GREENFIELD — Having gathered consistently since their initial five-year reunion in 1960, the remaining members of Greenfield High School’s Class of 1955 met at Terrazza on Friday to reminisce about memories from their teenage years and share details of their lives since getting their diplomas.
Marie Bete said she and her classmates have moved past feeling like they need to prove themselves to each other as they once did. Today, at 88 years old, that pressure is gone.
“People had the sense to tell you who they were, what they’ve accomplished, what they’ve done … Once we got older, that went out the window,” she said, reflecting on the early reunions. “I think that’s what made people more comfortable coming back, because they didn’t care whether you were mopping floors or fixing somebody’s heart as a surgeon; we were all friends.”
Bete, who left Greenfield for Indiana after graduation to pursue nursing, said the class of 180 people always met every few years, and that tradition has continued, despite losing 116 members of the class over the past seven decades. Today, only a handful of members remain and still make the effort to meet.
Members of the class shared fond memories of their time in high school, especially of the old Greenfield High School building on Federal Street that is now Greenfield Middle School. Joan (Scott) High said a party favor for guests at Friday’s reunion was a laminated bookmark featuring a recolored image of the old high school that was created from a black and white image, and a QR code that takes guests to the new school’s website.
“This is the only high school we knew. We never got to the new high school, and we’re all glad that this high school is still standing,” High said, expressing her appreciation.
While in high school, High recalled having fun as a twirler, while Bete reflected on her rigorous coursework and drama club performances.
This opportunity to still share memories and catch up was spearheaded by Joann (Wolfram) Feltrinelli, who could not make it to Friday’s reunion, High noted. This year, High took on the role as organizer and drove up from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
High said the Class of 1955 is unique because of Feltrinelli’s Greenfield pride, and her work to make sure the reunions have continued.
“She’s what’s kept us together. She always called everybody in the class … and a lot of us still call her on the phone in Indiana,” High said of her friend. “She’s a big part of our story.”