MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — What were you doing in 1974?
One group of seniors was graduating from Muskegon Heights High School.
Now, 50 years later, they're celebrating together.
Cynthia Aikens is one of the reunion organizers and a graduate of the Muskegon Heights class of 1974. She's been helping to organize the reunion for months and said she can't wait to see her classmates in a couple of weeks.
“I miss my classmates. It was like you're going to school to be with your family and your friends and we had a really good education” said Aikens.
The spring of 1974 is the time Aikens thinks about most.
“I loved going to school every day. We had really great teachers. We had the greatest basketball team. We were the Class B championship for 1974 on March the 30th," said Aikens.
50 years later, she’s hoping to relive that feeling of joy by seeing all of her friends from high school once again.
“On the 30th of this month, we're going to meet here (the Greater Muskegon’s Woman Club) for the meet and greet, where everybody can just be themselves, reacquaint with one another and just have a good time,” said Aikens.
Aikens said she and her classmates have a tight bond and have met every five years since they graduated.
The class of 1974’s 50th reunion will be hosted at the Greater Muskegon’s Woman Club on Aug. 30 and 31. Aikens said she encourages all of her classmates to attend.
“We're going to play a couple of games like back down memory lane and just have a good time. I want everyone to come. It doesn't matter if you paid or not. Just come and have a good time. It's all about the fellowship," said Aikens.
Muskegon Heights High School was established in 1921 and for decades was one of two major high schools in the Muskegon area.
As Aikens reflected on the last 50 years, she said she’s even more excited for what’s to come in the next 50 years for Muskegon Heights High.
“I hope that people that have graduated from Muskegon Heights will be willing to give back to the Heights in their professions, to be mentors, to take time to be with the kids. They're our future and we have to show them what it's like to have tiger pride,” said Aikens.