CLIFTON FORGE — The Clifton Forge High School Alumni Association is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Since 1996, the association has remained active by relying on volunteers and donations.
“Many CFHS Alumni offer much time, effort, and money to establish ourselves as a valued organization to the community and our alumni. Deep appreciation goes out to our present and past officers and board members for their leadership and efforts over the years while carrying on the Mountaineer traditions,” said President Bonnie T. Nicely.
The Clifton Forge High School Alumni Association was formed to carry on the “Mountaineer Spirit” and to give back to the Clifton Forge community. The Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization qualified to receive donations which donors may deduct from their income taxes. Details regarding donations may be obtained by contacting the association.
Since the association’s first social event at the Ice House in Clifton Forge during the Fall Festival in 1996, it has participated in numerous community projects. The association supports the Clifton Forge Little League, the Stars and Stripes Fourth of July event, Heritage Day Festivities, the C&O Heritage Center, the VA Adopt a Highway program, and many other local causes.
The association gave $50,000 to the Historic Masonic Theatre to help with the installation of an elevator. The Alumni Association participated in the first Magic in the Mountains festival in the Alleghany Highlands in 2006.
The association began academic and athletic scholarship and endowment funds in 1998. The association has awarded more than $30,000 in scholarships to descendants of CFHS Alumni.
The Green and Gold Club was formed with the purpose of “refreshing” and “Mountaineerizing” the old armory. This included repainting and “accessorizing” the gym in the traditional green and gold color scheme. The group was headed by Alumni Coaches Alma Watts and Colin Ferguson. Assisting them were former basketball players Karen Deaton Buzzard, Ione Calendar, Tom Dean, and John Grimes.
In November 2009 the alumni association established an athletic hall of fame for its former athletes and supporting personnel, such as coaches, quarterback club participants, and newspaper reporters. The first CFHS Sports Hall of Fame inductees were announced in August 2010. The time frame covered 1928 through 1983, the 56 years the high school existed on Lowell Street.
The CFHS Mountaineers won the first Jug encounter in 1937, 14-7. Robert P. “Bootie” Dellinger, late husband of Josephine Hughes Dellinger ’44, and Doug Pamplin were co-captains of the team that won the Little Brown Jug. The co-captains and Coach Floyd “Pop” Kay were presented “the jug” on the stage of CFHS.
During the 46-year rivalry, CFHS won 2 games in the ‘30s, 3 in the ‘40s, 2 in the ‘50s, 2 in the ‘60s, 2 in the ‘70s, and 2 in the ‘80s. The biggest disappointment was in 1954 when the undefeated and unscored-on Mounties lost in Covington 34-18. The 1967 team won the most lopsided CFHS victory, 40-6. The 1966 Mounties also won handily, 32-12. The 1980 squad scored the most points against the Covington Cougars, 41-22.
Overall, the Green and Gold won 13, lost 32, and tied 1-a 0-0 game in 1938.
“The Mountaineers had a victory in their last game of an unquestionable 12-0 victory. The Mountaineer football team, a proud group of players, embraced our school spirit,” Nicely said.
To preserve the historical aspects of the High School and its story, the association maintains a room full of memorabilia which is currently stored in the Presbyterian Church in Clifton Forge. The association maintains a list of alumni and is an excellent tool by which alumni may get in touch with their old friends!
The New Mountaineer newspaper keeps members informed of meetings, events, alumni obituaries, notes from alumni, pictures and local news of our community. The All-Alumni weekend occurs each third (3rd) weekend of August, with a social gathering for all members and guests. The annual golf tournament, which began in 1998 continues to be one of the favorite events during this weekend.
The present officers of the Alumni Association are President Bonnie Tillery Nicely, 1st Vice President Linda Hartsook Rice, 2nd Vice President Tammy Conner, Secretary Suzy Jenkins Mullikin, and Treasurer Karen Deaton Buzzard.
“A very special thank you goes to our secretary, Suzy Mullikin. Without her diligence and hard work, we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish so many endeavors. You always go above and beyond in all that you do. You are a fantastic team member! Great work!” Nicely said.
“Clifton Forge continues to provide a special place where our Mountaineer Alumni can return to bond with old classmates, visit with family members, and make new memories with those who find the CFHS all-alumni weekend the place to be,” Nicely said.
“Many of our CFHS Alumni offer much time, effort, and money to establish ourselves as a valued organization to the community and carry on the Mountaineer traditions for you. Our officers and board members provide the leadership and planning to provide special events for your pleasure. But in order to keep the Association active and productive and to plan future events, more volunteers are needed. If you would like to become more actively involved in the Association and can volunteer some of your time a couple of times a year, please talk to one of the officers or board members. Plan now to become more actively involved and keep the Mountaineer Spirit alive,” she said.
The association’s website is Cliftonforgealumni.org. The mailing address is CFHSAA, P.O. Box 118, Clifton Forge, Va. 24422.
“Once again, thank you for helping us make the past twenty-five years so successful we appreciate your loyalty to our alumni association. As we continue to grow, we want you to know that one thing will never change: our commitment to the ‘Mountaineer Spirit,'” Nicely said.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.