Saturday marked the Chaparrals Class of 1975’s 50-year reunion as marked by the Aubrey School Reunion Committee.
As graduating classes from the past continue to grow, with 23 back in ‘75, and 40 in next year’s class of ‘76, the committee has begun giving each class a spotlight as they reach their 50th year removed from high school.
“It’s been really good because we had no early idea what we’re supposed to do, so we’ve been meeting with the committee who helped walk us through it,” Nada Edwards Boerner said. “We’re going to talk about things that happened in 1975, what it was like back then, and call everyone up and everyone will get to talk about themselves.”
Boerner, Tom Jones and Joann Burrel Prince were chosen to represent the class during the event, though a dozen or so members were in attendance. Each shared a snapshot of what they’ve been doing for the last half-century after the representatives did their best to take the gathering back to ‘75 with some trivia on what life was like back in the day.
“It’s been great,” Boerne said. “We see each other on Facebook, but the big thing was, ‘Am I going to recognize them,’ one or two look different but for the most part everyone looks the same.”
The spotlighted class included Bebo, of Cathy and Bebo’s on U.S. 377, who Boerner explained has given the more local Chaps a gathering place outside of the year reunion.
“Bebo over there has a restaurant in Aubrey, so those of us that live in town see each other there all the time,” Boerner said. “It’s been great to see everyone again.”
For some, like Danny Spicer, Class of ‘76, making the reunion is no mean feat. Spicer trekked from Georgia to reconnect with the people he grew up alongside.
“I’m 975 miles away from them, don’t keep up like a should, and this was a good chance to come out and see them, plus I have family that lives two hours from here, so I’ll get to go see them on the same trip,” Spicer said. “This is my first year for the reunion since 24 years ago for the 25th, but I will be back.”
Melba Jones Robinson, president of the committee, gave some context, explaining the reason she and the rest of the committee work to put together the reunion every year.
“We came up during a time when everyone in Aubrey knew each other,” Robinson said. “We were all like brothers and sisters because everyone knew who everyone was. These folks are family.”
That family comes together each year not only to reminisce and reconnect, but to raise some money for their distant relatives, the students of Aubrey’s current graduating class through the Aubrey Education Foundation.
“Last year we had enough money that we gave a $2,000 scholarship to an Aubrey senior,” Robinson said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to support our students.”
