The class of 1978 hosted this year's Rattler Reunion. Their theme was "Staying Alive, the Force is back."

Rattlers alumni have another challenge: To beat the attendance record at this year’s Rattler Reunion luncheon and banquet.
“It was the best ever,” said Norma Jean Crellin, president of the Rattler Alumni Association.

With 169 in attendance at the Golden Rattler Luncheon and 560 at Saturday night’s banquet, Crellin said, “I think this is the biggest one yet. Every year it gets bigger and better.”

Crellin also said that this year’s parade on Saturday morning was the longest parade that the Rattlers have had.

The class of 1958 turned out in numbers to the tune of 97, which Crellin attributed to its 50th reunion and  coordinator, Don Newman of Conyers, Ga., who contacted 154 people. 

Some of the reunion’s highlights included the recognition of the oldest person who had ties do Tucumcari schools and who  attended the banquet. That was Clara Berg, 98, who  taught at the Tucumcari Schools, and is a resident here.

The oldest graduates to attend were Darrel  Hornsby of Tucumcari and Lilly Joy Maben Moon from McCalister, both of  the class of 1938.

Another highlight was the appearance of the class of 1978’s Joe Lagette, who was “invented” by some classmates in 1976. If you didn’t catch his outline on the 1978 class parade float, you missed his annual mirage. 

Crellin  was honored as the Rattler Queen of the reunion and recognized for all her coordination of and hard work at this and other reunions.
“It was a lot of fun,” Crellin said. “Its a time to see old classmates. There’s a lot of camaraderie and a lot of hugging.”