A senior class graduated from A.L. Brown High School fifty-six plus years ago in 1965. The paths that their lives took from that point forward were varied. Some stayed in Kannapolis and began work careers. Some went to trade school, community college, or four-year universities. Fifty years later a good number of them gathered together for the 50th Class Reunion in Kannapolis, which seems not that long ago.

After all those years there were a good number who had stayed in Kannapolis, but there were others who moved away to jobs and careers across the country and the world.

Some of that class had married another member of their graduating class, while others had not. That class was as varied as any group of people are. It was interesting to look over the names in that senior yearbook to not only see the large number who still lived in the area, but also to see the diverse locations where a large number lived, both inside and outside of North Carolina.

The memories that the members of that graduating class have surely are also varied. Some have not thought of those high school days very much in fifty-six years. Others have both fond, and still vivid, memories of the friends that they had during their high school years. Some of those who have vivid memories have, for many years, longed to make contact with their friends. Some may have attempted to find their high school friend only to discover that they had died soon after the 50th Reunion roster was published. Others may have thought about contacting their friend, but thought that after all these years it would not be the right thing to do. Both of them had their own life path, their own family, and it would be just an exercise in reliving a long memory, rather than communicating with that friend like they were still students at A.L. Brown.

After fifty years it was also sobering to see the large number of that class who were no longer in this physical life. While some may know how and when those members were lost to that graduating class, there are others who have no idea. They can only see the names, remember the individual, and have sympathy for their families.

The story of that graduating class is a story that is ovet fifty-six years old. Also, the individual stories of each of those people will be known only to each person and their loved ones who have known them for most, if not all, of those years since 1965.

There may be no more reunions, but things do change. In any event, to the A.L. Brown High School Class of 1965 we can only say, “Congratulations on your lives and may the coming years to those still living be filled with peace and joy.”