Fifty Years and Counting: The Joy of Lifelong Friendship

“The forty-fifth reunion was so much fun, I said I’ll host the next one,” Robin said. Fourteen classmates (almost half the original class) attended the dinner. Bush-inspired influences were present throughout the evening. Robin, a lifelong potter thanks to former Bush art teacher Chip Luce, made blue and white ceramic cups as party favors for all the guests. Chocolate-chip and sugar cookies that originally showed up in the Bush senior lounge with semi-regularity were dutifully re-created from their original recipes and shared at the reunion dinner as well. Robin also resurfaced a woodblock print of a cross-country skier given to her by classmate Barbara Hood in 1972. The decision to limit the dinner to alums only proved to be a good idea.

“Everyone kind of picked up where we left off. People were talking about class and adventures together, old teachers, and finding out what people had done,” Robin said. 

The next day, Renee Sidman ’73 held a potluck dinner for families and guests at her house on Bainbridge Island. 

“Everyone enjoyed being together and meeting the spouses that were there. The weather was great. It was very fun and relaxing,” Renee said. With the passing of time, “everybody has turned into the best version of themselves, which was really nice to see. It was fun to reconnect with old friends.”

The Class of 1973 has managed to meet consistently every five years since graduating from Bush. Their twentieth reunion was a blowout re-creation of senior prom, complete with formal wear and a big dance. Two classmates, Alden Garrett and Zimmie Caner, have largely been responsible for organizing the past reunions. 

“It’s a little bit like a family,” Alden said. “Some classmates I have known since I was five years old, and I have an unspoken relationship with them. We may not see each other regularly, but I kind of always know they’re there. I can be myself with them and I would be there if they needed anything.”

A small class of thirty-two, growing up together in a formative time in the country’s history amidst the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the women’s rights movement certainly played a role in the group’s closeness. During their junior year, Bush formally abandoned the school uniform, and in their senior year the school went co-ed with the addition of two boys in their class. Robin, Renee, and Alden all recalled the memorable faculty members, school plays, and experiences that shaped who they are today. This included a notorious class trip to San Francisco by bus their junior year, “the details of which shall remain secret with our class,” Renee said, laughing.  

“The school changed a whole lot while we were there,” Alden recalled. “It went from being strict in its approach to education and how you presented yourself to opening and encouraging people to explore their own potential. I came out of Bush feeling encouraged to pursue what I wanted to do.” Robin said, “it was a very specific time and place. We were together so much, and it was small and intimate. That intimacy stayed with us.” 

Overall, the weekend was a huge success. 

“I hope the Class of 1974 has as good a reunion as we did,” Renee said. “I highly encourage them to come back for it.”

by Colin Murray, Communications Manager