Kent-Meridian High School

Class of 1956

Snapshots from our Reunion

Please be patient. We're loading a few more thumbnails.... The images below are all thumbnails of larger images. Click on the thumbnail to load the full size version in a new browser window. To return to this page, simply close this browser window or "ALT-TAB" to toggle back. If you'd like larger copies, check the CD that came with your 2006 Diadem - they're all there. If you don't have a 2006 Reunion Diadem, we may have a few left. If so, you can still order one. If not, you can still get a CD with the complete 2006 Diadem and all the photos. Contact me: here for details.)

Our "Nerve-center" from start to finish was Suite 400, our Hospitality Room
This is where most of us first encountered our old friends.	We checked in here, picking up our reunion packets after fighting our way through a crowd of old classmates.	There were tables full of old albums and memorabilia to look through...	... and liquid "refreshment" - and you wouldn't get carded.
We talked...	... and reminisced...	... and posed for photos...	... and talked. It was a great way to start a great weekend.
The Embassy Suites was a nearly perfect place for our big event. Around the Hotel
We ate with old friends in the big, 9-story high atrium...	... or the cozier lounge.	Wherever we were, we talked...	... pausing only long enough to pose for photos.
Mostly, we just enjoyed old friends that we might have not seen for decades.	Some of us crashed for a little while...	... while the rest of us just kept talking, reminiscing...	... and posing for photos.
Almost before we knew it, it was time for the first events, two pre-game... Pep Rallies
We headed to the school and their Official KMHS Pep Rally ... I never had that much pep!	...and toured vaguely familiar KMHS hallways. I wonder which locker was mine???	We checked out the 2006 football players - but these guys are just KIDS!	Then we adjourned to the Golden Steer for our own pep rally ... featuring booze but a lot less pep.
A few of us checked in here, and picked up our packets.	But, mostly, we - guess what? - just talked and reminisced and posed for photos	Our '56 team donned '06 team jerseys, borrowed for the evening's game.	While the rest of us talked some more, and reminisced some more, and posed some more.
And then it was GAME TIME! French Field isn't quite the way I remember it...
We packed our reserved, "geriatric" section of the covered, comfortable bleachers.	Our '56 players were poised and resplendent in their KM-06 jerseys and we were all eager to see our Royals tromp that Auburn mob!	At least one of us sported his own KM-56 jersey...	We sat back, ready to watch the Auburn team humiliated again - just like they always were in "our day"!
... but things started off badly! It became clear that French Field wasn't the only thing that changed in half a century. We were getting concerned and our players were on their feet.	We asked for a volunteer, one of our '56 Champs who could get out there and lead those kids to victory...	... but our "geriatric" section suddenly got very quiet.	The final score was bleak, and poor Pat was forced to hand over "our" Taylor Trophy to that other team. Well, maybe next year...
By Saturday afternoon, most of us had recovered from the trauma and it was time for... Our Banquet
The program promised a delightful evening...	... of fine food, fellowship and great entertainment.	At first, we all "worked the crowd", finding old friends among all these "elderly folk".	We reminisced and caught up on the days gone by - until it was time to eat...
... but first, it was group photo time. The photographers herded us all out to the atrium and tried to line everyone up for an "official" group photo.	We gave them a bit of a challenge. There were faint mutterings about "herding cats", "old fogies" and that sort of thing...	... but finally, with a little luck, lots of shots and some serious post-reunion editing. we ended up with a pretty good result ... considering the subject...
Then, at long last, we were allowed to hit the food table - which we did with gusto!	We dug in with equal gusto, pausing between bites to talk, of course.	The room got strangely quiet as food began to disappear from our plates...	... but then we sat back, loosened our belts and the sounds of conversation returned.
The toasts began and the photographers finished their food and got busy again.	Sandy got the proceedings started...	... managing somehow to get our attention - most of us, at least.	Maxine led us in our dear old, vaguely familiar Alma Mater...
... and we paused to honor our deceased classmates - a red rose for each one.	We heard the faculty's side of our history... along with Barbara's startling little ditty about canned milk.	Then it was Cal's turn and, just like the old days, he had us rolling in the aisles.	And then it was done. But we stayed a bit longer, talking...
... and taking pictures...	... and posing.	We posed some more...	... and talked some more
... and posed	... and talked	... and posed	... and posed some more
	But, while most of us were still posing and talking...	... one of us made a quick visit to our class dentist.
But then the clean-up crew cleared us out. It had been as grand an event as the program had promise, full of good friends, good rememberances and good food - and photos. But we weren't quite done yet! The next afternoon, on a bright, sunny Sunday, we headed off to Lake Meridian for... Our Picnic
It was one of those extra spectacular days at the lake.	Donna and Sharon were ready for us and had it all planned out...	... even the cake!	They put us to work setting things up...
... while Bob, Al and Don got the grills fired up and the brauts a'sizzling.	The gang started arriving and guess what? ... the talking resumed!	We hit the food table with gusto, just like the evening before!	Those brauts disappeared in a hurry...
... and I'm sure no one snuck a little beer into the county park to wash them down.	Then we sat back to soak up the sunshine...	... and talk...	... and pose for pictures.
We looked through old photos and memorabilia...	... and remembered.	We gathered in the sunshine...	... while Donna read us a reunion poem.
	But, as the afternoon raced by, we began to feel a bit of melancholy...	... realizing that this was almost over and we had a long trip home.
And then it really was over.  It had been a grand celebration, full of old friends, laughter, memories and good food (especially those brauts) - and hundreds of photos.  We headed home to page through our Diadems, both 1956 and 2006, and look forward to the next reunion, knowing that there will be more roses on the table and more faces missing, but also knowing that these friendships will last. We'll be seeing you again - older, wiser - but definitely again. God bless!