Next July's SummerFest a giant 50-year class reunion
The first cheerleader squad at Royal High School, starting top left, going clockwise, included Karen Matushita, Burke Jensen, Carol Lanman, Jenni Richardson, Kathy Robbins, Sally Coleman, Judy Herrud and Nancy Anderson.
ROYAL CITY - "School Days, School Days, Good Old Golden Rule Days: Readin', & Ritin' & Rithmetic".
An old song of days gone by - and it will have been 50 years of Royal High School in 2015.
Therefore, there will be an all school - 50 years of classes-reunion next summer, July 10-12 - The SummerFest Royal Reunion.
The biggest task, according to Chairperson Cara Hoyt, is getting in contact with all the past RHS graduates.
"Someone started a Royal High School Facebook page in May of 2010 with the forward thinking of a 50-year celebration, and it has almost 1,000 members," Hoyt said. "But we don't know who the administrator is, and they evidently have not been on the site since 2011."
The SummerFest is encouraging RHS graduates, friends and family to join the Royal City SummerFest and Royal High School Facebook pages to keep up on the planned activities.
"The School District is on board and has given permission to have Friday night's activities on school grounds," Hoyt said.
Friday, July 11, will begin with a 4-6 p.m. meet and greet at the Royal Middle School Gymnasium. Registration and name tags will be done, and people will have an opportunity to reconnect.
The traditional SummerFest BBQ will be served out of the high school cafeteria. There will be a Dale Roth Production Sock Hop, complete with lighted stands and fun games like name that tune, limbo, hula hoop circle to the top and songs on the hit parade over the 50-year period.
A RHS Knight pep rally with cheerleaders, dance team, and high school band will be on hand with a few skits and maybe some competitions between the classes - and lots of visiting. The evening will culminate with a fireworks show that will be larger than usual.
Saturday activities are still in the works and will be announced at a later date.
"We are expecting the Golf Course to have a glow ball nine on Saturday night for the golfers," Hoyt said.
SummerFest monthly meetings are held on the 4th Thursday at City Hall expect for November and December. The October meeting will be on the 23rd at City Hall at 7 p.m.
"We'd love to have some RHS graduates come and share their ideas and help in the organization," Hoyt said. "And out of town people need to get their vacation requests made. In the meantime, please join the aforementioned sites.
"We recommend, after you join, to hover on the liked, and then click on notifications so that you receive them in your feed."
In the coming weeks, Hoyt plans to post throwback photos for members to help identify.
"It should be fun," she said.