1986 Class Memories from West Kemper

Class of 1986 Today!

1986 Class Banquet - Saturday Night - Holiday Inn

Friday Night Social Hour Mardi Gras Style

Video collection of the Social Hour

1986 Yearbook Review

A video of West Kemper High School 1986 yearbook.

Remember When

One month to go

Hello to the class of 1986. Just lost a post that I started, it's 12:21 am. It is almost reunion time and we have 28 classmates who have paid in full. Thanks to the class of 1986 for great participation in our class reunion. Our next meeting is Sunday, May 22 at 3 pm at the farmers market in DeKalb. Class of 1986 reunion t-shirts will be given at this time. We have received good feedback from the classes of 82-88. Please, note, we have a guest list for the reunion and we will use this list for entry into the social on Friday night. We will make our guest list for the classes of 1982-1988 from these class contact persons. For questions, please, direct them to any of our four class reunion contact persons---Mary, Joyce, Charlotte and me. Note, this is our class reunion 30 day countdown--there will be much to do this month to finalize plans and events for our reunion. Class reunion years are all future years ending in "1" or "6"---2016, 2021, 2026, 2031, and so on. Take Care and I hope to see you soon. VJ

25th Class Reunion Update

Hello again- Class of 1986, we are approaching the date of our celebration. On Saturday, April 23rd at noon we had our last meeting- there were 14 classmates in attendance. We have been adding to our class reunion participation with each meeting. Our next meeting is Sunday, May 22nd at 3 pm at the DeKalb Farmers Market. Class t-shirts can be picked up at the May meeting. We plan to wear class t-shirts at the social on Friday, June 10 at 6 pm - 8 pm at the Kemper High School Gym. Thanks, VJ

Cliff Grace

The class of 1986 would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of our classmate, Cliff Grace. We are deeply sadden by his untimely death. He will be missed by us all.

That was the Final Four??? U Conn v. Butler??

Hello, Classmates--- Congratulations, U Conn Husky fans---and to the rest of us, well the clock has struck midnight. Anywho, there's more to life than winning, right? March Madness is over in April? Much like the game, we are now close to the second half. For anyone that just watched this final four---it was like two games in one; the Huskies won the game/ at half time the other team was ahead. What does this have to do with our class reunion? It's like this; we're almost in the second half of 25th reunion planning stages. BTW, love ya classmates---see you in a few. lol, V

for you information

The WKHS Class of 1986 is grateful to the following classmates who have agreed to serve as contact persons for their class: Class of 1982 Trenetta Grace ........Class of 1983 status pending ........................... Class of 1984 Floyd Henson (on facebook).............. Class of 1985 Amy Brown Steele .............Class of 1987 Tyrone Steele .......................Class of 1988 Alex Greer (on facebook)-------- Thanks again from our entire class. ..................................................................................................... Please, direct schoolmates to their class contact person if they plan to attend the social on Friday, June 10, 2011 from 6 to 8 pm at the Kemper H. S. Gym Note, the social is for classmates only for the classes of 1982-1988 We have suggested a donation amount of $100/per class for the reunion social---this is only a suggestion. God Bless You --- VJ

1986 Class reunion update---Request for Class Dues

Hello, Class of 1986 We are growing in numbers and support of this year's milestone of 25 years since our date of graduation. We are so excited. We are bonding, sharing memories, and having Kodak moments . . . This message is about GOING GREEN-- green is the color of money. When planning a class reunion, we need financial support. We have contacted 100% of the Class of 1986. The next reunion meeting is April 23, 2011 at noon at the Farmers Market in DeKalb, MS. If planning to attend the reunion, $50 was due at time of March 26 meeting. All monies are due on May 1st. Future Reunion Years are years ending in -6 and -1; 2016, 2021, 2026, so on. If you will not make the reunion, consider paying class dues; the t-shirt and reunion dvd will be a souvenir. Take care and God Bless you. Remember, it's about going green!!!!! less than 70 days until the class reunion

Hello, Again

Hello, Classmates Tomorrow is the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -- we were born to fulfill the dream of Dr. King. Work together. Pray together. Love one another. If you're in Atlanta, Memphis, San Francisco, Birmingham, the list goes on and on---see the monuments to this great world leader. His work, life and death leave testimonies to our children; to our children's children. lol vj

A shining moment. . .

