Our six years of studying and training to attain the position as pilot of the skyrocket, Wildcat '59, began in 1953, under the direction of Mr. O. C. Wilson.  We, as seventh graders, began preparing for our expedition into the future.  As Freshmen, we assumed our first responsibilities as crewmen on the ship.  Our officers, Ronnie Cayll, President; Joyce Grimm, Vice President; Connie Finfrock, Secretary; and Nella Rogero, Treasurer, supervised this first stage of our rocket ship.  In May, when our auditorium burned, we decorated for Class Day in Knowles Memorial Chapel.  A picnic at Sanlando Springs brought this successful stage to a close.

We became Chief Assistant Engineers of the expedition as Sophomores.   Rosemary Talton, Connie Finfrock, and Joyce Grimm represented us for Homecoming.  Our leaders, Jon Darrah, President;  Ford Duane, Vice President;  Nella Rogero, Secretary;  and Carole Peterson, Treasurer led us to the completion of another eventful phase.  As we decorated for Baccalaureate Service and served as ushers for Class Day, it was hard to believe that we were fast nearing our goal.

In our Junior year, as Co-pilots, we were faced with larger problems and responsibilities as we planned for the traditional Junior-Senior Prom.  With the success of the "Wildcat Growl." the first dance of the football season, we gained the confidence necessary to undertake sponsoring the basketball concessions, publishing Student Directories, and giving another dance, "The Basketball Bounce."  Sally Bergstrom, Joyce Grimm, and Connie Finfrock were elected as Homecoming attendants.  Our officers, Tommy Ross, President;  Connie Finfrock, Vice-President;  Jody Frutchey, Secretary;  and Carole Peterson, Treasurer, guided us through the excitement of decorating, to the evening when the Seniors were spotlighted at the enchanting prom, "Deep Sea Dreamland."  Providing Class Day marshals, Ronny Cayll and Tommy Morris, and decorating for Commencement Exercises brought us to our long awaited title, "Sainted Seniors."

As the first Senior Class to sit in the "Pilot Seats" in the new and modern auditorium, we began final preparation for our expedition.  Tommy Ross, President;  Gene Howden, Vice-President; Joyce Grimm, Secretary; and Craig Distelhorst, Treasurer piloted us in our final ventures before reaching our destination.  An evening of fun was the "Wildcat Roar" honoring our fooball team, the recipients of a bid for the Brahman Bowl Classic.   Connie Finfrock reigned as Homecoming Queen with Senior attendants Sally Bergstrom and Sally Crews.  We honored the alumni in the Coliseum Blue Room where Marty Apgar reigned as Queen of the Christmas Formal.  Senior Goof-Off Day will long be remembered with its gamut of personalities from Confederate soldiers to "Little Black Sambo."  The Wi-Pa-Hi-Sc, Towayam, and Horizions' staffs endeavored throughout the year to capture the students' views of news and to preserve the intangible Wildcat spirit.  The Juniors paid their tribute with the exquisite prom theme "Oriental Gardens."  In the aura of Japanese lanterns and cherry trees we realized that too soon the Juniors would take our place.  Now in caps and gowns, anticipating Commencement, we are aware that our rocket is about to blast off into space.  We, as individuals, can only guess where our rocket will make its target in the future.  We know that we will never forget the six memory-filled years at Winter Park High School.  As we stand on the brink of the future, we, the Class of 1959,  bid an affectionate farewell. (Directly quoted from the Senior Salute, Class History, Class of '59)

The Fiftieth Reunion of the Winter Park High School Class of 1959 took place April 17, 18, and 19, 2009. In the coming months photos from this week end will be added on a special page in the Graphics Section. Any updates you have maybe sent to the web master.  Please bear with us as this home page is updated and changed.

It all began when a few classmates met for breakfast in August, 2007, to make tentative plans for a fiftieth class reunion in 2009.   Barbara Ellis Price graciously offered her home for many of our meetings. (Barbara is a really good cook, too.)  We also met at Skip and Fran Penney's, Carole Pfetcher Montgomery's, Jacque Williams Frutchey's, Bill and Jimmie Winderweedle's, Ray and Jean Cullifer's, Barbie Cusano Kingslnad's, and George and Sarah Sprinkel's, .

We need your help in locating Robert Blackwell, Barbara Brierley, Joanna Caffery,  Pam Garner, Johnny McClelland, William Earl Smith  and Patricia Caroline Velasco. These are the people we just can't find. If you can provide any information about married names, sibling or parent location, jobs held,  college attended or last city lived-in, it would be a tremendounks help.

Thanks to the people who have already submitted photos. However, we especially need pictures of everyone who did not attend the Reunion. Please send a current photo of yourself, even if you are part of a group and we probably can use it. These can be emailed to wphs1959@aol.com.  If you have a more recent photo of one of our deceased classmates, we would appreciate having it and it will be added in the coming weeks. 

This book will be available for $30 and will be sent to you in the summer.  Contact Barbara for more information.

Jacque Williams Frutchey, Webmaster, wphs1959@aol.com