GOVERNOR JOINS SHS CLASSMATES AT REUNION — Gov. Mike DeWine joined classmates who graduated from Steubenville High School in 1960 during their class reunion that was held June 28 at the Steubenville Country Club. DeWine accepted the invitation of his friend, Dohrman Sinclair, a graduate of the class. DeWine joined 40 classmates and 30 of their guests for dinner and an evening comprised of special friendships and reflecting on memories. Among those attending the reunion were, clockwise from bottom left, Juanita Whisman, Michael Bellas, DeWine, Sinclair, John Scavdis, Ethel Scavdis, Stan Miles and Albert Bellas. -- Julie Stenger

For 65 years, those same classmates have continuously kept in contact with one another, meeting every five years, right on schedule.

So, it only makes sense that their 12th get-together, held June 28, would be more of the same … the same faces, the same friends, the same memories.

But you would be wrong.

For this was the first time in those 65 years that a sitting governor was part of their high school reunion.

SHARING A MOMENT — Tina DeFallo, wife of 1960 Steubenville High School graduate Jay DeFallo, spoke with Gov. Mike DeWine during the class’s 65th high school reunion, held June 28 at the Steubenville Country Club. DeWine accepted the invitation of his friend, Dohrman Sinclair, who orchestrated the class’s get-together. DeWine and Sinclair became good friends in college, where they attended Ohio Northern University of Law in Ada. -- Julie Stenger

The SHS Class of 1960 has continuously met without fail every five years since the moment they walked across that stage to accept their diplomas and say goodbye to the ones they have known since they were 5 years old.

Those 40 men and woman, along with their 30 guests, traveled from near and far to reconnect one final time at the Steubenville Country Club.

They came from across the country … South Carolina, Florida, Montana, New York, even the Riffe Center on South High Street in Columbus — the office of Gov. Mike DeWine.

DeWine’s appearance had been kept a secret from everybody at the reunion. Well, almost everybody.

And it was a well-kept secret.

Classmate Dohrman Sinclair explained this was the fourth consecutive time orchestrating the event. A group of classmates worked locally to make the reunion possible, he said, thanking them for their hard work.

During the planning stages, Sinclair phoned DeWine, asking if he would be interested in coming to this special reunion, as it may be the group’s last.

You see, all of the 1960 graduates are now in their 80s and spread across the United States.

DeWine graciously accepted Sinclair’s invitation, stating the two have been friends since they attended Ohio Northern University of Law together in Ada.

DeWine said he missed seeing the man he studied with daily and also missed the city of Steubenville, saying it is a city that is known throughout all of Ohio with an “exceedingly good” school system.

It is DeWine’s hope to soon return to Steubenville and take a tour of the new STEM facility, he commented.

Those celebrating their 65th reunion enjoyed DeWine’s company; but more importantly, they enjoyed one another’s company. Every SHS graduate in that room was taken back to a time more than 75 years ago, to when they first encountered their classmates when starting out in kindergarten or in first grade.

And this … this particular reunion might be the last time they would be in each others’ presence. It was an important evening. And that is why they came, because it would more-than-likely be their final goodbye.

Among those accepting Sinclair’s invitation, was Florida resident Marv Needle.

Needle said this was the third reunion he has been to since graduating in 1960. He explained he made the trip because Sinclair had called him approximately five or six times asking him to come.

Sinclair informed Needle this could possibly be the last reunion they will have, which meant it would be his final opportunity to see the people he has known almost all of his life.

And so, Needle made the trip from Florida, while his wife remained at home.

He joined in conversation with Steubenville resident Helen Behringer Bayne, who said that right after high school, she began working in the advertising department of the Herald-Star.

Bayne remained at the paper for a year, and later married. She recalled her time playing the snare drum in the school band, saying it “was a lot of fun” and one of her favorite times throughout high school.

Bayne said she remembers the first reunion Needle attended. She was checking people in at the door, and upon seeing him, asked if he remembered her. They had briefly dated prior to his coming to Big Red in 1958, as their parents had known one another.

This reunion, however, he did recognize her, despite her not checking guests in at the door. The two briefly spoke, with Bayne asking if he recalled her coming to his 16th birthday party at the country club. He responded he did not.

Bayne said of her classmates that “Everyone looks good. But there are some people who have changed over the years and I don’t know who they are anymore.” She did invite Jo Allen, who has not been to a reunion since the first one, which was held during the class’s 10-year reunion in 1970.

It has been a great many years since the classmates who remain have seen one another. Some have missed a reunion here and there. Others have only attended a few reunions through the decades. And there are those who have been present for every single one, including Jay DeFallo and his wife, Tina.

DeFallo explained his wife attended Brooke, with the two having been married for 57 years. Together, they have been to every Steubenville class reunion and will miss the class not celebrating another.

“Sixty-five years is a long time,” DeFallo said. The Big Red football player was No. 37 and played tackle — one of his favorite memories he has always kept with him. He also remembers when he went to state for shotput in ’59-’60.

DeFallo joined the Air Force and played in a band. That band backed up Anthony and the Imperials, he noted.

Wally Neel was another football great at Big Red. The running back came to the reunion from Fort Mills, S.C., having attended most of the gatherings in the past.

“It’s good to be back and see the folks you haven’t seen in years and years,” Neel commented. Neel married Sandy Robinson Neel, who graduated in 1961. The couple is still married, celebrating 63 years together. When asked his best memory from 65 years ago, he quickly responded the Big Red football program.

Neel explained how the football program had been down and losing during the years he attended. That is, until Howell Paul stepped in as the head coach.

“Our class went from losing seasons to winning games, and we just kept improving,” Neel said. “Our big rivalries were Weirton, who was really good back then, and Warren Harding and Central. The only one we didn’t beat was Massillon.”

“This is the greatest class to ever grace the halls of Steubenville,” twins Albert and Michael Bellas joked. The two are very fond of the friends they have had since they were 5 years old.

Although the Bellas brothers left Steubenville at the end of their sophomore year to attend school in Pennsylvania, they have always considered the Class of 1960 to be their classmates and friends. The two traveled from New York City to be a part of the last reunion.

“And you know what?” Michael rhetorically asked. “Everybody is happy. Everybody is happy we made it to 65.”

Sophia Mastros Krome was among those who checked people in at the reunion. She also worked with the group that contacted members locally.

Krome agreed with the Bellas brothers, saying she knows that feeling of happiness. She was excited at the chance to see her classmates once again.

“This is so nice,” she commented. “Nice memories.”

Krome explained she and her husband always attended the reunions, but this is the first time he was unable to be there. She reflected on her time being in the acapella choir and how she was president of the Pepper Club.

“Our class had a wonderful time together in 1960, and 65 years later, we are still together and have that close, warm feeling toward each other,” Krome continued. She noted their’s was a very large class.

Krome moved to Washington, D.C., met her husband and lived in Baltimore. She just returned to Steubenville about three years ago, where she is finally home again.

“We may be spread out from all over, but we still come back,” Krome concluded.

Sylvia Wise Thompson, who has also been to every reunion since graduating, agreed with her friend.

She remembered when she was the head drummer for the high school band.

“I remember we had those straight lines,” Thompson stated. “We were the best band in Buckeye Land.”