Last year the FWHS Class of 74 had our 50th reunion. We’ve been doing a 5 year cadence since our 30th and throwing in some highlights just because we were the class that liked to party!
At the 10th it was all about how you were starting out, jobs, spouses, kids and we already had lost a couple classmates by then.
At our 20th folks were comparing careers, who still had hair, who were still together and we started to see a few early grandparents (teens begat teens)!
At the 30th the comparisons to impress stopped. Yeah we showed off kids and grandkids photos but ours was way laid back. The bar was still the center of attention, did I mention we liked to party? Then as Senior class Vice-President, I was coerced to chair the committee and like Senior year, we kicked a$$! We reprised our Senior Cruise, albeit a Seattle waterfront luncheon and not the Princess Marguerite to Victoria BC. 4 people missed the return boat trip. Somehow we got a cooler and fixings in a stateroom for all to have STRONG Screwdrivers! Whew but when deck chairs started floating by I had to slow that party and hide the perps. We got banded from the boat, but didn’t care, we all graduated. 35, 40, 45 reunions were great! Always different venues but loads of fun trying to find and convince classmates to come! We sponsored a horse that won at Emerald downs. We did a double nickels bus tour as we turned 55 years old, of 3 wineries and the Red Hook brewery and then with ill be gotten booty, partied at a local Boys and Girls Club we rented for a BBQ. Good thing the bus driver was a designated driver. One classmate’s son medaled in the Olympics (JR Celski) so we did a class party! We hired live bands, raffled all sorts of donated stuff, crashed a cross town rival Decatur HS 70’s gang picnic and this year was the 14th annual get together at Owen Beach.
We found that the Kiwanis Annual Salmon bake has been around as long we are young! This year was our 7th year sponsoring the Wine and Beer garden at the 69th annual Kiwanis Salmon Bake held at Steel Lake Park, more party, albeit mellowing out a bit.
Sadly, after our 50th reunion last year we lost several more FWHS Class of 74 EAGLES and we’re now up to 49 that we know of. If anything a common theme we still hear and why I took leadership of the reunion committee is hearing: “I never knew these were so much fun! I wish I’d have attended sooner!”
We even removed the cost. Our 50th was pure donation, FREE if you’ll just come! More have retired and are on fixed income. We more than covered the event costs and a few took the deal and came. We’ve always had scholarships and a few have taken it. Donated frequent flyer miles have gotten a few to attend.
Time ticks on and is accelerating. Spending time with folks from formative years with special bonds is important!
We’re the best there ain’t no more! The number one class of 74!
I was across town at my Bellevue HS reunion the same night. It was a lot of fun and had many similar experiences. Ditto on the size and demographics of the attendees. We had probably even fewer Asians back in the day than Newport.
I'll be interested to see how those outside the Bellevue area respond. I think it's because so many people who go away to college end up coming back to Bellevue! (Look at Johnny and Joann!)
Not surprised on Bellevue having fewer Asians than Newport. I believe that's true even today!
Last year the FWHS Class of 74 had our 50th reunion. We’ve been doing a 5 year cadence since our 30th and throwing in some highlights just because we were the class that liked to party!
At the 10th it was all about how you were starting out, jobs, spouses, kids and we already had lost a couple classmates by then.
At our 20th folks were comparing careers, who still had hair, who were still together and we started to see a few early grandparents (teens begat teens)!
At the 30th the comparisons to impress stopped. Yeah we showed off kids and grandkids photos but ours was way laid back. The bar was still the center of attention, did I mention we liked to party? Then as Senior class Vice-President, I was coerced to chair the committee and like Senior year, we kicked a$$! We reprised our Senior Cruise, albeit a Seattle waterfront luncheon and not the Princess Marguerite to Victoria BC. 4 people missed the return boat trip. Somehow we got a cooler and fixings in a stateroom for all to have STRONG Screwdrivers! Whew but when deck chairs started floating by I had to slow that party and hide the perps. We got banded from the boat, but didn’t care, we all graduated. 35, 40, 45 reunions were great! Always different venues but loads of fun trying to find and convince classmates to come! We sponsored a horse that won at Emerald downs. We did a double nickels bus tour as we turned 55 years old, of 3 wineries and the Red Hook brewery and then with ill be gotten booty, partied at a local Boys and Girls Club we rented for a BBQ. Good thing the bus driver was a designated driver. One classmate’s son medaled in the Olympics (JR Celski) so we did a class party! We hired live bands, raffled all sorts of donated stuff, crashed a cross town rival Decatur HS 70’s gang picnic and this year was the 14th annual get together at Owen Beach.
We found that the Kiwanis Annual Salmon bake has been around as long we are young! This year was our 7th year sponsoring the Wine and Beer garden at the 69th annual Kiwanis Salmon Bake held at Steel Lake Park, more party, albeit mellowing out a bit.
Sadly, after our 50th reunion last year we lost several more FWHS Class of 74 EAGLES and we’re now up to 49 that we know of. If anything a common theme we still hear and why I took leadership of the reunion committee is hearing: “I never knew these were so much fun! I wish I’d have attended sooner!”
We even removed the cost. Our 50th was pure donation, FREE if you’ll just come! More have retired and are on fixed income. We more than covered the event costs and a few took the deal and came. We’ve always had scholarships and a few have taken it. Donated frequent flyer miles have gotten a few to attend.
Time ticks on and is accelerating. Spending time with folks from formative years with special bonds is important!
We’re the best there ain’t no more! The number one class of 74!
What great stories, Bruce! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
I was across town at my Bellevue HS reunion the same night. It was a lot of fun and had many similar experiences. Ditto on the size and demographics of the attendees. We had probably even fewer Asians back in the day than Newport.
I'll be interested to see how those outside the Bellevue area respond. I think it's because so many people who go away to college end up coming back to Bellevue! (Look at Johnny and Joann!)
Not surprised on Bellevue having fewer Asians than Newport. I believe that's true even today!
Very fun to watch your Newport HS reunion. It must be something about Newport. We had similar attendance