By Sheila Guion

The Aurora High School Class of 1976 celebrated its 40-year reunion at PCS Potash Employee Center on June 25.

Because the class was known as the bicentennial class, the décor and decorations reflected the red, white and blue of our great nation. Decorations were done by Teresa Midgette and Cynethia Cutler Mayhand. The reunion’s theme was the “Spirit of Unity, which could be seen from the start in our planning committee. Headed by Carol Minor and William Bell, they had the vision to make this reunion a reality. We had fun and good fellowship as planning committee planned this event. The planning committee consisted of Timothy Ray Moore, Cecil Smith, Clevester Speight, Dennis Hamilton, William Bell, Sheila Guion, Teresa Midgette and Carol Minor. Committee chairpersons were as follows: food, William Bell and Timothy Ray Moore; decoration, Teresa Midgette and Cynethia Cutler Mayhand; publication, Anniette Mattocks Keyes; activities, Courtney Dudley Thomas and Dexter Moore; and entertainment/photography, Clevester Speight and Dennis Hamilton. We can truly say our class has that inseparable bond of unity that has held us together. As we reminisce on our high school days, we shared some good times and fellowship. As we reunited on June 25, we shared life experiences, jobs, marriages, children and even grandchildren. We also mourn the 10 deceased classmates, wishing they could have seen this day with us.

Our greeters welcoming everyone at noon. Greeters were Cecil Smith, Dennis Hamilton, Teresa Midgette, Sheila Guion and Timothy Ray Moore. Classmates traveled from Oklahoma, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Greensboro, Durham, Raleigh and surrounding areas for this occasion. Everyone had a fabulous time and agreed to have another reunion in five years. We renewed friendships and got reacquainted.

The formal program was held from. Carol Minor and William Bell were the emcees; welcome was from Cecil Smith, scripture by Pastor Jerry Hamilton, followed by prayer by Dennis Hamilton. Entertainment was provided by vocalist Denica Hamilton, daughter of Dennis and Veronica Hamilton. Denica is a graduate of Southside High School who earned a degree in music from Elizabeth City State University. Sheila Guion and William Bell acknowledged our former teachers present. The teachers, along with our parents and peers influenced our lives, instilled values and gave us knowledge to compete in today’s world as we transitioned into adulthood. Those teachers in attendance were first-grade teacher, Mrs. Essie Long; fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Comegys-Parker; and 11th-grade high school English teacher, Mrs. Peggy Simpson. We presented the teachers with gift bags. Next, a poem written and read by Anniette Mattocks Keyes was dedicated to the class of 1976. Just to get us to relax and in a festive mood, an icebreaker was done by Dexter Moore. Souvenirs, door prizes and presentations were done throughout the evening by different classmates at different times. Those classmates were Carol Minor, Irvin Chapman, Teresa Midgette, Cynethia Cutler Mayhand, Nancy Carter Howard, Acosta Jenkins, Eugene Fuller, Alphonso Moore and Clevester Speight. Courtney Dudley Thomas presented a skit based on the game show “Jeopardy” with questions centered around 1976 and Class of 1976 memorabilia.

After grace, dinner was served, and Denicia performed another song, “It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday,” in honor of our deceased classmates — James Albert Bryant, Thomas Credle, Ada Little, Sharon Midgette, Ervin Ray Moore, William “Tiny” Moore, Ricky Smithwick, Candace Staffa, Caroline Willis Barrow and Jeffrey Willis — while their pictures were projected on a screen.

Following the song, a statement of purpose was presented by Cynthia Diane Johnson. Courtney Dudley Thomas along with Jo Hodges Taylor, Eugene Fuller, Steve Engebresten and Dexter Moore performed a hilarious skit of us at the ripe age of 58 trying to do sports like we did at 18, but with walkers and canes.

The evening ended with dancing and fellowship. The DJ played music from back in the day throughout this great event.

Photographs of the Class of 1976 reunion can be found at the class website, which will stay up to keep us connected with one another. A special thank you to all our teachers and special guests for helping to make this reunion a success.