Published on July 18, 2022
What a weekend it was for Warwick’s Class of 1972 as they gathered in town in celebration of the 50th anniversary class reunion.
Over the past three months, Deb Royer Diller has been planning and organizing the weekend’s festivities for over 100 guests on a $0 budget. Of the 200-some students who graduated in the class of 1972, 75 traveled from all over the country to attend the reunion. In addition to the 75 classmates, some family members also attended.
In preparation for the event, classmates reconnected via Facebook where they shared old photos, memories, and played a few ‘Guess the Classmate’ icebreaker games.
The itinerary for the weekend was as follows:
Friday
Saturday
During the High School tour, classmates were surprised to see how much has changed! Between the new auditorium, various building and classroom additions, and the incredible student-painted murals throughout the hallways, it seems only the lockers have stayed the same these past 50 years. Classmates commented on how great it was to see all the opportunities students have and how technology is incorporated into each classroom.
One thing that classmates were greatly looking forward to was supporting the small businesses in downtown Lititz who had always been so supportive of them! Over 40 local businesses donated a number of gift cards, gift bags/baskets, and other items to the class for this reunion.
When speaking with Deb about what she was most looking forward to about the reunion, she said, “Oh, gosh, everything! I think I’d have to say seeing my classmates because I moved out of state not long after graduating and haven’t seen many of these people for 50 years. I’m looking forward to seeing who people have become.”
She went on to share with me that this was the first event she’s ever planned and she wanted to make sure it was special. Drawing on ideas and concepts from “The Art of Gathering,” she wanted to make the purpose of the get together clear: she wanted this reunion to be a celebration of the classmates who are still here. Over the years, they’ve lost classmates, family members, and spouses, so she felt it was really important to highlight the fact that they’re all still here!
“There’s no group like the people you grew up with and it’s been wonderful to reconnect with classmates and share stories, pictures, and memories from when we were young. We agreed that one rule we’d have during this weekend was to pretend like we’re 18 again.” - Deb Royer Diller.
The class of 1972 certainly honored that rule this weekend as they crowded into Scooter's for a night of singing, dancing, visiting, eating, drinking, and remembering their special time growing up together in a wonderful community.
Patrice Hawthorne came from Philly to perform Motown hits while classmates sang and danced together on Scooter's patio. By the end of the night, classmates had formed a giant Conga line that snaked in and out of Scooter’s parking lot as they laughed and reminisced on the ‘good ol’ days.’
“My purpose for our reunion was to celebrate who we are as people today. It didn't matter who we were in high school or what our careers were. It was about the people we've become. And that is exactly what happened. We learned that we have a wonderful heritage having grown up in Lititz, PA, a community that loved and supported us then and still does today. We are blessed!” - Deb Royer Diller.
As the classmates reflect on their weekend of fun, they look forward to planning there next reunion and hope to get together again soon.