Sharing memories, good times and laughter

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. KAHS 1967 Class Reunion: Former classmates from Kate Andrews Class of 1967, Amy Unger (left) and Dianne Bitango (right) have been busy preparing for a class reunion that will be held at the Gem of the West Museum on July 19. Unger holds the 1967 yearbook while Bitango shows off the 1967 class graduation photo which will be part of the display at the 1967 class reunion.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

It will be an evening of sharing memories, good times and plenty of laughter at the Kate Andrews High School Class of 1967 high school reunion.  

Classmates will come together to celebrate their 58th high school reunion at the Gem of the West Museum on July 19. The event, which features a buffet dinner, photos, and cash bar will be a chance for former classmates to share stories, catch up and renew old friendships. 

Former classmates and friends Dianne Bitango and Amy Unger are two of them, who recently sat down to talk about the upcoming reunion and the good old high school days in Coaldale in the 1960’s.  

“I think because we’re getting older, you tend to look back over your life. This was a good time in my life and it’s going to be nice to renew the friendships and to catch up,” said Bitango.   

“We’ll have an open mic to share stories,” added Unger, noting they planned on doing a reunion every five years, but things changed during the pandemic and this is the first reunion since their 50th high school reunion in 2017. 

The Class of 1967 boasted 92 students, some of whom didn’t attend their graduation or appear in the 1967 grad photo, but who will be attending the 58th reunion this year.   

“Jack Neufeld decided to go fishing for the weekend,” said Unger as she and Bitango shared a laugh over the memory. “The interesting thing is that he’s on the committee now for the reunion this year.”    

The organizing committee, which came together in Feburary, includes former classmates Jack Neufeld, Jean and Mel Vaselenak, Dianne Bitango, Art Dueck, Amy Unger, Sandi Meldrum and Hugh Grant. 

Bitango said that since their last reunion in 2017, sadly, they’ve had 11 former classmates pass away. 

The two friends met in Grade 10 at Kate Andrews High School, which included Grades 10-12 and comprised a combination of students from R.I Baker, Davidson, Readymade, McNally and Sunnyside, which some were outlying rural schools. Students also came from Alberta Mennonite School (AMHS) and also graduated in 1967. 

“This particular class, lots of the students have stayed within the community or within reasonable distances (to Coaldale),” said Bitango, noting that several are attending the reunion from Coaldale, Lethbridge County and the City of Lethbridge, while some former classmates are coming from Ottawa, Ontario and Clearwater, British Columbia.   

This will be the fourth reunion for Kate Andrew’s Class of 1967, with previous reunions taking place in 1997 (30-year reunion), 2017 (50-year reunion), and a collaborative reunion in 2020 with classes of 1965, 1966 and 1967. 

Bitango also noted that several students in the Class of 1967 also began Grade 1 together at R.I. Baker School in Coaldale and stayed together until they graduated high school in 1967. They include Amy (Nago)-Unger Jack Neufeld, Mel Vaselenak, Linda MacIntosh, Carol Remple, Ben Thiessen, Wendy Robinson, Ron Kroeker, Walter Siemens, Fed Poelhman, Wayne Kroeker (deceased), Jackie Wiilliamson (deceased) and Herb Matis (deceased).

In addition to a meal and sharing memories, they will display old school photos of the Class of ‘67 – including those from elementary and high school.

“We have a table where they’ll be displayed,” said Bitango. “We have a memorial photo from the 50-year reunion of the people who have passed away since then. We’ve updated it and that has a picture and a bit of a write-up.” 

Today, both friends keep in touch and enjoy reminiscing about their fun high school days, that often included going to the Coaldale Bakery for a vanilla slice. 

They are looking forward to renewing old friendships and welcoming former classmates for an enjoyable night of laughter and memories.    

“Some of us have been to all four reunions and some have been to just two or one,” said Unger. “I’m looking forward to those who are coming for their first reunion.”