Class of 2020 Celebrates Five-Year Reunion
The AC-S Class of 2020 met on Saturday, Aug. 30, to celebrate their five-year reunion. From left to right, back row: Jack Holland, Zach Arndell, Shaina Russell, Andrew Whitaker, Isaac Parker, Dawson Shorts, Dylan Vibbert, Damon Stone, Bryson Bonds, Seth Cook, Alejandro Segura, Carrie Ramsey, Koltan Robinson. Front Row: Ella Burch, Jill Sprinkle, Sierra Hood (kneeling), Tyra King, Emily Scruggs, Liberty Shanahan, Shyann Zabinski, Aubree Marr, Hailey Scott and Maggie Sadler. Photo submitted.
By Damon Stone,
Staff Writer
The Allen County-Scottsville High School class of 2020 recently celebrated their five-year reunion on Saturday, Aug. 30 at The Glea at Harper Farms.
Ella Burch, the class president, reflected on the class’ connected and collaborative spirit, with people reaching out to her, and asking about the reunion.
“I was planning on having one, but it was very encouraging that people were already excited about getting back together,” Burch said. “Five years seems pretty short in the grand scheme of things, so I think it’s exciting to see where people have landed in the past couple of years and just reconnect and really encourage each other in the season that we’re in.”
Burch explained that she had met with Tyra King and Clayton Blankenship to help organize the reunion, consisting of finding a good place, making sure the guests were fed, and that it was well-decorated.
“We really wanted to celebrate our classmates well,” Burch added.
Over 20 people showed up to the reunion, having been informed of the reunion through a Facebook group, inadvertently taking advantage of Labor Day Weekend.
“We’ve got several RSVPs, and I’m excited to see them,” Burch said before the event.
The Class of 2020 is unique, not just those who attended Allen County-Scottsville High School, but across the world, in that their final year was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was definitely a unique experience that we all shared, but not in the same presence, obviously because we were separated,” Burch recalled. “But I do think that in some ways, this makes us cherish our time together today even more, and I think that’s part of the eagerness.”
Burch brought several yearbooks to the event, allowing guests to reminisce on their academic journeys. Yearbooks ranged from their days at the Allen County Primary Center through senior year of high school.
One of the graduates, Seth Cook, recalled his thoughts during the end of senior year.
“It was mostly scary, because I didn’t know what we were going to do at the time,” Cook said. “Everybody was scared at the time, but I’m just happy we all got through it and we get to see each other again at this reunion.”
Since graduation, Cook said that he had been working like “every other hard-working man here.”
“I’m happy to see so many people here at this reunion,” Cook said. “I’m glad to see all the friendly faces, and happy everybody’s still alive.”
Alejandro Segura, another graduate, shared his recollections of senior year.
“COVID kind of ruined it towards the end of the year, but you know, it was still good,” Segura said. “Could have been better though.”
Segura shared that since graduation, he had been working to build an automotive body work and paint business.
“I’m just trying to get all my ducks in a row right now, but yeah, just steady working,” Segura said.
Jack Holland, donning an AC-S letterman jacket, expressed that he missed his friends after graduation, being happy to see some of them at the reunion.
“One time, I met Sally (McPherson) and Averie (Pitchford) at Paradise Point, and I even met Mattie (Cooper) at First Friday while she was working at her own (business), Caroline & Co.,” Holland recalled.
Holland recalled that he did not expect COVID to grip senior year, and the world, for as much as it did.
“I just had no idea that I would walk through the doors, and then, nothing,” Holland said. “Nothing at all. All buildings were closed, doors were shut; everything seemed quiet.”
Holland expressed that he gave thanks to his friends, including Zach Arndell, Sierra Hood, along with Mattie Cooper, Breann Varner, Averie Pitchford, Gracyn Ford, and Sally McPherson, hoping that they remain connected.
“I am incredibly thankful for my classmates, and for the opportunity to celebrate with them, and I’m looking forward to a really sweet evening,” Burch concluded.
Zach Disman was honored at the reunion, with guests recalling his comedic and caring nature. Disman had passed away in 2021, with Burch wanting to honor his memory amongst former classmates.
