®Yamato High School Reunion
Gold Coast Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
August 22-24, l999
I was so overwhelmed by this reunion and the outstanding attendance, that I was possessed to write about it as seen from my eyes. I understand that we had 250 people who showed up. I am not a writer, so this will be written very informally.
I went with a list of names I wanted to seek out that weekend, but the time went by so quickly that I did not find everyone. For example, Carol Dyson, Fred Price and Judy Noakes. I wish I could have talked with Charlie Moy, who was busy taking pictures and doing some fancy dance steps on the dance floor. Also, Kathy Urata, who introduced herself to me and that was the last time I saw her. And Doris (Tuck) Thornton, I wanted so much to visit more with her. I didn't take as many pictures as I had hoped. After my zipper broke, I was in a state of trauma! After that, I was a teenager again.
I was so impressed with the reunion committee and how everything fell together so perfectly. They really should be commended for all of their hard work and excellent organization. The decorations were beautiful, done in the green and white school colors. Green and white balloons and confetti on the tables to match. We were all given a Yamato wine glass, which was a wonderful surprise. We were able to buy a T-shirt or sweat shirt with Yamato written on it. A master list was available to us with names and addresses of classmates who are not online. I found some new names I want to contact and encourage to attend the next reunion. I can't comment on the food, as I barely ate, I was just too wound up.
So, the following pages will reveal what I experienced at this “Great Reunion.”
My days were filled with my regular life, playing on my computer, enjoying my handsome Grandson's, ages 7 and 9, and just being what everyone calls, "normal!" My son, Edward, would visit and say, "Mom, you need to get online!" I would reply, "I will not waste my money on something I will never use!" As the weeks passed, he would, on every visit, try to convince me to go online. He was relentless! (By the way, he is responsible for all my gray hairs!) Anyway, he finally talked me into a 30-day free trial period as my husband, Dave, reluctantly agreed. My son, knew that once I got online, I would get hooked, and that was my husbands fear. He kept saying, "Vonnie, you are spending all of our retirement money!"
The first thing I did when I got online, was to pull out my Yamato year book and type in names. After all, I only had 30 days! Of course, I hit a dead end with that idea. Then my Uncle Steve sent me an e-mail with the address for Classmates.com, but I didn't get too excited. One day I decided to check it out and entered my name and school, all the while thinking this would lead nowhere. Approximately, 3 days later, I received an e-mail with a list of my classmates and I went crazy! I began to e-mail them and they were surprised and happy to hear from me. I was soon to discover the Yamato alumni site and the, Yamato, my family.com. I was now in heaven and haven't come back to earth yet! Every day I fire up the computer and I visit my school sites. I even opened up my own personal site and if anyone is interested, let me know and I will be happy to invite you in. Now my husband has less money each month and my son is extremely pleased that he, once again, wore me down. I am addicted!!
This is a tribute to my lover, my friend, my soul mate, and my husband of 37 years. The wonderful, David Lowell Beattie, Age 62.
When I first heard that the upcoming reunion was in the making I didn't get too excited, because I thought the present circumstances of our life would not allow us to attend. My husband, Dave, for the last 37 years (whenever I was in a sentimental mood) would listen over and over to my Japan memories. He began to know each name as well as I did . So, when he heard about the reunion, he encouraged me to attend and made the steps required to make this trip possible. He allowed me the freedom to shop without limitations and just sat back and watched.
During those three glorious days in Las Vegas, he gave me the freedom to search for my friends, as he faded into the background. I attribute our long marriage to his wonderful way of giving me the space I so desperately need to survive in this life. He knows me better than I know myself and he patiently waits for my return to him as I once again devote myself to being, Mrs. David Beattie. This is where I shine, this is where I will stay till I die. On this Las Vegas trip, I fell in love with my husband, once again. As the old song goes, “He's got what it takes to set my soul on fire!”
I awoke Thursday morning, Oct. 21, 1999, with great excitement rushing throughout my whole body as the realization that, "The Great Reunion," would very soon become a reality!! Two days before I developed a major sinus infection and I was feeling miserable. My fantastic Dr. listened to my pitiful plea to make me well FAST! So, the morning was busy driving into the next town to be given a cortisone shot before our trip.
After our return home, I still had so much left to do. I pulled out my luggage about two weeks before, but I still felt not ready. I then entered my studio (my lifeline) and proceeded to fill my Yamato suitcase. The hours began to pass quickly and that ugly feeling of stress began to enter my body. My husband, walked into my studio, (where he could find room) and looked at me with disbelief. He said, "Vonnie, you will never be ready to leave in the morning if you don't start packing!" He didn't understand that I was packing! (My Yamato suitcase)
About an hour later, I heard my brother, Anthony's, voice and I ran out to greet him as we both realized we were in the same state-of-mind! My brother would travel with us to Las Vegas in our van. As my brother proceeded to bring in his luggage, which pretty well matched the number of pieces I would be bringing, my husband's face now turned to shock! Kentucky Fried Chicken was brought into the house for dinner, but we weren't hungry, we did not have time to eat! My sister, Jeannie, popped in to gather material so she could report, our insanity, to those we were leaving behind. About this time, our daughter, Bridget, who would be meeting us in Nebraska in a week, asked if we could carry her heavy jacket and cowboy hat in the van, so she would not have to carry it on the plane. My husband's face told me he was wondering, whatever possessed us to have children! At this point, my husband retired to the bedroom to pray for some sleep. His two small bags had been packed hours ago.
