The Danville High School Class of 1975 celebrated at their 50-year reunion on Saturday, Aug. 30. The Class of 1975 was the largest class to graduate from DHS with about 187 students.

Patti Powell, a 1975 graduate who was at the reunion, said the new Admiral Stadium was built during their junior year, and they had their senior group photo taken in the new football stands during the fall or spring. In the photo, they arranged themselves in a formation to spell out 75 in big letters.

About 60 classmates came to the reunion from various states, including Washington, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. More than 30 classmates have passed away over the years, Powell said. 

"Many have grandchildren, most are retired, some have had serious illnesses, some have lost spouses, all with various careers and life experiences, but everyone was truly excited to be back in Danville and spend an afternoon and evening with one another to celebrate our 50 years," Powell said. "...It took a team effort to pull the 50th [reunion] but worth all the effort to see this group together again taking photos, laughing, and catching up as we listened to music from the '70s to bring back all those fun memories."

 

Among their activities, Principal Danny Goodwin opened up the building so the classmates could walk the building and look at the lobby, Gravely Hall Performing Arts Center, the band room and more. 

"On the exterior, the new Anchor Plaza is beautiful and makes such a nice statement as you drive by the school on Lexington Avenue," Powell said. "I applaud the people who came up with the idea to add this, and the design and layout are wonderful for teaching outside, congregating outside for a meeting, or just relaxing after or before classes begin each day."

She said the class took advantage of the outdoor classroom space to have a lesson of their own. Cheryl Gibson, a retired French teacher at DHS many of the classmates had for French, gave a 10-minute “Refresher French Class for Seniors over 65."

"It was a fun event, and not only did she share some French phrases with us, but some ‘life lesson’ wisdom that was wonderful to hear," Powell said.

Among some of Powell’s favorite memories at DHS, she was a member of the high school Marching Admirals under the direction of Bill Gravely.  

“We were a close-knit group of students who worked diligently to play well, march well, and have fun competing against other schools in our division,” she said. “Bill Gravely was an excellent teacher, leader, motivator, cheerleader, and led with a strict drive to be our best and help each other to be our best.”

Other fond memories at DHS of hers were working on the yearbook staff under the direction of Barbara Reyneirson and playing on the girl’s golf team.

Two other 1975 graduates, Jimmie Lou Begley Abney and David McAfee, also shared their favorite memories, how it felt to visit DHS again, and how it felt to gather with their classmates after 50 years. 

 

“I guess my best memories are being a majorette in the band with Rosemary (Edmiston) Akin,” Begley Abney said. “Respecting the greatest band director, William Gravely, and all the band events with football games, band camp and trips. Best memory was the year 1975, and we marched in the DisneyWorld Parade and marched side-by-side with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.”

About the building, what she loved was “the saying above the stairs, ‘Through these halls walk the Brightest and Best Students.’” 

McAfee said some of his favorite memories come from the “outstanding teachers, coaches, and administrators” who influenced them. 

“I also really appreciated the real-life courses we were able to take — classes like shop, home education, small engine repair, drivers education, welding, and bachelor living,” he said. “These were practical, hands-on experiences that gave us skills we carried into adulthood.”

He said it was wonderful to reconnect with his classmates after “all these years.”

“At the same time, it was bittersweet, knowing we have lost more than 30 graduates from our class,” he said. “Many of my close friends have passed away, and back when we graduated, that was something I never really thought about.”

About the space, McAfee said, “I was impressed with the outdoor classroom and the welcoming appearance of the front of DHS. Inside, the upkeep, cleanliness, and signage all stood out — they made the building feel inviting and showcased the pride in the school.”