, and Class of 1990 alumni Hazel Krewson.

Veterans were honored at the event for their service, both alumni and guests. From left are: Jack Mundy, Roy Robertson, Jim Heavin, Fred Decker, Jerry Mitchell, Junior Greer, Roger Hill, Jim Cameron, Billie Krewson, Mitch Barwick, Donald Stewart, Mike Layton, Larry Vestal, Tim Moloney, Doug Williams, Bill Goetz, Chick Roling, Joe Cadle, Bill Booker and Gene Scott. Veteran John Mitchell is not pictured.

The Licking High School All Classes Reunion was held Saturday at the Intercounty Electric Auditorium. Honor classes were recognized for the decade classes, from 1956 to the present. The married alumni with the longest marriage were also recognized. Over 100 people attended this year’s event.

Billie Krewson emceed the event, which was organized by John and Denece Mitchell, Rhonda Mitchell-Turner, Linda Roberts and Darlene Reed. Tablecloths were donated by Roger and Mary Hill, and floral arrangements were donated by Shelly Vestal, of Woody’s Flowers. Connie Buckner led those assembled in singing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Veterans were recognized for their service, both alumni and visitors. Melvalee Watson, Class of 1949, was the earliest graduate attending the event, and Rhonda Mitchell-Turner, Class of 1996, was the most recent graduate. Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Jane McKinney were awarded a bouquet of flowers for having the longest marriage of two alumni, beating out the next closest couple by only days. They have been married for 67 years.

The decade of the 1960s had the most alumni attending, followed by the 1970s.

Honor class photos and decade photos were taken, and some carried in food or purchased a meal at the food truck outside, but the highlight of the event was undoubtedly the time spent reconnecting with classmates, teachers and friends.

A big thank you to the Mitchells and everyone who helped plan and make this event possible.