Memories stay golden for Harlem's class of 1950
Members of the Harlem High School class of 1950, Charles Cawley (from left) Ray Paschal , Gene Moore, Peggy Stilletto, Bill Crawford, Ralph Bullard, Billy Hogan and Frank Moore met for their reunion at Golden Corral on Bobby Jones Expressway Saturday.
Photo by Donnie FetterWhile high school seniors across Columbia County celebrated graduation day, a group of senior citizens celebrated theirs as well.
The Harlem High School class of 1950 held their 53rd class reunion at Golden Corral on Bobby Jones Expressway on Saturday - the same day other Columbia County high schools held graduation ceremonies at the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.
"We've been getting together every year since we had our 50th reunion," said Bill Crawford, a Harlem grad who now lives in the suburbs of Atlanta. "It's nice to see old friends from back then. Those were good days."
The 1950 graduating class of Harlem High consisted of 36 people. Some have died and others are in poor health, but many in good shape turned out to see their former classmates.
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Peggy Silletto, reunion organizer, made the trek from Florida to see old friends.
"Some of these guys are real characters," Silletto said. "I couldn't pass up the chance to see them."
Crawford said high-school life in 1950 usually revolved around school- or church-related activities. However, all the members of his class, except one, took a senior trip to Washington, where some hijinks ensued.
"We were taking the train and one of the teachers heard some students were drinking but couldn't find a bottle," Silletto said. "Last year, I won't say who, confessed they had hidden a bottle in the commode."