ARC 2020 Multi-Class Reunion

Many of you have asked about the March 7th ARC 2020 Multi-Class Reunion.  How did it come about, who were the organizers, and will it be held again?  Here are some answers.

• Having had great success with “50-Year Class Reunions” in both 1964 and 1965, their planners decided to try a combined event on a grander scale.  Initially joint reunions included all 1960’s classes but soon began to include 1950’s grads.  
• In 2017, Jim Pardue and a group of volunteers from the various classes formed a committee to plan a massive reunion for all students who graduated before 1970.  The biggest task – locating and contacting class members.  The paperwork was overwhelming!  The first Multi-Class Reunion was in March 2018 on the ARC campus.  The school graciously offered to host the event, allowing us to use the school lunchroom, gym, and auditorium.  They also provided volunteers, i.e., ARC students, teachers and coaches to help with registration, golf cart transportation and school tours. Though we had a few complaints, the vast majority who attended were extremely appreciative and began asking for us to “do it again”.  The consensus was that having the event every other year would be ideal.  
• In fall 2019, the committee reconvened with Co-Chairs, Jim Pardue, ’65, and Tison King, ’65, to begin planning a 2020 event.  Leaving paper behind, they took a digital approach.  They chose March 7^th as a perfect date between the Super Bowl and the Masters.  ARC had a major construction project underway, so they chose a different venue from 2019 – West Lake Country Club in west Augusta.  The Club House is an elegant setting with a large dining capacity. The Club provided a wonderful meal, cash bar, handicap access, and parking assistance with golf carts.  Best of all, they setup and cleaned up which freed our volunteers to enjoy the evening. Sammy O’Banion,’66 had connected us with one of the finest DJ’s in the Carolinas (Johnny Bartley), Hank Wilson, ’65, and Rebecca Wilson, ’69, donated their time for official photography, and several “Honorary Guests”, i.e. former coaches and teachers were invited. We were off and running.
• The ARC 2020 Multi-Class Reunion had a few glitches with registration – more time to visit in the lobby.  Overall, we received nothing but praise. We always say, “never again,” shortly right before a reunion.  However, when it all goes well and people have such a good time, we change our tune to “Well, OK.  Let’s do it one more time”. A lot could happen between now and 2022, but we look forward to the next ARC Multi-Class Reunion in the spring of 2022.