From Oct. 19 to Oct. 22, the Radford class of 1973 met for its 50th reunion. Over the four days, the alumni participated in many activities including a meet-and-greet at the Ala Moana Hotel, golf at Olomana Golf Club, a tour of Pearl Harbor, a banquet at Pearl Country Club, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, a tour of Radford with a catered lunch on the senior patio, a picnic at Ala Moana Regional Park, and a sunset cruise.
During the school tour, the alumni noticed several changes at Radford from their time here.
“When we visited the school during our reunion weekend, we noticed that there weren’t any chalkboards or lockers. Computers are a game changer. I also noticed the caliber of cheerleaders now; you’d have to be trained in gymnastics to be on the team. Well done for the cheerleading championship cheerleading team.” said alumnus Carmel Gabriel Lowry, “The teaching kitchen was amazing. It would have been great if that was there when I was going to Radford. Cooking is a good skill to have, and I can attest to that as I ended up cooking on private yachts for a living.”
Alumnus Laurie Chattleton Arroyo noted how Radford’s enrollment had decreased.
“774 are listed on the graduation program [from 1973]… There were also a few who graduated early due to families being transferred,” said Arroyo, “Not to mention the hundreds transferred each year.”
Former student Julian McCracken was surprised by the changes in the area surrounding Radford.
“The area surrounding Radford is so built up and developed. Salt Lake Boulevard was just a simple two-way street. There was no development on the other side of the athletic complex. The digital sign out front is certainly something we did not have.” said McCracken.
Although some things have changed, others remain the same.
“The look of the school is very similar. It is hard to believe that it is the same structure as when we were going to school there. In Texas, we build new schools very often,” said alumnus David Simmons.
The other alumni agreed.
“The hallways seem hauntingly the same; a lot of memories went through my mind while walking down the halls,” said Lowry.
All of the alumni were grateful for their time at Radford.
“RHS was a great experience. I had moved from Texas and was hesitant about the change. My experiences at Radford truly affected my life in terms of building relationships, accepting change and embracing diversity,” said Simmons.
The former students recalled their fond memories. Simmons described his favorite memories as playing basketball for Coach Alegre, serving as Senior Class President, making lifetime friends, and living the island life.
“I found that people were very friendly and I made friends easily,” said Lowry, “I loved all my teachers, the athletic programs had championship teams—there was so much school spirit, with Pep Rallies every week. I threw myself into the social aspects of life at school; I wasn’t the best student academic-wise but developed social and leadership skills. High school was a great experience for me.”
School spirit was also a highlight for McCracken.
“I remember Radford fondly,” said McCracken, “Being on hand to watch Radford win the state basketball championship our sophomore year was a huge thrill. The pep rallies and school assemblies were the best. Learning [about] the Hawaiian culture was fun and interesting.”
Arroyo was another former student who learned life lessons from her time at Radford.
“[I learned to] show up. You never know how one thing will lead to another,” said Arroyo, “I competed in Miss Hawaii and although it was not my destiny it led to me being asked to represent Hawaii in two USA Olympics as a hostess, an opportunity that was quite an education and honor.”
All of the alumni also had advice for current students.
“You have to be a go-getter, don’t be complacent or expect things to be handed to you,” said Lowry, “Travel and see the world while you’re young; don’t wait until you’re retired. It could change your life.”
“Keep asking questions and find a mentor in a career field of your choice. Enjoy your years at Radford and embrace the diversity of the setting,” said Simmons.
“Be confident, try new things, it is OK to make mistakes, you only go through those years once, enjoy yourself, be grateful and learn to appreciate the little things,” said Arroyo.
“Do your best to stay in touch with one another and by all means, go back to reunions, volunteer to be the one who helps to put on a reunion and forever recall with fondness the carefree days of attending high school in a place most people only dream of visiting in their lifetime—you really are living out a dream at Radford,” said McCracken, “Learn everything you can and go out and have a wonderful, fulfilling life.”