Hello, classmates-- How are you???? Wanted to update everyone on our 25th class reunion. First of all, thanks for your participation, prayers and enthusiasm. We had a fantastic class reunion meeting on last week. There were 20 members in attendence. Our class treasury is growing. We have a ways to go. We plan to order tshirts soon and need the size on every classmate in attendance---class tshirts will be passed out in May at the class reunion meeting. On Saturday, March 26 at noon at the farmers market we had the largest reunion meeting to date, in attendance were: Brenda Spencer Tanya D. Taylor Owida J. Stuart Tomiko McKenzie Mary P. McIntosh Carolyn C. Young Wanda Cole Ford Patricia Coleman Veronica J. Johnson Anthony Jones Dwight Boyd Clifton Grace Lee Drake James Rush Theotis Cole Everette McShepard Timmie Clark Joseph G. Bourrage Richard Dale Grady James Chamberlain May 18, 2011 will be the 25th anniversary of our high school graduation--let us prepare to have a celebration. If you will be unable to attend the class reunion in June. There will be a class reunion meeting on Saturday, April 23, at noon at the farmers market in DeKalb. The meetings have been mini reunions---on the first meeting, Jan 29, 2011 there were 4 classmates at the reunion. Let's pray and work hard together to continue to grow. Reunion committees for decoration, & set up, clean up, & kids entertainment: have been started for Friday's Mardi Gras Social----Charlotte Thames Young is planning the Mardi Gras social---it is vital to come to class reunion meetings in order to have the best communication on class reunion activites---as we get closer to the end of school, there will be family members graduating from high school, college, etc. -- we will need to get plans for the reunion on cruise control. Friday, June 10th Committees ( sign up from Sat., March 26, 2011) to be forwarded to Charlotte. Note; contact persons Veronica, Mary will be available for any and all committees Set up committee come early, tba exact time --signed up are: Theotis, Timmie Clark, Clifton Grace, James Rush, Anthony Jones, Tomiko McKenzie, Brenda Spencer, Owida, Patricia Decoration committe --tba time to start (early) Brenda, Veronica, Mary Clean up committe----Theotis, Timmie, Everett, Clifton, James, Anthony, Joseph, Carolyn Cole Young, Tanya Taylor, Wanda Cole Ford, Patricia Coleman, Mary McIntosh, Veronica Please, contact Charlotte by facebook or email cyoungms@bellsouth.net to be included on these committees, questions about committees, etc. -- note start time for set up and decoration committees will be announced later and start time for clean up committee will be from 8 pm until---we will leave this facility the way we found it. We need to obtain class dues as soon as possible---if you are planning on attending the reunion, please, send your dues--payment schedules and dues deadline have been stated. God Bless you and keep you. VJ

West Kemper, I will always love you

Hello, Class of 1986

Lights, camera, take 2> Just wanted to say hello/ good night or good morning. look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. Thanks again for your support of our school reunion. Just yesterday, we were 15 and full of excitement; not tired, but actually full of energy and a world ahead of us. We have so much to look forward to- hope to see ya----as Al would say "for the good times"; ok yal know that I am behind on EVERYTHING, I didn't realize what this song was about until a few yrs ago. anywho, in a positive way---support our class reunion, just 4 the good times!!!!! I love you/ c u saturday. lol vj

FULL COURT PRESS

Hello, Classmates
I hope that all of you are enjoying the first Day of Spring---Happy Birthday to Patricia Coleman today and Jacqueline Gale celebrates her birthday on March 31. I have spoken to these classmates this past week and want to make the shout out of birthday wishes.

We are looking forward to an important class reunion meeting---this will be the 3rd meeting of our reunion planning. We expect continued enthusiasm and larger participation in this meeting. Currently, we have 16 classmates who have committed to the reunion in terms of full payment or partial payment of their reunion dues. We are looking forward to purchasing t-shirts, making final plans with the hotel, paying for food/supplies/decorations for our social on Friday, June 10. Thanks to all who have given of their time and financial support. Our 25th class reunion needs you-in terms of finances and time. Senior year was not always a cake walk---we are the parents, adults no if you will and we need to support this milestone class anniversary. I am excited and look forward to reconnecting with all of our Dynamic, Class of 1986. Make every effort to come to this reunion, encourage classmates to support / come to this reunion and join one of our reunion committees on Saturday, March 26 at noon. We will work well together, as we always have. We will become closer as we become more involved with this event. There is something that everyone can do --the challenge is to do what you can do. "many hands make work light" MANY HANDS MAKE WORK LIGHT" LET'S WORK TOGETHER.

don't forget to bring pictures from our days at West Kemper Elementary / Jr. High/ High School to our next meeting--we will be scanning pictures and will return them to you by the end of the meeting

Prepare to pay your class dues---due at this meeting minium of $50 total or $100 (full payment preferred)---funds are needed to support this great event. All dues must be collected by the May 1st deadline. There is much that needs to be done prior to the reunion---t shirts will be passed out at the next reunion meeting.

