Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WEST VALLEY CITY -- For many Utah residents, summertime is when high school friends reconnect during high school reunions. But one special reunion brought together several high school classes at the same time.
It was a combined reunion for the classes of 1959, '60 and '61 Saturday at Granger High School. Those three classes were the first to attend Granger when it opened 50 years ago.
But the old school is about to be demolished to give way to a brand new campus. So these three classes decided to give the old school a sendoff by having one final class reunion at their old school.
We were the ones who made the decisions on the school songs, the school colors, the mascot and all of the clubs that were formed that year.
–Connie Nelson
"We're having kind of a sock hop here tonight and enjoying music from the ‘50s," said Connie Nelson, class of 1961.
Connie Nelson, a former cheerleader, was one of several hundred Lancers who returned to the school to reminisce, have a few laughs and say goodbye to the school they remember so fondly.
"We were the ones who made the decisions on the school songs, the school colors, the mascot and all of the clubs that were formed that year," Nelson said.
When Granger High first opened, the student body was about 1,500. The campus was built in the middle of farmland, with no houses or busy street in the area.
"All of this property was barren. No trees were planted," said Granger's first Student Body President Ruben Gallagos. "In fact, some of our student body officers had to go out front and help plant the trees that are 30 feet high now."
Jeanene Orr Wynn recalls a lot of construction going on when the school first opened.
"I remember being in the gym and a construction worker fell through the ceiling," she said. "And some of our classrooms didn't have desks, we sat on the floor."
I remember being in the gym and a construction worker fell through the ceiling. And some of our classrooms didn't have desks, we sat on the floor.
–Jeanene Orr Wynn
A lot of stories were shared at the reunion as classmates were reconnected. And with old yearbook photos and a fashion statement of the era, many were taken back to their school days.
"We're alumni of that school, and to drive by back and forth for 52 years," Gallegos said. "All of the sudden to see it go, it's going to be very disheartening."
"We have a lot of memories here; a lot of friends," Wynn added.
Next to the old Granger High is being built the new school.
"They have to have progress and we understand that," Nelson said. "There will still be a Granger High School, but it won't be our Granger High School."
Those in attendance said all the students back then were very close and had tremendous pride. They sang the school alma mater at every game, standing while singing. And Saturday night, they did it again.
Email: kmccord@ksl.com
