by Connie Busigin Bean, Class of ’53 Secretary
What a grand time we all had that were able to attend this incredibly special reunion, our 70th! This reunion was planned and made possible by many. We still believe that in the “far flung west our school’s the BEST.” Our friendships are still strong and our times together these days are precious. Our dedicated class president, all these years, Jerry Chichester, has done a marvelous job keeping track of our 665 class members. Who wishes to be President for 70 years? Only our Jerry could have managed such a commitment. We all thank him for this devotion to our class as well as to Roosevelt High School.
We celebrated with three extraordinary events over 3 days giving opportunities to all to attend what was possible and what fit their lives. We started with a fun pizza party at Zeeks in Kenmore, on September 12, hosted by Terry Olson and attended by a fun group, including Marv Behar, Jim Getz, John Cunningham, Jerry Chichester, and a host of lovely 53 ladies.
Janet Dailey, school president- the first female school president in Roosevelt High School history.
On Wednesday, September 13 we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Inglewood Golf Club hosted by Beverly James Miller and assisted by Nancy Kracke Pinkerton, Terry Olson, and Jackie Godfrey Brotnov. Forty-one graduates attended this event including our school president 1952-53, first Roosevelt high school woman president, Janet Daily Law. She shared with us all her view of the times when we were students and made us all once again appreciate that we had the opportunity to attend this high school. Grand memories for sure for all of us who were there, to hear her voice of leadership. Thank you, Janet, once again for all you represented to each of us in those quite different days. I do not think one of us women who chose a career ever forgot what you modeled: loyalty, hard work, and a belief that Yes, I can do this.” Thank you from us all.
Thursday morning, September 14, we gathered at Third Place Books in Kenmore for more chatting, coffee, and lunch, hosted by Jane Hessian and Bob Pickering, Jackie Godfrey Brotnov and Connie Busigin Bean. Jackie shared a marvelous poem she wrote for the occasion, a talented and gifted friend to all. Jackie has also been a loyal member with our Joyce Hitt Burchart in keeping the Juliets, ladies chat alive twice a month all these years. Along with this active group is the men’s breakfasts each Monday morning, the Romeos led by Jerry Chichester. All class members are always welcome.
As we ended this remarkable time, shared old stories repeatedly, told new ones, mourned our lost classmate, yet still dreamed of what was still possible, we sang our school song together. We agreed we were so lucky to have been able to attend The Best in the West! A huge thank you to all who helped make this 70th reunion possible:
- Registration: Carolyn Anderson Richardson
- Music: Rowena Rosenquist, Joan Marston Burton
- Lost Research: Bob Reddick
- Webmaster: Ellen Brown Hewitt
- …and many others!
Once again, thank you to all and a special thank you to our school president, Janet Daily Law that led and inspired us many years ago and Jerry Chichester, our class president, who did the challenging work of keeping us all together.