Thanks again!!!!!

Sincerely,
Veronica Jackson Johnson

Happy Mardi Gras!!!!!!

Hello, Happy Mardi Gras---Hope everyone is great. We are counting down to our 25th class reunion. We are making plans to be at the Kemper County H.S. Gymnasium for our Friday nite social on June 10. The response to our reunion has been great and we needed a larger place for this part of our reunion. I would like to encourage classmates to send in reunion payments A.S.A.P.---we will need to make payments soon. We are still trying to locate information on Lisa Deaton, Gene Sage, Mary Avery---if anyone has any contact info on either of them, try to reach them to inform them of our reunion. I would like to have their contact info in order to discuss our reunion plans and include them in a class directory.

For now, I will sign off --until we meet again!!!!
VJ

Special request

We have a special request, we need to start getting dues in earlier. There are a lot of things that have to be purchased in advance before May 1st. If you can send your dues earlier, it would help us better plan an outstanding reunion.

Also if you are not able to attend, we welcome any donation made by class members.

Thanks in advance for all your support. Don't forget to vote and follow us. Through email, text, Facebook, & blogging we are hoping to keep you updated as we move closer to our 25th class reunion celebration.

We need lots and lots of class pictures. If you have any to share, e-mail to me at cyoungms@bellsouth.net. Don't forget your dues; $100. Send to the Captain, VJ. 

Do you remember????

We have been trying to remember classmates from the first grade--all who have sat in a class with the class of '86...
Lutina Griffin
Dewayne Fox
Kristi Massey
Bonnie Ann White Earley
Kay Dufrene Miles
Travis Poe
Shaunda Clark
Lafonzo Pollock
Earl Bennett
Brian????Last Name???
Joey Granger
Mike Haggard
Tabitha Speed
Can you remember any others?????
If you know how to get in touch---be in touch---we want to reunite, rekindle, renew!!!!!!

Class of 86--can't wait to see you!!!!

Good morning, friends--it is 1:51 am and it's Brenda Payton's birthday!!!!! February 27!!!! Happy birthday Brenda---how old r u??? Shout out to all other birthdays this year, too. We have booked the Holiday Inn for our reunion banquet and they have given us a special reduced rate for the reunion. The hotel has customer service and hospitality that is far ahead of the rest. We will be finalizing the details in the coming weeks. If you would like to stay with the class all weekend, this will be the place to be. Remember, the more rooms we book, the more we'll save on our banquet room fee---something to bear in mind. There are just a few classmates who we don't have contact information on. Let us continue to support our reunion efforts with your commitment to participate and promote this special homecoming!!!! Be Blessed. Oh, by the way---Everett and Tanya, thanks for being on standby---yes I did get into the Symphony with a free ticket, it was an experience, beautiful.

Condolences to the passing of Charita's uncle in Greenwood -- our prayers and sympathy are with you.

Peace
vj

Class of 1986---Saturday, Feb.19-Pre reunion

How are you and where were you on Saturday? It's time to take a day off, and use the frequent flyer miles--prepare to be in town June 10-June 11, 2011. The pre-reunion / class meeting was great. Since Saturday, I have been on cloud nine. Today, for instance -- I talked to Melissa Worrell Thomas, Jacqueline Gale, Roy Davis, Theotis Cole, Charita Anderson Johnson, Lutina Griffin, Peggy Grace, James Rush, Joyce Bourrage Robinson, Carl Cole--oh did I say Lutina Griffin, yes ma'am and yes sir, I did. All of the classmates that I spoke with today have stated that they plan to come to the reunion. This will not like the other reunions--this will be different. Make every effort to be there; this is our 25th class reunion--WKHS Class of 1986. We have come too far, not to see this through. Our next class meeting is on Saturday, April 23rd at noon at the Farmers Market in DeKalb.
We need contact info on the following ( this is a partial list/ off the top of my after midnight brain)
Lisa Deaton
Gene Sage
April Page
Verlin Clark Hamlet
George Welch
Travis Stennis
Tim Brown
Shane Sanderford
Victoria Clark
just to name a few
I heard from Dalmer Lee Drake; he will be out of town at a conference during the time of our class reunion.
for now, stay safe and God Bless our Class
Veronica

Saturday's class meeeting was a success...

If you find yourself here and you are a 1986 graduate of West Kemper High School, vote on the right! For those not able to attend the meeting Saturday, it was a pre-reunion to the reunion. After weighing in, there was lots of laughing and remembering old times. 

