The 1973 graduating class of “Cascade High School” – that is, the first - held their 50-year class reunion on Saturday, June 10, at the Bell Buckle Banquet Hall. 

This class, the first to graduate from Cascade, started with 45 students from the former Bell Buckle and Wartrace schools. The schools combined during the 1972-73 school year due to the destruction of Bell Buckle School. 

The reunion included graduates and those classmates who transferred out of Wartrace and Bell Buckle during their high school years. Cascade derived its name from Cascade Springs. The school voted for the walking horse as its mascot and adopted the name “The Champions.”

The classmates in attendance were:

Sherry Walls, Vicki Holland, Martha Mendez, Joe Gilmore, Bobby Fox, Carl Manley Fox, David Brown, Reba Beasley, David Fleenor, Bobbie Sanders, Buster Moore, Anthony Phillips, Brenda Overcast Rohelier, Ricky Whitney, Sandy Grubbs, Betty Reed, George Hodge, Eddie Beachboard, Charles Rippy, Ronnie Fletcher, Debbie Griggs, Melody Terry, Peggy Glassco, Susan McCurry, Dianne Mathis, Duane Cooper, James Napper, Virginia Christon, Janice Allen, Paulette Benson, Sammy Floyd, David Harris, and Clancy Burk.

A memorial table was set aside for the “kids” who are no longer with us titled “Gone But Not Forgotten.” These twelve classmates were Cathy Gregory Troxler, David Kwapinski, Chester Floyd, Estill Lee Cook, Shirley Gleaves Herman, Freddrick Glenn Adams, Bessi Kay Redd Colvett, Jerry Wayne Curry, Michael Eugene Cannon, Mary Jane Troxler Pendergrass, Calvin “Glynn” Higgins, and Paul Bailey. They were missed by all.  

David Harris brought his "Bell Buckle" jacket and 1973 Cascade annual. Martha Mendez, Reba Beasley, and Peggy Glassco sported their senior rings.

Hal Skelton, assistant principal, teacher, and coach for the 1972-73 year, gave a presentation about this “first” class. Skelton later became the principal of Cascade and served for many years. Those in the class say he is loved and respected by everyone who knows him.  

Clancy Burk led the class in prayer and the Bell Buckle Cafe provided the buffet. “Virgil T and The Uncle Tom Band” played for the group.

All the classmates took home a commemorative wine glass, designed by Martha Smotherman Mendez, honoring the 50-year reunion. They said they all had a wonderful time. 

Who knew 50 years could go by so fast?