Nearly eight decades after receiving his diploma, David Schaper is still proud to be a Wright City High School graduate.Schaper was the eldest among a group of 150 alumni who attended the Come Back to Barnwarming, the 88th annual Wright City High School Alumni Dinner and Dance held last Saturday at the Lions Club.The event is hosted by the Wright City High School Alumni Association and all Wright City High School graduates are invited every year.Schaper, a member of the Class of 1939, tries to attend these types of events as frequently as possible.“It brings back a lot of good memories, and I’m thankful to the people who are keeping it alive,” said Schaper, referring to the alumni group.Classes from five-year increments from the 1940s through 2018 were recognized, but the final four classes had no representation in attendance.Event coordinator Ardell Mikus says it takes awhile for alumni to recognize the value of their education and begin coming back to their roots.“Nobody appreciates their high school education until they’re out 20 years or so,” said Mikus. “The younger people don’t attend. They may have a barbecue at the park, but they don’t come to this. When you’ve been out 20 years or longer you start to understand the importance of getting together with alumni.”The evening began with a social hour, followed by a business meeting, dinner and a dance.“I’ve got a lot of good memories up here with a lot of good people, and I’ve met a lot of them tonight that date quite a ways back,” said Schaper, who owned a chain of IGA grocery stores in Wentzville before retiring.While test scores have put the school district on the map recently as a prominent place to learn, education has always been valued, according to Schaper.“We had a good basketball team, and I think we got a good education. I think discipline may have been a little bit better then,” said Schaper, who has seen many changes over his lifetime.“I’ve seen a lot of progress, better jobs, better pay and better education,” he said. “More people are getting an education than they did when I grew up. I think that’s good for all of us.”Mikus says the attendance was about average, with visitors coming from Nebraska and Ohio. Wright City is the only alumni group in the area that welcomes back graduates from all classes every year, regardless if they are being recognized.“Some people come every year, whether it’s their special year or not. They just enjoy seeing former classmates,” said Mikus.MTV_MAKING_MEMORIES_061418.2.jpgRichard Demler

ELDEST ALUMNI — David Schaper, left, visits with Eric Park during the the Wright City R-II Barnwarming event held at the Lion's Club on Saturday. Around 150 graduates spanning over 59 years were in attendance for social hour, dinner and dancing. Schaper, a graduate of the Class of 1939, was the eldest alumni in attendance. Record photo/Derrick Forsythe. MTV ELDEST ALUMNI 061418

Richard Demler

SCHOOL SONG — Members of the Wright City High School Alumni sing the school fight song during the alumni barnwarming event held on Saturday at the Lion's Club. Approximately 150 alumni attended the annual event, electing officers, having dinner and dancing. Record photo/Derrick Forsythe. MTV SCHOOL SONG 061418

Richard Demler