Highlights of our 60th Reunion

 

Due to the infirmities of age, pandemic-related issues, unavoidable schedule conflicts, and other reasons that serve to underscore the fact that Life doesn’t stand still for any of us, a number of our Classmates who had already registered found it necessary to cancel. Some called to explain why they couldn’t make it; most wrote explanations. In each instance, I committed to providing a narrative of the events of the evening for the benefit of those who could not attend.

 

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The Lee Class of 1962 held its 60^th Reunion in the elegant environs of the Timuquana Country Club on the evening of May 14, 2022, as the guests of Charlene Boggs Hughes and her husband Victor of the Lee Class of 1953. The Grand Ballroom was elegantly decorated, with each table adorned with live floral arrangements in vases individually decorated by Valerie Robinson. Each place setting displayed the hand-lettered Place Cards of each classmate and guest, also crafted by Valerie.

 

After the Invocation, led by Joanne Griffin Caraway, Bill Robinson presented In Memoriam, a moving tribute to the 132 classmates who have passed away over the intervening 60 years. A hushed silence fell over the room as fond memories and quiet tears captured our hearts and minds.

 

Next, it was time for the traditional Recognition Awards, a role Bill Robinson relishes, and this evening was no exception. Bill explained that, upon inquiry about the amount budgeted for the Recognition Awards, he was told "fifty cents." Accordingly, each recipient was recognized with an uncirculated 1962-D Half-Dollar 90% silver coin valued at $25-$40 each, donated from Bill’s personal collection.

 

Farthest Distance Traveled - Merle Draper Wilcox

Longest Married - Gail Rogers Carter

Most Children - Charles Ulery

Most Grandchildren - Shirley Register Rountree

Most Great Grandchildren - Sheila Mack Donald

 

Among the highlights of the evening, “Pretty in Pink," an original oil on canvas 16"x20” by Mike Hoyt was won by Judy Reeves Sandefer.

 

Congratulations to Chip Abernathy who came away the winner of the $100 cash prize. ($100 in 1962 would have been equivalent to $929 in 2022 dollars!) On the heels of the main event, two more rounds were prepared in the event of a tie. Since there was no tie, the first and second rounds were held anyway and prizes were awarded to Charlene Boggs Hughes and Vic (LHC Class of ’53) and Joanne Griffin Caraway and Jim, respectively. All pictures and prizes can be seen on the Class of ’62 website.

The Suzanne Chandler Ferguson Award was presented to Mike Keesee, the only qualified recipient. According the the letter from Su which accompanied the award, "While going through old jewelry boxes, I found Mike's Lee High School 'gold' football (enclosed) that he gave me our senior year. We went our separate ways after graduation, but I still had it after all these years, and I would like for you to reunite Mike with his football."

Hoots, howls, and applause, especially from his former Lee Generals teammates, accompanied Mike as he returned to his table, the beads of persperation that Seale thought he saw on Mike's furrowed brow having evaporated! (Other excerpts from Su's letter are posted on our Lee High Shop page.)

 

Mike Seale then individually recognized a special group of 'young ladies' whom he called 'behind-the-scenes leaders' who have quietly gone about the business or organizing our reunions over they years: "everything from venues to menus; from audio to video," as he described it, calling them to the front of the Grand Ballroom to be honored and to have a group picture taken. Self-described as the "Lee Lunch Bunch," their motto is "We Get It Done!" Beautifully engraved crystal paperweights bearing their respective names were presented to Angel Thompson Le Maistre, Carolyn Platt von Hermann (in absentia), Charlene Boggs Hughes, Claudia Hart Mally, Joanne Griffin Caraway, Susie Peters Marshall, Catherine Sears Towers, Una Howell Pardue, Dee Ramsay Burnett, Sheila Mack Donald, Polly Sapp Cleveland, and Margaret DeHoff Stanley (in absentia).

