Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 2 September 2010 — Page 4

Page 4 • The Muncie Times • September 2, 2010

Joyce Marshel hosts successful reunion for ex-Wilson School students

By Judy Mays In the mid-1970s, Joyce (Smith) Marshel worked with some very special students at Ben Franklin School, Muncie, Ind. By the time the students were ages 14 to 17, Marshel was their teacher’s aide at Wilson Middle School. The former students, now 47 to 50, recently had their 20th-year class reunion, thanks to Marshel. Over the years, Marshel said that she would run into her former students at the Muncie Mall or, sometimes, at different restaurants, where they were employed. It was at the mall that she saw two of those former students. The idea of hosting a class reunion was bom then “I had seen Mark Miller, one of my former

students, a few times over the years, but I hadn’t seen Teresa Sole since the 80s,” said Marshel. “She called my name and we hugged each other and talked.” The conversation turned to Sole saying that she had heard there was going to be a class reunion. “I told her that we could have one of our own, if that didn’t happen. We exchanged phone numbers and after a month passed, I started working on making the class reunion a reality”, Marshel said. “It couldn’t have happened without the help of some very wonderful people. It began with Evelyn Wyatt and Vickie Daniel at Hillcroft. They were so very nice and helpful. They took me on a tour so I could try to locate some of the students I worked

Mark Mentis AKA ELVIS grooving to some of the music played at the Wilson class Reunion

The Wilson class reunion cake was sponsored by Marsh Supermarket

with and that was such a wonderful experience. It was so good to see about 10 of them there. “Kelly Crouse and her mother were helpful in allowing me to use a yearbook from 1990.” Marshel said that she and Kelly also shared a special memory. “Kelly had given me a necklace one Christmas, when we were at Wilson Middle School. I still have it and I wore it to the reunion. I asked Kelly and her mom if they remembered the gift and they couldn’t believe that I still had it.” As Marshel continued the planning phase, she sent out about 22 letters. When she wasn’t at home, her husband, Otis Marshel, took messages as the former students began to respond. When the day arrived Marshel, joined by her husband and her committee; daughter Crystal

Crumes, who made the reunion party favors; Vickie Hogue, who set up and decorated; brother Joe West, who took care of the music and photography; sister Jaynie McCullum, who made a chicken salad; and cousin Gonda Bridges, the videographer, greeted the former students and their parents/caregivers. Among those attending were Mark Mentis (aka Elvis), who brought Elvis CDs, Teresa Sole, Mark Miller, Roy Burks, Lauri Elliott, Kelley Crouse, Clifton Griffin and Debbie and Michelle Buchanan. The class reunion was held at the Roy C. Buley Center. Marsh provided the cake and Concannon’s Bakery furnished the cookies. “We had a ball dancing and talking and sharing with each other,” said Marshel.

“Even though some couldn’t come, I still heard from them. Two brothers, who now live in Gary, called me because I sent them pictures and they wanted to know who was who. They called me again to wish me a Happy 4th of July. The highlight for me was to see them all together again , grown up, some on their own working and doing well. Dr. Maude Jennings, a retired Ball State University English professor, took care of the registry, to make sure we have names and numbers for next time. I can’t thank everyone enough for all of their help including Mrs. Mary Dollison.” “As we got ready to depart, I offered takehome plates, but I told Clifton that he probably couldn’t carry a plate home on his moped.” “Watch me,” Clifton said.