Grad: ‘We bleed black and blue’
Sixty-seven years after occupying the classrooms and halls of Washington High School, Mary Lou McCann and Chuddy Butterfield remember the old stage, where students would perform plays for younger students who walked in from neighboring elementary schools.
McCann and Butterfield recall walking home for lunch every day and returning for afternoon classes.
“There was no cafeteria,” said Butterfield. “You had to go home.”
The friends, both 1950 graduates, returned to their alma mater Monday for the 150th anniversary celebration of the school’s first graduating class. Held in the parking lot of the junior/senior high school, the community celebration gave alumni an opportunity to reflect on their time as Prexies.
“We bleed black and blue,” said Barbie Jones, a 1987 graduate who now works as a teacher at the school. “We’re all about community, and it’s nice to see a lot of kids here. This is something special, and we’re thrilled with the turnout.”
Despite a downpour early during the event, the skies cleared, allowing for games and music.
“Almost all of the high school staff pitched in,” said teacher and senior class organizer Kelly Ryburn. “Despite the weather, this is a wonderful turnout.”
Richie Barnes, Jeff Devenney and Josh Barrette from the district took turns in the dunk tank, while children jumped in the bounce house and spun a wheel for prizes.
Almost 60 alumni checked in for the event, said Jones, who gave each a name tag with their graduation year and a Wash High pen and cup.
The school’s first graduation was held in May 1867, with five girls making up the initial class.
This year’s graduating class will be honored at 6:30 p.m. Thursday during commencement exercises, with guest speaker M. Belinda Tucker, a member of Wash High’s 100th graduating class and a professor at the University of California.