JHS Class of 1975 Takes a Trip Down Memory Lane at Reunion Tour

BY JANICE KWON ’27

The Beatles, Levi’s bootcut jeans, and hanging out on the heaters by the tennis courts were all core memories for Jericho High School’s class of 1975. On Friday, October 10, Jericho’s Class of 1975 revisited these moments on a trip down memory lane and a tour of Jericho High School for the first time in 50 years. 

The Class of ’75’s memories are both familiar and foreign to current Jericho students. A crucial memory that feels unfathomable to current high schoolers: the atmosphere surrounding the end of the Vietnam War. This was a time plagued with worry as students continued their daily lives amidst the looming fear of being drafted. Lee K. ’75 said, “I had a lot of cousins that were in the Vietnam War. Thank God they all came back. But a lot of people did not come back. I think we got draft numbers, but we never were ever called.”

Drafts weren’t the only concern of the era. Susan G. ’75 recollected, “We had a lot of bomb scares going on. We had to leave our classroom, walk outside, no coats on, and wait until they cleared. There were also a lot of locker searches.” 

More relatable memories were awakened while the Class of ’75 walked down the light green-tiled hallways where they once had classes. Many members of the group voiced surprise by the wave of nostalgia that overcame them at this leg of the tour. Susan G. ’75 said, “I remember this [view] coming around the corner. Yeah. I had French in here, and I had English over there.”

While the hallways may look the same, the insides of classrooms have changed since the Class of ’75 was in school. Rooms that once had only blackboards and rows of fixed desks are now filled with flexible seating, chromebooks, and SMART boards. While the ’70s might not have been innovative in comparison to today, Jericho still was ahead of the curve in its usage of education technology. David J. ’75 recalled, “I mean, we did have a computer class. Right, yes. And we had some of the first word processors and the Texas Instruments…” 

And like high schoolers today, the Class of ’75 found that the most memorable moments in high school came from being teenagers. Amidst all of the seriousness of the era, the Class of ’75 universally agreed that they found joy hanging out in one specific place: outside by the heaters. Thomas D. ’75 said, “The heaters outside. I’d sit there all the time.” Another favorite pastime was sledding down the hills on campus in the winter time. Steve W. ’75 said, “Back in the day, we used to steal all the lunch trays from the cafeteria and sleigh right down all the hills.” 

Although 50 years have passed, it is clear that the Class of ’75 cherishes their time at Jericho High School, remembering the glory days like they were yesterday. These alum also serve as inspiration to current high schoolers, reminding students to make the most of their time as Jayhawks, because these moments make memories that will surely not be forgotten.