The Bristow High School Class of ’72 celebrated the 50th anniversary of their graduation with a reunion last Saturday evening, May 28, 2022 at the Bristow Country Club. Reunion attendees were welcomed, enjoyed a nice dinner prepared by some of the class members, played a trivia game of historical questions about Bristow and themselves, received awards for life accomplishments, and spent time socializing and taking photos throughout the evening.
Upon arrival, each graduate in attendance received welcome bags containing senior photo name tags, a 1972 year-in-review paper, lists of top ten movies, music, and television shows, and vintage candies. The fun vintage candy collections consisted of candy cigarettes, Chick-O-Stick sweets, Black Cow Chocolate Caramel Candy, wax lips, Nik-L-Nip Mini Drinks liquid filled wax bottles, Pixy Stix powdered candy straws, and Sugar Daddy treats. The planning committee also ordered T-shirts for the occasion.
Following the welcome, all attendees enjoyed a nice meal prepared by event organizers and volunteers. They also received class trivia questionnaires filled with historical questions about themselves and the community during their school years. Questions such as “What was the shape of the trashcans that sat on the school grounds?” (Answer: in the shape of Oklahoma) and “What teacher said, ‘Upsy-daisy on a grease rack?’” (Answer: Mrs. Foster) comprised the trivia game.
In addition to the fun trivia game, attendees also competed for amusing life accomplishment awards. Those receiving awards included: Patty Holderby Tate for having the oldest grandchild, Carol Williams Blosch for having the longest military service record, Linda Wesley McGuire for being married the longest, Debbie Chapman De-Jarnett for being the most recently wed, and Billy Booth for having lived in the most states.
Reunion attendees were also treated to live music provided by the Prairie Outlaws. Band members include Bob Abraham, Rick DeArmand, and Class of ’72 graduate Buddy Farris.
Master of Ceremonies Michael Chaney also served as initiator of the reunion. Upon realizing this year marks the 50th anniversary of their graduation, he promptly contacted Kaye James, and the two quickly put together a reunion planning committee of their fellow graduates. Planning committee members included Odell Alexander, Sherry Stepp Baker, Michael Chaney, Janet Campbell Hamel, Kaye Lane James, Marsha McMurtry Jones, Jennifer Brace McAboy, Pam Hancock McDonald, Debbie Bishop Morris, Georgia Lynch Smith, and Judy Stiner Siler.
In total, more than fifty people attended the reunion, including both graduates and guests. Class of ’72 graduates in attendance included Georgia Lynch Smith, Debbie Bishop Morris, Pam Hancock McDonald, Odell Alexander, Janet Campbell Hamel, Judy Stiner Siler, Jennifer Brace McAboy, Debbie Tibbs McClennen, Jim Bob Smith, Michael Chaney, Beverly Bruton Taylor, Mickey Washington, David Varner, Bobby Grant, Johnny Baker, Sherry Stepp Baker, Kaye Lane James, Althea Caldwell Chasteen, John Madden, William Booth, Linda Wesley McGuire, Carla Rodgers Weis, Sandra Lewis, Stanley Earnhardt, Linda Anderson Hobbs, Deborah Chapman DeJarnett, Buddy Farris, Beverly Towery Miller, Charles Kenneth De-Jear, Barbara Bracksieck Roberts, Patti Holderby Tate, Vivian Morton McDaniel, Nanette Kemp Wampler, Marsha McMurtry Jones, Connie McKay Bond, Carol Williams Blosch, Tommy Dale, and Carolyn Johnson.