Half a century ago, they graduated high school. Last week, they caught up.

Scores of Federal Way High School graduates from the classes of 1972 and 1971 gathered this September for that most nostalgic of get-togethers: The 50-year high school reunion. More than 150 people were in attendance, according to Pam Dickinson, who is a class of 1971 graduate and committee member.

This is not the first time the classes have teamed up to host a reunion, Dickinson said. They hosted a multi-class combined reunion in 1995 as well. Between the two classes, they’ve held more than a dozen individual reunions.

Technically, this year marks the 50th anniversary for ‘72, but COVID-19 concerns led to the cancellation of the class of ‘71’s event. So the classes agreed to make this year a joint reunion, Dickinson said.

Graduates and their loved ones attended the pre-event on Friday, Sept. 16 at Billy McHale’s in Federal Way, then continued the next day to the main event at the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Jeff Recor (1971) and Danny Litowitz (1972) gave short speeches, and the group watched two videos by Pat Hansen (1972), memorializing classmates who have passed away and celebrating the cultural highlights of the 1970s. The group also, of course, shared a rousing performance of the Federal Way High School fight song.

All photos courtesy of the graduates.

The FWHS class of 1972 attendees. Courtesy photo

Class of 1971 graduates Cheryl Galteland Schultz and Steve Ankenman hold their junior/senior prom photo from 1971.

Dwaine Bowden, class of 1972 and Liz Willis Sebren, class of 1971 pose for a picture.

From left to right: Grace Hitchman, Liz Willis Sebren, Barb Lloyd Weaver, Cheryl Medres Temple, Chris Dutton, Laurie Gulian and Pam Dickinson.

From left to right: Elayne Geiger McCoy, Gerry Moody, Barbara Mezzie Buchanan, Brad Hickel, Debra Leonard.

Class of 1972 graduates Anne Halvorsen and Deby Englund pose for a picture.