Cove High School Celebrates 60th Year Class Reunion

We were the last class to graduate from Morrison Cove High School, Martinsburg, in May 1960. We had 96 seniors, and our motto was "Last, but Not Least." Our class has surely lived up to what we set out to achieve.

We had one classmate who became an attorney in Blair County, another one was an engineer and was in administration for PennDOT. He also was in administration for the Air Force (R.O.C.) at Penn State. Three other classmates pursued a career in the armed forces.

One classmate retired from the Air Force as a major. Another was in the U.S. Marines, flying two or more missions a week to the DMZ Zone in Vietnam.

We had a professor of science who worked for NASA, in the outer space, Astronaut Program at Cape Canaveral, Fla.

One classmate became a guard at the prison in Huntingdon, and he always told everyone he was "in jail."

Another classmate went to school to become a mechanic for Pan Am Airlines to make it safe for everyone to fly.

There were many who went into carpentry and owned their own businesses. They helped in the building of The Village and Homewood. They also helped build homes and guarages in the area.

Some worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and other jobs and did carpentry on the side.

Several owned or were part owners for businesses that sold Massey Ferguson, Oliver and Ford tractors and other farm machinery.

In a farming area like we have, quite a few worked on family farms and went to further their education in farming to make their farms more productive and also learn the science of planting, irrigating and fertilizing.

There was an organization at school called FFA (Future Farmers of America). Members had to complete different projects to attain and be granted a state award, given every year at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Week in Harrisburg. The awards were given at the state capitol in Harrisburg.

The FHA (Future Homemakers of America) was also given at the state capitol. There were many girls who received the award. One received the Betty Crocker Award and one got an award for "Best Sewing."

We had a few who became truck haulers for P.E. Kramme Inc., Ritchey's Dairy and other businesses in the area. Some owned their own trucks and made this a lifetime career. Some choose to be mechanics.

One worked for his father, who owned Querry Motors and was also an antique dealer.

One classmate still owns their business today, along Agway Road near Martinsburg and does custom designing and repairs and paints trucks and cars.

Four went into the teaching field – two boys and two girls – as this was a very good profession. What a great reward they got from their students.

The medical field isn't left out. One became a nurse. She enjoyed what she did for her patients.

One girl became an assistant for Hanover Foods in Hancock, Md. She also was a Blair County 4-H queen.

There were many girls who were secretaries – one for government offices in Washington, D.C., one worked for a trucking firm and one worked for her husband's insurance firm. One became an accountant.

A teacher was named National Teacher of the Year from Florida.

A classmate went to New York to pursue his dream to become a doctor but succumbed to cancer.

Several girls entered beauty pageants. Two became Miss Morrisons Cove and one was runner-up.

One was runner-up for Miss Blair County and one was runner-up for Miss Pennsylvania and vied for the title of Miss America.

We can't forget the ones who worked at the local shoe company and made shoes for the military and public.

Several classmates became hairdressers. Three owned beauty salons. One was a hairdresser and became a teacher who taught five years in Altoona.

I felt as I wrote this story, you can understand that our class rose up to the challenge we wanted to achieve.

One retired from Townes Edge and does all funeral meals for the Brethren Church in Martinsburg and buys cards for parishioners who are on the prayer chain for them to sign.

One became a minister's wife. The minister retired from Grace Brethren Church.

It's a pleasure to have ones who do things for the Lord.

The school colors were blue and white. The mascot was the Blue Jays. The flower was blue/white carnations.

The class's living teachers are Mr. Cellini, POD; Mrs. Dona Kensinger, business; Mr. Karona, agriculture; Sherman Croft, basketball coach; Ruth Johnson, physical education); and Mrs. Ruth, agriculture.

The Class of 1960 had a junior/senior banquet for the Class of 1959.

The class trip was to Washington, D.C.

I was proud to host our 60th year reunion Sept. 12, 2020, from 3 to 8 p.m. Twenty-nine classmates attended, and with guests there were a total of 50 in attendance.

The committee worked together to make it a wonderful day for all. We had social time at 5 p.m. We were served a delicious dinner. We were entertained over the dinner hour by singer Eric Keim. Everyone enjoyed it.

Before the meal, we honored the ones who passed away by reading their names and having a moment of silence.

The classmates who couldn't attend – due to COVID-19 and health reasons – were not forgotten. They did miss a "wonderful" time.

Thanks again, Morrisons Cove Class of 1960. You made it a special day for everyone.

God bless you all, till we meet again, Oct. 21, 2021.