The Weatherly Area alumni are celebrating their 25th year the only way they know how, by investing the community.

As the Weatherly Area High School Alumni Association prepares to recognize another student with a scholarship - $15,000 this year - they are also looking back on their history.Last week, a number of alumni got together at the group's annual Memorial Day dinner, reflecting on the students they helped. The dinner is an annual community service provided by the alumni.The group started in 1992 as the Weatherly Citizen's Committee. They initially came together to help preserve a large portrait of Emma Eurana Dinkey Schwab.The Weatherly native married a wealthy steel executive who gave the money to build the town's landmark school."It was just a group of people in town who didn't want Mrs. Schwab's portrait sent down to the state museum in Harrisburg. They felt she should stay right here in town," Todd Gimbi, the acting president of the association, said.After the portrait was preserved at the new high school, the group turned their focus to raising money for a $10,000 annual scholarship.Gimbi recalled helping original President Tim Frable to send out alumni newsletters, hand addressing each one."We've come a long way," Gimbi said.Frable, one of many volunteers recognized on Monday, was dubbed the group's "founding father" for assembling the original bylaws and committees, and getting the first significant gift, $50,000, from an heir to the Hugo Paul estate.In 1998 they chose their first recipient.That scholarship has been awarded to a graduating senior at Weatherly Area High School ever since.They recently increased the award to $15,000.They also provide grants to the school district for unique projects.They've helped purchase software and 3D printers to boost the school's STEM programs.Carbon County Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard, a Weatherly alumnus, praised the alumni association at Monday's dinner.He cited the scholarships, as well as the support that the association provides to classes and events in the district that benefit all students."As a lifelong resident and a graduate of Weatherly High School, it gives me great pride to see the association continue their efforts over the last 25 years," Gerhard said.The quarter-century celebration will culminate at a 25th anniversary dinner from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 8. The dinner will take place at the Weatherly School District complex.For more information, visit

www.weatherlyhighalumni.com, or look up "Weatherly Area High School Alumni Association" on Facebook.