Class of 1956 Remain Loyal Forever!
reprinted from AAS article written by Andrea Ball
Nearly two dozen 70-somethings poured into the Central Market Cafe on Thursday, drinking coffee, reminiscing and catching up on the latest news.
Joe had come straight from a medical procedure. Mary was talking about the holidays. Gene circled the group, snapping pictures and greeting friends.
This is Stephen F. Austin High School’s class of 1956. And if you go to Central Market at 4001 N. Lamar Blvd. on any Thursday morning, chances are that you’ll see this pack of seniors clustered around three or four tables, laughing and talking about all measure of topics: old teachers, grandchildren, vacations and, of course, medical problems.
“That’s where we are these days,” group member Keith Rhea said with a laugh. “We’re ticking time bombs.”
It’s been more than five years since Rhea and a former classmate started what would eventually become a weekly ritual. It was 2006 — the 50th anniversary of the group’s high school graduation — and Rhea wanted help trying to track down people for the reunion. Rhea invited a friend to brainstorm at Central Market. Soon, others joined them. Then more showed up.
Ultimately, the reunion came and went, but the former classmates continued to meet.
“We were just a unique class,” said alumnus Keith Harrell, who comes to the gatherings with his high school sweetheart-turned-wife, Gayle Grimmer. “We just stuck together, even after graduation.”
Let’s be honest here. High school came with baggage, right? Academics were tough. Clique warfare was tougher. Most of us never felt smart, pretty, athletic, cool or stylish enough to claim top social status. Revisiting that era can be intimidating — even when it’s been decades since you were stuck in sixth-period math on a sunny spring day.
But none of that matters when you’re 70-something years old and you know who you are, where you’ve been and what you want.
“Those lines existed when we were in high school, but we are so commingled now,” said former student JoAn Baird. “No one is worried about where you shop or what you drive.”
Besides, the class of 1956 isn’t interested in living in the past. Yes, they talk about old teachers (Ms. von Rosenberg, anyone?) and after-school activities (baton twirling for Joan Meadows Bostic, cross-country for Buddy Streetman). They share old stories about classmates and parties and sports events. (”When you get to be our age, stories are all you’ve got left,” joked unofficial class storyteller Bo Franks.)
But they also celebrate birthdays, go out to lunch and visit the Broken Spoke.
They recruit each other for their volunteer projects, continuing-education courses and Bible study classes.
They’re also very active in raising money for the Stephen F. Austin High School Continuing Education Foundation, which provides scholarships to post-high school programs such as community colleges and trade schools.
The group celebrates birthdays together (Mary Morris Hornsby is known as the “Cake Fairy”) at Central Market. And when someone is sick, alumni step up to bring food or escort them to doctor appointments. They keep up with each other between meetings with group emails.
“It’s such a supportive group,” Hornsby said. “It’s a place where you can go and visit and feel loved.