Muegge honored as Crescent students hold reunion

The Crescent High School Class of 1957 members are: Gene Giesie, Edwin Ustynik, George Otradosky, Phyllis Larson, Rozell Peikert Giesie, Sulema Martinez De Los Sant, Rosalie Wittig Beard and Barbara Fucik Hrncir.

Betty Parr Muegge was spotlighted when more than 250 Crescent School ex-students held their biennial reunion in Crescent Hall at the Wharton County Youth Fairgrounds on March 29.

Former students and friends of Muegge cited her "many years of teaching and dedicated service to the community" as they presented her a plaque in a surprise announcement.

Former Crescent High School Coach Walter Hones reviewed her accomplishments and her generosity in helping many worthwhile causes in the community.

Also honored were the Crescent High School classes of 1957 and 1958, who were celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation.

Each of the graduates received a ceramic magnet, handmade in the shape of Texas and hand-painted with bluebonnets and the word "Crescent."

Among the class of 1957 was ex-student Rozell Piekert Giesie, whose term as the group's president is ending this year.

Pictured from the Crescent High School class of 1958 are, back row, Charlene Janik Machart, A.J. Fucik, Lucy Mack Ustynik, Margarit Machalitc Bucek, Charlie Sulak, Walter Sanford, Linda Wilbeck Herrington, Logic Tobola and Frank Wasek; first row, Linda Orsak Bradford and Carol Matthys Koenig.

Incoming president of the Crescent-Exes will be Virginia Gonzales Harn, currently of Wharton and formerly of Glen Flora and San Antonio.

Harn is a retired teacher and administrator, principle and director of a bilingual education program. Geisie says her education involvement has given Harn the will and enthusiasm to lead the Crescent Bluejays.

Geisie opened the program with the announcement, "Now we know it's spring because the Crescent Bluejays are back home again!"

Giesie is said to have had that same enthusiasm during her entire presidency. Ex-students have recognized her talent and innovative ideas used this year to create a theme for the reunion called The Fabulous Fifties.

D.D. Hill, resident of El Campo and having been a teacher in Crescent, is recognized for having received Citizen of the Year Award in El Campo. The ladies with Hill are FFA sweethearts Phyllis Larson, Betty Ann Parma, Hill, Carol Koenig and Rose Ann Fuechec.

Decorations warped the exes back to Elvis Presley era with its rock-n-roll music and sleek automobiles, all making the reunion a great success.

Students in the classes of 1947 and 1948 celebrated the 60th anniversary of their graduation and also received handmade ceramic magnets.

The next biennial reunion will honor the graduates of 1959 and 1960.

Notices of the reunion will be sent to exes in 2010, as the exact date is still tentative.

In the interim, the ex-students will award two scholarships to descendants of Crescent Exes. One will be awarded this year and the other sometime in 2009.

These scholarships were made possible through donations made by Crescent ex-students.

Virginia Gonzales Harn is the new president of ex- students' organization for Crescent High School. Betty Parr Muegge is congratulated as she is honored by Crescent ex- students for her many years of teaching and service to the Crescent community. Son Eric Muegge is on her left and daughter-in-law Cheri Muegge is on the right.