Editor's note: Union High School's Class of 1968 held its 40th class reunion on Oct. 25. Lizanne Rex Lutz was editor of the Hi-Life (UHS school newspaper) and also occasionally wrote for The Union Daily Times

Union High School Hi-Life

Special Edition 1968-2008

Lizann Rex Lutz, Hi-Life Co-Editor

Although we had to sneak a peek at the words, we sang the Alma Mater with strong and heartfelt voices. We gathered at ol' Foster Park, the scene of so many school dances, but it seemed smaller than our memories. Our dear spouses tagged along and dutifully tried to look interested. We came from as far away as Hollywood or as close by as the home fires of Union. Faces were so familiar, even though we had to look at name tags. We are the Class of 1968 and we are strong.

There may be an extra pound, a bit of a paunch, some gray hair, a bit o' bald. The laugh lines (no sad lines) are there and so are the great and remembered personalities. In the good old days the girls wore plaid skirts, blouses with Peter Pan collars, Villager sweaters, circle pins. The boys wore cuffed slacks, no sideburns, and buttoned-down shirts. Most of us wore Bass Weejuns. Today, we are still casual and comfy, maybe a tie here and there.

We had to be strong since in those days we had to type our papers and had to use carbon paper, woe to us if we made a mistake. Finding a long piece of chalk made a good day, and we continually shuttled notes, attendance records and other needs to the office. We've known each other probably since kindergarten or at least from church, or the Scouts, or piano lessons. We ate at Heart's Drive-In before the words fast food were invented. (At the McDonald's then in Spartanburg, the burger was a dried-out mystery meat on a cold bun and a pickle - or was that the cafeteria?)

Our football team had a super season, our basketball teams, boys and girls were tip top, golf was in there, too. (Who ever heard of lacrosse and soccer?) The Gleam won awards and the Hi-Life gave us all the news, written by a great group of co-editors and staff writers.

Our teachers and coaches were the best, especially in their dedication to young people. They expected us to do our best and brought out the best in us. Mrs. Holcombe was Hi-Life Adviser, Miss Lybrand knew her English and Coach Dunlap built an excellent, winning team. These three dutifully all said they remembered us.

We came from good stock. Our parents were hard working - maybe in the mills, maybe on Main Street. We knew if we screwed up at school, we'd catch it at home. In the neighborhood there was always a pick up football game at somebody's flat back yard. We'd cultivate friends who had cars; our dates were at Duncan Theatre.

We were strong, good looking and original. After all, we saw the original episodes of “Star Trek,” “Batman,” “Get Smart” and “007.”

The Motown sound was popular, but, oh, those Beatles! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

We were real. During our high school years, the conflict in Viet Nam kept building, escalating. The draft board notices arrived in the mail. The pressure to get good grades for the boys was always there. The opportunity to go to college was paramount. Some of us heeded the notices or joined up after graduation and dearly paid the price. They were simply the best we had and they always will be.

We were movers and shakers then and it's still so now. In those days, some of us were wall flowers during those dances watching the in crowd out on the floor. Many knew from graduation day the path to take; others preferred the zig-zag route. Today, we are teachers, administrators, writers, public servants, protectors of children, business owners, farmers, attorneys, and physicians. Many of us quietly make a difference in our communities, and others shake up the muddle and make things happen.

We are now caring for those once hard working parents, hoping we are making good choices so their lives now are comfortable and worry free. Each of us has the very best grandchildren or we are still encouraging teenagers at home. We are all contributing to make our world a better place for our children and grandchildren, and a safe place for our parents.

As reunions go, the 40th was outstanding, filled with hugs and silly memories. (Yes, I still remember standing in the corner in the first grade.)

Perhaps in those ensuing years, there's been some heartache, some illness and some sadness. We did not dwell on these. We did amaze ourselves for being up so late on Saturday. (It's probably the first time we've been up ‘til 11:30 since 1968!) We concentrated on the joy of rekindled friendships, the joy of sharing the good news of our families and careers and the joy of coming together at dear old Union High. Union High!

(Dedicated to Mrs. Holcombe, our REAL editor!) LizannLutz@comporium.net