This weekend, I attended my 50th high school reunion. At first, I was a bit skittish about walking through the doors of the new Rigby High School, a $100 million building.
After parking the car, we headed to the front doors, my wife Joanne holding my hand extra tight, understanding my anticipation of walking into the high school, and seeing all of my classmates.
Questions flooded my mind.
Who was going to be there? Will I recognize people? Will they recognize me after all these years? And so many other questions. Thankfully for name tags and friendly people, it turned out not to be so frightful. Many I recognized instantaneously; others, I had to read their tags to remember them. It is amazing how age and time can change us. While our faces and bodies have changed, our minds seem to be quick and teenage-like, but alas, the mirror does not offer a reprieve unless Photoshop is embedded in it.
Initially, after checking in and obtaining our name badges, we milled around saying hello to people, listening to what has happened to them, talking a little about ourselves, sharing memories of the past, learning about families, jobs, new locations, and feeling like were back walking the halls of Rigby High School, hearing the stories and laughter, and sensing a renewal of times past.
We took a quick school tour and participated in a speed meeting where we all sat in two rows with each of us sitting across from one our classmates. Then, we spent a couple of minutes having a conversation with our partner. Then, on cue from Kirt, each of us in my row shifted to left to a new seat and new classmate across from us for another couple of minutes. The rotation continued for several minutes. It was fun to have a different conversation with each new person who appeared in front of me each time I moved.
Next came a group picture. It took us a bit to line up on the stairs leading to the auditorium. We spent more time talking to the person to the side or below us than paying attention to the camera—actually cameras. We really didn’t know which one to focus on. So, I tried to look at one camera at time, smile, hoping that specific one was capturing all of us looking at that one. I suspect, though, there are probably 30 or more different photos with each of us focused on a different camera. The good thing is that we were all there, ready for a group photo!
Before dinner, our host Kirt Archibald welcomed us and then sought clarification about some lingering questions—Why had there been motorcycles racing down the hallways? And who were the culprits? Why did the girls come to school one day wearing jeans? Who released the mice during graduation? And other questions. Yes, there were some belated confessions, some humbled and others bold and cavalier.
What a delightful dinner and conversation we had. The tri-tips and ham (had to choose), mashed potatoes (of course, we are from Idaho!), gravy, salad, and rolls, all strategically placed on maroon plates trimmed with gold with matching cutlery. I had to think twice whether I wanted to pile food on those colorful plates. Even our napkins had a big “R” stamped on the front it. I was careful where I wiped my mouth on the napkin, trying to keep the “R” from being smeared with gravy and defaced.
Then we participated in our own class version of “Family Feud” called “Class Feud,” that touted questions from our class memories. Fortunately, I acted as host for this event. For the most part, the memories were there, often on the tips of our tongues, and then blurted out with confidence although some displayed stupors of thought. Some participants were pretty confident in their answers; others were somewhat hesitant. Nevertheless, it was a fun game, re-learning and re-remembering things from 50 years ago. Time will tell if we will remember anything at all about our school days.
Coupled with Class Feud came a revelation about what we really didn’t know during our “School Triva Game.” Kirt played songs from our 1971-1975 days, and we had to write down who sang what. For me, it was a bit embarrassing because I didn’t listen to or remember too much music back in those days. Fortunately, no one had to reveal their scores to anyone.
Jennie Barber had written our class history and then, with her clever wit and humor, mixed with a few tears from all of us, helped us remember what had really happened, yes, even the trappings of growing up. (Thanks, Jennie, for mixing truth with humor!)
Kirt and Lori had put together a beautiful presentation of pictures of our 1975 class. They showed a picture of each of us, including those who had passed away. Ooohhhs and aaahhhs were heard throughout the presentation of the photos. Many of us have changed—all for the good, I am sure!
Our finale was listening to several of our classmates sing the class song that was written by Reid Later for our 1975 graduation, accompanied by Doug Eddie on the guitar. Then, we all sang it together. Yes, there were lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes as we sang, “Will you be there when I need you….will you cry when I am sad…..Will you let me say that you’re best friend I ever had?”
Sometime before singing the school song, Marilyn Jensen and I happened to end up at the ice cream table. As we were chatting, she turned to me and said, “We had such a great class!” I completely agreed with her.
Yes, we did have a great class!
While we may not have known everyone as well as we should have or wanted to, we were friends, although we attended different elementary and junior high schools in Menan, Lewisville, Roberts, Annis, and Rigby. Then we all merged into one 9th grade class at Midway Junior High School and then attended 10-12th grades at Rigby High School. What incredible journeys we have all had, much of it sparked by our K-12 experiences and beyond!
Personally, I loved chatting with those I visited with. However, I want to say sorry to those with whom I didn’t have a conversation. Please know I enjoyed being with all of you at the reunion and feeling of your friendships.
At the end, Joanne and I walked through the doors into the cool night, renewed and refreshed by our associations with all of you!
A huge shout out to Kirk Archbald, Lori Hansen Girton, Lance Baguley, and a host of others for their incredible and thorough work to make our 50th Class Reunion a memorable one. I just wish I had taken more pictures than we did.
See you in five years!
After parking the car, we headed to the front doors, my wife Joanne holding my hand extra tight, understanding my anticipation of walking into the high school, and seeing all of my classmates.
Questions flooded my mind.