My brother and I entered into our own little worlds and we continued packing. As it was approaching midnight, I was ready for bed FINALLY! Since I had next to nothing in my stomach, I decided to wash a plum and eat it before going to bed. Unfortunately, my husband could not sleep, so he entered the family room to see what progress we had made. I said, "Honey, I am done, and as soon as I finish this plum I am going to bed. My husband's face then turned to relief!
This was it, we were pulling into the, "Gold Coast Hotel & Casino." Las Vegas, Nevada. My best friend, Rosalie, wanted to be here so bad, that I decided to share these first moments with her through my cell phone. I was wearing, navy blue Levi's, an orange shirt with big bold letters that spelled, "Tokyo" and disguised myself with a large, straw, navy blue hat and sunglasses. Now I was ready!
I walked through the doors of the Gold Coast, wondering if one of my classmates might be registering. I saw no one. My husband was dealing with the valet guy and my brother and I stood in line to check-in. I registered first and then surveyed the area. Still….no one. I am on the cell, reporting all of this to my friend, when my husband walks up to me and say's, "Vonnie, get off of that (blank-ity blank) phone. I answered, "But, I am talking to Rosalie!" (Since, my husband loves Rosalie, I thought this would make a difference) He then said, "I don't care who you are talking to!" He proceeded to lecture me and as I listened he began to resemble my parents when I was 17! He said, "You take care of business first and then you make your calls!" I answered, " We are already registered, I am just waiting for you!" A look of confusion crossed his face. My husband was not aware that he was talking to, Vonnie Hoops, Class of l960, Age----17.
We were given a message that there was a welcoming room for all of us. After having our luggage (15 pieces) brought to our rooms we headed for the welcoming room. I am still on the cell phone waiting to report to Rosalie the first person I see. As we stood before the huge double doors, there was a sign on an easel that advertised a seminar on "Prostate Cancer." That was a bit disturbing! When you are going to your almost 40-year reunion, you don't need a sign like that looking at you before you enter into your past! We opened the doors with extreme excitement, only to find the room empty. What a let down! At this point, I said good-bye to my girlfriend and turned off my cell. My husband and brother were relieved, to say the least.
My husband, Dave, went to gamble and my brother and I decided to stroll the casino, surely we would spot someone. My brother was sitting at a machine and watching each person, searching for a familiar face. Whenever a "fine looking" girl walked by, he would call out, "Yamato? Yamato? The girl would turn to look and when she saw this handsome man sitting there, a smile would fill her face and she would wiggle away. At this moment, my brother was, Anthony Hoops, Class of l964, Age-----13.
One day as I was reading the guest book on the Yamato alumni site, I read an entry by Wally Maroney. He wrote, "I didn't realize the school went back that far, are they going to have wheelchairs for them at the hotel?" I thought, this character, I must meet! So on our first day, at one point someone told us that there were some "60's" classmates at the pool area. As my brother & I entered the pool area, it seemed filled with the younger group. We introduced ourselves and I asked, "Does anyone know a Wally Maroney?" The man standing before me, said, "Yes," and then he yells, "Hey, Wally, There's someone here who wants to see you!" This drop dead, "good looking" guy comes toward me and I proceeded to introduce myself and explain to he and his friends the wheelchair story. I then put my hands on my hips (still in disguise) and asked, "Do I look like I am ready for a wheelchair?" Wally looked me up and down and said, "Not yet!" (Wasn't that sweet?) I thanked him and as he walked away I said, "Wally, I have a special gift for you, which I will give you later!" He answered, "I can't wait!"
I don't know what level of popularity Wally was in high school, but it was apparent to me that at this reunion, he was "top dog" among his many friends. And it was obvious that he was "feeling good!" During the dinner/dance, I approached the two tables where Wally was seated with his friends, and I explained to them why I was there. I was holding in my hand, the memory sheet, I had prepared for people I knew or wanted to meet, with their H.S. picture pasted on it. I kept looking at Wally's picture and I was amazed at how different he looked. I said, "I keep looking at this picture and I must say you are much improved!" His friends, of course, thought that was quite funny. I then slipped my hand into my, custom made, handbag, as Wally fidgeted in his seat while trying to peek into my purse. I then said, "Wally, because of your wheelchair remark, I would like to say, "Have a turtle, TURKEY!" Everyone laughed as I gave him a turtle candy bar. (My favorite) I then leaned down and hugged him as I whispered, "I hope you have a sense of humor!"
Wally was kind enough to sign my memory sheet and this is what he wrote:
“Vonnie, Glad you and the rest of the 60's grads have a sense of humor. It was an eye opener to meet all of you. Maybe next time I will be in need of a wheelchair!"
When I read this, I thought, Wow!, Yamato put out some classy graduates. Wally is from the last graduating class, the school closed that year. So very, very, young!!! He could (almost) be my son! Poor Wally, did not realize he was attacked by, Vonnie Hoops, Class of l960, Age-----17!
