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I ran across some old pictures of the Athletic Banquet in 1974 at the Andrews High School. The banquet to honor the students was sponsored by the Rotary Club and Andrews Lion Club. I remember going to the ball games and watching these outstanding students play ball, and they were impressive.
The first to recognize their athletes was basketball coach Kenneth Solesbee. He presented “memento plaques” to his graduating seniors, and then awarded trophies to Susan Miller Curtis as Most Valuable Girl Player and Cissy Bristol as Most Improved. He presented a trophy to Frank Maennle Most Valuable Boys Basketball Player, and Keith Lovin as Team Leader.
In appreciation of coach Solesbee, who was named conference Coach of the Year, his teams gave him gifts to thank him for all the work he gave them to help shape who they were. The hard work paid off.
Football coach Gene Young, presented keepsakes to each of his graduating seniors and presented special trophies to Steve Maennle, as “Mr. Hustle” on the football field; Frank Maennle as the Most Valuable Player, and Danny Hawk as the Most Valuable Back. Young presented other trophies to Donnie Bradley as Most Improved Back, Charles Gibby as Most Improved Lineman, and Mike West as Most Valuable Lineman. Most Valuable Baseball Player went to Randy Mason.
Pat Slagle was the varsity cheerleader coach and gave her girls each a keepsake and thanked all those who had helped during the school year. Libby Allison was the junior varsity cheerleading coach and expressed her appreciation to her girls for working so hard.
The Rotary Club sponsored two special trophies, which was the highlight of the evening. An individual personal trophy and scholarship went to Frank Maennle, which was presented by master of ceremonies for the evening, Rotarian Foster Dionne. In addition, a permanent trophy that will stay in the school and the names of the successive athletes will be inscribed each year, starting with Frank.
A special thanks went out to Ruth Kyker, who was a teacher, coach and student advisor at Andrews High School, for the planning and coordinating the event.
It does not seem possible that 50 years have passed since these athletes were on the court or in the field playing sports. Life has taken them in many directions, and they have remained outstanding citizens. Frank Maennle, Steve Maennle and Cissy Bristol were coaching high school sports.
The last I heard, Mike West is still in the construction business and lives in the eastern part of the state. Danny Hawk lives in Tennessee, but touches base in Andrews. Donnie Bradley is in the building business, and Charles Gibby lives in western North Carolina. Keith Lovin was a trooper and served as sheriff of Cherokee County for 12 years.
Sadly, two of the sweetest people, Susan Miller Curtis and Randy Mason, have passed away, but the echo of their voices will forever ring in the halls of Andrews High School.
Kandy Barnard is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. To talk about the Andrews Valley, call her at 828-361-3268 or email kandybarnard@gmail.com.