Twelve former Speech and Debate members spanning four decades gathered at the high school this past weekend to plan a “Forty Year Reunion Gala.”

The reunion will take place this summer during the July 18-20 weekend, and as many as 500 former team members are likely to attend. They would represent the more than 1,300 students who have passed through the program since 1968.

The reunion committee, chaired by Cassie (Dommer) Radabaugh, includes Jeff Lanter, class of 1988; Jim Zorn, class of 1978; Mike Puglisi, class of 1998; Tristan (McMahan) Kehle, class of 2000; Amanda (Hess) Petrucelli, class of 1990; Heather (Ransford) Augustyn, class of 1990; Molly Deuberry, class of 1998, Kelsee (Waggoner) Anderson, class of 1994; Michelle Jakowitcz, class of 1993; Sophia Arshad, class of 1993; and Amy (Alsman) Hodsden, class of 1994.

There are several other committee members involved, but most were not able to attend this recent meetingfor travel reasons.

In addition to celebrating its fortieth year as a program, the team will honor Mike and Sue Harris, who encouraged Glenn Percifield (the team’s first coach and director) to start a speech and debate program in Chesterton. Since then the team has gone on to win 36 state titles and eight national titles.

Former national champion Cassie (Dommer) Radabaugh, the reunion chair-person, has organized 11 committees to organize the event.

Representatives from these committees met with coaches James Cavallo and Robert Kelly to report on their progress.

Several important deadlines were discussed, and the committee plans to have invitations in the mail by the middle of May.

To receive an invitation team members need to be registered on the reunion website www.theCHSlegacy.myevent.com

 by May 3.

There is also an online option for registering, but all RSVP’s must be in by July 10.

Posted 4/30/2008