The Class of 1975 at Le Roy High School held its 40th reunion at the Knights of Columbus hall on Friday, July 17th. The group had not been together as a class in 20 years. There were 57 class members who attended, some brought a guest.
The committee had extended an invitation to anyone who was ever part the Class of 1975 to join them; therefore an ad was placed in the Le Roy PennySaver. As a result the attendance was larger than anticipated. The attendees spent the evening catching up and sharing memories.
Paul Zimmerman, who started the ball rolling for the reunion, had copied all senior photos and they were hung on the wall for all to see.
Other committee members who added their talents to the event were: Jamie Calmes, Sue Savoy Maher, Jean Curry Penepent, Laura Stefani Platt, Judy McWilliams Guminiak, and June Englerth Wallace.
Mr. Reed, class advisor, and Mr. Crowe, teacher, joined the class and some wonderful memories were shared. Mr. Reed gave a short speech and congratulated us on becoming fine adults.
A card was read from another of our class advisors, Mrs. Hermance Sherwood. She wrote, "Congratulations on your class reunion! The Class of 1975 was one of the best at LHS." Mrs. Hermance Sherwood also shared that she had so many fond memories of all the kids from the Class of 1975.
Copies of the Red & Black (the HS newsletter of the time) were available for all to read and reminisce over. Jane Heaman Darocha surprised us all with crystal-clear, original, black and white photos taken by the year book staff in 1975 that were in her basement all these 40 years.
Jane was the editor of the O-at-kan in 1975. George Henry read aloud the Senior Class Prophecy written in 1975 as well as a letter from Jeanette Downie, our exchange student from Australia, who was happy to extend an open-invitation to the class to come visit her Down Under!
A memorial table in the front of the hall was dedicated to the memory of the five deceased classmates. Framed photos of each were placed behind five, red votive candles. They remained illuminated all evening.
The next morning several of the class members joined together one last time to decorate and ride their float in the Oatka Festival Parade. “It was a truly memorable weekend,” Laura Stefani Platt said.
“We had such a wonderful time reconnecting that our class is planning two informal gatherings: Nov. 7, 2015 and May 7, 2016. They will be potluck dinners at my home,” Platt said. “Our class will always be remembered as a class with few cliques we all were truly lifetime friends."
The class has also started a Facebook page "Le Roy Class of 1975." The Internet enabled the class to find most of their members, some folks had not seen each other since graduation. Overall, the weekend was a huge success, it was a great time with great people and good food.
The class also collected $285 that will be given to the “Strengthen the Arm of Liberty Fund.”
