Fall seems to kindle the urge to go back to school, or at least reconnect with old high school pals, and Grand Junction High School’s class of 1961 will be out in force, hopes reunion organizer Paula Marasco White.

“We had a great turnout for the 50th reunion,” White said, “but as we get older it gets harder to travel, and many of our classmates have passed on. Still, we’d like to see as many return for the 55th as possible, which will take place at the end of September.”

White has attended every reunion and said each year is more enjoyable. She and a group of local classmates meet monthly at various restaurants, giving her and the others a chance to get to know people she may have known during high school only in passing. The class was large, with 400-plus members, so she tended to know some quite well, recognize more and not know many at all. Getting together now has allowed her to make a whole group of “new” friends.

Dave Hoyt is one of those friends who meets with his classmates monthly. He has also attended every high school reunion.

“I didn’t participate in sports or anything,” he said. “My goal was to graduate and go to work.”

Therefore, the high school reunions have helped him reconnect and visit with people he went to school with.

Mary Ann West Doyle’s mother taught at GJHS and her grandson graduated as a Tiger, so attending the school is a family tradition. Doyle mostly remembers the closeness and fun she shared with classmates. She went on to work as an office manager for a construction company for many years, yet she still pursues art, an interest that was sparked in high school when she was a member of the art club. She also belonged to National Honor Society.

Rawlene Laurent Bainter also looks forward to the reunion. She remembers how much spirit the class and the school had, especially for all the sports events, which were always standing room only. In those days girls were not allowed to wear pants, not even when on out-of-town trips for school.

However, “I remember Marion Jacobs, the orchestra and band director saying that they would bend the rules and let the girls wear long trousers on the bus for out-of-town trips ONLY if we wore girdles under our trousers.”

Now there’s a memory that’s a blast from the past.

Bainter has spoken to many former classmates who have said, “Why should I go? I don’t have anything in common with the class and there were so many cliques.” Her advice to them: “We have all, including you, grown up and matured since then. Please come join us and enjoy the camaraderie.”

All reunion events will take place at the Bookcliff Country Club, just west of Horizon Drive on G Road. The informal mixer takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 30, and the more dressy Saturday buffet dinner also starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a dance. Cost for the mixer is $25 per person and the dinner is $50 per person.

Even though the deadline for registration has passed, White said they will try to make room if you call. For details, call White at 260-4140, Shirley Strnad Porter at 255-9416, or Rawlene Laurent Bainter at 243-0541.