Thinking of past Gravette reunions

Since Gravette Days are upon us again, I thought I’d repeat a column I wrote for Rogers Hometown News over 10 years ago. Here it is:

I love school reunions. There are those who wouldn’t be caught dead at one, but I absolutely adore them. Class reunions are a place where everyone wears a name tag with their maiden name and class year, a place where there is always someone with a waistline wider than yours or whose hair is whiter, a place where everyone is in agreement about one thing — their school is the best!

I recently spent the day with the Gravette High School class of ‘53. It was our 45-year reunion. Though I only attended GHS during my junior year, these guys graciously accepted me as an alumni and I felt more connected with them than all the other schools I attended.

Becky Milburn was there, looking like an exact replica of her mother, who had been one of my teachers. Ona Varner attended. She hadn’t changed one iota, from her wrinkleless face to her small waistline. Also attending were those good-looking guys (still are) Ralph Horton and Jack Haynes, whom I hadn’t seen since school days. And of course Alberta Roberts and Betty Presley, who still kept our class together after all these years. There were 17 of us who rode in a decorated float at the Gravette Days 105th celebration parade, with the theme “Memories”.

The day began with about 400 GHS alumni and friends crowding into the gym to remember. All over the auditorium there would be shouts of joy as one would first look at a face, then have to read a name tag before recognizing an old schoolmate. When the large GHS band struck up the first notes of the school “fight” song, the crowd stood as one, clapping and loudly singing along. There was a feeling of more than pride — it was an overwhelming assurance that we were a part of something wonderful and special.

Federal Judge Jimm Hendren, class of ‘58, served as master of ceremonies. He reminded us the first graduating class had been 90 years ago. He told us the largest class had been the class of ‘81 with 79 graduates.

As each graduating class was asked to stand in the gym that morning, my class whooped to hear we had the most members attending. A close second was the class of ‘48, who all wore white hats. Why didn’t we think of that!

Past Superintendent Glenn Duffy received a standing ovation as he told of wonderful memories of Gravette — how the budget when he first came in 1948 had been $60,000. “That probably wouldn’t pay the utilities today,” he said. He proudly talked of the successful adults who came from this small school — lawyers, college presidents, teachers, doctors, noted athletes (and he might have added artists, politicians and writers). Jimm had also expressed pride in the graduates of GHS, those adults who worked hard to be successful parents. He said, “The problem today is we’re not turning out ladies and gentlemen to become good parents.”

I believe we are a part of all we’ve been. I still have that girl of 16 within me. I truly treasure the year I attended GHS. It was one of the best years of my life, the year I met and dated my husband, the year I made new, lasting friends, the year I had too much fun to do homework but still made C’s. Though I felt different than the “popular kids”, I gained a sense of worth, of belonging. Those are memories worth keeping.

Ona Varner wrote the following poem, the theme for our class float:

Leaves along Memory Lane Feather etching in the sky A winding path below, A gentle breeze that wafts on high Golden leaves from long ago, Leaves tinted with every hue — Happiness, sadness, and glory too, Leaves of memory linked in a chain To guide you forever down Memory Lane.

Marie Wiggin Putman, one-time Gravette resident, shares her thoughts with our readers each month.