Shawnee Mission High School

The wonderful thing about a class website is that we can stay connected after the reunion (should I say "between reunions?") We plan to do that through our new "blog" pages and new fun interactive ways.
We will introduce different topics from time to time and you are especially invited to post your comments. We are really looking forward to this new feature and hope you will participate!

If there are topics you would like to see introduced on the Class of 1957 Blog, please contact us. While we cannot promise that all requests will be posted, we will give all requests due consideration.

June 1, 2008

book & Reunion

I am thankful for my beagle dog Crawfish Gumbo we just call her Gumbo.
Peggy Willis Sherard June 1st 2008

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May 31, 2008

Art of Abundance Blog

Some things recently I appreciate
     Mary Thompson Riney inviting me into her home and being able to visit with her!
     Sandy Grubb Chapman taking me up to Loveland Pass the snow was so beautiful and the friendhship of Sandy so great!
     Kay Page Thomas driving from Loveland to join in on our girl time. I use to live across the street from her in high school but we never got to know one another but now I feel I have a new found friend!

would love to hear some things you are appreciative of :

Peggy Willis Sherard
bluegrass2@sbcglobal.net

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September 26, 2007

Reunion Comments

The Class of 1957 is truly special! Because of the generous donations of several of our classmates, the 50th reunion was an enormous success. If you were unable to attend, we'll try to tell the story here. If you did attend, we hope you will post your comments to tell us your story!

Friday Night Barn Bash.
Bill and Bo Stueck generously provided the perfect setting for 330 people to get together for a wonderful trip down memory lane! The huge expanse of lawn in front of their beautiful barn was filled with a large white tent under which there were at least 30 large round tables. Lights around the tent gave a festive ambiance. Bill and Bo also provided a large popcorn wagon, beer and other beverages. Background music and wonderful weather completed this ideal setting.

John and Marilyn (Moyer) Mitchell gave a huge contribution to the success of the reunion! They provided all the delicious food and a very professional catering staff. Hamburgers, brats, chicken, salads, condiments, desserts.... nothing was left out!

Marlene (Johnson) and Mike Hales donated wine for all to enjoy! The evening was filled with laughter, hugs, picture-taking, remembrances and genuine delight in seeing fellow classmates, some of whom had never attended a reunion before. After all this, what more could you ask for?

Well, Elbert (Elbo) Smith surprised each of us with a CD full of '50s music, all on MP3 files to be played on our computers or MP3 players. I can't imagine how many hours it must have taken him to burn all those CDs! It is a very thoughtful gift and one we will enjoy for a long, long while.

Before the reunion ever actually took place there were many other considerable donations given by a number of classmates... I hesitate to try to name them all for fear I might leave somebody out! Suffice it to say, the alumni of the Class of 1957 are exceptionally gracious and generous in their time, talents and monetary gifts!

Saturday Night at Lake Quivira Country Club
WOW!! What a special event this was! The clubhouse is truly beautiful inside and out... spectaluar views! Elbo had made the arrangements for this banquet about a year ago so we were assured of a special place to have this event. A cash bar tended by the club staff was a good start. About 300 classmates filled the large banquet hall.

Before the meal, the names of those classmates no longer with us were read. It was a fitting though somber time of remembrance for the 84 names read. Elbo then gave recognition to those on the reunion committee who had worked so faithfully to bring everything together. He gave special recognition to Peggy (Willis) Sherard for her hours of research that resulted in finding over 100 of our "Missing" classmates. Special recognition was also given to Karen (Clayton) Taylor for developing and maintaining the class website.

Decorations were done exclusively by deAnn (Johnston) Moore... simple elegance with special candles set on mirrors atop the lovely large round tables. The meals were delicious and expertly served.

After dinner, the music was provided by "The Krazy Kats" and we were swept back in time... jitterbugging to the fun rock 'n roll songs and slow-dancing to our romantic favorites.

Though this is my attempt of a description of the reunion events, it does not adequately tell of the special ambiance and excitement of being reunited with our friends of 50 years ago. We invite you to post your thoughts about the reunion here on this page. Tell us your story and share some of your special moments!

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Steve Alexander on September 26, 2007 4:54 PM

Thought the preparation and execution were excellent, congratulations to all the people who made it happen.

Food was excellent both nites and it was a pleasure to renew some old friendships. Naturally, without name tags it would have been much more difficult to recognize each other.

Enjoyed it very much !!!

Steve

Sharon (Hide) Hamil on September 26, 2007 10:13 PM

Sharon Hamil Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Jim wanted me to thank those of you who purchased a copy of his print of Shawnee Mission. He is giving the $275.00 you paid to the Shawnee Mission (North) Patrons Gallery to help fund future shows and purchases there. THANK YOU! I wish I had had more time to talk to many of you. It was a wonderful reunion and such a great crowd. Let's keep in touch via email and this site.

Joanie (Phillips)Qualls on September 27, 2007 9:44 AM

Dear Alum Friends,
There are not words enough to describe how much I enjoyed being with you all again. I have not had so much fun in years.!!!!----(a little teenager came out in me maybe at this time?)
My only regret is to my loss of not being able to renew and visit with EVERYONE. It would have finished the reunion completely by being able to visit, & hug with ALL., because each and everyone mean a lot to me and enriched my life.
I came away remembering why I wanted to stay at SM at graduation time. How blessed I am that God sent me there and let me know such wonderful people in such a wonderful school and community.
With a grateful heart I thank you all,
Joanie Phillips Qualls (Would love emails from you all)

Sharon Hamil on September 27, 2007 4:51 PM

Someone left an envelope containing photos of the Merriam Elem 8th grade class and some rolled up photos as well. deAnn brought them to me yesterday so I could try to find the owner. Call me if you are that person...or if you know who could have left them behind.

