LEE LUNCH BUNCH

Classes of ’64, ’65, ‘66

Thursday, April 24, 2025 11:00 a.m.

I was unable to attend this session of the Lee Lunch Bunch because of a doctor's appointment. The doctor's visit went very good and no new problems were found, but I hated to miss the get-together.

The above photos of the Lee Lunch Bunch get together was posted on in the Lee High School Huntsville AL Reunion '64-'65-'66 and INFO Facebook page by Linda Taylor, LHS '64. 

According to the Facebook post by Linda Taylor, I was not the only one who missed it. Linda wrote, "Patsy Hughes-Oldroyd: You were missed at the Luncheon yesterday. Sorry to hear you are having health issues. Hope you are Much Better and Doing Well Soon..... Thanks for Organizing It!"

We all should thank Patsy for her devotion to getting these periodic get together organized. 

Get better Patsy. 

Crushes, Cliques, And Classes: 

What Most Americans Remember About High School

Johnny Roberts 

LHS ‘66

Editor's Note: Johnny found and sent me this information from a survey by folks about their high school experiences. Many of  the participants were younger than our group, and I deleted the parts that did not really pertain to us. We think you might find it interesting. Comments are welcome.

What was the typical high school experience like for American adults? A recent survey asked Americans to reflect on the experiences they had as high schoolers or high-school-aged teens, including experiences involving friendship, romance, academics, hobbies, and rule-breaking. The survey inquired about 50 different experiences; respondents were each asked about a random sample of 25.

Americans share many common high school experiences, especially four that each are shared by more than three-quarters. These are having a crush on someone, having a group of friends, taking a class they loved, and taking one they hated.

Around half of Americans say they either loved (18%) or liked (31%) their high school experience, while 28% felt neutral about it, 12% disliked it, and 8% hated it. From a list of 14 adjectives, Americans are most likely to say, shy, independent, creative, and awkward described them as teenagers.

Most Americans (54%) say that if they could, they would go back and do high school over again — 12% say they would do it again exactly the same and 43% say they'd do things differently this time. 40% of Americans say that once was enough. Most Americans say their high school experience played a role in determining the adult they would become: 35% say it played a major role and 43% say a minor role.

Friendship and romance

Having a crush is the high school experience American adults are most likely (87%) to say they had, among the 50 asked about. Kissing someone (68%), going on a date (65%), and having a boyfriend/girlfriend (64%) are also widespread in Americans' recollections of their time in high school. Having sex in high school is less common: 36% say they did.

The second most commonly reported experience among those in our survey is having a group of friends: 83% of American adults say they had a friend group in high school, and 62% say they made a close friend that they still talk to. Longstanding relationships with teachers are somewhat less common: 22% say they became close to a teacher in high school who they still keep in touch with.

Academics

Most Americans (79%) say they took a class they loved in high school — and the same share (79%) say they took one they hated. About two-thirds (66%) took the SAT or ACT in high school, and 54% applied to college. 47% say they made the high school honor roll, and 40% took an AP or honors class.

Extracurriculars and socializing

Two-thirds of Americans (68%) say they attended a school football game while in high school, and 39% played on a sports team themselves. Other activities that many participated in on at least one occasion are going to a school dance (63%), a house party (53%), and hanging out at the mall (49%).

62% of American adults say they had a part-time or full-time job in high school. Around half say that in high school, they participated in a school club (51%) and about as many volunteered (48%). About one-third say they were in a school band or choir (31%) and a similar proportion participated in a school play (30%). 16% say that as high schoolers they participated in student government and 11% in political activism.

Rebellion

Two-thirds of Americans (67%) say that as high-schoolers, they lied to their parents; half as many (31%) admit to sneaking out of the house at night. Most Americans say they had a curfew in high school (55%) and about half (52%) say they were grounded at some point.

Most Americans say that in high school they showed up late to class (54%) and half (50%) skipped class without permission. 43% say they were sent to the principal's office in high school, and 37% received detention. As high schoolers, 49% of Americans say they drank alcohol, 37% say they smoked a cigarette.

Experiences by gender

Men are more likely than women to say that their high school experience included getting into a physical fight, getting sent to the principal’s office, going to a house party, getting detention, playing on a sports team, and drinking alcohol.

More women than men say that in high school, they made the honor roll, had a curfew, experienced anxiety or depression, joined the school band or choir, attended a school dance, and participated in a school club.

Experiences by age

Americans who are 45 or older are more likely than younger adults to say they received a driver's license in high school, as well as to say they worked a part-time or full-time job. Other high school experiences that are more frequent among older generations are kissing someone, going on a date, smoking a cigarette, and drinking alcohol.

The Wayback Machine

School Days

"School Days" (also known as "School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes the Bell)") is a rock-and-roll song written and recorded by Chuck Berry and released by Chess Records as a single in March 1957 and on the LP After School Session two months later (see 1957 in music). It is one of his best-known songs and is often considered a rock-and-roll anthem.

Berry's record peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (his third highest-ranked pop hit) and hit number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart. It was also his first appearance on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 24.

Much of the song's musical arrangement was reused by Berry in 1964 in "No Particular Place to Go".

The lead story of each issue has historically been reserved to announce the passing of members of Lee High School Classes of '64, '65, and '66. It has been that way since the beginning of this newsletter. Sometimes members of other classes are recognized here as well. This week such action has been taken to announce the passing of Peggy Pierce. Peggy has historically been active in our activities, primarily because her husband is a member of the Class of '64. She has always supported the things we do. Peggy is a distant cousin of mine, but that is not why I have included her passing. It is because of her support in the past for get-togethers and reunions. Our condolences go out to Jim on his loss. The photo below is of Peggy from the '66 issue of The Silver Sabre, the newest one I have, where she is included in the sophomore class section.

Peggy Joyce Towery Pierce

LHS '68

March 30, 1950 - April 17, 2025

Peggy Joyce Pierce, nee Towery, passed away Thursday evening, April 17, 2025. She was 75.

A native and lifelong resident of Huntsville, Alabama, she attended Rison Elementary and Middle Schools and graduated from Lee High School in 1968.

While attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 1970, she met James ”Jim” F. Pierce (LHS '64), and they were married that summer. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on August 21, 2024.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Pierce; son, David E. Pierce; daughter, Kathryn “Katie” A. Pierce Meyer and husband, Robb; sister, Sandra Vann; great aunt, Marie Towery; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She had a long career in various positions at UAH and received her bachelor’s degree in English from UAH in 1988. After retiring from UAH, she served as the executive secretary at Counseling Associates.

A voracious reader and music enthusiast (of all genres), Peggy and Jim traveled often to Louisiana to dance to Cajun and zydeco music across the state. Other hobbies included gardening, cooking, eating new and different foods from all cultures, word games and puzzles, and a love for sports.

A graveside memorial service was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23 at Maple Hill Cemetery, with the Reverend Michael Goldsmith of the Church of the Nativity, Episcopal, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Russel Hill Cancer Foundation at Clearview Cancer Institute in Huntsville.

Last Week's Questions, Answers, And Comments

Dianne Hughey McClure, LHS ‘64, "I am so appreciative of all the issues you have published. My daughters are totally amazed by the effort you have put forth to keep us informed about our classmates. Thank You again."

Delores Kilgore, "Thank you, Tommy!"