Whoa, what a party!
On Friday afternoon, September 12th, 2008, about 130 members of the Class of 1958 gathered on the front steps of the “grand old lady”, our Alma Mater, Highline High School. We were met by Howard Call, Class of 1957, who gave us a most enlightening and entertaining tour of the NEW Highline High School. If you haven’t seen it……you would not know it.
And then to Mick Kelly’s Pub for our traditional “tavern night”. About 200 Classmates were able to find their way to the bar for an evening of friendship, camaraderie, and beer. We were pushed out way too early.
The grand gala was held on Saturday night, September 13th at the SeaTac Marriott. Would you believe we had a total attendance of 344. The Reunion Committee originally planned for about 225, which included 214 members of the Class of 1958. As our grandkids would say “Totally Awesome”. At the cocktail party, we were all blown away by the DVD slide show (with 50s music) that Mary Dena McFarlane had put together of fabulous pictures of Classmates that went all the way back to grade school. Many of us watched the DVD more than once.
We had an excellent dinner and truly filled the largest ballroom that the Marriott has. We learned that, once again, Ginger Syverson Wikmark, who traveled from Norway and Ramona Hopping Kechelen, who traveled from Germany, won the coveted Marco Polo award (a cheap bottle of wine). Boxes of “special” chocolates were awarded to Pirate Sweethearts who intermarried (winners of the Incest Award): Gene French and Betty Warren, Bill Ravander and Janet Taylor, Howie Nye and Suzie Larson, Don Osborne and Donna Taylor, Ron Winkle and Carolyn Peterson, Don Joslyn and Maureen Briggs, and Rod McNickle and Shirley Girson. We had a special guest in attendance: Mr. Bob Johnson, who was a shop teacher and counselor when we are at Highline. The Reunion Committee was introduced with accolades of gratefulness: Martha Brock, Joan Domonoske Kirsch, Don Osborne (who did all of our art work), Barbara Benson Nist, Mary Dena McFarlane, Ben Ellison and Terry McCarthy.
We took a respectful moment of silence to remember our 87 Deceased Classmates, whose names were memorialized on a large poster by the podium.
Cass Coffaro, who works with Terry, was honored with a thank you plaque for all of the work she has done for our Class. And best of all, Martha Brock, our eternal den mother, was awarded a very special plaque for “being the glue that has held us together for 50 years”. She received a standing ovation from everyone in the room. Thank you Martha.
After dinner, we went back for more cocktails, dancing, and watching Mary’s DVD. And after that…..the hospitality room did not close until 2:30.
A wonderful time was had by all.
~ Terry McCarthy
Reunion Committee President
TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE 50TH REUNION (September 13, 2008), CLICK HERE:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Highline1958/50thHighSchoolReunionSept132008?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6kjquGi_X7Xw&feat=directlink
TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE 45TH REUNION (September 13, 2003), CLICK HERE:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Highline1958/45thHighSchoolReunionSept132003?authkey=Gv1sRgCLqV_7W3hZOM3AE&feat=directlink
TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE 40TH REUNION (July 25, 1998), CLICK HERE:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Highline1958/40thHighSchoolReunionJuly251998?authkey=Gv1sRgCMCdj6z4jueAIA&feat=directlink
TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE 30TH REUNION (July 9, 1988), CLICK HERE:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Highline1958/30thHighSchoolReunionJuly91988?authkey=Gv1sRgCMnyl7mM1Lv20AE&feat=directlink
TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE 25TH REUNION (August 7, 1983), CLICK HERE:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Highline1958/25thHighSchoolReunionAug71983?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrrhLPQ1sHtYA&feat=directlink
TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE 10TH REUNION (July 20, 1968), CLICK HERE:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Highline1958/10thHighSchoolReunionJuly201968?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm8-Mm77cOs3AE&feat=directlink
