Our 50th reunion was a smashing success, from the Friday night get together through breakfast, the car show, school tour, Saturday night party, Sunday breakfast, the big event, the after party and finally Monday morning breakfast. The Embassy Suites SSF provided a perfect venue including the Grand Ballroom with decorations designed by Valerie Hykal Bishop. By all reports everyone had a great time, especially those who attended their first reunion, and there were many. The spouses, guests and Classmates who were reluctant to come were glad they did. For the perspective of one reluctant attendee see Jane Stillwater’s(Pam Purpus’) blog, http://jpstillwater.blogspot.com/2010/11/san-bruno-revisited-tragedys-aftermath.html. The memories of the warmth, friendship and humor everyone experienced at the reunion will last a long time.
What a turnout we had, 199 people including 128 Classmates thanks to the dedication, persistence and charm of Kathy Costa Curley. The Classmates included the 1960 Football Queen, our class Vice President, 8 of 10 Senior Executive Council members, all 4 of our graduation speakers, the 2 Most Likely to Succeed, the 2 Best Athletes, 1 of the Brainiest, the 2 Wittiest, the 2 Best Groomed and 1 of our Exchange Students. While most were from the West Coast, we had Classmates from all over the country. We had several Classmates with significant health issues that made the trip and enjoyed seeing everyone again. We regret that everyone we contacted was not able to or did not want to come.
We lost 4 Classmates during the 2 year period that we were planning the 50th Reunion. The last and part of the Reunion Team was Lenny Dold. He died on July 31, 2010, a little more than 2 months before the Reunion. It was Lenny’s suggestion and early work that actually got the Reunion planning started. He continued to help through his network of Classmate contacts.
Just 31 days before the reunion there was a large fire in the Glenview area of San Bruno. 37 homes were lost and 8 people were killed. We took donations and held a silent auction at the Reunion to benefit the survivors, many of whom lost almost everything in the Fire. We raised nearly $5000. The incredible men and women of the San Bruno Fire Department donated a dinner in the Firehouse that brought in $1125. See Jane’s blog for some pictures and details. The other large contributions were made by Donna Daland Shoemaker and Mike Condron, $1000 each. We would like to express our thanks to everyone who donated on behalf of the Fire Victims.
We would like to thank all of those that came early to help set up and decorate the ballroom. The room looked better than any of us expected. We would not have been able to accomplish this without you.
The list of Classmates that we were unable to contact is still quite long. We would like your help in locating and contacting these Classmates before the next reunion in 2013.
Your Class of 1960
Reunion Team
