Hope High School class of 1954 celebrated their 65th reunion

By Stephanie Harris Smith, 10/22/19 1:42 PM

The Hope High School class of 1954 celebrated their 65th reunion at the Hope Country Country Club Saturday. Class spokesperson Mr. Don Ruggles said half of the class of 1954 are deceased but that “ the remaining classmates have successfully reunited every five years.

” We were fortunate to have great inspirational teachers at Hope High School and most of our classmates became very successful people,” Ruggles said just before the group sat down to their meal at the country club.

Ruggles said the group is made up of business owners, physicians, attorneys, nurses, pharmacists and even a few war heroes.

“ Benja Own was severely injured during his service and spent six months recuperating. Our class presented Major Own an award for his service in Vietnam.”

Ruggles said that they also presented Mr. Kirk James,of the class, a two star general, with an award for flying 180 combat missions in Vietnam.