Class of 72: 50th Reunion Address at Hotel Rea
*Originally presented by D. R. Thatcher at Wayne Community High School’s 50th class reunion on 8/12/22.
Good evening. I would like to first thank the Reunion Committee for the opportunity to speak this evening.
I have never had the opportunity to address our class, so please let me savor the moment of being with you on this 50th Reunion of the Class of 72.
It isn't easy to fathom that we graduated from Wayne Community High School fifty years ago.
I have always found it interesting that we lack the sense of time in addition to our five senses.
That is why many of us are here tonight, to validate our past and common bond.
A reunion is a way of revisiting the past to reaffirm the early days of our lives. To prove to ourselves that yes, it did happen, and rekindle friendships and establish new ones
We shared a thread of time during some of our most awkward years. They were years of discovering ourselves and what we stood for, of testing our abilities to expand our horizons while exploring what we liked doing and what we wanted to be.
Growing up together is a unique experience. Developing physically, emotionally, and intellectually. It is never paralleled again in life. We have seen all sides of each other in this process yet are still drawn together.
Everyone here tonight has always been a part of my life. I carry those memories of you all of my days. Sadly, we have left behind many of our classmates and friends along the way, but we will not forget them. And, when news comes of a classmate’s painful challenges or passing, I remember us as we were and wonder where the time went and why it has to be this way.
Societal and cultural norm changes in a tumultuous world accented us, but unfortunately, those things seemed normal at the time.Our individual experiences, however, are unique. Just as we share this experience tonight, each is having a different experience. For instance, some of you may be saying to yourself;
Doug who?
Or - I hope this guy hasn't quit his day job
Or - Others could be thinking - maybe we should hire a professional next time.
But, looking back, what I do know is that the small things are the most memorable. Not that the big things don’t matter, but the small things enrich our memories; they add substance. So like the Sound of Music song, My Favorite Things, these are a few of mine, but I will refrain from singing.
The apprehension of the first day of school on your own
The relaxing kindergarten afternoon nap – going full circle with this one
Hearing the softball find the sweet spot when playing ball at recess
Putting your snow-soaked gloves on the radiator at school after playing in the snow
Standing in the lunch line on Pizza day, waiting in anticipation
The warmth of the cooks at Cambria
The Cambria school bell sounding at the end of recess rung by Earl Tilton
Our Cambria bus driver Bob Kelso, who took us on a year-end trip to a park in Indianola if we had been good
The daring of sneaking over the tracks to the Street & Woollis store for candy
The innocence of grade school
The sound of roller skates clicking while going down the sidewalk
The glitter of Christmas plays
The thrill of going down the Corydon Elementary fire escape slide
Running through the tunnel from the Corydon Grade School to the High School
The glamour of the school proms
Homecoming – the chanting of the pep rally, the spectacle of the bonfire, the excitement of the snake dance
Sitting with friends on the bus sharing the day's events
Open windows at school on a nice sunny warm day
Teachers saying hi, calling you by name
The comfort and smell of books at the Carnegie Library
The sound of running on cinders at the track with Bill McClimon’s unique inspiration style
The solitary nature and self-motivation of running cross country
Having your critical thinking challenged by Mr. Martino
The well-intended censoring by removal of potentially racy magazine photos by Mr. Hess in a changing culture
The satisfaction of using my hands in shop class and engine repair class
The cozy feel of the old band room in the main high school
The anxious feeling when I brought home my new trombone for the first time
The noise and excitement of a high school basketball game and cowbells ringing
The fast action of girls’ half-court basketball
The cold of a football game sitting on aluminum bleachers – not so pleasant
The hustle and bustle of the hallways during class change
The passage of time, watching everyone around you transforming and growing up
The excitement of driving to school for the first time
Going home on the last day of school for the summer – always mixed emotions
Cruising and “scooping the loop” with 8 Track tapes blaring
The smell of popcorn upon entering the Wayne Theatre
Nicks Café – the oasis of food after a show
The tasty tenderloins at Corral Restaurant
The soda fountains at Rousch’s and Rexall drinking muddy rivers, cherry cokes
A warm summer evening at the drive-in listening to tinny-sounding speakers
The fun of the Humeston Youth Center dances
Humeston Watermelon Days with big livestock tanks of ice-cold water filled with melons
Jimmy’s Highway Café with family and friends
The sound of Wendell Chastin’s voice announcing the livestock judging of the County Fair
Old Settlers and the dropping of the watch from Grismore’s plane
Listening to KIOA during the day and at night KAAY and WHB
Unbridled dreaming about what was yet to come
Words of encouragement in discouraging moments from unexpected people
The comfort of a few close friends sharing this journey
The unfailing support of family, community, and church
And many, many more
In 1941 the movie Citizen Kane was released. It is considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made. It is the story of a man who attained wealth and power but died a lonely man. His last word was “Rosebud.” Rosebud was the name of his sled representing the happiest time of his life. So when all was said and done, it was a small thing that mattered most.
So what are my life learnings to share that started with this class and community:
Be humble
Be kind
Listen to others rather than the sound of your own voice
Try to do what is good and right no matter the consequences
Savor the moment rather than wish it was quickly over
Cherish true friends with loyalty, for they are a gift from God
Family is everything
Standup for what you believe and never waiver
Judge a person first and foremost by their character
Never take tomorrow for granted
Thanks to the teachers, preachers, and parents of this community. To those who turned our brains of mush into functioning minds to prepare us for the challenges of being adult women and men in this world.
In closing:
Tonight, I have come full circle back home, if only for a brief time. Here is where our lives started with all of our hopes and dreams together.
In reflection, it has been quite a journey, and none of us are the same people as when we started, but that is how it is supposed to be.
So if you have not yet talked to everyone, please make it a point to mingle and engage one another before the evening ends.
And if the fates allow, may we all meet together again.
Thank you, and may God bless all your days