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Monterey High gathers classes '22-'66
JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
 | | John Reynolds actually graduated from school in McDowell, but he served as a principal at the Monterey school for more than 20 years. He attended last week's "all classes" reunion. |
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MONTEREY - The Highland Center hosted the reunion of the Monterey High School classes of 1922-66 last weekend, with around 300 alumni in attendance.
"Monterey High School was the center of activities in our community," said Louise Rexrode, co-chair of the MHS reunion committee.
"Welcome back to your old school," said The Highland Center executive director Betty Mitchell. "This day has been a long time coming … Hazel, John and Sarah, and a number of you have wanted to see a reunion happen."
Dr. A. Emerson Johnson III, a 1948 graduate of MHS, and an educator for over 55 years, said, "Teachers now are one of the most undervalued people in America. They are at the bottom of every list of people we most respect." He went on to praise the teachers he admired most at MHS: Glenna Aldridge "who always had every hair in place" and "very long fingernails" she wasn't afraid to use to discipline children with; Aretha Bell McGuffin, seventhgrade teacher, had three responsibilities, to keep all the children who wanted to drop out of school in her class until they were 17, and she was president of the classroom teachers of Virginia; Mary Virginia Maloy was principal and math teacher. "She knocked her college class ring on the desk to get students' attention," said Johnson. Teacher Mildred Trimble also topped Johnson's list of favorite teachers. She helped him get into college by volunteering her time to teach geometry, Latin and study hall. "Did you ever wonder why she weighed 65 pounds?" Johnson asked.
 | | Harry C. Lunsford III is a graduate of Highland Elementary School. As a guest speaker, he spoke about his days as a student. His father was H.C. Lunsford Jr., who was a superintendent for Highland County schools for many years. (Recorder photos by James Jacenich) |
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"The world has changed as far as education is concerned," said Johnson. "There was the day when teachers were respected."
He added, "We knew school, church and the family had the same set of values," said Johnson. "Now there is no common set of values," he said.
 | | Louise Rexrode was co-chair of the committee that planned and coordinated the reunion last weekend. |
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Harry Lunsford III graduated from HHS in 1968. But he attended Monterey Elementary School and is the son of H.C. Lunsford Jr., former superintendent of Highland County Public Schools. Lunsford said he remembered two important things about Monterey School: the bathroom and the cafeteria.
In a more serious note, he said he recalled an atmosphere of respect at the school, where there were standards for excellence, and expectations for proper behavior.
He said MHS was the "central point of the community." From his attendance at school in Highland, Lunsford said he gained high standards and values, a strong work ethic, and a strong faith. "I am proud to be a product of this school," he added.
Lunsford retired in 2007 after serving 35 years at Staunton City Schools, most recently as superintendent.
The final official speaker was Highland native and graduate of McDowell High School, John Reynolds. Reynolds served the Highland County Public School system for 35 years and was principal of the elementary school for more than 20 years. Reynolds recounted his experiences as a girls' basketball coach in Highland. He was especially proud of the girls' teams. "We had four championship teams in a row," he said.
 | | Classmates Janice Warner and Paige Gutshall Waner, who graduated in 1959 from Monterey High School, share a laugh at the reunion. |
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Reynolds, who is a doubleamputee (he wears prosthetic devices to assist him in walking), said he recently had to take a driving test. He found that ironic since he introduced driver training to Highland County public schools.
"We didn't get stipends (for the extra assignments we had)," he said. "We did it for free. We must have considered it an honor because we didn't fuss about it."
Looking back on his life, Reynolds said, "You can say the glass is half empty or half full. I would like to think the glass is half full."
Former students and teachers joined the guest speakers at the podium to reminisce about "the good old days" at MHS.
 | | Thelma Beverage Clem, Class of '35, held the honor for oldest alumni present for the classes that gathered. |
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That night, the Monterey Lions Club street dance gave alumni a chance to continue to socialize and maybe even participate in an oldfashioned square dance.
Sunday ecumenical church services were held by the Rev. Dr. M. Douglas Newman, class of 1940. After brunch Arnet and son, Grady Gutshall, provided a concert.
 | | Dr. A. Emerson Johnson III, Class of 1948, was a guest speaker at the Monterey gathering. |
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