By Kim Brooks, Express Editor

During the recent Monticello Alumni Banquet on May 25, many past classes of the Monticello and Sacred Heart schools were recognized. While particular attention is paid to the 50^th class and the oldest classes in attendance, this year’s 40^th class, the Class of 1972, took top honors with the most class members in attendance!

The year 1972 was a year of historical landmarks and local benchmarks:

• It was a Leap Year.

• The first scientific handheld calculator was introduced at a cost of $395.

• President Nixon ordered the development of the space shuttle program.

• The 1972 Winter and Summer Olympics took place in Japan and West Germany respectively.

• “The Godfather” was released in theaters.

• The Easter Offensive began during the Vietnam War.

• The Watergate Scandal took place.

• Bob Barker hosted the first episode of “The Price is Right.”

• Atari kicked off the first generation of video games.

Locally, in the Monticello and Jones County area:

• Wayne Zion Lutheran Church observed its 100^th birthday.

• Monticello school administrators announced plans to initiate flexible modular scheduling into the high school program for the 1972-73 year.

• The U.S. legal voting age was being debated in the U.S. Supreme Court.

• Keith Lubbock, 33, a science teacher at Monticello High School, died in a car accident.

• Norman Hinrichs took on the position Director of Auxiliary Services for the Monticello Community School District.

• The price of season tickets to the Monticello swimming pool was $6 for individuals and $20 for a family.

• Diplomas were handed out to 139 seniors at MHS, with Barbara Grief, Linda Haag and Scott Hornstein as co-valedictorians.

• The GJCF opened for the 120^th time with a six-day fair.

• John Harms and Doug Schneiter of Monticello were named Outstanding 4-Hers in Jones County at the annual awards night banquet.

• Julie Webber, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ken Webber, was named 1972 Homecoming Queen at MHS.

• The Monticello Panthers lost to Regis of Cedar Rapids by a score of 22-8 in the first Iowa high school football playoffs held in Monticello.

The MHS Class of 1972 has always been a close class; just ask any of them. They were well represented this year at the Alumni Banquet with a 63 percent attendance rate! For a typical class reunion, the attendance rate tends to be about 25 percent or so as years go by. Seventy-seven class members attended the banquet, including spouses and special guests.

During the Alumni Banquet, the Class of 1972 honored those classmates who have passed away: Dennis Goedken, Russell Blattner, Paul Welter, Steve Luensman, Bridget Bennett Holst, Jody Kotz, Sheila Hanken Flannagan, Joyce Ackerman Young and Denise Albright. They also honored those who have served this country: Jim Siebels and Donna Schlimmer.

After the banquet the Class of 1972 held its 40^th reunion at South Main Events here in Monticello. There, they had 87 classmates present, plus guests, for a grand total of 143!

They also put together a digital book consisting of 350 pages, give or take, and over 500 photographs: “Back in the Day­-40 Years Later.” With such a large book, they decided to give each classmate a USB flash drive with the entire book in digital format for easy viewing on the computer. From there, individuals can print the book if they so choose.

The book is a compilation of classmates’ stories regarding their lives over the past 40 years, education, occupation, family, memories and photos. Of all the classmates participating in the book, they had 77 percent of the class send in information to be published.

In a word from Kim Brokaw, a member of the Class of 1972, “There are just no divisions in our class; we’re all in this together. Sure, every class has had its high school cliques or different peer groups, but those have long since melted away. Everyone, whether it was those that helped with planning, those that sent the hundreds of supportive emails over the prior six months, the participation of those at our banquet and reunion events as well as with our class book, and those that gave generous donations in both time and money, everyone contributed to this cause.”

It took this class six months to plan their reunion to make sure everyone was contacted and highly encouraged to come. Nineteen classmates got together to map out their plan of attack, seeking each classmate’s e-mail addresses and contact information. The result was a highly successful banquet and class reunion!

PHOTOS: Top: The Monticello Class of 1972 celebrated their 40th class reunion. They also had record attendance for any graduating class at the Alumni Banquet. The class includes, front row, Kim Brokaw, Scott Hornstein, Mark Mowrey, Gelan Hostutler and Robert Lanka. Second row, Penny Ohrt Haag, Dianna Boots Rucker, Susan Senft, Ron VanVoltenburg, Patricia Wells, Sandy Knight Wherry, Julie Norton Stiffler, Kay Nelson Nebergall, Denise Bone and Sharon Baumann. Third row, Sharon Antons Roller, Chris Smith Lux, Belva Bonjour Lund, Marie Zimmerman Escobar, Barbara Merfeld Embree, Verna Wallroff Flagel, Luann Husmann Wolken, Kathy Stutt Evarts, Sue Schoon Paulsen, Sherri Buol Neofotist, Victoria Martin Hagedorn and Donna Schlimmer. Fourth row, Doug Cheney, Mark Intlekofer, Linda Appleby DeSousa, Jan Reade Null, Donna Nehl Canovan, Barbara Grief Kuhlengal, Diane Lumpa Gesie, Nancy Balsiger Smith, Cindi Peterson Kramer, Marla Janssen Jacobs, Carol Thompson Stiffler, Nancy Frese Bickford, Sheila Tobiason and Linda Cox McAllister. Fifth row, Jeff Azeltine, Jim Gadient, Eric Wahl, Janine Thoeni Wahl, Joyce Egger Hornstein, Deb Shipton Guilford, Mary Ann Podhaski Mullis, Jo Campbell-Amsler, Jill Hessing Parham, Michele Lambert Glanz, Janet Freese Dallman, Marilyn Brashaw Voorhees, Jill Wilken Iben, Diane Heeren Nordmann and Nancy Heeren. Sixth row, Craig Thompson, Kevin Dirks, Mike Denton, Mark Holub, Ronnie Craig, Randy Frimml, Tom Schneiter, Paul Adams, Tom Moats, David Jacobs and Jim Siebels. Back row, Don Rigby, John Harms, Mark Hearn, Kevin Schwendinger, Jan Hoag and Dennis Fitzsimmons. (Photo by Kim Brooks)

Bottom: The Monticello Class of 1972 celebrated their high school reunion at South Main Events on May 25. Those who could not make the Alumni Banquet from the class were, front row, Dennis Feldman, Alan Diekman and Alan Takes. Back row, Deb Zumbach Keating, Carl Keating and Chris Ehlts Steger. (Photo by Kim Brooks)