Members of the Wilmington High School Class of 1967 attended their 50th class reunion on July 21, 22 and 23, 2017.
Despite the oppressive heat and humidity, classmates and guests gathered at the Mural Party downtown on Friday evening.
On Saturday, while some played golf at Snow Hill Country Club, others toured Wilmington High School and the Clinton County Courthouse. Later Saturday evening, 121 classmates and guests gathered at Snow Hill Country Club for cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Ryan Page was DJ for the evening, entertaining everyone with a mix of old and new tunes.
Teachers attending included Mrs. James Knowles, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Summers, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Waddell, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Matthews. The 50th Year Reunion Planning Committee included, Fred Ertel, MC for the evening and Class Vice-President, Bill Peelle, Class President, Marsha (Smith) Wagstaff, Class Treasurer, Dina Babb Tolliver, Phyllis Floyd Storer, Tim Rudduck, Joe Allen, Jan Hiatt, Mike and Charline Boyle, and Dan Buckley, speaker for the evening who reflected on “The Last 50 Years.”
Kathy McClelland created a video presentation DVD and each classmate received a copy. Photos throughout the weekend were taken by Bret Rudduck. The program was designed by Audrey Wagstaff.
The planning committee set up a GOFUNDME account to assist classmates financially if needed in order to attend the celebration. Before dinner, Mary Holmes Banner gave the invocation. A very moving tribute to deceased classmates including those who served in the military was presented by Paul Butler and John Arvai.
On Sunday, classmates and families gathered at J.W. Denver Williams Memorial Park for a final time of reminiscing and memory sharing.
The WHS Class of 1967 was the largest (to date) to graduate from Wilmington High School with 227 graduates. Principal Robert Moyer described the class by saying “the popular thing to do was to study.”
On June 8, 1967, combined baccalaureate and commencement exercises were held at Hermann Court on the Wilmington College campus. The class motto was “Today we follow; Tomorrow we lead” and the class flower was the red rose.
