Ephrata High Class of ‘55 celebrates 70 years

EPHRATA - There are 39 “kids” still living from the Ephrata High School Class of 1955, Jerry Pitts said, and he and his classmates still get together as much as they can. This year, 11 Tigers got together from June 13 to 15 to catch up.  

“We had a three-day meet the 13th, 14th and 15th,” Pitts said. “Of course, the 15th was Father’s Day, and we met at 12 Hawks in Ephrata.”  

With many in the class close to 90 years old, if not 90 already, Pitts said several of them aren’t able to travel anymore. A few had weddings for grandchildren to attend instead of this year’s reunion, but overall, the class continues to stay in touch with one another. 

While there were the typical cliques any class has during their high school years, he said everyone’s grown past those groupings now, and they’re all close friends. They’ve kept in touch and have increased how often they get together as time has gone by.  

“We had 10-year, 20-year and 30-year (reunions); then we started losing some people, so we had a 35-year. Then we had 40. We had 45, but when we had 50, it started slowing down. So, (to keep everyone coming together often) since 50, we’ve had one every year since 50, and then we just had our 70,” he said.  

When the classmates were younger and in better health, they often had more extravagant reunions than this one. Bus trips to various locations and parties have simmered down now to account for physical constraints, but the spirit is still there, he said.  

Eleven members of the class made it to this year’s celebration. After the meal at 12-Hawks Friday, they went to Sage ‘N Sun together Saturday, then visited the Grant County Museum to check out the Class of ‘55 Tigers Boardwalk in the museum’s Education building. That was followed by dinner at 12 Hawks again, with class photos. The gathering wrapped up with brunch at Country Deli at 10 a.m. Sunday morning with a white elephant gift exchange. 

Pitts said he is one of only four classmates who attended the reunion and had attended Ephrata schools their entire elementary and high school careers. While it seems as though more pass each year, he’s still grateful for the memories the group has made through the years by staying in touch, watching each other’s families grow and supporting one another, whether that was through medical treatment for cancer and Multiple Sclerosis, divorces or other challenges.  

The Ephrata High spirit is still with them though, as shown by the clothing they wear and the items passed around during the gift exchange. 

“(In the auction) I had some Tigers stuff. Everybody has Tigers stuff. You gotta have Tigers stuff,” Pitts said.  

    Of those who attended the reunion this year, four attended school together from first through 12th grades. Clockwise from top-left: Jerry Pitts, Don Deycous, Colleen (Groff) Reese and Susan (Lovelace) McKinnon.