After a whole day of trying to spot a Yamato classmate, my brother heard about the room where we were suppose to check-in. We were so excited when we arrived that we didn't catch this when we were given our messages at the front desk. So, off we go to find this mysterious room. My brother walked way ahead of me and as he almost reached the doorway, he started jumping up and down and motioning for me to hurry. Finally, we found some Yamato classmates! I was still in my disguise, blue straw hat and sunglasses, as we took a deep breath and walked into the room, and once again, we did not see one person we knew. I really didn't know how much more of this I could take, this all day search was exhausting me and I was ready to go to my room. We wandered around and read the name tags, etc. Then I bent down to read the letter from President Clinton to our school. I announced that the President couldn't make his reunion this year, so he invited his whole class to the White House. Someone spoke up, and said, "Yes, and I heard the President got very angry, because the wife's brought their husbands!" We all laughed.
It was just about at this moment I heard someone call out Neil's name, and I looked up and asked, "Are you Neil Alterman?" Neil rose from his chair and said, "Yes, I am." My eyes rested on, the greatest face I have every seen in my entire life, and I said, "Hello, Neil!" and he answered, "Hello," as he searched my face for some clue as to who I might be. I then said with a wide smile, "How are you?" He said, "I'm fine," with a very adorable puzzled look on his face. I gave him several hints, but he could not guess, and then I gave him a hint that I knew would give him the answer. I told him that he e-mailed me regarding Harry Tabata, and with that his body fell into a most beautiful position, and he moved toward me and gave me, by far, the best hug I received that glorious weekend. I had no doubt in my mind that I just met a very special man and I say this with all sincerity. Neil was not aware that he was talking to, Vonnie Hoops, Class of l960, Age----17.
Neil and I were brought together by the loss of our very special friends, Muriel Haug & Harry Tabata. Neil was also attending Yamato at the same time I was, but our paths never crossed. He also knew my favorite, teacher, Mr. Robert Schafer. I feel that in Neil, I have found a forever friend, and I am honored.
The time had arrived as we walked through the doorway to attend the, "Get Acquainted" celebration. My brother didn't want to enter with me, in case someone knew us! I faced a long table with a strange face asking my name. As I gave my name, Marliou Galley, jumped up and reached out to hug me. Wow, finally, someone from my class! Marilou looked like a little doll.
My husband and I proceeded to walk through the room, I saw no one I knew. As we were standing in line to order drinks, I heard my name and as I turned, there she was, my best friend in H.S., Beverly Corum, we hugged. Then from out of nowhere stands her sister, Martha Corum, another hug. I have been in touch with Bev. since high school and 20 years ago we traveled to Antioch, Tennessee where she was living at the time. I found this ironic, since we were, and still do, live in Antioch, Calif.
When Bev e-mailed me that she and her sister, Martha, would be attending the reunion, I was filled with excitement. I spent most of my time with Bev. that fantastic weekend, and I clearly saw why we were such good friends when we were young. She had me laughing so hard that my stomach began to hurt. I had to say, "Bev, Stop talking, you are killing me, I can't take anymore!" I told my husband, that I could not live in the same town with her, because I would surely die from laughing too hard.
At one point that weekend, we went to my brother's room and pulled out our Yamato yearbooks and began reading them out loud to each other. Strangely, our yearbooks sounded very similar, as our friends wrote how crazy we were back then. We reminisced about the times we skipped school (her idea) and found we each remembered different things. When I read what I had written in her yearbook, I was shocked! I said something about, beer blasts! I told Bev. I couldn't believe I wrote that and that I was very disappointed in myself. We laughed uncontrollably. Bev. wanted me to sign her yearbook where my picture was, but I had written all over my ugly face and there was no room left to write. Mike Moneymaker was pictured above me, and I didn't want to write all over his space. So I told Bev. I would write something when I get home and mail it to her.
When it was time for their flights to leave, my brother drove them to the airport in his rental car. They asked me to join them, but I declined, because we both knew our energy level was now below zero! I will forever treasure this time we had together at our Yamato H.S. Reunion and we promised each other not to wait another 20 years before we met again.
My memory of David Peacher is very strong since high school. When he, Linda Chapman and I graduated we all returned home to attend college, and we were on the same flight. Since, we were on space available, we were bumped off in Hawaii, and the next morning when they couldn't wake Linda & I up to catch the next flight, David, who was more responsible, decided to stay back with us. We thought that was sweet! We ended up staying in Hawaii for a week. During that week, we were asked out to a movie by a couple of GI's and when we rushed to tell David, he said, "If you girls want to go to a movie, I will take you!" (He did not understand that it wasn't the movie we were interested in!) When I relayed this story to David at the reunion, he had no memory of this! He said, he had made friends with another kid his age, and they would go into town to girl watch. I couldn't believe it! I told him, "You mean you had Linda and I at your feet and you went out looking for other girls, and then you had the nerve to not let us date!" David asked, "Did I take you to the movie?"
About an hour into the, "Get Aquainted" celebration, I was talking to a group of people when I felt this tap on my shoulder. As I turned around this very tall, hunk of a man, stood looking down at me. (David is 6'5" tall) Somehow, I knew him right away and I believe I screamed his name and we hugged. The tall, lanky, boy I remembered, was now a man built to perfection. The once dark hair had turned gray, and the black rim eyeglasses were replaced with the latest look in glasses. He was dressed sharp, with a sports jacket and one of those shirts you wear without a tie. David has aged very well, but then most males do!