 

What day is it???

Hello, ladies and gentlemen--

Thanks, to everyone for your support and enthusiasm for our Silver Reunion. We will prayerfully see each other on this Saturday. I cannot wait for the CLASS REUNION TELETHON. We will attempt to connect with classmates. If we know the school bus that you rode on, then we can probably get in touch with classmates that we have not heard from. Today, I spoke with John Grace, Cheryl Ann Scott Lowe, and Chris Scott. We are having a reunion before the reunion. Encourage a classmate to come to the reunion, offer them a ride to a class meeting; we will have the best class reunion yet--we are all working together. As we use to say in bball---everybody get somebody. Wheeeeeee!!!!! love yal vee

purple rain 1

HELLO, CLASSMATES

I WAS TALKING TO CARL COLE, DOROTHY SMITH BURGE, MICHAEL WELCH'S MOM---AND I THOUGHT I FEEL LIKE IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY, SINCE I WAS WITH YOU GUYS. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY FAMILIAR ABOUT TALKING WITH OLD FRIENDS, I AM BLESSED TO HAVE THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO "FIND" PEOPLE WHO I SPENT 12 YEARS WITH DURING SCHOOL DAYS. IT HAS BEEN LIKE 1985 AND PRINCE'S PURPLE RAIN......

happy valentine's day

Hello, Happy Valentine's Day--
Hope everyone had a great day. We will be meeting on Sat. Feb 19 at 1pm at Farmers Market in DeKalb--look forward to sharing ideas about the reunion. Thanks VJ

We have 20+ classmates on Facebook

WEEK 2 IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT SPOT

HELLO, CLASSMATES, AND FRIENDS----JOYCE & I LOOKED AT THE BANQUET ROOM AT THE DRUIRY INN AND SUITES, THEY ARE NICE. THIS HOTEL IS CONVENIENT AND AFFORDABLE. THANKS TO MARY, JOYCE AND CHARLOTTE FOR GATHERING INFORMATION ON OVER A DOZEN SITES AS OPTIONS FOR OUR CLASS REUNION----HGI MERIDIAN HGI PHILADELPHIA / CHOCTAW
THE COLE HOUSE /PHILADELPHIA EMEPA BANQUET ROOM
THE PALMS, MERIDIAN
UNION STATION/ MERIDIAN RYANS / MERIDIAN
MCINTOSH COMMUNITY CENTER THE GARDEN CENTER / HIGHLAND PARK
THE COUNCIL OF ORGANIZATIONS/ MERIDIAN THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS / MERIDIAN
BEST WESTERN / MERIDIAN NORTHEAST CONFERENCE CTR / MERIDIAN
AND OTHERS. . . THANK YOU C, J, M!!!! WE WILL PRESENT OPTIONS AT THE NEXT CLASS MEETING TO OUR CLASSMATES FOR CONSIDERATION. OUR REUNION IS COMING TOGETHER AND WE ARE BONDING THROUGH THIS PROCESS--IT HAS BEEN A GIFT AND A BLESSING---WE ALL HAVE SO MANY DEMANDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT THIS IS THE CLASS OF 1986; I'M JUST SAYIN'--CONGRATS TO JOYCE ON HER RETIREMENT FROM THE 186TH--AIR NATIONAL GUARD--WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! TO BE CONTINUED.... GUESS WHAT??? OUR GIRLS' AND BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAMS JUST FINISHED DISTRICT TOURNEY PLAY AND BOTH ARE GOING TO NORTH STATE---LOVE YA VJ

EVENT PLANNING 101

Hello, friends---Thank you Charlotte for being so dedicated and working hard on this blog--the pics from the 1996 reunion are great---we are looking forward to visiting the Druiry Inn & suites banquet room---to check out the size and facilities. We have reserved this site and it is on hold for our class reunion banquet. Thanks Joyce for making this happen. Hopefully, we can get pics---Joyce will be in meridian and I will meet here there to check it out together. We all are working together to make it a special event---everyone keep up the good work and dont forget about your day job!!!! love you so much--VJ

Our 10th Class Reunion

I think these are pictures from our 

10th Class Reunion.

let it snow----boys to men

hello, class of '86---today was a really great day,

Learning how to use facebook, this blog site, and all of the other tech advances that Charlotte is exposing me to is new and humbling. 43 is not the new learning retention age, ok??? to take our reunion to the next level --it will take prayer, patience, and time. It is such a neat thing to chat on fb with a friend that you haven't heard from in 25 years. I may not look 17, but I feel 1986 like it was yesterday. It is countdown to meeting day and I am sooooo excited--together we can accomplish great things---let's get busy!!!!! love you always, vj

Hello, Class of 1986--

We are past Superbowl XLV and now, back to reunion planning. I am receiving good feedback on the reunion. I hope that everyone can get out for the meeting on Sat 2/19/11 at 1pm at farmers market.. We need all input. I did call Ryan's today and the website was delicious. Druiry Inn and Suites is our #1 option for now---great value for banquet room and room rates--I will keep you posted. lol vj

Where to send your MONEY!!!

