Classmates in attendance were accompanied by family and friends. Our special guests were SCA graduate Linda L<\/strong>ewis, n\u00e9e Gongora (sister of Derick Gongora, SJC ’69) and former teacher Father John Short, S.J.<\/strong>, who celebrated our Mass. Linda was member of the California Reunion Committee and traveled from California to attend the reunion; she had never experienced a reunion before.<\/p>\n Our only regret was that our Pallotine Sisters and teachers could not be there.<\/p>\n As we went about preparing for the night’s activities, the youthful images of our classmates existed only in our minds. Most sobering was the realization that others were looking at us the same way. We consoled ourselves with the fact that older women have risen to the challenges in life and have grown stronger, wiser, and more self-determined as a result. So, off we went with much anticipation of long-awaited greetings and hugs for all present.<\/P><\/p>\n The reunion activities were held in the Pallotti High School auditorium. The sign that our class donated to the school on our 25-year reunion welcomed us back for our 30-year reunion.<\/p>\n As we entered the room, the aroma of food caught our nostrils. The cooks for the day were Manuela, Josephine, Iola, Shirley, Francisca, and Therese. The menu consisted of potato salad, baked ham, hot wings, barbecue wings, sandwiches, chips, dip and a delicious potato pudding. We could hardly wait to attack the delicious array of food in front of us.<\/P><\/p>\n As we gradually started to assemble, we quickly exchanged greetings and hugs, and we tried to catch up on what had taken place in our lives since our 25-year reunion. <\/p>\n Judith started the activities. She thanked everyone who helped to make the reunion possible and conveyed to those in attendance that it was with regret that Betty<\/strong> Castro had to cancel her trip at the last minute to take care of her ailing mother. During the planning and preparation for the reunion, Betty Castro was an active member of the California Reunion Committee, who helped to raise funds for the reunion T-shirts. She already had bought her airline tickets to attend the reunion when her mother fell ill. Although she could not travel to Belize with her classmates from the Los Angeles area, she gave the four of them T-shirts reading Pallotti Reunion <\/i>to wear on the plane home.<\/p>\n Juanita<\/strong> (Nena) Beeke, n\u00e9e Rudon sent well wishes to all, but unfortunately, could not attend. As Judith continued with her speech, she became emotional and hurriedly ended with a big thank you and best wishes for a memorable reunion.<\/P><\/p>\n The Mass was celebrated by Father Short, a very familiar face to the class of ’69. We were graced with an attractive program booklet carefully prepared by Judith’s daughter which (thank goodness) had the words of all our familiar Pallotti tunes appropriate for our Mass. They included our school song, You’re Welcome to Pallotti High School<\/i> and others such as Enter into Jerusalem,<\/i> Take our Bread,<\/i> and so on. As the Mass progressed and we were expected to sing, we all found ourselves looking over to Manuela who always was, and still is, expected to start on the right note. It was so comical to us.<\/p>\nAnticipation<\/h2>\n
Arrival<\/h2>\n
![\"[sign]\"](\"http:\/\/class69reunion.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sign30.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a>Mass<\/h2>\n
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