The CHI-HI

50th Reunion Event Photos

I have reflected back on many occasions as I have spoken with you and planned this reunion over the last while of those high school years - as it was there that each of us had a hand in shaping each others lives.

"Dreams are whispers from the soul."

     But - here we are now - 50 years later and for that we should forever be thankful and to which I say:

           I do indeed have the best seat in the house    

The 50^th Reunion should be something very special - and as such - I wanted to make it something very special.  I hope that you will enjoy this trip back in time as much as I have enjoyed the planning of it.  For you see - I like surprises - but I like to be the supriser. So let’s begin our trip back in time to those days of yesteryear – for this is my dream to you and one in which – if you look with not only your natural eyes, but with your spiritual eyes as well – you will see things of a more fulfilling nature.

There without a doubt will have been more elaborate reunions, but I hope that at the end of ours - you will reflect and say, yes, but none have been more enriching, fulfilling and meaningful.                        

     You may now open the sealed envelope - which is the program / pause & wait for them to open

                                            Disclaimer - word allegiance is misspelled

We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance by Red Skelton and then the invocation by Andrea Bocelli being accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing The Lords Prayer after which we will eat.  Towards the end of our meal there will be a special tribute to our Fallen Eagle & Eaglets @ which time/Pause Reflect

Would Nancy Yawn and Tom Gamble please come up.

      Planning committee:        

          Nancy     Name tags, booklet, fallen Eagle and Eagletts CD, communications, finding classmates.

      Gifts                Graduation picture and CD Video                        

            Introduce other committee members

Fred Coker, Jim Smyly, Larry Davis, Wade Clark, Henry Fralix, Philip Riley, Ann Bradt, Joan Phipps, Barbara Lewis, Dolores Lindley, Janice Stidham-Williams, Elizabeth Buchanan, Lillian Castleberry, Claudette Linder, Betty Sue Herrod, Caroline Anonie, Sandra Reed, Hazel Lee, Judie Lassiter, and last buy not least – Pat Block.  If I missed any one else - please stand

     
Please keep standing

            As a side note - the class of 1959 had 40 classmates attend their 50^th reunion

            We - the class of 1960 have 94 classmates attending our 50^th reunion and why is that?

I will tell you why.  At our first planning meeting in the spring of 2009 - the tone was set and continued thru out all those meetings of doing whatever it took to finding our classmates and just how effective was it - 90% were located.  Applause / Be seated  /  Story of Philip Riley & Nancy Yawn - have them stand.

      I would also like to pay respect to Jerome Lipe with thanks to Jerry Hill,

            because if it had not been for their web site - a good many of you would have gone unfound.

      Our web site

      At this time, I would like to recognize this most special person - who is my eternal wife and ask her to stand because without her help, support & understanding some of you would not be here tonight as she allowed me to spend the necessary time that it took to find you and have a most pleasant conversation.

            Chicora Grade School please stand - Thank you

            Ben Tillman Grade School please stand  - Thank you

            Dorchester - Wayland Grade School please stand - Thank you

            Are there any other schools that I missed?

      .     I want each of you to know that this has been a great honor and privilege and at no time have I ever thought of it as a burden regarding the many hours that were spent in the planning of this most special occasion - our 50th Chicora High School Reunion.  On the contrary, it is has been very fulfilling. Finding and talking with you was a pure joy.

    Brief review of finds and talking with just some of you:

            Pat Rose                      Tony Martin                        Lillian Crook                          Jane Rogers

            And the list could go on and on, etc

    We all have some special memories of those high school years. Let me tell about one of mine memories:

            Tom Gamble and I double dated a lot - and one night we made plans to go out after double dating.

So Tom dropped me off at home after we took Helen home and then he took Marian home.  I got in our car - which was parked in front of our home to wait for Tom.  However, I fell asleep, and the next thing I knew my father was waking me up and fussing at me - and wanted to know what I was doing sleeping in the car.  My parents called Tom to find out where I was since I had not come home.  Tom said that he had dropped me off earlier - but he never bothered to mention the fact that he was supposed to come back and pick me up as we were going back out.  So, thanks to my faithful old friend Stick - I was dead to the world and sleeping away in the car.

I guess Tom and Marian had a lot too talk about when he took Marian home!!!!