The only thing David remembered from high school was when we were going by bus to an "away" game and he forgot to sign up, so Linda and I sneaked him onto the bus. Amazingly, I have no memory of this, but it sounds like something we would have done.
David is married to a beautiful, Russian university teacher, and David added "TallEagle" to his name after finding her. Isn't that romantic? David himself is a teacher, another Yamato graduate who makes Yamato H.S. proud.
When we were in high school, Jerry dated my friend, Linda Chapman, and she was also his prom date. Even in H.S. Jerry had an air of sophistication about him and seemed a step above me in intelligence. He seemed very tall and lanky, like lots of guy's were at that age. He was always at the teen club in Green Park.
The night of the, "Get Aquainted" celebration, just after I hugged David Peacher, I saw this, nice looking, man standing next to him with a suit and tie on, just looking at me and I asked, "And, who are you?" He remained silent, as someone else said his name, Jerry Scribner. I became so excited and I circled around him, looking at him up and down trying to find some trace of the boy I remembered. The only pictures I had of Jerry back then, were of his back dancing with Linda Chapman. As I moved to the front of him, he gave me a wonderful hug and as I looked into his face, the Jerry Scribner I remembered, started to emerge. It is always in the eyes! Jerry is a lawyer today, and he has the look of a lawyer. Again, another Yamatoite, who makes us proud.
During the dinner/dance, Jerry asked me to dance and I was thrilled. I have no memory of dancing with him in high school. I believe I was too immature for him. Ha!
I love what Jerry wrote on my memory sheet. He wrote:
"My memories of Yamato revolve around the teen club and dancing. That was my passion. It was great seeing you again! You look great and I hope we can get together with some of our Northern California classmates before too long, Jerry"
It was also, great to see, Jerry's sister, Jeanne, again. She was younger, so I don't have strong memories of her, other than she was Jerry's sister.
Jim Brauer and I were in the, "Equestrian Club" together in which he was the only boy. I was eager to find him and started asking where he was. He was right in front of me and I didn't know him. This quiet, shy, skinny boy, was now filled out with a full beard on his handsome face, and a look of self-confidence about him. Jim is also a teacher today. I asked, Jim, "Do you know who I am?" And he answered, "Vonnie." I was amazed. He introduced me to his wife, Ann and she won my heart when I asked her to take a picture of Jim & I. I showed her how to use my camera, and after the third time she still could not get it to work. I laughed because he reminded me of myself!
At the reunion, Jim told me that while he was in Japan, that he used the horses at Fuchinobe near Camp Zama. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't help but wonder why I didn't pay more attention to him back then. I would have probably would have followed him to Fuchinobe to ride horses. Ha! I don't think I even saw a horse while we were in Japan. We are so self-absorbed when we are teenagers!
I love what Jim wrote on my memory page:
"We really should have gotten some horses for our Equestrian Club, but it wouldn't have matched this great reunion. Great to see you! Jim"
Jim gave me, what I considered my highest compliment at the "Get Aquainted" celebration. He said, "Vonnie, You have held up better than most!" This sounds pretty good when you are 56 years old. For that, Jim Brauer, I will love you forever! I must say Jim has held up very good himself!
The last time I saw Buddy, he was 15 and I was 17. The first time I remember seeing Buddy, was one day in school, as I was primping up before the next class, the bell rang and I ran out of the girl's bathroom through a swinging door and knocked Buddy flat to the ground! I felt so bad, I thought he was hurt. After this, Buddy, developed a major crush on me and began pursuing me to the point of insanity! Now almost 40 years have passed and I see his name on a list of classmates, which was sent to me by e-mail. I wanted to e-mail him, but I hesitated, thinking, it has been 40 years, surely he has grown up! I was to later discover that I was 60% right! Ha! Ha! The last few months, before the reunion, I would on occasion talk with Buddy over the computer. I told him, I was going to laugh my head off when he didn't know me. He said he would know me from a mile away. Yell, Right! Buddy.
It was about an hour into the, "Get Aquainted" celebration and I still had not met, Mr. Buddy Eaton. I then turned to David Peacher who was sitting next to me and said, "That little jerk, I can't believe him, does he not know me or is he waiting for me to approach him?" David stretched his long, tall body in a way that I remembered so vividly when he was l8. He threw his head back and said, "I don't know, Vonnie." At that moment, my best friend Bev. says to me, "Your brother is talking to Buddy." I said, "Don't stare, but tell me everything they are doing." We giggled like teenagers. Bev. then reports that my brother is now pointing my way. We both broke into uncontrollable laughter. Bev. then say's, "Now they are walking toward us." (More laughter) My brother, then say's, "Sis, I have someone I'd like you to meet!" On his face was a mischievous grin, as I had earlier told him not to show Buddy who I was. As I looked up, I saw this huge stranger looking down at me. I lifted myself out of my chair and pointed to Buddy saying, "You did not know me, Ha! Ha! Ha! He then jerked his body backward, as if he were a horse getting ready to buck me. He walked toward me with words of denial shooting out of his mouth. We hugged and then I introduced him to my husband. As Buddy shakes my husband's hand, he say's, "You have my sympathies!" The boy I remembered was now wearing a beautiful western shirt with suspenders, (I love suspenders) and his hair was in a ponytail with a full beard. I asked him, "What's with the ponytail?" He answered, "You're lucky I didn't wear my earring!"
