Kent-Meridian High School

Class of 1956

Alma Mater, Kent-Meridian, we love you brave and true.
       Alma Mater, we hail thee, as our praises we renew.
High above your famous portals proudly waves your white and blue.
       We revere thee, and cheer thee, as we pledge our faith to you.

 
KMHS-56 Luncheon

We gathered for October's Luncheon at The RAM Restaurant and Brewery in Kent Station. Here's who you missed if you didn't join us:

You also missed good food and an hour or two of great socializing...   You really should join us next time.



   November's luncheon is scheduled for "C. I. Shenanigans" in Tacoma. It starts at 11:30 AM, but this month, since Thanksgiving falls on the last Thursday, we'll meet on the THIRD Thursday - that's the 20th. So... we'll see you at Shenanigans on Thursday the 20th of November!
   Shenanigans is located on the Tacoma waterfront at 3017 Ruston Way. Their phone is (253) 752-8811 and their website is www.cishenanigans.com. Click here for driving instructions.

See you there! And bring a classmate!
     Remember, these are regular monthly luncheons, scheduled all year long. You don't need an invitation or a reservation - just show up around 11:30AM on the last Thursday of any month and, unless it's a significant holiday or time for our annual picnic, we'll be there. Since we alternate locations between the Kent area and South Sound area, be sure to check here to find out our current watering hole ... and then check once more, just before you leave, for any late changes.

 

And now ... on with the website!

Originally, this site consisted of photos of Class of 56 attendees at the "KM-2000 All Years Reunion" in August 2000. As the webpage "matured", I've reorganized it several times and added a variety of other photos, including group shots from other reunions, class photos as far back the 1st grade and a growing collection of personal photos, "vintage" and otherwise.

Feel free to help yourself to any of these pictures and pass them along to classmates you might be in contact with, particularly those not online. If you have Class of '56 photos, slides, etc. that seem appropriate for this page, please email me.

Many of these images have been reduced in size for use on the webpage. If you'd like copies of the original full-sized files, drop me an email.

As you scroll through the online directory, trying to connect these "experienced" faces to names from long ago, you'll probably notice that we have still have classmates whose information is out-of-date, incomplete, inaccurate or missing entirely. If you're in contact with any of these folks, please point them here with the "assignment" to fill out an Info Form or, at least, send me their email address to start the wheels rolling. If they're not online, just print out the printable version of the Info Form for them to fill out and mail in.

And... if you're wondering "WHAT online directory?" or have forgotten how to access it, drop me a line here to learn about it.

Send comments and requests to:
Tom Bigley
bigleytl@earthlink.net

Note: 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 the new browser window or "ALT-TAB" to toggle back.

 


In Memory of
Lost Classmates

 


Class of '56   Reunions

Here's a challenge: How many of these old coots .... uh, I mean these "young whippersnappers" - can you identify?


Our 20th Reunion
at Renton Inn - 1976

Our 25th Reunion
at Meridian Country Club - 1981

Our 30th Reunion
at Longacres - 1986

KM-2000 All Years Reunion
at the High School

Our "BIG FIVE-O" 50th Reunion
at The Embassy Suites in Tukwilla


Recent Gatherings and "Mini-Reunions"



KMHS-56 2007 Annual Picnic
Lake Meridian, Aug 2007
 

KMHS-56 Arizona Brigade
Surprize, AZ Mar 2007
 


"Vintage" Class Photos


Feeling smug about identifying the folks in the above shots?   Then, try your luck with these "slightly" earler photos.   As you can see, we're missing quite a few class pictures. If you can dig any up, drop me a line and we'll get 'em posted in short order.
» email me «
Our Grade Schools
Kent Elementary Meridian Elementary   O'Brien Elementary
Thomas Elementary
1st Grade Class Pictures - 1944-45
Kent Elementary Meridian Elementary O'Brian Elementary Thomas Elementary
2nd Grade Class Pictures - 1945-46
Kent Elementary Meridian Elementary O'Brian Elementary Thomas Elementary
3rd Grade Class Pictures - 1946-47

Kent Elementary

Meridian Elementary

O'Brian Elementary Thomas Elementary
4th Grade Class Pictures - 1947-48
Kent Elementary Meridian Elementary O'Brian Elementary Thomas Elementary
5th Grade Class Pictures - 1948-49
Kent Elementary


Kent Elementary


Meridian Elementary


Meridian Elementary

Transferred to Kent/Valley Elementary Thomas Elementary
6th Grade Class Pictures - 1949-50
Kent/Valley Elementary

Kent/Valley Elementary

Kent/Valley Elementary

Meridian Elementary  

Thomas Elementary


Our Intermediate Schools
Valley Intermediate Meridian Intermediate
Seventh Grade Classes - 1950-51
Valley Intermediate
Grade 7n

Valley Intermediate
Grade 7s

Valley Intermediate
Grade 7x

Valley Intermediate
Grade 7y

Meridian Intermediate
Grade 7

Meridian Intermediate
Grade 7

 
Our Junior High School

Kent-Meridian Junior High
Junior High Classes - 51-53
Kent-Meridian Jr High
Grade 8 - 1951-52
Kent-Meridian Jr High
Grade 9 - 1952-53
Boyle's Homeroom

