by Arliss Treybig
The El Campo (Texas) High School (ECHS) Class of 1953, last to graduate from the old Northside campus, celebrated its 50th anniversary with 38 members, 8 former classmates, one teacher and guests. Besides the El Campo area and other towns in Texas, California, Wyoming, Kentucky and Florida were represented.
Some attended the Friday morning pep rally at the school, and were introduced there. A larger group attended the football game, while others gathered for dinner in a local restaurant.
On Saturday morning some toured the remodeled campus, where they recalled specific classrooms and teachers. For their Saturday evening party, arrangements of red, white and gold centered the tables and were later given as door prizes. Many class members celebrated their golden anniversary by wearing gold and Wearing the Gold awards were presented including Most Spirited, Most Sophisticated, Most Glitzy and Golden Guy.
Commemorative booklets included a copy of the 1953 graduation program and the class history written in 1953. An area was set aside for class and school history displays, which triggered many memories. Class members signed a photo display, which was placed in the library’s history room. They also signed commemorative booklets for classmates who were unable to attend due to illness or distance.
Individuals donated a variety of items for a silent auction to benefit a scholarship fund in the name of the class.
Following the meal, a brief program included music and recognition of class members whose grandchildren continue ECHS traditions.
Reported by Arliss Treybig, El Campo, Texas.
Who are your classmates, anyway?
Arliss Treybig, El Campo, Texas, writes her thoughts about “inviting former classmates who did NOT graduate with us”:
We always invite those who were once part of our class. Many were with us longer than some who graduated with us. We knew some who graduated with us for only one to four years. Some came a year or so before graduation. Some classmates who eft before graduation may have been with us for eight or ten years, so they were part of our shared educational experience much longer than some in the graduation class. Most reunions celebrate and remember the entire school experience, not just the event.
Besides, we always feel that if they want to be with us, we want to be with them — like inviting friends and family to an anniversary or birthday party. After all, most spouses or dates who come to reunions did not graduate with us, so some who did not graduate with us attend reunions more often than some who did.
This year someone who left our school in the seventh grade joined us for our 50th anniversary reunion celebration. Seeing her and her sister again was a special experience.
