Porterville class of 1954 reunites

The last class to attend the original Porterville Union High School building before a severe earthquake led to its demolition reunited Saturday night for their 55th reunion dinner.

The dinner, held at Nuckols Ranch, featured a large cake modeled after the old building perched atop a table inside the dinner canopy.

The reunion dinner, attended by about 200 people, was the centerpiece to a celebratory weekend that included a Friday gathering and Sunday brunch.

“It’s always fun to see people you haven’t seen in a while,” Haskell Cowan said.

Cowan, a member of the graduating class of 1954, attended the reunion with his wife, Elizabeth.

He said name tags are a key part of any reunion activity.

“I’m trying to remember the people I haven’t seen in a long time,” he said.

Another ‘54 graduate, Marilyn Ferguson Scarborough, turned her reunion visit into a two week trip.

Scarborough, who flew from her home in Washington D.C. to celebrate her 55th reunion, used the extra time to visit some classmates unable to attend the reunion.

“We seem to be a group of people who stayed in touch through the years,” she said.

The group used the night’s party favors — a “yearbook” and a disposable camera — to add new memories from those of years gone by.

Among the pieces of memorabilia on display recalling the class’ graduating year was a blue letterman sweater belonging to Bob Zimmerman, the student body president.

“This is a treasure,” Ethel Quiram said.

Aliene Newby, in turn, brought her treasured 1954 yearbook, titled “El Granito” in remembrance of the imposing granite school building the class of 1954 remembers so fondly.

Scarborough said she enjoys attending each reunion because she “likes knowing what everyone did with their lives.”

She hears many positive answers at each reunion, she said.

“I think most of the people I’ve run into are pretty happy and interested in life,” she said.

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.