CCHS Class of 1975 50th Recap

Home. Reunion. Friends. Family. Opportunities fulfilled, Expectations exceeded. The CCHS Class of 1975 held its 50th class reunion June 13-15, 2025. To say the entire weekend was a success is an understatement.

From Friday evening’s getting reacquainted, casual time at the Cold Spot to the planned events of Saturday afternoon and evening at our alma mater, nearly 50% of the graduating class of 1975 participated in what, arguably, could be considered the BEST reunion our class, and possibly any class, has held. There truly aren’t enough superlatives!

Walking through the old halls of CCHS brought back a flood of memories and remarks, yet crossing the seamless transition of the newer sections of the building was analogous to what the weekend was all about. In a graduating class of 86 students, 38 sexagenarian baby boomers gathered to recall good times from the past, while catching up with each other’s current lives. Cell phone numbers and emails were exchanged, and friendships going forward have been revitalized.

Saturday’s evening mass at Sacred Heart honored the memory of seven classmates who had passed since graduation. Dinner was catered by the state’s first James Beard Best Chef: Southeast 2024 award winner, Paul Smith, also a CCHS alumni (1993). A remarkable tribute to class president, Steve Suppa, was provided by musician Greg Wegmann (CCHS 1977). Greg created music and vocals to a poem Steve had written, titled “Time Standing Still”. More music was provided by classmates Alan Smith and Ed Magee accompanying Greg. Ambiance in the Commons event room was provided primarily by Mary Hamrick Fish, with several classmates showing up to help set up and break down afterwards.

While breakfast at Harding’s Restaurant was for those who could gather Sunday morning, many said their goodbyes on Saturday evening. Our hearts were filled with love - love of friendship, love of family, love of an institution that provided each of us with a springboard for our future. Charleston Catholic has been going strong since 1923, 103 years young at the time of this writing. Despite our thinking at the time in 1975 that perhaps CCHS had reached its lowest ebb with our class, we profoundly claim now, in 2025, the class of 1975 was the “Best Class”.

A very deep sense of gratitude was and continues to be extended to John Knight, Pam Burton White, Bob Tyler, and Trish Norton Lindsay for their selfless and genuine dedication to making this 50th class reunion of 2025 truly the BEST!

To all our classmates who live here or traveled home and attended our 50th reunion, and for those who could not or did not attend, just know that these hills of West Virginia will always hug you when you return. To the place where you belong. ♥