July - Saint Mary's Catholic High School

Class of 1956
A Knight’s Nights to Remember
By Carol Ann Muller
On April 28, 2006, the St. Mary’s High School Class of 1956
began its 50th Class Reunion with a gala celebration in the foyer
of St. Mary’s High. The evening began with a tour of St. Mary’s
guided by the Ambassadors of the school. Many of the class had
never been in this building and it was a great way to start the
evening. Amidst green and white balloons, decorated tables, and
photo memorabilia, eighty-seven classmates and guests renewed
friendships and reminisced school days while enjoying a catered
Mexican buffet served by El Caminero. There was even a lifesize
knight piñata that defied being broken and door prizes that
added to the evening fun. Each classmate received a souvenir
booklet containing an updated directory of names, addresses,
telephone numbers, emails, and autobiographies.
The celebration continued on Saturday, April 29, at Alexis
Restaurant where eighty-seven classmates and guests thronged
the outside patio, which was again decorated with balloons and
photo memorabilia. After mixing and drinks, we enjoyed an
excellent meal inside. The fun continued afterwards with Dee
Leonard Hostettler doing two dance numbers for us. She can still
move that body like she did in high school! Following that, there
was a memorial prayer for all of the classmates who had passed
away. The evening blasted on with fifties music and dancing.
Then, on Sunday, April 30, we gathered at St. Mary’s
Basilica for the 9:30 Mass. After that, we went to the Hyatt for
an All Class Reunion Brunch which had been organized by
Nancy Shanahan Schmit. There were about fifty there from
’49, ’54, ’55, ’56, and ‘59. Some shared their stories and the
happenings that they remembered. Carol Ann Muller answered
questions about the Sisters of the Precious Blood whom the
classes had had as teachers.
The three-day festivities were a memorable experience and
well worth all of the yearlong work that had gone into it. Special
thanks to Nancy Shanahan Schmit for her inspiration and to the
committee of Jean Arbuthnot and John Thorn, Jody Bloemer,
Annemare Bower Pieri, Diane Fletcher Wooton, Carol Ann
Muller, Beverly Stinespring Karman, Herb Tiffany, Bob
Playman, Shirley Weiss Vandenburg, Margaret Ehmann Forbes,
Pat Shaughnessy Bandelier, and Richard Zazueta.
Gary Morgan, Richard Zazueta, and Carol Westfall McDermott
Dee Leonard Hostetler and Carol Hoelzer Christian
Herb Tiffany and Dee Leonard Hostetler
Harold Comfort, Jody Bloemer, and Pat Valerine Rastotter
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