Classmates of Andrew Lewis High School’s graduating Class of 1955 came together on August 11 at the Salem Presbyterian Church to celebrate 63 years of memories.

Planned by Joe Ferguson, Maurice Hancock and Frank Francisco among others, over 50 classmates attended the gathering. Those who have passed over the years were honored with a moment of silence and prayer. “High school was some of the best years of my life, and I think most of my classmates would say the same,” Edna Moran said. “We went in different life directions after graduation, but never forgot the values taught to us in high school. Unfortunately, we’ve lost our share of classmates over the years, but it gives us joy in knowing that they are in a better place.”

After high school, Michael Connor went to work for the Salem GE Plant. “I got that opportunity through a training program,” he said. “I worked there for 40 years and rose through the ranks to become an engineering technician. Some of my best friends at the job over the years were former classmates of mine.” When Charlotte Jewel Garst was in high school, she took her education very seriously. Not much changed when she graduated. After receiving her high school diploma, she went on to attend Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia.

“I worked in the Roanoke County Public School District for over 30 years. I started off as a teacher at Mountain View Elementary,” said Charlotte who married her high school sweetheart, Hugh Garst. “We both were fortunate to work in fields that we enjoyed for many years. My husband was an engineering geologist.”

Like most teenagers, Penn Whitescarver enjoyed talking on the phone when he was in high school. “I’ve always felt that it is one of the best ways to keep in touch with people,” he said. “We had several classmates who couldn’t make the reunion. I wanted to put them on speaker phone so that they could hear some familiar voices.”

Due to back pain, Barbara Newton was unable to attend the gathering but says she has kept in touch with her classmates over the years. “Some of my most cherished high school memories include playing in the band with my friends,” Newton said.

“My most cherished memories over the last decade have been catching up with my former classmates, whether it be over lunch or just running into each other at the grocery store.” The way Joe Ferguson sees it, the best part about memories is making them.

“There is nothing better than catching up with old friends. I had such a great time seeing everybody,” he said. “Hopefully next year we will have even more people present. I’m