Classmates who attended Hamlet High between the years of 1958 and 1972 met to celebrate the school’s 102nd anniversary in a class reunion on Saturday, May 18.
There were 66 people in attendance, which was down from the number attending last year; some weren’t able to make it and some had passed away.
“Since we are decreasing in number, we now combine the years,” said organizer Jerry Ethridge, a 1968 graduate. “Anyone who attended Hamlet High School for any period of time was invited.”
The reunion only goes through 1972 because all the high schools were combined into one in 1973 when Richmond Senior High School opened.
Some of the oldest people attending the reunion were in their mid- to-late 80s. There were a few other graduates in their late 90s who weren’t able to make it to the event.
The Seaboard Station catered a mouth-watering meal, and to top it off, some of those attending brought their favorite homemade desserts for all to enjoy.
A candle-lit memorial table was set up in honor of all the classmates who were no longer with them.
Linda Watson Martin was one of those classmates. There were several of her beautiful paintings on display during the reunion which had been donated by Ginger Watson.
Ethridge mentioned a special moment regarding classmates Jan Parker and Bill Stubbs.
They had attended school together for years and knew each other as friends. They went their separate ways after graduating in 1960, and each one got married. By the 2022 reunion, both their spouses had passed away and the two reconnected. They began dating, hit it off, married in 2023 and this year arrived as husband and wife.
The speakers at the reunion were Hamlet Mayor Amy Guinn; Hamlet Middle School Principal Courtney Pearson; Jerry Pait; and John Martin, who has written several books under the pen name Ronald J. Beckerman.
Pait — a Hamlet High School graduate, author, andretired Navy lieutenant commander — mentioned in his speech some highlighted areas of his book “Submariner,” which was inspired by his true story.
Beckerman is also a Hamlet High School graduate, author and musician. His books were also inspired by his own true-life tragedy. During his speech, he spoke on his upcoming fourth book as well as a TV series soon to come out.
Hamlet High teachers Celia Altman and Roberta W. Butler were also in attendance; each were presented with a special gift.
Ethridge spoke of another teacher who had passed away.
“John Fowler was my band director when I attended fifth grade at Fayetteville School in Hamlet; he taught me to play the cornet in which I learned to play ‘Mary had a Little Lamb,’ Ethridge said. “When I attended Hamlet High, he was again my band teacher. He passed away a few years ago, and I was asked to speak at his funeral. After speaking I played ‘Mary had a Little Lamb’ in his memory.”
Several members of the Richmond County Photography Group — Sally Strickland, Mike Swanson, Adam Smith and Reggie Cason — volunteered their time to photograph the special event.
“I want to thank the ARCPG for donating their time and talents to keep memories alive; it really meant a lot to us,” said Ethridge. “We had a good time with people coming together.”
Classmates enjoyed their time together as they reminisced on days of old. The next Hamlet High School reunion will be May 10, 2025.
For more information on the reunion, contact Ethridge at 910-995-0348 or view the Facebook page, Hamlet (NC) High School.
Note: Gallery added at 11:07 a.m. 5-30-24.
