Dear Editor:

While planning our next high school reunion, it became obvious to many of us that LaGrange was a lot like Lake Wobegon, where “all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are all above average,” and that the LHS class of 1963 had been particularly successful over the years.

The class of ‘63 is rife with doctors, lawyers, judges, high-level bankers, teachers, college professors, businessmen and businesswomen.

Have you ever used Turbo Tax? Thank Charles Gaylord, class of ‘63. Others who have established their bona fides from our class include Byron Hodnett, recently retired as CEO of one of Florida’s largest banks; Dennis Traylor, a nuclear physicist at Oak Ridge Labs; Harris Bagley, CEO of Gem TV; Les Brown, a well-known missionary in Hawaii and the southern Pacific.

Ron Blake and Jerry Breed had an exciting career in international commerce. Larry Mapp was head of the English department at Middle Tennessee State University, and Jerry Norton retired as police chief of Conyers. Those still living in LaGrange probably know that Jim Hunnicutt is a local lawyer and that Bill Scarborough is proprietor of the Thyme Away Bed and Breakfast,

There are a number of classmates who served in the military, many in Vietnam, and two who retired as senior officers. Classmates who served at high levels in the federal government include one who spent all of Sept. 11, 2001, with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield.

Success and contributions to society have not forgotten our distaff side. Dr. Mary Freeman was conducting medical research at Syracuse University. Gail Roberts Rogers became a judge in Griffin. Carol Freeman Swanson is Ms. Colorado in the Senior Miss America Pageant. Quite a few have had and some still have their own businesses. And those who taught school are numerous: Janet Geter Wilkerson, Sherry Adams Taylor, Nancy Cammon Evans, Clair Callaway Rogers, Vivian Dale Young, Barbara Greene and others. And don’t’ forget Dianne Jones Matthews, who’s a member of the Troup County school board.

Members of other classes during the 1950s and ’60s report similar successful classmates.

Is there a common denominator? Perhaps there is. Former LHS alumni have had many discussions about why we think our educational experience was so exemplary for a public school system. It always goes back to the same basic reason - we had teachers who cared. From the first grade on, each of us went through a cadre of dedicated, single-minded teachers who set high standards and insisted on excellence. There was no goofing off in their classes. No note-passing, talking, gum chewing or cheating. We’re not sure how that compares with LaGrange schools today, but we know for sure that we are the better for it.

We are fortunate that we have located most of our class. Perhaps the readers can help us locate the remaining few. If anyone has any information on how to contact the following, please call me at (707) 386-4842 or e-mail ltctomdaniel@ yahoo.com. These include Barbara Amos Barnett, Doris Benefield, Claire Callaway Rogers, Vivian Dale young, Juanita Finches Bates, Emily Givorns, Sara Jane Herndon, Susan Gayle Hurley Foster, Alan Jackson, Roslyn McBroom, Gloria Roberts, James Sanders and Linda Wade.

Tom Daniel, LHS class of 1963

Sandy Springs