The Flathead High School class of 1973 is preparing to celebrate their 50th reunion with a week of events filled with hugs, laughter, stories, photos and lots of memories together.
It will also be an opportunity to commemorate deceased classmates. In memory of these classmates and all FHS students who have died since the high school was founded, the Class of 1973 dedicates a mature ornamental crab tree in front of the school.
About 100 names from the 1973 vintage are currently listed in a commemorative booklet being distributed to attendees, said Debbie Standley, a member of the planning committee for the 50th reunion, which organized a dinner and silent auction on Aug. 5.
“The theme of the dinner is ‘reunion, remembrance and honor,’ and that includes the memorial tree,” said Standley.
A plaque will be presented during dinner and then given to Flathead High School Principal Michele Paine for display in the school’s Memorial Hall.
“That’s what this is about. We honor those who have been recalled,” said Standley.
Attendees of the fiftieth reunion can view the tree on August 5 at 2:00 p.m. during a school tour led by Class of 1973 graduate Jane Nelson and her twin sister. During the tour, attendees can see how the school building has changed, including a $19 million remodel and expansion that was completed in 2019.
On June 21, Standley, Nelson and their 1973 classmate Scott Foster sat around a picnic table under the shade of the memorial tree to share memories and share plans for the reunion.
Around 493 diplomas were awarded to the 1973 class. With hundreds of invitations mailed and emailed to classmates, Standley said organizers have had a good response so far.
“School was fun. Not that it’s not fun today, but we made sure it was fun,” said Nelson, who described herself as the “quiet kid” at school who sang in the concert choir and plans to sing at the reunion.
“We did. Even the worst of days were fun,” said Standley, describing herself as an independent student.
“You can count on your classmates to be there for you,” said Nelson, a kind of “second family.”
“You used to reach out to your friends, you know, if there was a problem and you didn’t want to take it home — and you knew we had to — it was like I had to call my friend,” Standley added.
For some graduates, there was no reason to leave Flathead High School. Nelson, who worked frequently in the school office as a student, returned in December 1973 when she was hired for a position that grew into a 30-year career. Three and a half years after his retirement, Nelson continues to be active in the high school, such as selling tickets to sporting events.
“It makes me appreciate who I am and where I come from,” she said. “We have some very, very good roots in this valley. And things have changed dramatically, as you know, but I’m really grateful for those roots. We know what it means to be a community.”
For alumni like Standley and Foster who worked through high school, there wasn’t much free time to participate in school activities. That year, Standley attended homecoming events for the first time.
“It was great to get into the auditorium and see all these kids from school,” said Standley.
“It’s a blessing for me to be here because I had stage three colon cancer,” she added, noting that classmates have been affected by cancer. “We have several who cannot be with us over the weekend because of cancer.”
More than 15 alumni belonging to the 50th Reunion Committee have organized a week of fun-filled events beginning with a golf scramble at 10am at Village Greens and an “OMG Old Friends Mixer” (unhosted) at 6pm at Del’s Bar on August 4th. Scheduled on August 5th is a 10am Far West Boat Tour, 2pm Flathead High School Tour, and 6pm Three Course Dinner and Silent Auction hosted by XCalibur Chef Services. The 50th reunion celebration concludes with a BBQ at Bitterroot Lake on August 6th.
Nelson commended committee members for their hard work, particularly the core group, which gathers every ten years to plan meetings beginning in the 10th grade.
“I’m just amazed,” said Nelson. “Everyone does a little to make it fly. And every year we managed to make it beautiful.”
“I’m just really proud of the group and how the years have gone by and how we’ve stuck together to make the reunions work. It’s a team effort,” added Nelson.
For more information, visit the Flathead High School Class of 1973 Facebook page.
Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 758-4431.
dailyinterlake.com
https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2023/jul/23/Class-of-1973-50th-reunion-memorial-tree/
