Dixie High class of 1951 renews seven decades of friendship

ST. GEORGE — It’s often said high school friendships will be the first to dissipate in adulthood. The Dixie High School class of 1951 would beg to differ, coming together Saturday afternoon for its 65-year reunion.

Alumni from Dixie High School and Dixie State University pose for a class picture at the Stephen and Maria Wade Alumni House, St. George, Utah, Oct. 22, 2016 | Photo by Austin Peck, St. George News
Alumni from Dixie High School and Dixie State University pose for a class picture at the Stephen and Maria Wade Alumni House, St. George, Utah, Oct. 22, 2016 | Photo by Austin Peck, St. George News

For decades, the class has met in the Stephen and Maria Wade Alumni House at 684 East 500 South every five years to reunite with friends not forgotten. Graduates from Dixie State University class of 1953 also joined the occasion.

Organized by Alumni Chairperson Lu Fischer and Heber Jones, the event featured a professional class picture, dinner and a mix-and-mingle hosted at the lavish alumni house.

Approximately 30 guests, including significant others of the alumni, were present for the reunion. Many who could not make it in person sent their regards from afar in letter form.

“Our classmates in these last past few years, we’ve lost a number of them. So, we think it’s important to stay connected,” Fischer said.

“There’s probably only about half of us left,” DSU alumnus Mel Montgomery said.

Alumni from Dixie High School and Dixie State University mingle at the Stephen and Maria Wade Alumni House, St. George, Utah, Oct. 22, 2016 | Photo by Austin Peck, St. George News
Alumni from Dixie High School and Dixie State University mingle at the Stephen and Maria Wade Alumni House, St. George, Utah, Oct. 22, 2016 | Photo by Austin Peck, St. George News

He noted that old friends have been appearing in the obituaries with more frequency.

“I wondered who all those old people were here, but then I looked in the mirror, and I’m one of them,” Montgomery mused.

Montgomery worked as an engineer for 35 years and taught at a community college before retiring.

Many of the alumni said old age has not been an excuse to slow down.

One such alumnus, Howard Miles, said he regularly runs in the Huntsman Senior Games, including this year, placing high in races against nationally ranked athletes.

Miles holds a doctorate in physics and taught at Washington State University for 35 years.

The Stephen and Maria Wade Alumni House, St. George, Utah, Oct. 22, 2016 | Photo by Austin Peck, St. George News
The Stephen and Maria Wade Alumni House, St. George, Utah, Oct. 22, 2016 | Photo by Austin Peck, St. George News

“I really enjoy still being vertical,” he joked.

The event was planned for this weekend in part to participate in DSU’s homecoming weekend.

“Several of us of course are dyed and true Dixie State University Athletic Department supporters so we were at the football game this afternoon,” Fischer said.

In the 1950s, the upperclassmen from Dixie High School went to what was then Dixie Junior College for class. The high school class of 1951 and the college class of 1953 have regularly combined reunions as a result.

This reunion was a significant milestone for the class and may be its last. As the alumni age, Fischer said it would become more difficult to self-organize these events and said they would likely need help from a younger generation if a 70th reunion were to happen.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

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6 Comments

  • .... October 23, 2016 at 8:32 pm

    Look Dumbob a picture of a bunch of white people. I know that bothers you. get some help !

  • Bob October 23, 2016 at 10:09 pm

    when i see such a nice lil group of old ppl like this one thing comes to mind– medical episodes and kamakazees, lol

    • .... October 24, 2016 at 4:38 am

      That’s right Bob and your next !

      • Bob October 24, 2016 at 11:48 am

        lol 4:38am, dump? u need a job

  • ladybugavenger October 24, 2016 at 10:27 am

    I hated high school. Surprised I graduated with that attitude.

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