Cairo, W.Va. – Cairo Pharaohs from near and far returned to their old stomping grounds on Saturday, Sept. 10.
This year, the Cairo High School Alumni celebrated the Classes of 1947 and 1962. The festivities began around 10 a.m at the Cairo Town Building, which was decorated in the colors of the old high school. Even a replica of King Tut’s sarcophagus found its way to the town building and was a welcomed photo-op for this year’s class pictures.
It was an excellent opportunity to reconnect with old friends, exchange memories, and look at old photographs or memorabilia, like an old Cairo High School FFA jacket.
CHS Alumni Rodney Windom auctioned off a cedar chest made by former Cairo High School teacher and graduate Kendall Cain. It was the last chest he made before he passed away last year.
Every participant agreed that Cairo High School was a great place to be with teachers who cared for and encouraged their students.
Cain was no exception. Windom recalled that one year, Cain gave up his lunch break to teach Trigonometry II to a handful of students.
Carrol Layfield was the highest bidder and Cain was her brother-in-law. She said he built cedar chests for all her children, but never made her one.
The cedar chest was donated back to the Cairo High School Alumni Association after it was raffled off during the 2021 reunion.
Proceeds of the auction will support the Cairo High School Alumni newsletter.
Another teacher that was often mentioned and an overall favorite was English teacher Doris McCray.
James Morton had the honor of introducing the Class of 1962 and took everyone on a walk down memory lane. He remembered how amazed he was when he first stepped into the Cairo School at the end of third grade. He spent his first two years of school in a one-room schoolhouse.
He continued with stories about proms and tests that did not go as planned. Back then, he said they did not realize how lucky they were and what a special time it was. He loves the fact that he never felt like he could not achieve his dreams because he was “just” a boy from Cairo.
Morton served in the U.S. Air Force following graduating high school and worked for Boeing afterward. He and wife Gloria moved back to Cairo, because they could not imagine a better place to raise their children.
Alumnus Pat Taylor recognized all veterans and first responders among the former Cairo High School students. He expressed gratitude for their service and said everyone was blessed to have them present.
This year’s reunion highlighted the Class of 1947. Ruth Dennis Lamm was the only one from that class who attended. She celebrated her 93rd birthday on Sept. 1st.
Lamm told the alumni that her doctors always tell her that she has a great heart and lungs. She contributed to all the times she ran up the steps back to school after spending as much time as possible in town during recess.
Erma Spears received the Pharaoh Award for her years of service and dedication to the high school alumni association.
Beverly Elliott received the President’s Award for her contribution to the annual luncheon.
The last award of the day went to 1970 graduate Rodney Windom for his dedication to the CHS Alumni Association, shining a spotlight on his former high school and its students.
