HISTORY OF ZEPHYRHILLS HIGH SCHOOL

Highlights of 1924

Alumni Reunion Draws 70 ZHS Grads for Talk on Old Days, Zephyrhills News, June 28, 1973, by Jaynell LeHeup

A very congenial group of 70 persons, alumni of Zephyrhills High School, families and friends met Sunday afternoon in the “Common” Room of the Bank of Zephyrhills for the annual “Summer Homecoming” and ZHS Alumni Association Reunion……

The retiring secretary, Mrs. John (Myrtle Higginbottom’24) Stephenson Sr., Zephyrhills-class of 1924 were given a vote of thanks and a round of applause for their work in setting up this year’s reunion and doing the “lion’s share” of the work involved in Sunday’s gathering.

ZHS Alumni and Friends Prepare for Gala Reunion Here in June, Zephyrhills News, May 24, 1979

As the end of the school year activities are becoming the order of the day, thoughts are also being focused on the upcoming Zephyrhills High School Alumni and Friends Reunion……

ZHS Alumni and Friends officers for this year (1979) are H.D. Pollock, Class of 1935, president; Robert Booth, Class of 1946, Vice President; Mrs. James (Arneta Howard) Ferguson, Class of 1955, Secretary, Ms. Martha Mae Keller, Class of 1951, Treasurer….

Along with the current officers, former officers such as Mrs. John (Mertie Hougaboom) Stephenson, Class of 1924; Mrs. Alvin (Stella Hougaboom) Russell, Class of 1927, Jack Greene, class of 1948, Mrs. Jack (Lillian Mae Kress) Greene, Class of 1960; Mrs. Anna Greene Farmer, Class of 1954, Bill Eiland, Class of 1948; Jim Ferguson, Class of 1951, and homeroom mothers, Mrs. Vinnie Partridg are among those helping to spread the word and work towards making each year’s reunion “bigger and better.

Each year two of the star attractions of the reunion are two very special gentleman, J.H. Mott, now 90 years young and still one of Zephyrhills most prominent citizens and D.A. Storms, now of Plant City, but whose heart belongs to Zephyrhills. Both of these fine gentlemen spent many years contributing to the quality of life in their beloved Zephyrhills. Mr. Mott, father of eight ZHS graduates, none of whom now reside in Zephyrhills, but all of whom visit here frequently with several usually accompanying their father to the reunion, was the Seaboard Railroad agent here for many years and started several ZHS young men, including his own four sons, on railroad careers. Mr. Storms, father of three ZHS graduates, who all hope to be with him at this year’s gathering, was a long time businessman in Zephyrhills. Both men were tireless workers in the First Baptist Church and each served at various times on the school board for this area.

ZHS Alumni Boost Stadium Fund, Zephyrhills News, June 9, 1978

A large, enthusiastic crowd of home-towners, out-of-towners, and guests picnicked at the 9th annual reunion of the ZHS Alumni and Friends….gathering before noon at the Zephyr Park….Miss Alice Cripe Daniel, Class of 1924, enjoyed greeting D.C. (Doc) Cripe, a ZHS teacher and former principal in Dade City.

ZHS Alumni and Friends Reunion Honors Classes of 1930 and 1955, Zephyrhills News, July 3, 1980, by Jaynell LeHeup

Each year it gets bigger and better—that is the general consensus about the ZHS Alumni and Friends Reunion! The 1980 Reunion was Sunday at the Community Center, Zephyr Park. There wasn’t just a full house—there was such an overflowing crowd that it was voted to try to obtain the larger Municipal Auditorium for the 1981 Reunion.

…..The Reunion was directed by VP John F. Clements of the ZHS faculty for the past 31 years, who was assisted by ….., Mrs. John (Mertie Hougaboom) Stephenson, Class of 1924, all former officers.