Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Class of 1980 visits PEEC during 2022 Homecoming weekend. Courtesy photo
Members of the LAHS Class of 1980 paint the White Rock rock celebrating their 60 year reunion. Courtesy photo
By JOHN BODNAR
LAHS Class Of ’80
Cape Coral, Fla.
This past week the Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Class of 1980 retuned to “The Hill” to celebrate our 42nd High School Graduation reunion. Yes, 42nd, see the pandemic kept us all at home in 2020 and out of an abundance of caution; we postponed in 2021 as well. Forty or 42 years since we were seniors at LAHS made no difference, it was time to come home and be home.
Odd note since we had to postpone our reunion, most of the class had turned 60 years old by the time the reunion weekend came. Well, this led to an obvious theme, Class of “80 turns 60” and boy, you would have thought we all turned 18 again as being home and being with high school friends bought out the youthful feelings again.
The planning committee, too numerous to list, led by local Emily (Guenette) Kluck and Eddie Dunn planned a three day event that had the class all over town. We participated in the Homecoming parade, taking top float honors were sure but if not, had to be the largest contingency of members at over 40 folks either riding or walking and passing out candy! After the parade classmates dressed up to have a dinner dance at Cottonwoods On The Greens where classmates could relax and visit after dinner and a slide show. Memories were rehashed and made that night for sure.
Day two had the class hiking at Camp May with post hike tailgate to follow, where fellowship and beverages were shared. After the tailgate, dinner was held at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center and catered by the Pajarito Brew Pub and Grill. Most of the class retired early that night as two days of memory lane, parade march or trial hike had us all worn out.
Day three had a family picnic at Ashley Pond Park Pavilion where classmates and family were invited to visit more and enjoy the wows of Los Alamos and the redesigned park. The park looked much different than it did in 1980 was a common comment by folks.
We need to note that this same Homecoming weekend the LAHS class of 1982 held its 40th reunion and it was fun to share the city with kids, you know, people under 60 who had the same wonderful experience growing up in LA and going to the best high school in the nation. Much gentile ribbing took place with the older class using the phrase, “’80 Rules and ’82 Drools”, as a parade chant and float banner. In turn the class of ’82 was on hand to speak loudly to us old folks and had a supply of hearing aid batteries on hand should ours run out!
Jury is out on if the class on ’80 will hold a 45th reunion or wait until the year 2030 and hold a heck of a 50th. No matter, it is always good to come home and be home in Los Alamos!
Members of the LAHS Class of 1980 paint the White Rock rock celebrating their 60 year reunion. Courtesy photo
Members of the LAHS Class of 1980 paint the White Rock rock celebrating their 60 year reunion. Courtesy photo
