400+ Rattlers reunite

More than 400 Tucumcari High School alumni attended the 52nd edition of the Rattler Reunion, its largest attendance in several years.

Rattler Reunion treasurer Kathy Segura said a total of 390 meals were catered for the Saturday night banquet, with THS alums still being registered at the Tucumcari Convention Center minutes before the ceremony. Segura said the estimated total crowd was over 400.

"This place has been packed," Segura said. "It's been a very, very good year."

Segura said crowds also were large for the Golden Rattler Luncheon and other Reunion events.

Counting escort vehicles, the Parade of Classes on Saturday morning counted about 30 units, more than in previous years.

During the banquet, the Class of 1974 was one of the most celebrated, and not just because of its 50th anniversary.

It took the top prize of $100 for the best float in the Parade of Classes. The float contained a huge, elaborate rattlesnake near its front, with the slogan on the side: "Time may pass, but memories last."

Barton Greer, the unofficial leader of the class, credited classmate Mark Whittington's work on the float, describing him as "a mechanical genius."

Over 50 members of the Class of 1974 attended Rattler Reunion. Greer said he and his classmates began contacting the surviving 92 graduates in November.

Even for those who could not come to Tucumcari, Greer said classmates sent them posts via social media or even used FaceTime to contact them directly during the event.

"It's been a group effort," he said. "But we're a close class."

The Class of 1994 chose longtime Tucumcari teacher and former mayor Ruth Ann Litchfield as Saturday night's keynote speaker.

Litchfield passed along memories of post-school meals at the now-defunct Westerner Drive-Inn restaurant and the muddy senior picnic.

She said many 1994 graduates have gone on to earn Ph.Ds or have become administrators, CPAs or ranchers.

"We appreciate the way you've become adults and productive members of society," Litchfield said.

Litchfield said she initially was surprised when the graduates chose White Lion's 'Farewell to You" as its class song at the time.

But she indicated its lyrics gained poignancy: "I hope that you've enjoyed the time we spent, though I know that I'll be back again, I don't know just how soon, my friend. Until we meet again, just think of me, I'll think of you."

The banquet included a salute to veterans and Tucumcari teachers. The meal, catered by Las Chaparritas, was served by the Tucumcari cheerleading squad. The Friday meal was served by the THS volleyball team.

Near the end of the Saturday banquet, the ceremonial passing of the hatchet went to the Class of 1995, one of key organizers of the 2025 Rattler Reunion.

The City of Tucumcari earlier this year budgeted $10,000 in lodgers tax funds to support the Rattler Reunion.

The oldest Rattler Reunion attendee was Goldie Hodge, who graduated with the Class of 1951.

Hodge, who now lives in Clovis, said she has attended nearly every Rattler Reunion, and she wasn't about to stop now.

"I'm in good health ... better than I deserve," she said. "I plan on being here a whole lot longer."