Who was going to be there? Will I recognize people? Will they recognize me after all these years? And so many other questions. Thankfully for name tags and friendly people, it turned out not to be so frightful. Many I recognized instantaneously; others, I had to read their tags to remember them. It is amazing how age and time can change us. While our faces and bodies have changed, our minds seem to be quick and teenage-like, but alas, the mirror does not offer a reprieve unless Photoshop is embedded in it.
 |
| Ken Raymond, Renae Olaveson, Mickey Roberts, Rondo Poole, Darrel Hammon, Sindy Rhodehouse, Mike Linstrom, and Bruce Hall--all from Menan |
Initially, after checking in and obtaining our name badges, we milled around saying hello to people, listening to what has happened to them, talking a little about ourselves, sharing memories of the past, learning about families, jobs, new locations, and feeling like were back walking the halls of Rigby High School, hearing the stories and laughter, and sensing a renewal of times past.
We took a quick school tour and participated in a speed meeting where we all sat in two rows with each of us sitting across from one our classmates. Then, we spent a couple of minutes having a conversation with our partner. Then, on cue from Kirt, each of us in my row shifted to left to a new seat and new classmate across from us for another couple of minutes. The rotation continued for several minutes. It was fun to have a different conversation with each new person who appeared in front of me each time I moved.
 |
| Kirt Archibald at the podium |
Next came a group picture. It took us a bit to line up on the stairs leading to the auditorium. We spent more time talking to the person to the side or below us than paying attention to the camera—actually cameras. We really didn’t know which one to focus on. So, I tried to look at one camera at time, smile, hoping that specific one was capturing all of us looking at that one. I suspect, though, there are probably 30 or more different photos with each of us focused on a different camera. The good thing is that we were all there, ready for a group photo!
Before dinner, our host Kirt Archibald welcomed us and then sought clarification about some lingering questions—Why had there been motorcycles racing down the hallways? And who were the culprits? Why did the girls come to school one day wearing jeans? Who released the mice during graduation? And other questions. Yes, there were some belated confessions, some humbled and others bold and cavalier.
 |
| Some of the tables of classmates |
What a delightful dinner and conversation we had. The tri-tips and ham (had to choose), mashed potatoes (of course, we are from Idaho!), gravy, salad, and rolls, all strategically placed on maroon plates trimmed with gold with matching cutlery. I had to think twice whether I wanted to pile food on those colorful plates. Even our napkins had a big “R” stamped on the front it. I was careful where I wiped my mouth on the napkin, trying to keep the “R” from being smeared with gravy and defaced.
Then we participated in our own class version of “Family Feud” called “Class Feud,” that touted questions from our class memories. Fortunately, I acted as host for this event. For the most part, the memories were there, often on the tips of our tongues, and then blurted out with confidence although some displayed stupors of thought. Some participants were pretty confident in their answers; others were somewhat hesitant. Nevertheless, it was a fun game, re-learning and re-remembering things from 50 years ago. Time will tell if we will remember anything at all about our school days.
 |
| Chad Billman and Darrel Hammon |
Coupled with Class Feud came a revelation about what we really didn’t know during our “School Triva Game.” Kirt played songs from our 1971-1975 days, and we had to write down who sang what. For me, it was a bit embarrassing because I didn’t listen to or remember too much music back in those days. Fortunately, no one had to reveal their scores to anyone.
Jennie Barber had written our class history and then, with her clever wit and humor, mixed with a few tears from all of us, helped us remember what had really happened, yes, even the trappings of growing up. (Thanks, Jennie, for mixing truth with humor!)
 |
| Cool table decorations of books with names of teachers and classes they taught. |
Kirt and Lori had put together a beautiful presentation of pictures of our 1975 class. They showed a picture of each of us, including those who had passed away. Ooohhhs and aaahhhs were heard throughout the presentation of the photos. Many of us have changed—all for the good, I am sure!
Our finale was listening to several of our classmates sing the class song that was written by Reid Later for our 1975 graduation, accompanied by Doug Eddie on the guitar. Then, we all sang it together. Yes, there were lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes as we sang, “Will you be there when I need you….will you cry when I am sad…..Will you let me say that you’re best friend I ever had?”
 |
| Classmates singing the class song song |
Sometime before singing the school song, Marilyn Jensen and I happened to end up at the ice cream table. As we were chatting, she turned to me and said, “We had such a great class!” I completely agreed with her.
Yes, we did have a great class!
While we may not have known everyone as well as we should have or wanted to, we were friends, although we attended different elementary and junior high schools in Menan, Lewisville, Roberts, Annis, and Rigby. Then we all merged into one 9th grade class at Midway Junior High School and then attended 10-12th grades at Rigby High School. What incredible journeys we have all had, much of it sparked by our K-12 experiences and beyond!
Personally, I loved chatting with those I visited with. However, I want to say sorry to those with whom I didn’t have a conversation. Please know I enjoyed being with all of you at the reunion and feeling of your friendships.
At the end, Joanne and I walked through the doors into the cool night, renewed and refreshed by our associations with all of you!
 |
| The Pooles, Raymonds, and Hammons |
A huge shout out to Kirk Archbald, Lori Hansen Girton, Lance Baguley, and a host of others for their incredible and thorough work to make our 50th Class Reunion a memorable one. I just wish I had taken more pictures than we did.
See you in five years!
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