 

Perhaps the luckiest guy in the room was Bill Schmidt who was presented a "You Make A Difference Award" in recognition not only of his Mascot designation by the ladies of the Lee Lunch Bunch, but also for his service as a senior class officer. Bill was also declared "Emcee Emeritus" for the multiple times he’s led our class reunion programs.

 

Mike Hoyt was presented a "You Make A Difference Award" in recognition of his development of the concept of the Lee High Shop on our Class of ’62 website; for his innumerable contributions—more than anyone else—of commentary on subjects ranging from the passing of a classmate, to patriotic observances, to self-effacing old-age humor and countless subjects in between. For making all of us richer for the unselfish gift of his insights, he was declared "Wit & Wisdom of the Sages."

The next presentation was for "Support of Higher Education" and was presented by the Honorable John Thrasher, who is recognized nationally as a leader and innovator in the field of higher education as immediate past-president of Florida State University, and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. John was invited by Mike Seale to present the "Above & Beyond Award" to Jean Moore Thrasher, his wife, "for her untiring support of President John Thrasher during his seven-year tenure; her support of the FSU student body; and for her support of the entire Seminole nation."

 

The beautiful floral decorations and vases adorning the room were a labor of devotion of One Person who unselfishly bestowed upon our class what could only be described as "Works of Art." This same person hand-crafted the keepsake Name Cards at each place setting. In recognition of her voluntary efforts, The Lee Generals Class of 1962 Appreciation Award was presented to Valerie Robinson with words of praise summed up in the statement, "Beauty, Style and Grace Follow in Her Wake."

 

The final "You Make A Difference Award" was presented to Bill Robinson, a Master Organizer who:

• Creates order out of chaos
• Creates perfection out of the ordinary
• Is never too busy to lend a helping hand—whenever needed
• Produced the In Memoriam videos and the Guess Who in ’22? slides

Upon conclusion of the Recognition and Service Awards presentations, Mike Seale presented Katharine Stephens Slemenda to introduce the night’s Keynote Speaker. In doing so, he noted Katharine’s exemplary service when the Governor of South Carolina awarded her the "Highest Civilian Honor for Volunteer and Community Service for setting a standard of excellence, second to none, in the field of Deaf Education."

 

Ann Wilson Cramer, Reunion Co-Chair and featured Keynote Speaker of the evening, held the rapt attention of everyone in the Grand Ballroom, even including the servers. There’s no better way to characterize Ann’s comments than to quote these words of praise from one observer:

 

Your keynote speech was so thoughtful and inspirational.  You touched the hearts and souls of all the attendees and also captured the attention of the serving staff. Our young female bartender was moved to tears and one of the servers, a former teacher, said it was the most meaningful speech she’d ever heard.

 

Ann and Kathatine graciously provided a condensed version of their speeches, which are posted below for the benefit of all.

 

At the conclusion of a resounding ovation, Mike Seale presented his Co-Chair with the Keynote Speaker’s Award, "Commemorating her leadership role as the 60^th Reunion of the Lee High School Generals Class of 1962 Keynote Speaker & Co-Chair and in recognition of her tireless contributions over most of the past 60 years to worthy civic and charitable enterprises."

 

Whereupon, Mike Seale bid farewell to all urging them: 

 

Do not count the Years; count the Memories!

 

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 Introduction of
Ann Wilson Cramer
 Keynote Speaker
by Katharine Stephens Slemenda

Lee High School Class of 1962
60^th Reunion – Saturday, May 14, 2022
Jacksonville, Florida
 

 

 

Isn’t it amazing that tonight it has taken only a very short amount of time to visit with each other to see how change has dramatically affected our lives over the past 60 years?

 

Tonight, our keynote speaker will engage us in thought-provoking ways to look at change in our lives as she addresses her topic: “What’s Next: As Seen Thru the Rear-View Mirror?” 

 

Who better to stand up here tonight than one of our own?

