CLINTON —
With Clinton’s Little Italy Festival in full swing this weekend, it might not be surprising to see members of the Clinton High School class of 1955 buying lottery tickets bearing the lucky number 55.
That’s because Saturday marked the 55th-year class reunion of the Clinton High School Wildcats class of 1955, which, amazingly, had 55 boys and 55 girls.
“We said, ‘You can’t miss this reunion,” said Jack Fenoglio, one of the organizers of the special event, which took place at The Castle restaurant in Clinton. “The stars are all aligned.”
To mark the occasion, about 30 – more than 25 percent – of the 110 graduates of the class attended the reunion, some coming from many states away.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” said Donna DeMosse, who traveled from Plano, Texas, to be with her former classmates and friends.
Meanwhile, Franklin and Luella Griffith drove all the way from Elm Grove, La., to attend. “It took us about 12 hours” to make the trip, said Luella, who was a member of the Clinton High School class of 1960. Her husband, Franklin, was a member of the Clinton Wildcats class of 1955.
Clinton High School, which was open from 1921 until 1977, served students in grades nine to 12. The students came to the school from Clinton Junior High School in the town of Clinton as well as more rural Vermillion County elementary schools.
Large black and white pictures showing students from the rural schools were on display in the dinning room at the restaurant. Those photographs showed members of the class of ’55 as eighth-graders at Sacred Heart, Universal, Fairview, Crompton Hill, Central and Jacksonville elementary schools.
“All I can say is, it doesn’t seem possible” 55 years have passed since graduation, said Carol Kost Carey, who traveled to the reunion from her home in Missouri. “The class has gotten rowdier with age,” she said smiling and looking at the room full of her chatting classmates.
“Some of us have been together since the first grade,” said Lil Campbell of Clinton.
When the class of ’55 was in high school, downtown Clinton had many attractions that no longer exist, several people at the reunion said when asked whether their hometown had changed. The town used to have several shops, drug stores, movie theaters and other places for young people to spend time, they said.
“It was wonderful growing up in the ’50s,” said Rudy Theisz, now of North Terre Haute and an organizer of the reunion.
After enjoying drinks and a meal, the class of 1955 planned to release five gold and five black balloons into the air outside the restaurant. The balloons, in the school’s colors, were to represent the 28 members of the class who have passed away over the past 55 years.
The last time the Clinton High School class of 1955 met was in 2008. Many of those at Saturday night’s reunion said they have attended nearly all of the reunions since the first one in 1965.
“It’s a lot of fun and we stay in touch,” said Curt Barcus, another member of the class of 1955 and one of those still living in the area who get together socially about once each month. “It’s like family,” he said.
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
News
Related Photos
-
Right there: Mel Curry points to his image as a student at Crompton Hill Elementary years ago. With his is his wife Lillian. They were attending Mel's 55 year reunion for the Clinton class of 55.
-
Waiting on the rest: Pamphlets for the 55 year reunion of the Clinton Class of 1955 wait on the class members to arrive for their dinner Saturday evening at The Castle on the north side of Clinton. Lil Campbell and Roseann Giordano wait in the background.
Discussion
Clinton high school class has unusual reunion
55th anniversary for class of 55 girls and 55 boys
- News
-
-
Valentine's Day a rosy business
Red roses, mixed bouquets and even a bonsai tree or two are being delivered today on perhaps the nation’s sweetest holiday.
-
Downtown gets Wi-Fi ‘hotspot’
Frontier Communications has reached an agreement with city officials to create a Wi-Fi “hotspot” covering much of downtown Terre Haute.
-
Board OKs $5.4M in work at schools
The Vigo County School Board has approved borrowing $5.4 million for an expansion of DeVaney Elementary School and energy-related projects at 15 other schools.
-
Stella’s Cafe downtown plans to close March 2
Not long after changing its name from Bit of Britain Tea Room to Stella’s Cafe, a downtown restaurant has announced plans to close its doors.
-
Bill would ease college credit transfers
Indiana college students worried about whether their credit hours will transfer to another university may get some relief if a proposed higher-education bill passes.
-
Court alters trial date for man accused in 1979 death case
A trial date has changed for a Riley man accused of a 1979 homicide.
-
Shift to online raises school cost concerns
Legislation that would require high school students in Indiana to take at least one online course is meeting resistance from some school administrators who say they can’t afford any more mandates from the state.
-
Cops nab man after squad car struck
A West Terre Haute man was arrested Monday after a police pursuit that began after his vehicle collided with a Terre Haute police car.
-
Victim unhurt when robbed by gunman
Terre Haute police were searching late Monday night for a suspect accused of using a gun to rob another person at about 7 p.m.
-
Man face gun charge after woman shot in leg
A Terre Haute man faces a misdemeanor firearms charge following an accidental shooting during the weekend.
-
Martinsville hoops coach accused of indecency
A top Indiana boys’ basketball coach faces a misdemeanor public indecency charge after Indianapolis police say an officer found him in “a state of nudity” in his car in the company of a teenage girl.
-
Packing the hall
If you didn’t come early, the seats were hard to find.
-
Alternative-fuel project has Rose, ISU students all charged up
The future of Earth’s auto industry is intertwined with the career prospects of local university students, and a world-class team shined with green energy Sunday.
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Slow drips: It’s maple syrup season in Indiana
More seasonal, colder temperatures will hit the Wabash Valley this weekend, which is ideal weather for maple syrup production, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
However, Ruble voices concern that this year’s maple syrup season may be short.
-
Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
- More News Headlines
-
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Obama's New Budget: The Winners and Losers
Spy on the Wall: Video Conferencing at Risk
Gregoire: Marriage Equality Is Right for Wash.
Raw Video: Duchess Kate Visits Liverpool
Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
Kim K. Wet, Wild and Natural
Ultimate Tazer Ball is a Shocking New Sport
Shakira Attacked By Sea Lion
Modern day treasure hunter searching for $3 billion prize
What Happened Inside Whitney's Hotel Room?
Saying 'I Love You' With a Sewage Plant Tour
VS Models Wow for V-Day
Olympic Swimmer Proposes on Podium After Big Win
Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial
Watch: Whitney Houston's Golden Hearse
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
Glee Pays Tribute to Whitney
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
