I learned something about my husband during the trivia contest. He played “Tarzan” in a skit during a graduation talent show! It was, he assures me, a joke!
I had a great time at a high school reunion this past weekend — and it wasn’t even my high school!
Members of the Fulton High School Class of 1965 — of which my husband, Alan Carmichael, was a member — shared memories and caught up with each other at their 60th reunion at Beaver Brook Golf & Country Club in North Knoxville on Saturday night.
Including spouses and other family members, more than 60 people attended. A total of 434 classmates graduated in 1965. Grads Betty Sue Ward Sparks and Judy Mynatt Pyne treated their fellow Falcon classmates to a lively program of school trivia with fun prizes and lots of memories.
In order to be called on to answer the trivia questions, contestants were required to raise their hands and shout, “Mr. Newman!” That’s a reference to James Newman, who was principal of Fulton for 13 years, including 1965, and would go on to be superintendent of Knoxville City schools.
On a serious note, classmates who have passed away were remembered in a slide show. Of the recent losses was All American basketball player Bill Justus, who also starred at the University of Tennessee.
NOTE: Many thanks to Betty Sue Ward Sparks and Alan Carmichael who helped me with this blog post.
From left, Judy Mynatt Pyne, Doug and Betty Sue Ward Sparks, and Alan Carmichael at the start of the evening.
From left, Sheila Sloan Payne, David Swanner, Vicki and Gary Koontz.
From left, Steve Hall, Ron Hilburn, and David Swanner. Steve Hall was the long-time — 27 years — register of deeds in Knox County.
From left, Verna Leeper Henderson, Ron “Pig” Lee, and Gerald McGinnis. McGinnis offered the blessing at the event. He is the founder and lead pastor at Park West Church.
From left, Ronnie and Pat Cook Jenkins, Rhoda Faulkner Shiflett, and Sandy Fernandez Bolton.
Rena Compton Tolbert, left, and Millie Badgett.
Alan Carmichael, left, and Greg Walters.
Eddie Parrott, left, and Jeff Day.
Diane Fields Williams, left, and Donna Keene Holt.
Judy Newton Simmons and Bob Simmons.
From left, Rhoda Faulkner Shiflett, Alan Carmichael, and Linda Hines Ensor.
It was a beautiful evening to be on a hill in North Knoxville. This is overlooking the 18th hole.
Looking north from the porch of the Country Club.
Gary Koontz, left, and Wayne Harper.
From left, Al Roach, Sheila Sloan Payne, Jim LaForge, and Verna Leeper Henderson.
Toni Swanner, left, and Donna Keene Holt. Tony purchased a directory of all Fulton alumni from 1952 to 2022.
Betty Sue Ward Sparks assumed the teacher position and instructed everyone to go onto the porch for a group photo. She is former director of human resources for Knox County Schools. Today she is an assistant professor of practice at the University of Tennessee Center for Educational Leadership.
It was a bit chaotic on the porch! And then it started to sprinkle rain.
Here was one photo attempt as folks huddled under the overhang.
Then it was decided to divide the “girls” and the “boys” into separate shots. Here is a pic of the girls.
Doug Sparks took this one of the guys.
Doug in action! (Getting a little wet.)
The dinner buffet reminded me of a high school cafeteria setup!
But the food was better!
See what I mean? (Although those green beans look familiar!)
The volume at dinner rose considerably as folks relaxed into the evening with old friends.
Ronnie and Pat Cook Jenkins. They were fun table-mates.
And then it was time for the trivia contest.
Judy Mynatt Pyne ran that part of the show.
With help from Betty Sue Sparks who is pictured here calling on a contestant.
We all cracked up when Vicki Koontz won this prize for a correct answer. “What are those things?” we wondered. Finally she saw a small label that said, “Water squirters.”
David Swanner won a pineapple sippy cup! He seemed excited.
I think Gail Hilburn liked her flamingo prize.
Jamie Giardina, right, sewed a number of handmade aprons to give as prizes. I thought they were wonderful! Verna Leeper Henderson won one of them.
So did Toni Swanner.
One trivia question was, “What was the cost of a new Corvette in 1965?” The answer: $4,321!
Rhoda Faulkner Shiflett looked serious about the contest.
Another question: What Class of ’65 beauty grew up in this house?
Answer: Sheila Sloan Payne!
“What member of the Class of ’65 sang on the stage in her pajamas?”
That would be Judy Mynatt Pyne, who reprized a few bars on Saturday night!
Time to pose with the official prop for the event! From left, Alan Carmichael, David Swanner, and David M. Tallent.
From left, Jeff Day; his mom, Brenda Acuff Day; and Ed Parrott.
As the evening drew to a close, several door prizes were awarded.
Alan won a nice one!
Folks continued to mingle.
Dawn McGinnis chatting with Vicki Koontz.
From left, Pat Cook Jenkins, Jamie Giardina, and Millie Badgett.
As we left, the sun was setting on a sweet, sweet night.
It was a fun evening. Lots of good memories.
Alan: What a great group of friends you have grown up with! Also, kudos to Betty Sue Ward Sparks and Judy Mynatt Pyne for the fantastic job they did putting this reunion together!
Thank you, Cynthia, for capturing such wonderful moments! I always have the best intentions of documenting everything, but when you’re immersed in reconnecting with dear friends after so much time has passed, the camera tends to get left behind. It was a fun evening!
I think it’s great when you can stay connected with the people “who knew you when.” Mine are my St. Andrew’s Sewanee classmates and the Pfeiffer College girlfriends. I recognize lots in Alan’s class. Fun group! Question: You obviously love attending Alan’s reunions. I love attending Bill’s Memphis Central High reunions–Go Warriors! I am the first on the dance floor! Not everyone likes attending their own reunions, let alone a spouse’s. Thoughts?
What a great group of folks from FHS!!! After we had our 50th at CHS we have opted to have some informal gatherings of class of 74 my husband Dennis, his class does some get togethers have one soon for coffee @ Starbucks!!
Betty Sue: Being in the public relations business, I know how challenging it is to pull off really successful events. You and Judy did a fantastic job. It was so much fun — and so meaningful.
Gay: I never dreamed I would have so much fun at Alan’s class reunion. But, honestly, it was a blast!
Robin: That’s awesome that you all have decided to get together more often! Good, good idea.
My 60th reunion will be coming up next year and I will suggest to the planning committee that we include a school trivia game. That should be fun.
At the reunions I have attended in the past, I have been surprised at how quickly we reconnect with friends we may not have seen in years. It has always been wonderful seeing everyone again.
One of our former teachers attended our 55th reunion. She had some mobility issues but still wanted to see her former students. We were saddened to learn that she passed away just two weeks later, but we were thankful to have seen her one last time.
Bill: Yes, the trivia game was a great addition. Everyone was into it! And, as you can see, the prizes were a hoot! I think the key, obviously, is having some questions about very specific events that occurred during the class’s time at school mixed in with some general questions about the times, like the cost of a Corvette.
Have fun!
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