Plains high school graduates celebrate 50th anniversary

Alumni from as far away as Texas will be making their way back to Plains as the Plains High School class of 1960 reconvenes for its 50-year reunion.  Festivities will begin on Sept. 18, and will continue through the 19th.

This year’s events are being organized by Kathy Miller, Dottie Benson, Caroline Pilgeram and Joye Pope, all of whom are members of the 1960 class, and are still living in Plains. 

The four came together to organize the event beginning in January, when they decided that the 50 year anniversary of their graduation wasn’t something they could go without recognizing.

“We all decided we needed to do something to celebrate this milestone,” Miller said.

To begin with, the group started using its networking connections to find as many classmates as possible. For Miller, this seemed like it would be the most difficult part of organizing this event. The process did not prove as challenging as she initially thought, though Miller jokingly attributes this to the small class size.

“It was easier than I anticipated,” Miller said, “but I’m just glad we didn’t have 150 graduates.”

21 members of the class will be attending the event, out of a graduating class of 32.

Five classmates will be unable to attend, and six are deceased.

Alumni will be coming from all over Montana, some from Oregon, a few from Arizona and at least one from as far away as Texas.

The first event will be a gathering of the classmates, as well as any friends or families who would like to visit, and will be held at the Fred Young Park in Plains. This will be a chance for those who are close to the classmates to come together and catch up, according to Miller.

“Anyone can come by,” Miller said.

A dinner will be held shortly thereafter at Quinn’s Tavern in Paradise. The dinner will be open to members of the 1960 class, and will be the first time in 25 years that the class will be together. According to Miller, members of the class didn’t necessarily feel the need to hold a reunion every five to 10 years.

“We’re not a class that’s big into reunions,” Miller said.

The following day will begin with breakfast at Benji’s in Plains and a picnic at the home of Caroline Pilgeram, both of which are reserved for members of the class. The reunion will come to a close on Sunday afternoon, and will conclude with a bike tour, which is intended to give alumni a chance to see the town. Classmates will also have the opportunity to play golf together.

So far, Miller has found the enthusiastic response of many to be the most rewarding. She is also looking forward to the class reuniting.

“I’m glad to have the chance to get together," Miller said.