There were a couple of moving moments with Buddy that weekend which I will always remember. I was telling him what a beautiful daughter he had, and as I looked into his eyes, I saw the deep pain & suffering that this cruel world has a way of handing one out of the blue. I felt like I wanted to break down and cry. But I didn't you see, because at that very moment in time, he was l5 and me, I was 17!
The other moment with Buddy was the evening of the dinner/dance. I was still in what I classified as my "house dress," and to keep myself from crying, I walked over to Buddy's wife, Harriet, to present her with the token gift I had for them, and from behind me I heard this loud voice coming toward me. Buddy was not aware that I was upset, and as I turned to him, I said with sadness, "Buddy, my zipper broke!" He said, "Vonnie I am so sorry," and he put his arm around me and placed my head on his chest as a tear feel down my cheek. Boy, did I need a hug! For one small moment, Buddy Eaton, cut the act, and allowed me to see, Buddy Eaton, the man.
When I was l7, I took for granted the attention that Buddy paid to me, but as the years began to pass, I would remember the young boy who had a crush on me and it started to become a beautiful memory. That is why I can now say, "Thank you for the memories, and for that, I love you, Buddy Eaton!"
I saw Cheryl's name on MSN messenger and introduced myself to her. She was very nice and the months prior to the reunion, we would chat. One day, I told Cheryl that my husband, Dave, bought a pair of tennis shoes for the first time in his life, and that they made him look sexy! Cheryl said she knew exactly how I felt, because when she met her husband, Larry, he was a barefoot and wearing Levi's! She went on to say that he was dieting and could once again get into Levi's. She had me rolling with laughter, when she said, "There is something about a guy who is barefoot and wearing Levi's that turns me on!"
Cheryl e-mailed me a recent picture of she and Larry, and I mailed her one of Dave & I. I thought surely, I would know her, but pictures are so deceiving, and I could not find her until I asked someone. At the "Get Aquainted" celebration, Cheryl said she wanted to introduce me to her husband, Larry. I walked toward him, and looked to see if he was wearing his Levi's! I said, "Hello! Larry, I see you are wearing your Levi's. They look very nice, but they would look better if you got rid of the shoes!" Thank goodness he laughed. Larry did not realize he was being attacked by, Vonnie Hoops, Class of l960, Age----17. One is so uninhibited at this age!
Cheryl and Larry were dressed very sharp the night of the dinner/dance. She was in a black, beaded, sexy, top with a short black skirt, and Larry was in a gray suit with a black shirt and black tie. I love it when couples dress to match….something my husband refused to do! I thought they were the best-dressed couple at our reunion. They also dance beautifully together. It was a delight meeting these two.
Mr. Stanley Arlton, a Yamato high school instructor, from 1959-1961, attended our reunion and we felt honored by his presence.
I first saw, Mr. Arlton, during our "Get Aquainted" celebration. I walked over to him and showed him the picture I blew up to a larger size of our choir class the year he was my choir director. I reminded him that I was his top vocalist that year (1960), and he played along and bragged to those standing around us, what an outstanding voice I had. Ha! Ha! Believe me, this is a joke. My kids always say to me, "Please, Mom, don't sing!" Although, I will say, while I was dancing with the wonderful, Neil Alterman, an old song was playing, so we both started to sing, and I thought we sounded pretty good! At least Neil did! Mr. Arlton looks so good and is in terrific shape, he made all of us look old!
I had some token gifts for some of my friends that I knew would be attending the reunion, and Mr. Arlton was one of them. I pulled out of a plastic bag, and removed the paper towel away from a large, red apple and said, "I brought my teacher an apple!" He was delighted and told me, that in all of his years of teaching, this was the first apple given to him by a student. He then motioned for the photographer to take our picture. Wow, I thought, "It doesn't get any better than this!"
Mr. Arnold plans to attend our next reunion and bring with him, his two sons, who were born in Japan. What an honor this will be for our next reunion. When I told Mr. Arlton about my bicycle riding, he told me about his many years of bike riding in which he rode very long distances. He also said, that he still has his first bicycle. Isn't that amazing?
Mr. Arlton signed my memory sheet, and he wrote it so eloquently, that I will post it on a completely separate page. His description of our reunion should be framed! He is so intelligent and writes so beautifully. His penmanship is written very precise and is so exquisite. I have never seen anything like it before! Mr. Arlton, is definitely on of a kind!
"This is an exciting time! Six months ago I would not have imagined that I would ever see any of my students from Yamato H.S. (l959-1961). But it happened! I am very thankful to the Reunion Committee for their tireless work to make this a reality; this has been (and is) a wonderful occasion. I have especially enjoyed being able to converse at length with a number of students; this has been exceptionally rewarding, Also, I am impressed with the accomplishments of many of the former students. Many thanks must go to the organizers and other volunteers who worked so long and diligently on this event; it was very well done. The idea of another reunion in just a few years is appealing to me and I would like to bring my sons, who were born at Tachikawa (l960-1961). I had hoped to get pictures around Las Vegas, but my camera "refused" to operate: in that particular detail my goals were frustrated. Not having been in a casino before, I found that quite interesting - though I didn't spend a nickel! And as I write this, I realize that in only about three hours I will have to be on my way back home to Minnesota - much too soon!
