Members of the Hope High School class of 1992 with faculty members they honored standing in the back row center. Photo by Tyrone Dodson.

The Hope High School graduating classes of 1972, 1980 and 1992 proved this past weekend, which was not coincidentally homecoming weekend at their old school, that class reunions are still viable even after social media seemed to make them obsolete.

Held at the home of Sherese and Robert Phillips in Hope, the Class of 1992 event Friday night was a good draw, according to Sherese Phillips. Each member of the class was encouraged to invite up to four other people but especially “mentors to them or their parents.”

Recently retired faculty member Henry Hale was guest speaker. He was one of four faculty members chosen by the class to be saluted, the others in attendance were Ira Love and Sam Bradford. Larry Muldrew was also chosen for the honor but could not attend. The class also paid tribute to five classmates who have passed away.

The food was catered by A Southern Taste and Sherese Phillips thanked Darlene Armstrong as “the Queen who worked her magic in the kitchen.”

The Class of 1980 also reunited in Hope, gathering at the Bobcats’ homecoming game Friday night and at The Farmhouse venue. The organizer Phillip Watkins said “It went great. We had about 100 Saturday night and around 50 at the game Friday night.”

Asked how he was able to achieve such a large turnout, Watkins said, “It is a very close class. Always has been.” Not only was he able to fill the venue, he drew classmates from as far away as Georgia from the east and California from the west.

Maybe it was the tunes. “We gave the DJ a playlist from 1979 and 1980,” he said.

The Class of 1972 reunion took place in several places, including the at the Country Club, with Rebekah Moore summarizing it: “We enjoyed a weekend filled with fun and activities.”

Indeed Moore, with the reunion planning committee for her class, created a full schedule, which she described for us today.  “Friday night football game and after-game get together at Hampton Inn and Suites. Saturday morning, tour of HHS with Principal Donald Patton serving as Tour Guide. The class then gathered for lunch at Tailgaters. On Saturday night at the Hope Country Club, we enjoyed dinner and a program followed by entertainment by the Buzz Andrews Band.”

Moore wanted to publicly thank the other Reunion Planning Committee members Kay McMahen, Steve Harris, Cindy Hollis, Bill Tolleson, David Butler, Steve Atchley, Paula Gunter, Susan Monroe, and Rodney Steele.

Phillips and Moore said members of other HHS classes attended their festivities.

• The 1992 Hope Bobcat football team. Photo by Tyrone Dodson

• Attendees of the 1992 Hope High Class Reunion partake of the meal catered by A Southern Taste. Photo by Tyrone Dodson.

• Retired HHC faculty member Henry Hale speaks after being honored at the 1992 reunion. Photo by Tyrone Dodson.

• Retired HHS faculty member Henry Hale receives his honor at the 1992 HHS Class Reunion. Photo by Tyrone Dodson.

• Retired HHS Faculty member and Assistant Superintendent Ira Love receives his honor at the HHS Class of 1992 Reunion. Photo by Tyrone Dodson.

• Dean of Students and Boys Basketball Coach Sam Bradford is honored at the HHS Class of 1992 Reunion. Photo by Tyrone Dodson.

• The Hope High Class of 1992 paid tribute to five departed classmates. Photo by Tyrone Dodson.

• The tribute table for departed classmates at the 1980 HHS Reunion event. Photo by Phillip Watkins.

• Daryl Holyfield leads cheers as a group of 1980 graduates began their reunion at Friday's homecoming game in Hammons Stadium. Photo by Phillip Watkins.

• The Hope High class of 1980 attending the Hope Bobcats Homecoming game. Photo by Phillip Watkins.

• Photo by Phillip Watkins.

• Photo by Phillip Watkins
  

• Photo by Phillip Watkins.

• The tables were set at the Country Club for the HHS Class of 1972 reunion. Photo by Rebekah Moore.

• Attendees at the Class of 1972 reunion, Photo by Rebekah Moore.

• Photo from the Class of 1972 reunion. Photo by Rebekah Walker.

• Photo from the Class of 1972 Reunion. Photo by Rebekah Moore.

• The band performing at the Class of 1972 reunion was the Buzz Andrews Band. Photo by Rebekah Moore.

• Members of HHS Class of 1972 take to the floor. Photo by Rebekah Moore.

• Photos from the Class of 1972 reunion up to this point were by Rebekah Moore.

• The approach to the Country Club on the day of the HHS Class of 1972 reunion. Photo by Paula McClellan Gunter.

• Those taking the tour of Hope High School from the Class of 1972. Photo by Paula McClellan Gunter.