Winter Park High School Class of 1947

Reunion 4-23-05
On Saturday, April 23, 2005, alumni of Winter Park High School from all years gathered at Central Park on Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. Everyone had a great time!
Click Here for Pictures

It's Reunion time!

Winter Park High School Class of 1945-1946-1947 held their Reunion in 2004!

Following are the two official events for the reunion.

The reunion was held on Friday, March 19, 2004. Buffet dinner was had at Ventura Country Club with social hour, dinner, program, dancing to a local band.

A BBQ Picnic Luncheon was held on Saturday, March 20, 3004 at Maitland Community Park, catered by O'Boy's BBQ.

For information please contact Gen. William "Billy" Carlson, 407-657-4090 or
e-mail BillyCarlson@WPHS1947.com.

See below for pictures of the events!

Afternoon At Julie's - click here for pictures
Thursday afternoon, 2 October, several members of the Class of 1947 + Betty Giles Brown from the Class of 1946, met at Julie Holdorf Talton's home for a special occasion. The special occasion is that Jackie Biggerstaff Smythe is in town visiting relatives for a few days. Enjoying Julie's hospitality and delicious home-baked cookies & coffee were: Betty Giles Brown, Vivian Hattaway David, Carla Floyd Doerr, Gay Cubbedge Jung, Billy Carlson and his wife, Nancy. Everyone present had a wonderful time remembering school days and classmates, discussing the 2004 Reunion, and bringing each other up-to-date. Pictures were taken and pictures were viewed. Julie's decor represented the school colors - orange and black. It was a most enjoyable afternoon. Thank you, Julie!

Submitted by Nancy Carlson

Pre-Reunion Banquet Party At Julie's - click here for pictures
On Friday, March 19th, 2004, several members of the Class of 1947 met at Julie Holdorf Talton's home for a Pre-Reunion Banquet Party. The group met for wine and treats.

Included in the guests were: Julie Holdorf Talton, Ben Holdorf, Carla Floyd Doerr, Mary Jo Wagner Alexander, Billy Carlson and his wife, Nancy, Jackie Biggerstaff Smythe and her husband Bill, Vivian Hattaway David, Ralph Gilkey, Julian Granberry, Anita Whitmore Brown (not pictured), Robert Witherell (not pictured). Nametags with yearbook pictures on them were handed out to wear at the reunion. Jackie Biggerstaff Smythe gave everyone Memory books that she and her husband worked very hard on, which were painstakingly researched and beautifully bound in orange and black. Julie's decor represented the school colors - orange and black, including gorgeous orange floral arrangements brought by the Carlsons. It was a most enjoyable afternoon!

The Reunion! click here for pictures
On Friday, March 19th, 2004, Buffet dinner was had at Ventura Country Club with social hour, dinner, program, and dancing to a local band.

The program included:
Master of Ceremonies: Kenneth Sullivan
Welcome: Julian Granberry (Class President)
Music: Escorts - George Skeet Band
_______________________________________________________
Welcome by William Gordon II, Principal, Winter Park High School:

Dear Alumnus:
On behalf of Winter Park High School, I want to welcome you to the Wildcat Reunion for the Classes of 1945, 1946 and 1947. Though it has been said the past is often forgotten in the persistent demands of the present, this year's combined reunion celebration represents an extraordinary opportunity to renew old friendships, reminisce about the past and rekindle the Wildcat spirit that has always been at the core of Winter Park High School's legacy.

Some changes are obvious. The beloved Winter Park High School of old is now known as the Freshman Campus. The administrative staff that once consisted of the principal and his assistant has grown into a twelve member administrative staff. Likewise, the faculty has grown from twenty talented instructors to over one hundred seventy five exceptional teachers. Perhaps the most obvious change is the population of the high school. In 1947, the total student body numbered approximately three hundred eighty six. Today, the total student body exceeds three thousand five hundred.

While change and growth are inevitable, time has not changed all things wonderful at Winter Park High School. Faculty favorites such as English teacher Mrs. Leah Koontz are still apparent among our faculty today. Past and present, our teachers' dedication to education has always earned the respect of our students and their families. Homework "groans" have not faded over the years. Student participation in the clubs and sports at Winter Park High School remains as enthusiastic as ever. More importantly, our Wildcat pride still comes alive at every sporting event, performing arts competition or community function. Unquestionably, our students have always been among the best and the brightest in the entire school district. From these halls have emerged doctors, attorneys and senators; each one a proud graduate of Winter Park High School and each one a testament to the outstanding academic legacy of our school.

