SHS Class of 1973 holds reunion

Back row left to right teacher/coach Larry White, Joe Williams, Mike Collins, Mark Grenier, Dave McAllister, Clyde Whitaker, Peter Mikelonis, Mike Holt, Mike Bowdish, Dennis Kerr, Debbie Hamlin, Kay Kamke, Cheryl Gransden, Holly Grenier, Phil Gladstone, Mary Jo Baldwin, Dawne Salow, Patty Riba, Pat Smith, Bruce Mayer, Robin Munsell, Sue Dancer, Patty Zick, Tony D, Cheryl Allen, Debbie Schenk

By Pat Camburn Zick

The Class of 1973 recently celebrated the forty-fifth anniversary of their graduation from Stockbridge High School at Hankerd Hills  Golf Course and Restaurant in Pleasant Lake.

Despite threatening rain clouds, 25 classmates gathered May 19 to reminisce about the good old days at SHS. To the delight of attendees, their class advisor, Larry White, came to the reunion and helped celebrate the comradery enjoyed by all the alumni. Student body president in 1973, Dave McAllister, and senior class president, Dennis Kerr, also attended.

Laughter filled the room as 1973 alumni recalled some highlights of their years together at the old school where most of them attended seventh through twelfth grades. One hundred and six graduated in June 1973. Sadly, ten of those classmates had passed away since graduation. But the memories remain, and if anything was forgotten, someone from the class reminded others of the moments shared during their years together.

Phil Gladstone, who now lives in Layton, Utah, traveled the farthest to attend the reunion. Coming in second in the distance contest was Sue Dancer Ilax, traveling from Cedar Falls, Iowa. Sue was also class treasurer in 1973.

Last year, the first reunion since 1998 was held at Willow Creek Golf Course. Attendees had such a good time, plans were made then for the forty-fifth reunion in hopes of bringing together more former classmates. While some who attended last year were unable to attend this year, some new attendees came for the forty-fifth. Plans were discussed for the big fiftieth reunion, so hopefully with five years to plan, the event will bring more of the alumni together. A special thank you goes to Mike Collings who was the chief organizer of the 45^threunion.

As the night neared its end, heartfelt warmth expressed through hugs and promises of future reunions, showed how successful the evening had been in reuniting friends. All agreed it seemed as if they had just been together a short time ago in their green gowns and gold tassels getting ready to march into the gymnasium to the strains of Pomp and Circumstanceamid the sweltering heat of a Thursday night in June. After six memory-filled years at Stockbridge Junior/Senior High School, the Class of 1973 headed out into the world to careers, marriage and parenthood. With many of the alumni now grandparents and retired or near retirement, the solid footing given them at SHS had provided them the tools to succeed.

To be added to the Class of 1973 mailing list, please contact Pat Camburn Zick at [email protected].