Kent-Meridian Jr High
Grade 9 - 1952-53
Burrell's Homeroom

Kent-Meridian Jr High
Student Council
1952-53

Kent-Meridian Jr High
Grade 9 - 1952-53
Anderson's Homeroom

Kent-Meridian Jr High
Newspaper Staff
1952-53

Kent-Meridian Jr High
Band - 1952-53


Our Faculty
 
Junior High Teachers
1952-53

Senior High Teachers
observing Graduation
June 1956
 

 


"Vintage" Documents


Class of '56
Commencement Program

Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
Royal Herald
circa 1956

Contributed by
Tom Bigley
Royal Herald
circa 1953

Contributed by
Tom Bigley
Royal Herald
circa 1950

Contributed by
Marge (Dittmar) Green

Post-Intelligencer
circa 1956

Contributed by
Skip Wakefield


Personal Photos, Old and New


"Beneath the Sea"
Lila, Nancy and Bob
at the Junior Prom

Contributed by
Marge (Dittmar) Green
7th Grade Trip to Pier 91
USS Hugh J. Gaffney
Contributed by
Tom Bigley
Methodist Youth Group
7th Grade

Contributed by
Ned Crain
The Boys... Last day at Kent Intermediate?
Contributed by
Carole (Edline) Anderson
Jay in 1956
Contributed by
John Agars
John in 1956
Contributed by
John Agars
Aivars in 1955
Contributed by
John Agars
Me in 1956
Contributed by
John Agars
Lynn and Elrey
Contributed by
Marge (Dittmar) Green
Sandy and Muffy
at a BPA picnic
 
Contributed by
Marge (Dittmar) Green
Miscellaneous
Contributed by
Marge (Dittmar) Green
John and the Studebaker
Contributed by
John Agars
Party Hearty!
Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
Sandy, Virginia, Marla
and Lila as flappers
 
Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
At the Hop
Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
Dorthy, Cathy and
Roland Jankelson ('57)
making paper flowers?

Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
Virginia, Jean, Sandy
and Muffy

Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
Muffy(?), Marla, Carol,
Rosalie and Virginia
 
Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
KMHS Marching Band
downtown Kent

Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
KMHS Marching Band
and Royalettes

Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
"Hap" Pommer's "student
torture devices"

Contributed by
Tom Bigley
Let's try it again...
together this time!
 
Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
Bob lays on the old
Senior Class charm

Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
Jim mans the Civil
Air Patrol desk

Contributed by
Maurice Murphy
Dave and Nancy
Contributed by
Jean (Green) Gault
GAA 52-53
Contributed by
Lynn (Green) Breda
FHA 52-53
Contributed by
Lynn (Green) Breda
Mrs. Rightmire
English Teacher

Contributed by
John Agars
The Girls - 2003
Contributed by
Sandy (Stennes) Jennings
Bob and Jean at the Senior Ball
Contributed by
Bob & Jean Green
Sandy's Certification
Contributed by
Sandy (Stennes) Jennings
"Hank" at Work
Contributed by
"Hank" (Stark) Foubert
Pete and Tom
Olympia
October 2004
John & Francie Agars
on Indian Mt Lookout
circa 1985
Chuck Parsons
& Jim Thorton

on 1955 Road Trip
Party at the
Fetterlies
Girl's Honor
Initiation
Girl's Honor
Initiation
Girl's Honor
Initiation

The Group
Cool Bob Bob being "Kewl" at Kent Elementary Gordy Gordy on the Kent Elementary Schoolyard Cathy Cathy at Kent Elementary
Joan and Mary Joan & Mary
Mack Mack Kirkland Mark Mark Pugh Sophmore Hazing Rita (54) "instructs" Sophs Jon, Tom & Jim
on KM Protocol
Loren and Tom's Wheels Loren & Tom's wheels
Loren's Wheels Loren's Wheels George & Beverly George & Beverly Loren & Boots Loren & Boots Ten and Tippy Ron, Ted and Tippy
Donna and Sharon Donna and Sharon
Switzerland 1961
Donna & Charlie Donna & Charlie at Kent Elem's 50th Reunion Princess Pharon Princess Sharon
Kent Parade - July 1956
Ten and Tippy Bev, Pat, Sharon and Donna - 1955 Ski Trip
Donna and Sharon Jackie, Sharon, Sandy, Hank and Donna
1954 House Party
Bob Green on float Bob Green on Enger Brother's Float, Kent Cornucopia Parade Valley Intermediate Playground Pricilla, Carole, Marla, Sarole, Sonja and Elaine
at Valley Intermediate
Mrs Hurley's 6th Grade Valley Intermediate School Class The girls of Mrs Hurley's 6th Grade Valley Intermediate Class
  Ron and Rosalie Ron and Rosalie
with their racehorse
"Jamaica Bound"
  Girl's Luncheon Sept 2008 The Girls
Sept 2008 Luncheon