Class of 59 Reunion
50th Reunion of the First Graduating Class of Harding Academy of Memphis
By: Victor Boone
Carolyn Welch Hladky, literally, took the bull by the horns and ran with it, to mix metaphors. She contacted all the contactable members of the classes of 1959, the class of 1960, and the class which would have been the class of 1958 (former Memphis Christian School students) if Harding College had taken over Memphis Christian School earlier. Email invitations were sent out for the reunion to be held on Saturday afternoon, May 16th, in the Alumni Room of the Cherry Road Harding Academy of Memphis campus. Carolyn, in addition to being the primary invitation extender, put together an interesting “One Liner,” guess-who package, and compiled a professionally printed “Bios” booklet, which included what graduates had done in the 50 or so years since they graduated. The "Bio" booklet is a quality keepsake which we will cherish to the end of our earthly days.
Victor Boone, the ‘59 class vice president, and Glinda Jones Boone, class of ‘59 cheerleader, compiled and presented photo badges to all the attending graduates and name badges for their spouses or other attending family members. Victor also compiled and presented a “Passages” review of classmates who had passed away. On a lighter note, Victor conducted a “Reminisce” review of his interactions with his classmate attendees and some non-attendees, first at Memphis Christian School in the 9th grade, 1955-1956, and, later, as a senior at Harding Academy, 1958-1959.
Marion Hickingbottom, who had been the Memphis Christian School Principal for a number of years, gave his remembrances of how the school was started and the handoff to Harding College and then led a prayer. Leon Sanderson, who had been the Harding Academy Choral Director, led the group in the haunting hymn, “My God and I.” After the formal program concluded late in the afternoon, about 30 of the participants congregated at Pete and Sam’s Italian restaurant on Park Avenue for some good pasta cuisine and additional socializing.
On Sunday morning, May 17, 2009, a number of the reunion participants attended the 8:30 a.m. White Station Church of Christ Worship Service, where Leon Sanderson is the worship leader. Five of the reunion participants from the day before led a portion of the service, e.g., scripture readings and prayers. After the service, as we embraced one another in the foyer, tears were shed. We knew that many of us would never see one another again in this life.
Carolyn Welch Hladky, Jere Yates, Victor Boone and Glinda Jones Boone were, as the planners, elated at the response, turnout and support for this reunion. We would like to think that this was the “Reunion to End All Reunions.” We do believe that God blessed our efforts. Of course, if you are in the least bit objective, you recognize that there is still always room for improvement.
View pictures from the combined gathering