Jackson holds alumni reunion for classes of 1926 to 1949

Two hundred and twenty registered for the recent Jackson High School Alumni class reunion of 1926 to 1949 Jackson High School graduates. Classes from 1950 to 1956 were also welcome to attend. Meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jackson, the group gathered for what may be the last alumni reunion for the early graduates of Jackson High School.

The Jackson alumni of 1926 to 1949 voted to leave seed money for a volunteer committee to continue a reunion. If that committee does not develop, the money left will be donated equally to the Jackson R-2 Foundation Fund and the established Jackson Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Retired principal Jim Nelson purchased the last of the picture postcards of Jackson High School sold by Jones Drug Store in Jackson, and eight were framed and given away as prizes to alumni during the reunion. Bychra Allen Stevenson, recognized for being from the earliest graduating class, was given one. Delos Seabaugh, representing the class of 1927, was also given one.

Robert Henderson, of the class of 1944, received a clear glass mug from the 50th reunion of his class held in 1994. Altogether, 14 prizes were donated by Joe Thompson to the alumni reunion in memory of his parents, Alice and Bill Thompson.

According to correspondence dated December 1933, the alumni reunions began in 1928 and were held annually. It is unknown when they began holding them every three years instead.

Traveling the farthest distance, 2,163 miles, was Doris Blackman Fell of Millbrae, Calif. She is a Jackson High School class of 1946 graduate. Henderson, of Fair Oaks, Calif., was right behind her, traveling 2,050 miles.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133