Again.....many thanks to all who made this occasion such an outstanding success. I look forward to meeting even more former teachers and students if there is going to be another reunion. And thank you for inviting me to write in your book of memories. Love, Stan Arlton
Thank you for the personal, thoughtful gifts!"
It was about an hour away from the dinner/dance & everything was going right. Now it was time to slip into my beautiful, red, Oriental dress, picked special for this occasion. As I zipped up my dress & turned to view myself in the mirror, my zipper popped open. My husband, Dave, went to get my brother, to help us, who was two doors down from us. My brother entered, his shirt still not buttoned & sat on my bed & made every effort to fix my zipper. He then looked up and said, "Vonnie, get something else on, because this zipper cannot be fixed!" I answered, "But, I don't have anything else!" "Then put on your Levi's, it's late, lets go!" he said. My husband then said, "Wear that purple thing you wore last night." I looked in horror at these two MALE animals with their outrageous solutions to my problem, and got dressed. "Look at me," my brother said, "I have to wear my tennis shoes, because my dress shoes are down in the van. Just think of this as a memory, we will laugh about later!" I was not amused!
We left our room and as we were going down the elevator, I was fighting back the tears. I stood before the double doors where I was to begin my walk back into my past, I held my breath and we entered the room. Paulette Peacher was on the microphone and directed me to my table, class of l960. Across the room, our friends were beckoning us to their table. I was torn and decided to go to my girlfriend's table. If ever I needed to see her, it was now. We must have been a sight, my brother in his tennis shoes, me in my housedress, and my husband pulling behind him my Yamato suitcase. This was not how I wanted to enter a room full of 250 strangers! As I reached our table, I held up my dress, looked at my girlfriend, Bev, and said, "This is what I was suppose to wear!"
Seated next to me was a beautiful stranger and she said, "Oh, I didn't know that was the problem, go to the ladies room and I will sew you into your dress. In fact, I think I have thread and a needle in my purse." I watched her as I felt a miracle starting to happen, as she pulls out of her purse, a little sewing kit with red thread that matched my dress perfectly. The next thing I knew, I was in my dress and they were calling me to take a group pictures with my class. As I stood there posing, that is when it happened. My gray hair turned black, the wrinkles faded from my face, and the excess inches on my body fell to the floor. The last, almost 40 years, of pain and suffering I was asked to endure one too many times, and the turmoil that is present in my life today, was non-existent. I was allowed for a few short, precious hours, to "Go Home Again." I became, Vonnie Hoops, Class of l960, Age-------17.
It was the dinner/dance and I was still in my "housedress," when this very handsome man kneeled down in front of me and began talking about (as if it was just yesterday) a mutual classmate, Jean Gelwicks, Class of l962. He then paused and asked, "You are Vonnie?" I said, "Yes, and who are you?" His eyes began to twinkle as he realized I did not recognize him and waited a few seconds before answering. He then said, "Bill Pearson" and I went ballistic. I told him I knew he would be there and I was going to find him. Then we hugged and he began telling me that he had a picture of our whole "flag twirling" team." I was elated, I did not know such a picture existed. I gave him my address card and he promised to send me a copy. When I get it, I will post it and hope to find the rest of the team. I don't even remember how many, or who was on the team. I do know that we had a ball and I have many wonderful memories of doing our routines at the football games. Football did not interest me in the least and still doesn't today. I was only interested in the cute guys on the team. Bill was a "hot shot" football player! My husband is a sports fan, so I am subjected to TV sports all the time!
Bill Pearson, was one of the boys in high school that was already filled out and very good looking. I remember that he always dressed very nicely. That always caught my eye back then and I guess it still does today. I had two very good pictures of Bill that I blew up to a larger size and I thought sure I would recognize him. As it happened a lot that evening, once he told me who he was, the Bill Pearson, I remembered started to emerge. Other than that, I don't remember whom he liked or even hung with. He was just another "Green Park" family member! That is what it seemed like back then and I didn't fully realize the bond we all had until this reunion. Since, I was a "Great Big Senior," I never thought of the younger guys in a romantic way. Most of our parents would not let us date GI's until our senior year, so since GI's were all around us, we were eager to date them. The younger guys seemed too immature for us. Ha!
It was so great seeing, Bill, again and I am going to try hard to find the rest of our lost classmates and encourage them to attend the next reunion in 2001.
I knew from reading each and every single thing our Yamato sites had to offer, that it was David Yoshida and Loren Collett who were responsible for these fantastic sites. When I first saw that Jim Brauer, from my class, was on the attendee list, I e-mailed David asking for Jim's e-mail address, which he sent me.
I first saw David in the check-in room and that is when he told me about the master list. I begged him to save me a copy. It was during the dinner/dance when I was still in my "housedress" that David approached me and handed me the master list. Wow, did that make me happy. I would have kissed him, but I barely know him. Ha! That evening I also met David's wife, Kathy, which pleased me, as we had chatted on instant messenger. By the way, Yamatoites, why don't you download instant messenger and join us? You can do it through Internet Explorer. I immediately skimmed through the list of names and was delighted to see some familiar names. I will be contacting them very soon. I plan to get them so excited that wild horses won't keep them away from the next reunion in 2001!
David is another Yamato cutie, and has aged very well. I know I keep saying this, but Yamatoites are all so "good looking!" Don't you agree?
