You might be a Wash’ Warrior ...

By Bob McDonnell

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The Washington High School class of 1963 is back. Most of us can't believe this June will be our 50th reunion. We've witnessed a lot of change. But, we are still Washington Warriors at heart, even though those hearts are around 68 years old.

With a nod to Jeff Foxworthy, you might be a 1963 WHS grad if you:

Learned how to read with Dick, Jane, Spot and Puff.

Survived vicious gym-class dodgeball games.

Jumped on a locally manufactured Nissen trampoline.

Still smile at the term Playtime Poppy.

Said the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord's Prayer in grade school.

Observed the WMT television tower as it was being constructed.

Remember when your family got a color television.

Delivered The Gazette in the afternoon.

Got the then-experimental Salk polio vaccine in the gym at school.

Had a milkman who delivered to a wooden box on your front porch.

Looked forward to the All-Iowa Fair.

Spent time on the rides at CeMar Amusement Park.

Swam at either Ellis or Marion - the only outdoor pool choices available.

Thought the bear pit and monkey cages at Bever Park made it a big zoo.

Thought going to Killian's or Armstrong's downtown was living large.

Took home ec class (girls) or shop class (boys).

Learned to type even though you thought you would never use the skill.

Showered after each gym class.

Drove the classroom simulators in driver's ed class.

Cruised First Avenue.

Phoned into Sandy Shore on the radio to request a song for someone special.

Ate Henry's 15-cent hamburgers.

Took a date to one of the two drive-in movies.

Admit to knowing where Twinkle Hill was and what went on there.

Smoked in the school parking lot.

Tested your glass pack mufflers under the WHS arcade.

Vividly remember where you were when President Kennedy was assassinated five months after graduation.

The class of 1963 at Washington High was a big one at 526 students. As we gather to reminisce and reunite, we'll think of the good things about Cedar Rapids and our high school. We'll also remember many of our classmates who have already “left the building.”

Watch out, C.R. From June 20-22, you may see some of us “cruising the avenue” again.

And, you may hear the chant, “We are the Warriors - mighty, mighty Warriors” - even after 50 years.

Bob McDonnell of Loveland, Colo., grew up in Cedar Rapids. He is a freelance writer and blogger for the Berthoud (Colorado) Weekly Surveyor. Comments: wordsbybob@gmail.com