Alexandria, VA – On August 16 and 17, the T. C. Williams Class of 1974 members gathered at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel in Newington to celebrate their 50th high school reunion. Decades melted away as old friends caught up, swapped stories, and danced till midnight.
At Friday night’s informal welcome reception, classmates posed for caricatures by local sketch artists Mike and Dana, took pictures at a DIY photo booth laden with festive props, or solemnly circled a memorial display bearing the names of deceased classmates—now about 20 percent of a class of more than 900.
On the night of Saturday the 17, the formality and sound level kicked up a notch as Titans and guests reconvened for a “dress to impress” buffet dinner dance. The Reverend Myron Contee blessed the banquet and held a moment of silence for classmates who had passed. Then, the chatter, laughter, and dancing began, with music provided by UR Vision Media.
In closing, the class awarded prizes in several categories, including gifts to the classmate who traveled farthest to attend the event (Victoria Dearborn, from London) and to couples who had been together since high school (Wanda and Bill Smith, Norma and Robert Blunt, Cheryl and Charles Lawrence, Ray and Chris Green, Cyd and Steve Douglas, Bob and Lee Woodard, Evelyn and Howard Gray). Other winners included “Against All Odds,” Milton Turner; First to Pay, Andy Seligman; Capturing Memories, Lucelle O’Flaherty; Hall of Fame, Carl Turner; Most Educated, Gary Sanborn; Biggest Donation, Donnie and Valerie Williams; Creativity, Rebecca Lasley.
The reunion’s organizing committee, Dr. Annie Green (Registration and Fundraising), Delora Dillard (Venue and Finance), Brooks Billingsley Berger (Entertainment and Activities), Robert Coontz (Memorial Display) and Carol Giles (Silent Auction and Scholarship), began planning the event in December 2023. Proceeds from the reunion will fund a Class of 1974 scholarship to a student at Alexandria City High School, formerly T. C. Williams.
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