Milford Alumni Association President Ron Baumgartner, left, shares a laugh with Vicki (Fuller) DeMao during his introduction of her at the 98th annual Milford High School alumni banquet. InkFreeNews photos by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — Members of the Milford Alumni Association came together last Saturday evening for the 98th annual Milford High School Alumni Banquet. Approximately 60 Trojan alums, spouses, friends and family members filled the cafeteria at Milford School for an evening of food, fellowship and, of course, a rousing rendition of the school song. led by JIm Moore and Becky Alles.

After a review of the alumni association’s finances by Mary Duncan,  Margaret Brooks provided a necrology report for the past year. It included the names of 17 alumni who died since the previous gathering.

Dinner at the annual Milford High School Alumni Banquet was catered by Penguin Point.

This year’s honored classes were 1948, represented by Clariece Stump; 1953; 1958, presented by Fred Weisser; and 1963, introduced by Lester Krull.

The evening was highlighted by a featured speaker and master of ceremonies, Dr. Vickie (Fuller) DeMao, a 1963 graduate of Milford. DeMao came dressed in her original Milford High School cheerleading sweater and skirt, which she admitted had to be only slightly altered to be worn for the occasion.

Leading the evening was Alumni Association President Ron Baumgartner, class of 1962, whose introduction of DeMao included a list of her lengthy accomplishments in the field of education. Accompanying DeMao to the reunion was her 103-year-old mother, Inez Beiswanger,

“(DeMao)  is a lead evaluator for the  National School Accreditation Service organization and has worked in more than 15 states leading teams of educators in numerous school districts and educational service agencies,” said Baumgartner as part of his introduction of DeMao. “Vicki graduated from Milford High School in 1963, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University and her PhD from Indiana State University. She was married 46 years to her late husband, Ron DeMao, who was a PGA master golf professional. Vicki has six children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Becky Alles helps lead the Milford High School song during the annual alumni banquet.

“When I talked to Vicki about talking to us during the program, she said ‘I’m going to wear my 1963 cheerleading uniform, and I’m going to do the splits. When I spoke to her a week or two later, she said ”I’ll wear the uniform, but the splits are out!’ ”

Following Baumgartner’s introduction, DeMao took to the podium.

“I’m truly honored to be here with you all, because we all had a similar experience here at Milford High School,” she said. “About three years ago, Ron tried to get me to do this and I kept having excuse after excuse. … This year he finally twisted my arm to get me to do this, and Ron, my arm still hurts!

“I cannot help but feel a sense of pride and gratitude to the community that raised me. Milford raised me, and I’m so thankful to have that background. Yes, my family raised me, but the whole community of Milford raised me. We were raised with values, caring, pride and giving back to the community. We had a lot of grit. That value of hard work, because we had to have that in our careers and raising our families. As alumni, I think we all have a proud legacy from Milford High School, because we all shaped the world in many different ways.”

Following her presentation, DeMao offered the microphone to anyone in attendance who wanted to tell about an experience about their time at Milford High School. Several took advantage of the opportunity to share their memories.

The 99th annual Milford Alumni Association reunion will take place June 8, 2024.

The class of 1963 was one of four recognized during the 98th annual banquet. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Sue (Beer) Schieler, Vicki (Fuller) DeMao, Nilah (Jonasch) Brown and Sherri (Bleile) Bickel. Back row: Ed Leamon (AKA Patches), Mark Chambers and Lester Krull.

1948 Milford High School alumnae Clarice Stump, center, is seated between her daughters Teresa (Stump) Barrows, left, and Tracy (Stump) Miller.

Graduates of the former Milford High School, along with their friends and family, filled the Milford School cafeteria Saturday evening.