Brenda (Tucker) Shue, president of South Barber's Class of 1974, attended their 50th anniversary as the first class to graduate from the new South Barber USD #255. The class celebrated Saturday night at a reunion of just their classmates, spouses, etc. Then many of them and all affiliated with South Barber's last 50 years were welcome to come to the party with cake, punch and a Chieftain helmet overflowing with memories and fun.
South Barber Superintendent Dr. Mylo Miller said the Class of 1974 donated a plaque to the school. He said in addition to members of that class, approximately 50 others attended the reception.
Longtime residents of Harper, Shue and her husband Brad are retired teachers at Chaparral High School. "A long table of our class was full at the all-school 50th anniversary reception," she said.
"About 3:30 p.m.. a pretty big group of people came and it was really fun to visit. It was nice to get to know your superintendent a little bit," Shue said. "He was so kind, welcoming and helpful. He was not one of those people who are like 'oh I have to be here.' He was gracious and very good to us."
Shue said, "It was really fun to go through the school. I don't think I'd been back there but a few times for some of the Tucker kids' football games and graduations. We really enjoyed the reunion. It was a fun day!"
Referring to their Saturday night reunion, Shue said, "The food was fabulous, and it was really fun to see so many people and catch up with them."
At their reunion just for their class, when Larry Frieden prayed for their class, "He talked about our classmates, and said a lot of us spent five days together for 13 years." Shue added, "Through the years, our class welcomed other students from Hazelton, Corwin and then Hardtner on our journey."
She said, "So many of us were so excited to get on to college and looking to the future, we didn't realize how much we would miss our friends. And now getting back together 50 years later, and seeing where people's lives have gone was really fun. Because there is a union in our class. Although our lives have gone different directions and we're not the same, I just felt a common bond. It felt good to be together and catch up again," Shue said. "Ronnie Allenbach came by our reunion and reminded us that our class did some ornery things!"
Shue said the Class of 1974 had 45 or 46 students. Since graduation, they've lost six classmates: Kirk Lieurance, Londa (Williams) Fischer, Cindy (Molz) Yandell, Andy Rathgeber, Bobby Archuleta and Barbara Sansberry.
"My husband was amazed at the number of my classmates who got married right out of high school. At least 15 of them were also celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. We've been married 44 years," she said. "That was pretty cool."
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