•

Pictured on the front steps of the Old Jenkins High School are classmates from left to right and bottom to top:  

Roy Damron, Lynn Tompkins Pugh, Linda Pannell Hurley, Janice Caudill Phipps, Pam Short Hayden, Juanita Hall Whitaker, Catherine Williams Tucker, Daniel Dotson, Charles Reed, Wayne Mahan, Deborah Hastings Garrett, Steve Ison, Jerry Hayes, Gary Tucker, Ronnie Delph and Rick Brewer. (Not pictured, Gene Williams)

Additionally, a photo is included of a few classmates, some with spouses, taken in Jenkins Park during Homecoming Days.

It certainly was worth the time and the effort to experience a “homecoming” in Jenkins, KY, with dear classmates! On Saturday, August 27th, members of the Jenkins High School Class of 1970 celebrated a two-year delayed 50th high school reunion in Jenkins Park during “Jenkins Homecoming Days” and in the Old Jenkins High School Auditorium.

It was a joyous occasion seeing and hugging childhood friends, some who shared 12 years of school together. We told stories and laughed about times we shared together in Jenkins, Payne Gap, Burdine, Dunham and McRoberts. 

Daniel Dotson welcomed home classmates. Charles Reed delivered the blessing. A delicious meal was catered by CANE Kitchen and Lynn Pugh had Berneda Polly bake two scrumptious cakes for classmates, spouses/guests to enjoy. Lynn Tompkins Pugh led a “remembrance” of deceased classmates. Jerry Hayes made us laugh by remembering things we did and also led us in the UK/Jenkins High School “fight song.” 

Deborah Hastings Garrett introduced our speaker, teacher, coach, author, public servant, D. Charles Dixon. Charles talked about the joy of teaching and coaching, and shared funny stories about student “growth” experiences.

Linda Pannell Hurley, Catherine Williams Tucker, Lynn Tompkins Pugh, Juanita Hall Whitaker and Gary Tucker helped plan the reunion. Linda and Catherine thanked attendees for making this event a priority to be shared with childhood friends. They also awarded “door prizes” of regional, landmark paintings and Appalachian folklore books donated by Jenkins artist and author, Kedrick Sanders.

Gary Tucker shared a portion of the lyrics of “For Good” from the Broadway musical “Wicked” by Steven Schwartz, 2003, highlighting “…being changed for the better because I knew you…l’ve been changed for good.”