Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School Class of 1961 First-Class Golden Reunion

            At our Alma Mater, by the gymnasium door, there is a plaque listing all of us, the First-Year students, the pioneers, the Class of 1961.  We chose the school mascot, the school colors, and "Aurora" as the name of the school yearbook.  We are the “Name-on-the-Wall Gang” and this was the 50th Reunion of the First-Class Graduates of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School.  Steady class friends, long-lost class friends, spouses, companions, and honored guests enjoyed a day of renewal and fun and surprises.

(Excerpts from the First-Class Song)

            "...'neath banner of emerald and golden hue":  Decorations in school colors included table wreath centerpieces, vintage clothing on a mannequin by the sign-in table by the entrance, and scrolls of our class song.

"We traveled here from far and near, to join our hearts and minds this year...")

            We came despite the hot temperature and humidity.  Invitations said attire was "weather appropriate casual" and whoever arrived in suits and ties were advised to strip them off.  The merriment, friendship, and stories continued long into the afternoon until just before the 7:37 PM sunset.

            Who came:  Honored guests 1961 Vocational School Automotive Shop Instructor Mr. Thurston and Mrs. Grant and 1961 Principal Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Harrington; grads, friends, companions, and classmates who went through some of our school years with us.  They came from the West (Arizona), the South (Florida), the North (Maine), and locally.

"Search the world and you'll never find such friends and memories brought to mind."

            The Where in the World table had information on where we we've gone and where we now call home; a photo of the sailboat built by Vocational Students; old, old passports; language books.  The official State Stone of Rhode Island that can only be found in RI.  Questionnaires showed that we had visited 75 states and countries.  The "open microphone" time produced pleasant comments and some very funny stories about long-forgotten adventures.  Passages from letters of First-Classers who could not come were read.

"As friendships grew, our School did too"...

            Nostalgic displays included photographs of construction of the school while we were in classes.  The Way We Were illustrated aspects and influences of our lives in 1950s and early 1960s:  Howdy Doody, Pat Boone, 45-rpm records, a View-Master, recipe books, household hints, Civil Defense booklet "Fallout Protection", wigs of both men's and women's hair styles on head stands, photos of automobiles.  Two graduates had been together from kindergarten through college; School Days Through the Years from kindergarten through high school had photos of activities, report cards, class talent shows, graduation exercises program, newspaper clippings.

"We're going forward into a place --a world with problems we'll have to face."

            Fifty years ago, Dighton-Rehoboth Regional and Vocational High School graduated its First Class at a time when our telephone numbers still began with "BLackburn" or "VAn Dyke.  Alan B. Shepard was the first American in space, the X-15 set a speed record of over 3,000 mph at Edwards Air Force Base, and Congress received a proposal to put an American on the moon with the decade.  Civil-rights advocates took Freedom Rides, the minimum wage was raised to $1.15 per hour, and construction on the Berlin Wall was completed.  In their first National Football League game, the Minnesota Vikings beat the Chicago Bears, 37 - 13 and ground was broken for Municipal (Shea) Stadium for the NY Mets.  Gordie Howe was the first to play in 1,000 National Hockey League games, then the Beach Boys performed live for the first time.

"Fear not, for we'll hit our mark, though paths we follow may  'times be dark."

            Respectful and sincere honors were paid to our 26 classmates who performed service to our country, especially to those in attendance. 

"Fear not, for we'll seldom fail, our goals are high and will long prevail."

            Prizes donated to benefit the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School Endowment Fund included gift certificates, gift cards, professional floral arrangements, original art work, hand-crocheted Afghan, scarves knitted in school colors.  The grand prize was a basket of wines and glasses, cheeses, chocolates, crackers, corkscrew, wine bottle sealer, and more!  The amount raised at the Reunion was over $1,000 and more contributions are being received.  Note:  The Endowment Fund continuously benefits students and is not depleted.

Arriving home safely before the earthquake and the hurricane, we agreed:  It was a party to remember! 

Thank you for coming!