• She was the one the Senior Girls voted as “Miss Ideal.”
• She was the one we chose to be pictured as an Outstanding Graduate in our yearbook. Under her picture reads, “One with such versatility may be assured of continued success in the future.” 
• She was the one selected to be our head cheerleader.
• She was the one who constantly had and still has that effervescent smile.

 

Obviously, we all recognized what an outstanding leader looked like 60 years ago. 
 

And, we probably could have predicted that our speaker tonight would go on to amass an incredible list of credentials and prestigious awards, and that her community leadership and service would be exemplary.

 

But her impressive record of lifetime accomplishments is not what has motivated her. We’ll let her tell us why.

 

Yes, she was the one who made a difference in 1962—and continues to—because her mantra has always been to make a difference.

 

And tonight, she is the one who will offer us a challenge to look forward

 through our own rearview mirrors.

 

Please join me in welcoming Ann Wilson Cramer.

 

 

“What’s Next? As Seen Thru the Rear-View Mirror”
Lee High School Class of 1962
60^th Reunion – Saturday, May 14, 2022
Jacksonville, Florida

 
MANY, many thanks, dearest Katharine!!! YOU are my she-ro!!! For sure, where would I be without you!?!?! 
 
What a joy to be with you– our wonderful Lee High School – Class of 1962! Go, Generals!!! Go, Riverside High School!!
 
Those who fueled me, nourished me, nurtured me – over time!! The energy bar – power bar!
We are all entering a powerful journey – an opportunity forever!!  The power of You!! 
You are the power!! You have the power!! 
 
And then the question “What’s Next?”  Especially at a 60^th high school reunion, what could be next?? But I am here to tell you that there is always a “NEXT” – especially as we look thru the rearview mirror!! 
 
“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards” ~ Soren Kierkegaard
 
Today a simple thought around living life.
Learn from the past, analyze it, study it all you will so you can learn more about yourself, others, your business, your leadership.
When it comes to the future, however, trust yourself.
 
 
So let’s 

1. think back to those visions and expectancies – and those “what’s next? questions” from 1962 – 
2. then review the reality; real world, rearview mirror  of these past 60 years looking thru the rearview mirror – decisions we made and choices/chances we took 

3. And then be charged and challenged about the “what’s next” for tomorrow and the next day – and day after that!!! 

 
First – the visions and expectancies of our “what next” world of 1962!! 
 
One of my favorite theorists is V.H. Vroom – from Yale – who developed the Expectancy Theory: 
 
Expectancy - the chance that the effort will positively influence performance of others;
 
Now – close your eyes and consider your Expectancy – How did you want to spend the rest of your life in 1962??
 
What is the power that you wanted to bring - to your community, your family – your career??
 
YOU had a vision for You – and the result of your doing your job creates not just a vision or dream – but literal pathway to success!! 
 
I have a vision – that we can provide a climate in which all children – all children – EVERY child – will be safe, healthy, educated, connected, and employable and will be able to grow into his/her own full potential as interdependent contributing people!! 
 
What was your expectancy? Your vision?  What fueled your power source??
 
Then Reality set in – decisions made; milestones occurred over the decades – that further explored the “what next?” question!!! 
 
Over the decades – the following events shaped us – and provided a path that determined the “what next”
 
 
Threads of Life:  Personal, Professional and Make a Difference/Philanthropic - parallel, tangential, colliding
syzygy - an alignment of three celestial objects, as the sun, the earth, and either the moon or a planet!! A concept in the philosophy of Vladimir Solovyov to denote 'close union'!!
epitomizes the alignment of opposites – literally polar opposites to bring a majestic – celestial – good to our world!! He brings those differences together in a line moving forward toward a mission!! And then as only YOU can do – you can bring that line into a circle – of trusted friends holding hands with respect who achieved results!! WOW!! 
 
But one word is LOVE!!!
 
