On the night of June 1, 1956, we assembled for perhaps the last time, wondering what our futures held. We now know and it's time to gather in Albuquerque for a Golden Anniversary Celebration on September 29 and 30, 2006! For two days, we’ll be seventeen again. Never mind how old we really are; we know, we know.

How fortunate we were to have been teenagers in the “Happy Days” generation. We had our “Fonzies” (any nominations?), ducktails, flattops, and tidy hair with bangs too short. We wore peg pants and extreme skirts with crinolines. We drove customized cars with fender skirts and white-wall tires and doors with no handles. We cruised Central on weekends, and some were known to drag race on city streets while others watched. Some of the girls in our class preferred jumping swimming pool walls after hours to cruising. It was the beginning of the Rock and Roll era. We rocked around the clock with Bill Haley and the Comets. Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel” was at the top of the charts. And, who can forget Fats Domino, The Four Freshman, Frankie Lane, Hank Williams and Buddy Rich? It was truly the beginning of a new era.

Now, after fifty years, we still have many new things to discover about each other. As always, reunions offer the opportunity to strengthen bonds with old friends, and reconnect with so many interesting people that we may have gone to school with for as many as 12 years, and yet, not really known them. Come share yourself and revel in old and new friendships.

Friday the 29th will see the usual duffers teeing off at Arroyo del Oso Golf Course, followed by the traditional late afternoon picnic, also at Arroyo del Oso on the patio (there is even talk of a having a new and zany “Gal’s Caper” after the picnic.) It’s casual, on and off the golf course, and people will find themselves greeting familiar faces and some they only vaguely recognize. We have a long list of people we came to know at our past reunions who enriched our lives immeasurably.

On Saturday, we start the day at the Hyatt Regency with an inspiring gathering we call “The Celebration of Life,” where we honor and remember our departed classmates. The Reverend Larry Trott, Rose Ann (McAtee) Smith, (Episcopal Deacon, retired), the Reverend Dan Harlow, and perhaps, several other members of the class who serve as clergy, will lead the ceremony. Please plan to be there for this special event.

Early Saturday afternoon, we have scheduled a tour of Highland High School led by the Assistant Principal. Saturday evening we gather at the Hyatt Regency for the big event with dining, dancing, conversation and fun. Bob and Dick Gerding will share the MC duties with Ruth (Ballenger) Duffy.

Look for the Memorabilia table featuring your loaned contributions (at this point, they should probably be called artifacts.) Bring or send your fifties clothes, daguerreotype (oops, photos), play programs; whatever you have. We would also like for you to bring examples of your talents, awards, published books or papers, paintings, sculptures, signed game balls; anything you want to share, in a second display area. Ruth Ballenger will be the trustee. Details later.

We may be gray, losing our hair, have wonderful experience lines on our faces, and no longer even think about lying down to button our 501 jeans, but we’re still the best class HHS ever produced!

Please plan to join us and leave with new "Moments to Remember."

Rosalie Remillard, on behalf of the Reunion Committee

Reunion committee website http://home.comcast.net/~hhs56_webmaster/index.html