Time for a Rattler Reunion

Tucumcari High School alumni of different eras agree the annual Rattler Reunion is a time to come together, catch up and appreciate the finer things in life.

Superintendent of Tucumcari Public Schools Aaron McKinney is certainly no stranger to school events.

However, this weekend, McKinney's role will not be as an administrator but as a member of the Rattler Reunion host class of 1987.

"I am looking forward to seeing many of my former classmates and friends," McKinney said.

McKinney said there was some concern about there being a 46th annual reunion following last year's retirement of alumni board member Norma Jean Crellin.

Crellin stepped in 16 years ago to form a corporation and create a non-profit foundation to better run the reunion.

"If you run it as a corporation, it tends to go a lot smoother," Crellin said.

Crellin said she felt it was time for someone else to step in and run the foundation. She said she wants to remove her name from the non-profit 501(c)7.

A new board has taken over the operation of the Rattler Reunion and worked to ensure the event would continue.

After all these years, the best thing about the reunions is seeing all of my friends and family, said Liz Benavidez-Smith.

Smith said this year's reunion is a benchmark for her and her classmates. She said the Class of 1962 will be the Golden Rattlers. This completes the cycle of earmark years for the class, Smith added.

"We celebrated the 10th, 20th, 30th and now here we are at our 55th anniversary," Smith said.

Smith said priorities change as the years go by after graduation. She said at the 10-year mark everyone wants to come back as someone important. You want to impress your friends and show them how successful you have been, Smith added.

Smith said as the years passed the trivial matters in life began to take a back seat to the true priorities of the reunion.

"Now, all we want to know is how have they been and how are the grandchildren," Smith said.

Smith said she looks forward to seeing all of her friends, sharing new stories, laughing about old tales and remembering those who are no longer with them.

Reunion events

Thursday

• Registration: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center ($40 per person includes a Rattler Reunion Annual and all dances and banquets)

• Rattler Mixer: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

Friday

• Registration: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Rattler Golf Tournament: 10 a.m., Tucumcari Municipal Golf Course

• Dinner by PER Elks : 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Friday Night Dance, 8 p.m.-Midnight, Tucumcari Convention Center

Saturday

• Pancake Breakfast: 7 a.m.-9 a.m., Mesa Cafeteria

• Parade of Classes: 9 a.m., Tucumcari (Route displayed on map on page: )

• Registration: 10 a.m.-noon, Tucumcari Convention Center

• Class Pictures: 10 a.m.-noon, Tucumcari Convention Center

• Class Luncheons: noon, TBA

• Golden Rattler Luncheon, noon, Tucumcari Convention Center

• Social: 5:30 p.m., Tucumcari Convention Center

• Saturday night Banquet and Dance: 630 p.m.,- Midnight, Tucumcari Convention Center

Entry to individual events

• Friday night dance only $15

• Saturday night banquet and dance $25

• Saturday night dance only $15