Decades:
 
60’s – highs and lows: the Beatles arrive -President Kennedy and Dr. King are shot – our innocence is shattered!! Civil Rights and Voting Rights enacted – Viet Nam war raging and men on the moon – college graduation -Life “begins" – What next???? Hope lives!!
 
70’s – Nixon impeached; Georgia peanut farmer is elected President; careers in gear; families growing - ); Sadat and Begin sign Camp David Accord, ending 30-year conflict between Egypt and Israel (Sept. 17). Peace in the world -What Next?
 
80’s
 
90’s   1996 Olympics
 
00’s   Y2K
 
10’s
As you think of the past – thru that rearview mirror – remember those milestones – paths you took – decisions you made – threading your personal, professional and civic life together – always considering “what’s next?”
 
Now – here is the Charge and the Challenge
 
What can you do? What’s Next? – Class of 1962 – What’s Next?
 
Well – You undergird your Vision with Values;            
 
Gandhi’s word rings true!!! 
 
“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”
― Gandhi
 
It is not where you sit – but on what you stand!!!
 
My current Mantra that abides in me every day:  
 
Hope lives!! Love always wins! Justice prevails!!! Face forward in faith!!! Persist with grace!!!!! Respect the dignity of every human being!!!! Ever onward in gratitude ..... and patience!!! 
 
Think how you show up!!! 
 
The courage to sit at the head of the table taught me that a lead position is a responsibility which requires bold actions AND “to do less than that is to abdicate . . . (our) civic responsibility.” 
 
Leading from a place of positivity!! Not from a place of busy-ness and anxiousness but from a foundation of service!!! Serving is a gift!!  A JOY!!
 
It is not where you sit – it is on what you stand!!! 
 

• Synergy, Serendipity, syzygy

 

• ikigai

 
Synergy: the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.
 
Serendipity: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. 
 
 
My hope is that you will use your rearview mirror to think about “what’s next?”!! to live life better and longer – to find your iki gai!!
 
iki gai - ikigai - a way to live life better and longer: is thought to combine the Japanese words Ikiru, meaning “to live,” and kai, meaning “the realization of what one hopes for.” Together these definitions create the concept of “a reason to live” or the idea of having a purpose in life. 
Four key questions start us down the path toward the state of ikigai:
• What do you love?
• What are you good at?
• What does the world need from you?
• What can you get paid for?
Passion + mission + vocation + profession = “Ikigai" = YOU!!
PASSION PURPOSE PROFESSION PERSONAL PHILANTHROPY
 
What’s Next???
 
1)   Now let me tell you my favorite story of a very wise woman – much like you – and your family, faculty and friends – it is an African story: 
There was a wise woman who lived in a small village in Africa. She was considered to be the wisest person in the village!! Also in the village were some young boys, who doubted that the old woman could be that wise. 
So, the boys devised a plan, which would refute her wisdom and they could then trumpet to the village that they had tricked the woman and that she was not so wise after all!!
The boys were going to catch a baby hawk in their hands
and play a trick on the old woman.
The boys said to themselves: “I’m going to go up
to that old woman and ask her if the bird in my
hand is dead or alive. If the woman says the 
bird is alive, I will crush it, open my hands and
say ‘ahh, the bird is dead.’ If the woman says the
bird is dead, I will open my hands and let it fly 
away.” The boys go up to the old woman and say,
“Ma’am, we have a bird in our hands. 
Is this bird dead or alive?”
The old woman looks at the boys’ hands for a moment
and then slowly raises her eyes.
She says lovingly, “the fate of the bird is in your hands.” 
With that the boys bring forward their hands – open them up and let the bird fly away – and they are left with their hands, their heads and their hearts!

Just like YOU!!
 
What’s Next, Lee High School Class of 1962?

What’s Next??

I am so grateful that future is in your hands!!! 


 

Who Came to 60th?

 

A wonderful anecdote from Mike Keesee:  

Another fun anecdote from John "Hank" Spencer!!!