I sincerely hope the events of your high school reunion over the next few days will bring back treasured memories of Winter Park High School. Much has changed over the years, but I hope this celebration will renew your belief that you are part of a lasting connection to the wonderful, rich history of Winter Park High School. Our alumnus will always be an invaluable source of knowledge, inspiration and pride to our school. Welcome back, Wildcats and enjoy your reunion!

Sincerely, William R. Gordon, II Principal

__________________________________________________________________

__To Classmates of mine from years long gone
__To those wondrous days we had
__To the days we shared together
__To the events of life we knew
__To the laughter and the tears we shed
__To the memories we hold dear
__These thoughts cannot put in words
__I'm sure that you understand!
__So on this day let us fill our cup
__And toast you as we drink it up
__and give thanks for the days that used to be
__ and the happy times we had.

The After-Reunion Picnic! click here for pictures
On Saturday, March 20th, 2004, an After-Reunion Picnic was held at Maitland Community Park, catered by O'Boy's BBQ.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO WINTER PARK HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE

JANUARY 22- 2004 - REUNION COMMITTEE MEETING:
Dear Classmates, The Reunion Committee met at the home of Betty Giles Brown at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday 22 January. The Class of 1947 was represented by Julie Holdorf Talton. Beauty and emotions ruled in all decisions over common sense as there were eleven women and five men present. Refreshments were again provided by Betty and Julie.

1. The first item discussed was the dinner to be held at the Ventura Country Club:
a. Social Hour: 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. - punch and a cash bar will be available.
b. Dinner: 6 p.m. - seating will be at round tables of eight - no change in menu with exception of dessert, which will be key lime pie.
c. Program: 7 p.m. (not exceed 1/2 hr.) The Principal of WPHS, Bill Gordon II, is to be asked to make a few welcoming remarks at the beginning of the program.
d. Band: after the program

2. The following decisions were made concerning the dinner:
a. The Ventura is a gated community, so each class must provide an alphabetized list of guests to the gate guard for admittance.
b. The treasurer for each class will have a table to check people in. Checks are due by 1 March. The alphabetized guest list must be presented to the gate guard in advance of the dinner, so it is imperative that checks are submitted by due date. The treasurer for each class must be prepared to write a check that night to the Ventura Country Club for his own class.
c. Each class is responsible for its name tags. The Class of '47 plans to have its name tags available at the Treasurer's table. The name tags will consist of your high school year book photo and name and will be attached to a lanyard. The lanyards will have Winter Park colors with "WPHS Class of 1947." Name tags will also be provided for guests of classmates who did not have the privilege of graduating from WPHS.
d. Each class will provide a greeter for its own class. It is anticipated that the host/greeters for the Class of '47 will be our Class President, Julian Granberry, and Julie Holdorf Talton.

3. Memorabilia Tables:
a. Each will have a table for memorabilia. Attendees are encouraged to bring memorabilia for display, such as photos, programs, ephemera. Each class is responsible for its own display table.

4. Decorations: Ventura Country Club rules and regulations will apply concerning decorations. No decorations may be attached to the walls, no crepe paper allowed. However, tables may be decorated. Several members of the Committee have agreed to be in charge of table decorations.

PICNIC:
1. The picnic will be held at the Maitland Community Park on Saturday 20 March, the first day of Spring. a. Assembly Time: 2 p.m.
b. Lunch arrives: 2:30 p.m. - provided by O Boy's BBQ Restaurant - no change in menu
c. Classes are asked to bring ice, cold drinks, and snacks. Local classmates are asked to bring any folding chairs as seating at the Park is limited.
d. The cost of the BBQ luncheon remains at $11.00 per person.

ADVERTISEMENT: a. Julie will provide an ad announcing the Reunion for the Orlando Sentinel to publish.

COMMENTS: Julie has worked very hard on the Reunion, and as time draws near, she will need help in many of the tasks listed above to make the Reunion successful. Please contact Julie for volunteering at 407-644-0523 or e-mail JulieHoldorfTalton@wphs1947.com. Remember - checks are due no later than 1 March and Jackie needs your bios by 30 January in order to put our memory booklet together.

"Wild Cat Billy" - Chief Assistant to Julie