Maplewood High School

The Reunion was held for a night and a day, beginning at the Nashville Hilton Hotel in downtown Nashville on September 10, 2005.  It was a wonderful success, with an estimated 200 classmates and spouses in attendance for each of the two events.

The Reception

After finding the hotel and giving our vehicles to the parking valets, we enter the building and follow the signs leading to the reception.  Approaching the entrance to the large room where people are buzzing about, we are not sure this is the right place.  We peer into the room cautiously-not wanting to burst into some stranger's retirement party.  We look in the crowd and think we a recognize face, but we are not absolutely sure.  Then, a few feet away is another face that could once have been familiar.  Someone approaches...they give a hearty handshake... another comes up at the same time and gives a hug...we smile but are momentarily confused...are we finally among them again? Then...SWOOSH!!!  In a moment we time- travel back 35 years!

Former classmates were wandering around the room, bumping into people, looking down at their name and picture tag, then grinning, shaking hands, and hugging.   What a joy it was to see everyone!

Yes, we had all changed. We were not eighteen any more.  Yet the inner person was still there, and we recognized each other once we got used to everyone's new "look."  There was happy conversation, delicious food, and lots of smiles throughout the hall.  It was wonderful, it was sentimental, and the whole thing almost did not seem real.

After we'd visited a while and enjoyed the excellent food, the official welcome ceremony began.  Class of 1970 Officers David Campbell and Judy Meeks jointly addressed us first.  Then several others of our classmates came up to the microphone to make some remarks.  Then, adding greatly to our enjoyment, a few words were spoken by some of the following faculty and coaches from our days at Maplewood:

    Principal - Mr. Edward Adelman
    Coach Paul Burgess and daughter, Nicole
    Coach Billy Dorris
    Coach Phil Grammer
    Coach Clint Parnell
    Mrs. Danye Sue Phifer
    Dr. Kathryne Pugh
    Coach Bobby Woodall

It was such a pleasure seeing and hearing them again.  What terrific good sports they were to come be with us!

We soon learned there was another who wanted to come, but could not.   Mr. Adam Deberry had been feeling very poorly, yet he gave of himself to sit for an interview with Ken Haas, in which he reminisced on his days with the class of 1970.  Ken had made an audio recording of their talk, and the audience was moved as we heard once again the voice of our former Assistant Principle come out over a PA system-just like in the old days!  We missed him and wished he could have been with us that night.

Later in the evening there was more laughter and fun as we gathered together for the first group photo since we were teenagers.  We were like a rowdy group of wriggly preschoolers, but eventually the photographer got us settled down long enough to pose for some pictures.

Some of us then stayed late, talking of our lives, our families, and our days at Maplewood.  Eventually it became a concern we might be keeping other hotel guests from their sleep.  Finally at around midnight, the last of us left for a good night's sleep, in anticipation of more fun the following day.

The Picnic

It was a sunny Sunday when we gathered the next day at Moss Wright Park in Goodlettsville, where the camaraderie continued from the previous night.   Everyone enjoyed the grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and other tasty food.  The event was even more fun because the following former faculty and coaching staff came to be with us:

    Coach Billy Dorris
    Coach Paul Burgess
    Mrs. Danye Sue Phifer
    Mrs. Jane Vandercook
    Mr. Joe Wall

After the delicious meal, Sharon Wilee Vanford and her husband Kerry provided live music, as we sat under the large picnic shelter.  Some classmates had not gotten a chance to meet during the reception, so there were still new reunions happening for many of us that day.  Meanwhile children were playing and running about as we all enjoyed the happy afternoon together.  The weather was perfect, the park was beautiful, and it was a warm, wonderful time.

But the hours passed quickly.  Before we knew it, the shadows had visibly lengthened and it was nearing the time to say goodbye.  The crowd gradually dwindled to just a dozen or so, and then we few began loading up our vehicles and saying our farewells.  The 35th reunion of the Maplewood Class of 1970 was over.

After Thoughts

Thirty-five years is a long time.  Since our years together at Maplewood, so much has happened in the world.  For many of us our lives have been a mixture of good things, and not-so-good things.  In our joy at being reunited after so many years, we pause to note, sadly, that several of our former classmates no longer walk this earth.  We miss them, and it brings us sadness to think of them.

Our families and responsibilities, along with time itself, now make our high school days seem more like a dream than reality.  Yet that time long ago-when we were young and looking forward to whatever adventure lay ahead-has a wonder and beauty to it we can never truly forget.  The reunion helped rekindle and reaffirm that memory and that beauty, and what a good time it was!  We shall always treasure it.

Thank you to everyone who attended the reunion and made it so successful.

Most of all, our deep and heartfelt gratitude goes to those selfless, hard-working classmates who planned the reunion and made it happen.  May you be rewarded for your devotion to your Maplewood Class of 1970.