Former classmates dedicate memorial tree, plan for 50th reunion

The Flathead High School Class of 1973 is gearing up to celebrate its 50th reunion with a week of events sure to be filled with hugs, laughs, stories, photos and many shared memories.

It will also be a time to remember classmates who have died. In commemoration of these classmates, and all FHS students who have passed away since the high school’s inception, the Class of 1973 is dedicating a tree at the school.

About 100 names from the Class of 1973 are currently listed in a memorial pamphlet that will be handed out to attendees, said Debbie Standley, a member of the 50th reunion planning committee that organized an Aug. 5 dinner and silent auction.

“The theme of the dinner is ‘reunite, remember and honor,’ and that goes with the memorial tree,” Standley said.

A memorial plaque will be presented during the dinner and then given to Flathead High School Principal Michele Paine to hang in the school’s Hall of Memories.

“That’s what this is about. Honoring those who were called away,” Standley said.

Fiftieth reunion participants may tour the school led by Class of 1973 graduate Jane Nelson and her twin sister at 2 p.m. Aug. 5. During the tour, attendees will be able to see how the school building has changed, including a $19 million remodel and addition completed in 2019.

On June 21, Standley, Nelson and fellow ’73 graduate Scott Foster sat around a picnic table under the shade of the memorial tree to swap memories and share plans for the reunion.

About 493 diplomas were awarded to the Class of 1973. With hundreds of invitations mailed and emailed to classmates, Standley said, organizers have seen a good response thus far.

“School was fun. Not that it isn’t fun today, but we made it fun,” said Nelson, who described herself as the “quiet kid” in school who sang in concert choir and plans to sing at the reunion event.

“We did. Even the worst of days were fun,” said Standley, describing herself as an independent student.

“You could count on your classmates being there for you,” Nelson said, a “second family,” of sorts.

“You always reached out to buddies, you know, when there was a problem and you didn't want to take it home — and you knew we were gonna have to — it was like, I gotta call my friend,” Standley added.

For some alumni, there was no leaving Flathead High School. Nelson, who often worked in the school office as a student, returned in December 1973 when she was hired for a position that turned into a 30-year career. Three and a half years after retiring, Nelson remains active with the high school such as selling tickets at athletic events.

“It makes me appreciate who I am and where I’ve come from,” she said. “We come from some pretty, pretty good roots in this valley. And things have changed, as you know, dramatically, but I’m truly thankful for those roots. We know what it means to be a community.”

For alumni such as Standley and Foster, who worked during their high school years, there wasn’t a lot of free time to spend on participating in school activities. This year, Standley attended homecoming events for the first time.

“That was a tremendous thing to come to and walk into that auditorium and see all of these kids from the school,” Standley said.

“This is a blessing for me to be here because I had stage three colon cancer,” she added while noting that cancer has affected classmates. “We have several that can’t be with us for the weekend because of cancer.”

More than 15 alumni serving on the 50th reunion committee have organized a week packed with fun events that kick off with a 10 a.m. golf scramble at Village Greens and a 6 p.m. “OMG Old Friends Mixer (no-host) at Del’s Bar on Aug. 4. On Aug. 5, a Far West boat tour is planned at 10 a.m., the Flathead High School tour at 2 p.m. and a 6 p.m. three-course dinner and silent auction catered by XCalibur Chef Services. The 50th reunion celebration concludes with a barbecue at Bitterroot Lake on Aug. 6.

Nelson commended committee members for their hard work, especially the core group that has assembled every decade to plan reunions going back to the class’ 10th.

“I’m just amazed, Nelson said. “Everybody does a little bit to make it fly. And every year we have done that it has been beautiful.”

“I just take a lot of pride in the group and how the years have gone by and we've stuck together to make the reunions work. It is a team effort,” Nelson added.

For more information visit the Flathead High School Class of 1973 Facebook page.

This story was updated August 2023.

Clarification: A mature ornamental crabapple tree that was to be dedicated in remembrance of Flathead High School students who have passed away as part of the Class of 1973's 50th reunion was originally planted June 2005 in memory of 16-year-old FHS student Erica Miller who died May 21, 2005, from complications of Rett Syndrome her mother Jamie Christensen told the Daily Inter Lake recently. Christensen said there are plans to create a memorial plaque and rededicate the flowering tree.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431.