I must share with you what David wrote on my memory page:
"After 37 years - I still look the same!? Ha! This reunion is more than I would have dreamed of. Seeing so many friends after all these years is simply great! Can't wait for the next reunion and hopefully see more lost friends. Until then, I'll see you on-line - Dave
I was standing at Loren and Harriet's table at the dinner/dance, when I heard someone mention Loren's daughter. I immediately asked, "Where's Loren's daughter?" Someone pointed to this beautiful girl with long, black hair, a very nice figure and a wonderful smile. I couldn't believe my eyes! I even said, "I can't believe this is "little" Loren Collett produced this lovely creature. Of course, Loren, is standing nearby filled with great pride in his daughter and very, very proud of himself, for which, I have no doubt is an example of his best work! I will give Loren this one, he deserves it.
I started to talk to Snow, I was still in a state of trauma, and told her about my broken zipper. She said, "Why don't you check with the front desk and see if there is a seamstress on hand. In fact, I will go with you." So, out we walked to the front desk. I was still in awe of who she was and continued to express this to her. The front desk said the seamstress was off duty. I couldn't help but think, if this was "Ballagio's Hotel & Casino," they would have helped me! And later I the evening, someone told me that this same thing happened to Marilyn Monroe. Can you imagine, me having something in common with Marilyn!! Snow then walked with me to the gift shop to see if they had a sewing kit. They had a sewing kit, but we both walked off without our purses, so our plan was to return after dinner, purchase the sewing kit and sew me into my dress. As it happened, I sat next to a lady at my table, who not only had red thread and a needle in her purse, but also sewed me up in a whip!
I will never, ever, forget Snow's effort to help me out, and I am so happy she touched my life at my Yamato high school reunion. Snow is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Thank you again, Snow, I will be forever grateful for your kindness and you will always be in my prayers.
I saw Doris' name pop up on the computer screen one-day, and I introduced myself. The following months we talked about our daily lives and the upcoming reunion. We began to develop a very nice friendship and I was eager to meet Doris, but in the huge room of full of strangers it seemed impossible. I enjoyed our talks, because not only is Doris intelligent, but she has a very positive attitude and we are both into exercising, she walks and goes to aerobic classes and I ride my bicycle.
At the dinner/dance, I asked the DJ to please make an announcement for me. He called out Doris' name and asked her to stand up, and as she stood up, I walked toward her and noticed how pretty and thin she was. We hugged - finally we met! I must have walked by her several times and didn't realize it was Doris. I regret that we didn't get to visit more, the time just flew by and I didn't get to see or talk to as many as I had hoped. The following morning, I called her room only to discover that she had already checked out. I was disappointed! The next reunion, I think I will arrive early instead of waiting for the day of the celebration.
Doris wrote on my memory sheet, how we all share a common bond, and she is so right. We all passed through the same entryway, walked down the same halls, had classes in the same rooms, and ate in the same cafeteria. We shared some of the same instructors and belonged to the same clubs. We were all so very far away from home for, sometimes a number of years. When we all met at the reunion, it really didn't seem to matter if we once knew each other or not, because we still felt this bond. How we looked today was not important, because we seemed to see each other the way we used to look. At the reunion, at least with my friends, we talked more about the past then our present life. This is how Doris expressed it:
"I think that this has been a wonderful experience for all of us. I don't think that this could have been possible without the interest. I hope that this will be one of many more reunions. It has been wonderful getting reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones who share a common bond."
The final celebration was coming to an end. People were starting to filter out of the banquet room. There were just a few remaining Yamatoites who didn't want this to end, including me! I pulled up a chair and just sat down to absorb the last remaining moments, when I heard a voice say, "Your husband is here!" I turned to face my husband, and once again, I became, Vonnie (Hoops) Beattie, Class of l960, Age 56. I was now ready to be taken to my room and back to my life, which I really love. Back in our room, my husband fell into sleep, as I pulled out my memory sheets and began to read each and every one. Each memory expressed what I was feeling and tears filled my eyes. "The Party Was Over!"
My oriental clothes would now go into a garment bag at home, my beautiful false fingernails painted with a French manicure will slowly fall off. Although, for a while, I considered keeping them, but my darling, husband, said it was not me. (Interpretation: Too expensive!) My clothes bought special for this weekend will be worn only on occasion. My wardrobe will return to bike riding clothes and grocery store attire. Not very snappy! Although, I have started wearing hats! The "old" Vonnie will try to return, but I will not let her, because I am the "new" Vonnie and it feels so good that I intend to stay that way! I will spend the next two years looking forward to the reunion in 2001. Gosh, that sounds like a long time! After viewing my pictures on the Yamato site, I will definitely continue to ride my bicycle. Ha! I will return to cooking every day, cleaning house, washing clothes, paying bills, balancing my checkbook and just facing reality again. (After I am off the computer. Ha!) No wonder I am looking forward to the next reunion. Ha! Now, we will take our little (get-away) vacations that we do as often as we can. I really do enjoy my life today, but there is something extremely exciting about feeling young for just a few hours, especially when you see people from your past. There is something very special about those years that we shared with each other when we were all so very, very young. I never realized until this reunion, how much my past is really very much a part of my present life. It was just hidden away all of these years and surfaced the day I found my Yamato classmates.
