The Paris Alumni Association is one of the oldest, continuous alumni associations in the state of Kentucky. Every spring, the Paris Alumni Association holds its annual spring banquet where classmates reconnect and graduating seniors are honored.
In 1918, the first recorded Paris Alumni Banquet was held. Dr. Lee Kirkpatrick, Paris Independent Schools Superintendent from 1918-1953, first came up with the idea of Paris graduates coming back together each year to renew old ties and friendships. The celebration included not only a dinner, but also a dance with a band or an orchestra.
The current banquet format consists of a meal, guest speaker, and awards presentation. In 1936, Dr. Kirkpatrick established the Kirkpatrick Cup, a loyal alumnus award given each year to an outstanding alumnus. Dr. Kirkpatrick had intended for the sterling silver cup to symbolize the "sterling character of the recipient." During their lifetimes, he or his wife paid for the cup, and since their deaths, family members have provided a fund for this purpose. The 2012 recipient of the Kirkpatrick Cup was Rebecca Lawyer (Class of 1972). (View a list of all Kirkpatrick Cup Recipients from 1936 to present).
Graduating seniors are also recognized each year at the banquet. The Valedictorian of the graduating senior class is awarded the Alumni Senior Cup. Paris Alumni Scholarships are also presented at the banquet.
In 1963, the Paris Alumni Association established a $4,000.00 scholarship fund. Benton Day was the first scholarship recipient in 1966. Since that time, more than 60 scholarships have been awarded to outstanding Paris High School graduates. The scholarship currently awarded is in the amount of $5,000.00 over four years.
2012-2013 Alumni Association Officers:
Chris Jones, Class of 1988, President
Kalyn Shepherd, Class of 2012, Vice President
Jennifer Cole Allen, Class of 1988, Secretary
Cary Barr, Class of 1971, Treasurer
To keep updated with your classmates and Paris High School news, please send your current information (name, address, email, and phone number) to parisindalumni@paris.kyschools.us, or to Paris High School, 308 West 7th St., Paris, KY 40361.
You can find us on Facebook, too: Paris High School Alumni Association - Paris, Kentucky (Official)
2013 Alumni Banquet
May 11th
6:30 pm
Siwicki Center for Fine Arts Cafeteria
Tickets $11 each, are available now
To reserve a table for your class, contact Chris Jones at
Chris.jones@paris.kyschools.us
Click here to read the 2013 Alumni Association letter.