LHHS Seniors 2013 return to Merriman Park Elementary
Funny thing. At 12, you can’t wait to “graduate” from elementary school and burst out those doors into the big, grownup world for good. At 18, the first thing you want to do when you graduate from high school is go back and visit all your elementary teachers.
Graduating seniors have a tradition in Lake Highlands of returning to their elementary schools for a celebratory breakfast and reunion. Though many of the students have splintered off over the years into organizations reflecting their interests and activities, the breakfasts tend to spark memories of friendships past and the bonds feel strong as ever.
“It was wonderful seeing my elementary teachers and faculty,” remembered Dani Austin, who recently attended her White Rock Elementary reunion. “Some of the students had changed so much since we graduated from 6th grade that some of the teachers didn’t even recognize them.”
“My favorite recess activity back then was playing Four Square,” recalled Laura Hedrick, who went to Moss Haven. “My favorite teachers were Mrs. Lesher and Mrs. Winkler during 5th and 6th grade, and they are still teaching together.”
“Elementary school taught me a lot about how to deal with many different age groups, whether kids were older or younger than me, or talking to adults,” said Alex Irion, also a MHE grad. “The biggest thing I remember was taking on a lot of responsibility. I had to start keeping track of my books and make sure my homework was getting done.”
Either the White Rock Elementary library has shrunk, or we’ve grown!
Alex admits he once got sent to the principal’s office for cheating on a test. (“I’ll never do that again!” he told me.) He’s been back since, by invitation. The principal wanted to wish him good luck in a national gymnastics competition.
His best memory of the old days? Sixth grade Field Day.
“I remember we beat the girls in a boy vs. girl obstacle course, then, afterwards, we all had a big shaving cream fight.”
“We all had a great time reminiscing about the good times,” said Dani. “The reunion was successful, and our class had the biggest turnout WRE had ever seen. We got to watch a slideshow, take pictures, sing our school song on the announcements and catch up with our beloved teachers.”
