Class of 1976 Enjoys Reunion in Boulder City

BOULDER CITY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1976 50TH CLASS REUNION

Written by graduate Lori LaBarge Wilkerson
Photos courtesy of graduates Russell Gates and Debbie Jefferson Marsh

The Boulder City High School Class of 1976 had “a hot time in the old Hometown” this past weekend! The “Bi-Centennial Class of ‘76” joined the ranks of national celebrants this year following the 250th Anniversary of our nation’s independence; the 100th Birthday of Route 66 and, now, the Golden Anniversary of our Graduation. “We made our own Trifecta!”, joked one reveler, leaning into the Vegas proximity.

BCHS Class of ’76 50th Reunion Grads and Guests were treated to a whole weekend of activities. Things kicked off Friday afternoon with an administration-led VIP Tour of the renovated Boulder City High School. Former students were stunned, but delighted at the changes; meandering through new and re-purposed buildings and “getting stuck” gazing at all the memorabilia and photos lining the ways. Choruses of “I remember this!”, “Look at us here!” and “This is like a time capsule!” were overheard. It’s an amazing accomplishment, melding new technology, while being ever mindful of all these halls have contained. The Class presented BCHS with a donation for Athletics and Performing Arts – both areas of representation by the Grads.

Friday night you could hear the happy ruckus all the way down the street, as Reunion attenders gathered at Reunion Committee Organizer, Mike Well’s Canyon Trail RV Park for a Pizza Welcome Party! Jokes of “Who are all these old people??” and “I remember when you used to have hair!” mixed with tunes from the day as the backdrop for great food, dessert and conversation. The years melted away gathering around photos dating all the way back to Kindergarten, as attenders reminisced about how many of them went from K-12 together.

Saturday morning it was ALL ABOARD as the Grads and Guests met at the shiny new Nevada State Train Museum’s Visitor Center. We hopped aboard the Caboose and were led to “First Class” accommodations in the newly renovated Dining Car. A friendly Train Volunteer greeted the attenders and proudly spoke of the Train’s history and plans for the future.

Then it was on to the big Event on Saturday night! Fifty-three attenders (graduates and several “plus 1’s”) spiffed up and headed over to a real Boulder City legend – the Boulder City Elks Lodge! Guests were ushered into a ballroom decked out wall-to-wall in blue and gold and shimmering twinkle lights. There were stations devoted to a memorial display and a fun, bright backdrop for photos. Area favorite, “Juan’s Flaming Fajitas”, provided a deluxe fajitas buffet and 1976 Graduate Brenda Slocumb brought cupcakes which were as delightful as they were delicious. Live music by Joey Vitale got the party started, and we had a bonus treat with beverages served by Mike’s daughter, Tasha. Following dinner, attenders were treated to videos first remembering our classmates who have passed, followed by one honoring all our Hometown Heroes – those who served in the military, as first responders, medical personnel and education providers. A standing ovation was offered to all represented. The Class of 1976 is presenting a donation to The Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in their honor. A surprise game of Video Trivia was played with clues gleaned from “Guilty Pleasures and other Unknown Facts” submitted in advance by the Grads. It was hard to tell. which answer was the funniest! Special thanks to local Vendors Tony’s Pizza / The Coffee Cup and The Shopper Stopper for providing generous prizes. Then, the hours were spent in conversation, laughter, remembering and making new plans.

A spontaneous Coffee Klatch was held at The Boulder City Company Store Sunday morning with 13 bleary-eyed champions making it over. Amid final hugs and farewells, graduate L.D. summed up the consensus of the attenders, “After fifty years, it took some effort to get here (to the Reunion), but I am SO GLAD I did! It showed me how much I’ve missed all these people and that we definitely need to stay in touch!” Mic drop….