I was so moved by this reunion, that I was motivated to write about it, because I didn't want to forget a single moment. I wrote it on my trip, from Vegas to Nebraska while everything was fresh in my mind, and when I returned home I decided to post a page or two. To my amazement, I received so much encouragement to continue my story that I just kept on posting. It allowed me to relive and express my feelings to the only people, my classmates, who would fully understand. I thank all of you for your interest and I know there is a story in each of you, why don't you share it with us? I, for one, would enjoy reading it.
Vonnie (Hoops) Beattie, who left Antioch, CA on Thursday, Oct. 21, l999, will never be the same again. I will return a different and better person because of the most fantastic weekend of a lifetime.
The reunion committee did a terrific job and every moment of that weekend took on the look of a well-organized program which resulted in a perfect celebration. It made me proud to be a part of it.
The first celebration, the "Get Aquainted" gathering was fabulous. Throughout the evening, you could hear screams as classmates discovered each other. With 250 people in that room, and the many years that had passed, it was hard to find your friends. I regret that I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to or spend more time with others. The weekend went fast!
The Dinner/Dance and final celebration exceeded all of our expectations. We were all walking tall! Like my classmate, David Peacher TallEagle! We were all mentally back in high school again! This was the night that everyone chose with great care what he or she would wear. Not one person looked bad. I missed so much because of the excitement, that after viewing the photos on the Yamato site, I realized I missed many smashing outfits people were wearing. But, that night, from my eyes, there were a few that stood out just a little above the rest of us. I thought the best dressed was the beautiful, Japanese lady from Japan who was dressed in full kimono. As for the best dressed couple, I felt Cheryl (Skipton) Runyon and her husband, Larry looked smashing and they lit up the dance floor. As for the sexiest, I just remember looking up and seeing this gal talking on the microphone and as she finished speaking, she turned her back to the crowd and walked away, revealing her, beige dress with a very sexy open back. I thought, "Wow, she knows how to use that dress and it was obvious that she was feeling good." Last, but not least, Paulette Peacher and Brenda Pickle expressed on the dance floor what we were all feeling as they danced with huge smiles on their faces and were just bubbling over with excitement. I honestly don't remember them ever sitting down, it seemed that their bodies were in movement the entire evening. On this particular night, Paulette and Brenda were, Yamato high school students, and so were we!
As I left the reunion that evening, I turned back for one last look, and there they were, Paulette and Brenda, still bubbling with excitement. They were a very large part of what made this reunion a success. They were a pleasure to watch.
Well, it was time to leave Las Vegas and return to our previous lives. Everyone would be returning home and the postings and pictures of this awesome reunion would begin. In my case, we would now start our trip to Grand Island, Nebraska, to celebrate my, other dad's, 80the birthday. Because this guy married my mother when I was 8 years old, I was given the wonderful gift of travel. Without him, I would have not been a Yamato high school graduate. Wow, what a memorial year this will be.
As we drove out of town, I slipped out of my clothes and into my nightgown, stretched out on the double bed in our van, turned on my CD player (my current addiction) ,and began to relive the reunion that was now becoming a memory. I was physically and emotionally exhausted! I am not a writer, but the pen in my hand seemed to take on a life of its own, as I had this strong need to put this weekend in writing. I stayed in my nightgown for two days and only left our van to sneak into a restroom to brush my teeth. Since our full-sized van is equipped with a TV, microwave, refrigerator and potty toilet, it was not necessary to leave for any reason. All we needed were hook-ups in an RV park and we were set. I felt myself wishing for a laptop computer, as I was unable to go online until my return home; it was a long wait.
The first night we were both so tired and as we were getting set up in an RV park, my husband asked me a question and when I answered him, for some reason, he didn't understand me. So when he asked me again, I put my head in my hands and dropped my body to my lap and laughed uncontrollably. My husband asked, "What the (blankity blank) is so funny?" It reminded me of the movie, "Eyes Wide Shut" where Nicole Kidman falls to the floor laughing when her husband thinks he knows her so……well! My husband had the same look on his face that Tom Cruise had on his face in the movie. I laughed even more. (By the way, I am not recommending this movie!) Another incident that struck me funny, was when I asked my husband to pass me my purse. I usually use one purse at home, but had several purses for this trip. So as he tried to find my purse, he turned to me and said with disgust, "I don't even recognize your purse anymore!" I don't think he recognized me anymore either as I starting laughing again. My girlfriend, Bev, had me laughing so hard those three days in Vegas, that I couldn't seem to control it anymore. (All Bev's fault!) Maybe Loren was right, when he offered my husband his sympathies! Poor, Buddy, he had no idea how lucky he was when I wouldn't date him back in high school. Ha! Ha!
As we traveled, my mood continued to be high and the giggling subsided, as I began to relax, especially when I saw Colorado for the first time. I just fell in love with this state. It was at this stage of our trip that my husband said, "I'm shocked, you are so nice and agreeable on this trip!" I wondered exactly what that meant and wished Steve Holland, Class of l965, was here to define this for me. Ha! If I was so nice then why does he want the "old" me back? For example, when he said that my false fingernails weren't me, which is hard for me to believe, since it took him 3 days before he even noticed them. And then when he did notice, the first thing he asked was, "How much did that cost?" I guess the "new" Vonnie is just too expensive! Oh well, I suppose my husband will just have to adjust to living with the every-changing Vonnie (Hoops) Beattie! And to think that all of this happened, because I attended my Yamato High School Reunion!
The End
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