To the editor:
Friends from high school – regardless of how long in the past your high school years might be — are the best friends you’ll have in your life. If you doubt that, just Google “why high school friends are best” and you will get literally millions of results from hundreds of perspectives — each listing anywhere from 10 to 50 reasons why that statement is true.
If that’s all just too pop culture for you, then consider the words of American author Willa Cather. In 1918, in her novel “My Antonia,” she wrote: “Whatever we had missed, we possessed together the precious, the incommunicable past.”
For those who graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1929 through those who graduated in 1980, that precious past is being celebrated this summer at the BHS Alumni Reunion. These multi-class reunions are put on about every five years and this year’s is set for 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Kiana Lodge. You might just feel like you’re in Mrs. Woodward’s study hall, or Mr. Brown’s sociology class, only this time you’ve got heavy hors d’oeuvre, a sandwich buffet and a no-host bar. And pianist Glenn “Butch” Hagen of the Class of ’62 will play.
There is no cost to those from the classes of 1929 through 1949 (although they’re asked to register for headcount purposes). Graduates from the classes of 1950-1959 can get in for a discounted cost of $35 and tickets are $45 for graduates from the classes of 1960 to 1980. Teachers who taught up to 1980 are invited to attend for free (but register please!).
The Class of ’67 is organizing this year’s reunion. So far, about 400 BHS grads have signed up to attend. Kiana can accommodate 600 people. All the discounts end June 15 – then it’s $55 per person regardless. Ticket sales end July 15 to give organizers time to print name tags and complete the details. All of which is to say, ’67 volunteers are recommending people get their tickets now! For a registration form, email Pinky McNulty at lwmcnulty@frontier.com or call him at 206-940-8192.
Subsidies and ticket discounts for earlier classes total more than $2,500 so organizers have set up a “go fund me” site called “Bainbridge Alumni Reunion Fund.” You can find it at www.gofundme.com/swt684.
Other details include free parking at the Clearwater casino with free shuttles to Kiana Lodge. Handicapped parking is available at the lodge for those with appropriate certificates.
There’s going to be a lot reminiscing over that Aug. 8 weekend thanks to multiple BHS and North Kitsap reunions.
The BHS Class of ’65 has its 50th at the Clearwater the night before the Kiana event, and the Class of ’72 is also planning a Friday night event on the island.
Why? Well because as at least one of those online sources points out, nothing can glue two people better than sharing the horrors of middle school, and all the drama and growth that defines high school. We know one another’s parents, along with our crushes, embarrassing moments (including what you made in Home Ec or Shop), favorite music and the dreams of our youth. And because one of the most satisfying conversations might just begin with: “Remember when … “
See you there!
BECKY FOX MARSHALL
Bainbridge Island
