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He left school in 1936 to join the Civilian Conservation Corps, in 1940 went to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority and then worked for the Army Corps of Engineers and later Boeing Aircraft. Although he has traveled all over the world, Jack still considers Cullowhee "God's Country."
Also traveling a great distance to attend the reunion was Gary Grantham, Class of 1986, who came from Santa Barbara, Calif.
While others ate lunch, Lorine Hamilton Franklin of Waynesville and Hettie Burrell McManus of Waxhaw, both Class of 1945, acted like school girls again, too excited to eat, as they table-hopped together to visit long-lost classmates.
Margie Hooper Hall and Ethel Hamilton Smith, both of Waynesville and Class of 1934, said they felt honored to still represent their class. "Ethel was the valedictorian, and I was the salutatorian," said Margie, hugging her friend of many years. "How many classes as old as ours are you going to still find the valedictorian and salutatorian?"
Also in the honored category was Thomas Picklesimer of Highlands, class of 1928, representing the oldest class. The Dills family, with siblings Doris Dills Beck, Frankie Dills Reynolds, Marie Dills Smith, Juanita Dills Greer, Alma Dills Shuford, Ray Dills and Claude Dills, had the most family members present.
The event helped raise over $2,425 for the Cullowhee High Scholarship Fund, according to Jesse Flake of Cullowhee, Class of 1948, and chairman of the scholarship committee. That brings the total to $14,800.
David Zachary of Brevard, Class of 1971, served as master of ceremonies. Organizers like Ella Mae Morris, chairman, said they were extremely pleased with the grand event. "All I saw were smiling faces and people having a great time," said Morris.
People like Linda Hughes Collins of Atlanta, Class of 1957, who had to leave the valley of black and gold for the red, white and blue of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.
Memory Lane
by Katherine Brown Wells
Class of 1937
Well, here we are after so many years
To share our love, our dreams, our fears,
Thankful to be survivors of classes long ago,
Still getting around even though we are slow.
Will you take a trip with me down memory lane
Recalling more of the good and less of the pain,
Remembering how great it felt with diploma in hand
Confident we'd succeed? Life truly was grand.
We were young, we were ready, we were going far.
Hadn't they taught us to hitch our dreams to a star?
What happened - I ask each of you - did your dreams come true?
If your years could be lived over, what else would you do?
How things have changed, some for better; some for worse,
Think of our school days - a blessing, not a curse.
Today's child is faced with problems we never had;
Police patrolling hallways, guns and drugs in lockersit's sad.
There were no computers - we used only chalk;
Very few cars-we all had to walk
Or boarding a bus we came
Hoping to succeed and preserve our family's good name.
Our teachers tried hard to give us their best;
It really was our fault if we failed the test.
Life at Cullowhee High was a privilege, you see;
Looking back on it now, how grateful we should be!
With no clear vision of the future, our lives were carefree.
In the years to come we had to grow up
Our attitude measures what life has served in the cup.
Would you say yours has been half empty or full to the brim?
We've all had happiness-and all times that were grim.
We are survivors - we have learned to endure,
Our presence here today proves one thing clear:
Cullowhee High was a place most dear.
Cullowhee High School timeline
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