The Andrew Lewis High School Class of 1957 did not let the COVID-19 restrictions keep them from celebrating their 64th reunion. The event was scheduled for 2022; however, with the pandemic keeping everyone isolated for a year, the class decided to hold the event a year earlier.
Former Salemite Morris Cregger, an outstanding basketball player for the high school and Roanoke College, recently served 41 alumni, their spouses and guests at the Roanoke Country Club on June 5. For years, Cregger was chairman of the Board of Trustees at the college, and the Cregger Center is named for him and his philanthropic work.
The Wolverines of that year boasted a little more than 200 in the graduating class. Of that number, 93 are now deceased. Some could not be located. Others were unable to attend for personal reasons.
Garnette Bane Odom and Pat DeHart Long coordinated the event, which included a seated dinner. Because it was the week of Memorial Day and D-Day, DeHart recognized architect Byron Dickson, a classmate who designed and built the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford.
Dickson was on hand to sign a book he published about the venue and distributed it to all who attended.
Lucy Russell Ellett, a class officer, announced that donations were made to the Salem Education Foundation in the names of Odom and Long for their efforts to coordinate the reunion.
Jim Gresham gave the invocation, and Byron Yost served as emcee.
- Submitted by Garnette Odom