Ramona High School Reunion
By Kathy Fairbanks

Sisters Leonna Garrett, Alice Conwell and Louise Pershing represent the classes of 1958, '56 and '54, respectively. Photos By Kathy fairbanks

The four Ramona High School students, surrounded by stacks of spirit wear and plush bulldogs, gazed at the old-timers shaking hands and sharing memories.

"It's cool, because we'll be just like them someday," said Heidi Jones, motioning to those gathered for Ramona High's annual reunion on Sept. 17 at the fairgrounds.

"We'll see, I have to pass my classes first," said Associated Student Body peer Tommy Padilla, with a smile.

Fears of flunking trigonometry aside, Padilla and Jones probably will join the throngs of graduates at one of these gatherings in the future.

However, on this day, the pair sold T-shirts, sweaters and Bulldog paraphernalia to the couple hundred folks gathered for what has become an annual powwow of those who have passed through the halls of RHS.

Event organizer Leona Garrett of Julian, class of '58, joined her sisters - Alice Conwell, ('56), of Wisconsin and Louise Pershing, ('54), of Niland - for not only a reunion of classmates, but also for a family get-together.

From left, Cecil Hinshaw, Joe Kunkler, Bud Pepper and Robert Gamble.

The trio, who also have a brother who graduated with the class of 1960, were not the only siblings to re-unite at the daylong event.

Brother and sister Beverly Ayres ('58) and Jerry Eller ('54), who traveled from Texas and Washington, respectively, enjoyed catching up with one another and sharing memories of their childhood spent in Ramona.

The Eller family, some may remember, were the owners of a furniture store on Main Street several decades ago. The family's store also housed the town's first television set, Jerry Eller said.

In addition, the siblings' father, Ed Eller, was a Ramona fire chief and their mother, Garnett Eller, was known as a prolific volunteer.

The biggest change in Ramona since the late '50s: "For one thing, there are more stoplights on Main Street," said Jerry Eller, recalling only one at Tenth and Main during his childhood.

From left, Chris Reece, Beverly Ayres, Jerry Eller and Tara Eller. Ayres and brother, Jerry, are graduates of Ramona High School. Reece is the daughter of Ayres, while Tara accompanied her husband, Jerry, to the reunion. Ayres and Reece live in Texas and the Ellers are from the Seattle area.

For Joe Kunkler, class of 1936, and Robert Gamble, class of 1937, the reunion offers a chance to connect with old friends every year.

"I try to keep in touch with all the old-timers that I can find," Kunkler added.

He and Gamble agreed that the biggest change in Ramona since their days as teenagers, is the increase in population.

"One thing you can't do anymore around here is shoot squirrels. Nowadays, you can't throw a rock without hitting someone," Kunkler said.

Classmates like Kunkler and Gamble have been gathering for about 25 years for the reunion, which typically occurs the third weekend in September. It's a casual party where all graduates from every class are invited. There's no cost, just pack a picnic lunch and get ready to relive those wonder years.

From left, Ray McDonald, Wilma Whitney, Linda Thomsen, Ernie Trumper, Doris Smyth Rende and Ron Rodolff.

In addition, the evening before the Sunday gathering, the reunion recognizes whichever class is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a dinner catered by the Sizzler. That event does require reservations, according to former reunion chairwoman Linda Thomsen, class of 1957.

Also, every year, the reunion committee asks attendees for donations to sponsor scholarships for high school seniors.

The oldest attendee at the reunion was from the class of 1933 and the youngest, from the class of 1991.

Current Ramona High School students from left, Tommy Padilla, Darius Ngo, Heidi Jones and Stephanie Long lend a hand to the reunion committee by selling spirit gear.