Stecoah School alumni meet for first reunion since 2019
Stecoah – It was a happy reunion for all.
Alumni from the former Stecoah School gathered Saturday to reminisce about their time attending the old school, which was closed for consolidation in 1994 after 68 years of operation. The reunion was the first held since 2019 and took place at the Stecoah Valley Center, housed in the former school building.
Several generations of alumni were present, with the group being slightly smaller than the past reunion.
“Some years we have 100 people; maybe next year we’ll have 25,” said 1962 alumna Lynda Jenkins Holder.
Holder – who in years past coordinated the reunion – said despite the smaller crowd, the event was still a success.
“We were a close-knit community,” Holder said. “There’s so many of us that have stayed close over the years, like my class. We still have our little school reunions, even though there’s a few of us that have passed away.”
She said it felt good to reunite with her school friends after losing the chance to do so last year to COVID-19. She also lauded the community for preserving the old school building and putting it to good use as an arts and cultural center.
“To me, the best thing that happened was for someone to come in here and turn it into something special, rather than letting it fall down,” Holder said. “It would have (fell down).”
Holder also said the reunions had become more personal to her after she reconnected with her classmate, Tony Holder at one held approximately 15 years ago and eventually married him. Lynda’s cousin, C.E. Holder – a 1956 graduate – traveled back to Stecoah from his home in Haywood County for the reunion.
“My best memories are with the basketball team,” C.E. said. “I excelled at it. I made the All-Smoky Mountain Conference my junior and senior year. That’s all the sports we had.”
He called the reunion a “pleasure.”
“It’s just a pleasure of an event for us,” C.E. said. “I don’t like to skip those.”
C.E. also served as the event’s master of ceremonies, telling stories and leading the group in sharing memories. He also led the attendees in songs, including a parody of Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight” about old age.
The names of alumni who had died since the 2019 reunion were also read and a bell sounded for each of the deceased. Teachers in attendance were also recognized.
Lydia said the organizing group was searching for some more recent alumni to pass the torch to.
“The majority of us are in our 70’s and 80’s,” she said.
She also reminisced about her time at the school, including leaving music class with her friends and heading to the nearby creek when the teacher wasn’t looking. Several alums also recalled a disciplinary paddle nicknamed “Oscar.”
“You just walk in here, and you have a different memory every time,” she said.
At 91, Blanche Bradshaw – who started at the Stecoah School in 1935 – was the oldest alumnus present.
“This is probably my home, and I appreciate the people that live here,” she said. “I love you.”