Rural Youth Chorus - 1952 Carroll County Rural Youth Chorus members gathered in 1952 at the Monon Station in Delphi to board a day coach to travel to a national competition in Seattle, Wash. Pictured are (l-r): First row - Roselyn Zook, Sue Keys, Patsy Pullen, Francis Redmon, Mary Helen Mears and Jim Sharp. Second row - Connie Spitler, Judi Henderson, Katherine “Kitty” Dietz, JoEtta Henderson, Julie Pyle, Connie Heffley, Eileen Zinn and Mary Ellen Kempf. Third row - Director Ken Pyle, Phillip Campbell, Robert McCain, Eldon Robeson, Bill Kuszmaul, John Ward and Charles Dillman. Photo provided Members of the Carroll County Rural Youth Chorus gathered Oct. 31 in Delphi to celebrate a memorable event that took place almost 57 years earlier.

The chorus won Farm Bureau’s state contest held in September 1952 in Indianapolis. The chorus was invited to sing at the National Farm Bureau Convention held at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle, Wash., on Dec. 8, 1952.

Rural Youth Chorus - 2009 Carroll County Rural Youth Chorus members recently gathered to celebrate their appearance at the 1952 National Farm Bureau Convention in Seattle, Wash. Pictured are (l-r): Standing - Patsy (Pullen) Jennings, Bob Caldwell, Mary Helen (Mears) Abbott, JoEtta (Henderson) Flora, Connie (Spitler) Hoffman, Frances (Redmon) Burton, Judi (Henderson) Atteberry, John Ward, Mary Ellen (Kempf) Pauley, Director Ken Pyle and Julie (Smith) Pyle. Seated - Eldon Robeson, Robert McCain, Katherine “Kitty” (Dietz) Kuszmaul, Bill Kuszmaul and Tom Kempf. Members who are deceased are Sue (Keys) Wise, Phillip Campbell, Charles Dillman, Jim Sharp and Eileen Zinn. Photo provided The Indiana Rural Youth was honored when the Carroll County chorus was chosen from among the talent of various states to be one of two different acts to perform on the American Farm Bureau Federation convention program.

In order for the group to attend, the community, local county and township Farm Bureaus, and other groups raised more than $3,200 for the trip. The major portion of the funds came from activities the youth sponsored themselves through magazine sales, campaigns, scrap drives, cake sales, square dances, variety shows and other activities.

Ken Pyle directed the 20 mixed-voice chorus from the Carroll County club.