Story by Catherine Yeoman and Preston Shultz
Kevin and Becky Thumm Whitman were inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame for Mount Vernon High School during Homecoming week. Kevin graduated from Mount Vernon in 1976 and Becky the following year in 1977. What some may not know, is that they are high school sweethearts.
Kevin lived across the street from Becky when they were growing up and both were not fond of each other at first, “She always ended up winning, but I’m pretty sure she always cheated,” said Kevin, referring to the game of kick the can. But eventually, in high school, feelings started to grow. When Becky was a sophomore and Kevin was a junior, they had their first date at the Jones County Fair where they spent hours riding in bumper cars. Soon after their first date they started dating and would hang out after football games, “Everybody liked to head down the the B.A (Bowling alley) after football games,” said Kevin.
Kevin and Becky said that something about their relationship had always felt right. “He told me when we were 16 years old that he was going to marry me someday, but I never believed him,” said Becky. They dated for seven years before Becky popped the question. “Do you think we will get married?” she simply said to Kevin. Kevin replied “Yes,” and they were engaged.
Kevin and Becky had always thought that they would leave the small community, then eventually come back to settle down with their family, “Mount Vernon is just such a unique place, you don’t find it anywhere else,” said Kevin. They ended up not leaving Mount Vernon and had two kids who attended and graduated from Mount Vernon as well. Karissa Whitman of the class of 2008, and Ryan Whitman graduated in 2003. Ryan is currently a teacher at Mount Vernon High School.
Kevin and Becky have been a big part of the Mount Vernon community. They won the community impact award for their many years of participation in the community. Kevin retired from the football chain gang after over 20 years of being apart of it. Becky was a member of WETAP and PRIDE, serving as the PRIDE treasurer. For the past 15 years, they have served as the treasurers of the Mount Vernon Booster Club, truly representing the Four Pillars of the Mustang Nation.