Kay (Page) Thomas on October 9, 2007 5:55 PM

Those photos were mine. I left them on the table in case anyone wanted them. . . and you may just toss them. I kept the ones I wanted and others took what they wanted, so the rest were just leftovers. I appreciate your taking the time to check on them.
Wasn't the reunion just perfect? I loved every moment and thought it was the best ever! Like others, I wished I had time to speak with everyone.
Thanks again, Kay

Kay (Page) Thomas on October 9, 2007 5:56 PM

Sharon Hamil on October 9, 2007 11:11 PM

I'll do that. I just wanted to be sure that they weren't wanted.
It was a wonderful reunion. Everyone has been really kind in their responses to the events.

JOHN SHRINER on September 27, 2007 10:12 PM

THE REUNION WAS GREAT. I WISH THAT NEXT TIME WE COULD
GET PEOPLE FROM THE GRADE SCHOOLS TOGETHER.
I FOUND IT HARD TO TRACK DOWN SOME OF MY OLD CLASS
MATES , EVEN WITH NAME TAGS I MISSED SOME THEM.
THE SCHOOL HAS CHANGE SO MUCH ; MY OLD LOCKER
I HAD FOR 4 YEARS IS LONG GONE. THE LIBRARY 3 TIMES BIGGER.
EVEN THOUGH THE SCHOOL IS MUCH BIGGER THAN WHEN
WE ATTENDED, THERE ARE LESS STUDENTS ATTENDING NOW.
      I HAVE BEEN TO MY WIFE'S CLASS REUNION .THEY HAVE ONE
EVERY YEAR. MUCH SMALLER SCALE THAN OURS. SHE WAS
VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE CLASS OF 57'
       I HOPE WE HAVE MORE.
                                                  JOHN SHRINER

william harsh on September 27, 2007 11:47 PM

my wife and i had so much fun! the 50 years just melted away and for a few hours it was the good old days. it was fabulous remembering and visiting with so many of you. my home room teacher, hannah brown, looked fabulous and we put her through so much i'm suprised she's cognizant. anyway, thanks to elbo, tom, stuecks, mitchell's karen taylor and the rest of the workers for making this such a great event. i'll be emailing many of you soon. best bill harsh
send elbo some mosquito spary..hes going to need it

Bill Calvin on September 29, 2007 3:43 PM

I've posted my reunion photos at <a href="http://WilliamCalvin.com/SMHS">WilliamCalvin.com/SMHS.</a>

Carol Culp Bybee on October 2, 2007 8:20 PM

What a great time we had. It was fun to see old friends and actually make new ones. We are all so lucky to have been growning up in Johnson County and attend SM. Thanks to all the work the committee did to have such a special weekend for us. Lenora and I had great fun driving back to Dallas and replaying the weekend. Sharon, I have certainly enjoyed my memory book. I think one of the most fun things we Hickory Grovers did was get a chance to be with our favorite teacher Lonnie Eye Proctor who made a surprise visit. Here's to seeing you all in 5 years. Carol Culp Bybee

Peggy willis sherard on October 3, 2007 4:16 PM

I will remember this reunion for the rest of my life! Hickory Grove reunion was great! The reunion of troop 47 singing of Girl Scout Songs, everyone getting along so well just seemed like the years melted away and we were tranported back in time. Saturday night I was so honored! The only thanks I needed was to see the people that I had found having such a good time. Elbo I hope you and Don enjoy Florida, Jane I wish you lived closer you are the nicest person, Rocky so glad I found you and you and sandy have reconnected, Brandy hope you will share your book with me one of these days you say you are writing, Most of all I thank my husband for sharing me with you and dancing with me Sat. night, We are leaving on rv trip tomorow so be out of touch for about 2 or 3 weeks. Warren, Carol, Sandy, Waverly, Mary, Florence and all thanks so much for your kindness. The bus trip was fun also and the high school bent over backwards for us. When we return lets all stay in touch and I will try and find some more missing before we have our next reunion :) Thanks, Thanks, Thanks

Peggy

Kay Ross (Purinton) on October 23, 2007 2:08 PM

What a wonderful reunion time! I had not been able to attend past reunions, so this time was very special to me. I am slow in responding because I received a phone call as we were on the way to the airport that my 95 year old mother was very ill. She has improved some, but I have been very busy helping with her care.

To all of the committee, thank you for all the hours involved in making the reunion a time to remember for the rest of our lives. To Karen, a heartfelt thank you for bringing me in touch with long lost friends through the website. Without it, I would not have attended the reunion. My prayers to you as you are going through treatment for cancer. As a cancer surviver, I know how much prayers, and good wishes help. To Sharon and her committee, thank you for the great memory book. It has been so much fun reading about all of us--what a successful bunch we are! To Elbo, thanks for the early emails, the hours spent on organizing the reunion, and for the gift of the CD. And to all of you, it was great renewing old friendships and getting to know some of you better.
Kay Purinton Ross

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