Veronica Johnson

c/o Class of 1986

1117 South Main St.
Newton, MS  39345

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Let's get to the Heart of the Matter: Dues

We need money to have a great event! In the past we have had  little participation from class members. This year, we want to do it with a BANG! After hearing from several members, we have decided to be conservative in our dues this year although we are

 

The dues are $100 (this includes your guest). Dues are due by May 1st. Hopefully, this will give us enough time to plan an exciting event. It's hard to steer a vessel without money. As of now, we have none! If you are attending, which we assume you are since you're here, please email Captian VJ the following information by Feb 19th.

Name:

T-shirt size: 

Contact Number:

Are you bringing a guest Saturday?

Attach pictures for reunion DVD

Greeting to the 1986 Wildcats of West Kemper,

It’s official we are planning our 25th Class Reunion  for Friday and Saturday, June 10th and 11th. We know that you are as excited about this event as much as we are and as the excitement increase, we want to give you the opportunity to participate in the planning phase.

On our blog, you will find a poll inquiring about who is attending. It’s our wish that everyone is able to attend. We have all been so blessed to reap the benefits of our past generations, but because of busy schedules, our class has not had the privilege of gathering as much as we would have hoped over the years. Let’s take this opportunity to enjoy each other and share those miss moments over the years.

We are asking for your supporting by attending the next scheduled meetings and contributing your talents as needed. We need YOU to make this event a success. It's just won't be the same without you there.

We have already had several classmates share their talents. Lisa Neal Peavey has volunteered to make a DVD with current pictures of classmates; Charlotte Young (Thames) has volunteered to maintain our blog; Joyce Marie Bourrage (Robinson) and Mary McIntosh are working hard contacting members and Veronica (VJ) Jackson (Johnson) is steering this mighty vessel until we reach shore. 

It’s our hope after the next meeting which is scheduled for the Saturday, the 19th of February @ 1 pm we will be adding volunteers to the list above. The next meeting will take place at the Farmers Market in DeKalb, MS.

If you can attend the meeting, please RSVP in the comment of  this post.

Reunion dues for our 25th class reunion are $100. That includes both day’s event and your guest attending Saturday's event. We are more than happy to take installments as long as all dues are completed by May 1st.

Finally, over the years, we have lost contact with so many classmates and if you have contact information on a classmate, send an email to Captain VJ. Also, please post our blog link on your personal Facebook page and share this page with other classmates. 

Our goal is the have ½ of the class attend this years reunion. Help us reach that goal! Don't forget to sign the guest book and answer the poll.
GO  

Welcome to our Class Blog

"Why all that purple?"  For some reason, I remember purple being our school color (or did I imagine that?).  Maybe it's the fact that Purple Rain was a hit song doing the late 80's.

I understand blue and white were the school colors, but it's those special moments and events that occur during our high school days that matters most.  Like the fact that Prince was the sexiest man alive.  I just wonder why 25 years later, he stills looks the same and I look like my momma?

This is the beginning of our class blog what will keep each of us up to date until the day of our 25th reunion. OMG! 25 years! I remember my parents having their 25 year class reunion and I thought "Darn, they sure are old."

Hopefully, we will get another chance to fellowship and remember old times again.

Here is a little information to get you started:

Cost of Living 1986

Average Income per year $22,400.00

Average Monthly Rent $385.00

Average Price for new car $9,255.00

1 gallon of gas 89 cents

Casio Portable Color Television $249.99

Tandy 600 Portable Computer $1599.00

Bacon per pound $1.75

Top of the Charts

Madonna - Papa Don't Preach

Run D.M.C. - Walk This Way

Jeffrey Osborne - You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song)

Janet Jackson – Nasty

Whitney Houston - Greatest Love Of All

James Brown - Living In America

Anyway, I think I'm going to leave it up to VJ to keep everyone updated on this blog. Since she just got a Facebook page last week we might as well keep her going. If you don't have a Facebook page, get one now. If not for yourself, to spy on your kids and others....... if you have time.

Go Wildcats!

Charlotte