By Donald Norton, class of 1966

Class Day 2016 at Somerville High School was held this past Friday, and as is traditional, the school invited alumni of 50 years ago to join in and celebrate this, the class of 2016, maybe to show them what they will look like in 2066 when they will come back. Not to worry, we looked nothing like our parents back in 1966, and there were no walkers to help us get around.

About 35 to 40 alumni of the class of 1966 were on hand and it was great to see some familiar faces. Unfortunately, we had to be reminded of names. 50 years is 50 years.

It was nice to see how everyone was doing. Some of us haven’t seen each other in many years. Some moved out of the city early on and some of us stayed. To talk and have some time with the alumni of 1966 was a time full of memories.

One thing we all talked about was how much the City of Somerville has changed since we grew up here. In many ways unthinkable back then, as to how it’s come to be today. Back then the school library was the gym, where we held our prom. The school population was much higher and it only had three classes back in those days, 10th, 11th and 12th grades. There were three junior highs in the city, Northeastern Junior High on Marshall Street Winter Hill, Southern Junior High on Summer and Vinyl Avenue and Western Junior high, which is now the Tufts building on Holland Street.

Back then you were identified by the junior high you came from. You knew pretty much everyone in your junior high class, and coming up to the high school was one of the biggest things in your life up to then, to get to know others from various other parts of the city.

Class sizes were larger then and in the 60’s it was a turbulent time. All eligible boys had to register for the draft and then waited and hoped their numbers never came up.

The class of 1966 saw many changes in the country with riots and demonstrations, with the war in Vietnam War ragging on. Hippies were a new thing in Harvard Square and Boston Common. The Beatles were still selling number one hits, as was one memory from Peter Noonan of Herman’s Hermits’ song Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter a big hit, along with plaid cloths and some not so bad “mini-skirts” – and even more mini than today (at least that’s my recollection).

Lots of fond memories and a high school that was loved by all who attended. Lots of fun and it was great talking to others who shared that experience with you.

Somerville Pride was strong in 1966 and just as strong today with the young graduates. It was a great thing to see various students given scholarships and to hear what college they are going to go to or what they will be doing after graduation.

The class of 1966 had the distinction of graduating on the sixth month, sixth day, at six o’clock (at Dilboy) and we heard – but can’t confirm – 666 students graduated in 1966. Pretty amazing when you think about it.

What is sad is that Somerville Trade High School, which was then in East Somerville, had a graduating class about 60 students, but there has never been recognition for their efforts. No official class reunion, and no one at class day from Trade. Maybe that can change in the years ahead.

The 1966 class 50th reunion is scheduled for sometime in October at the Hilton in Lynnfield. At the end of the class day, we all said our goodbyes again and made reference to see each other at the class reunion.

Congratulations to all the students, teachers and staff at Somerville High School for carrying on the tradition. Our best regards to them for a successful future for each and every one of them. Somerville leads the way, pride for our school and city will always remain!