MADISON – They were wearing bell-bottom jeans, jammin’ to eight-track tapes and eating burgers at The Patio back in 1974.

The Class of ’74, the first graduates of Bob Jones High School, is planning its 45th reunion.

“It is an honor to be a member of the charter class of such an outstanding school. We had 80 graduates in 1974, compared to 457 graduates in 2019,” class member Cindi Whitworth Sanderson said.

“Bob Jones has come a long way over the past 45 years in growth and opportunities for students,” Sanderson said.

The class reunion will be held on Nov. 2 at Best Western Plus Inn, 9035 Madison Blvd. in Madison. Class members will enjoy a dinner at the hotel.

Circa 1971, grades 10-12 in Madison attended Sparkman High School. “Because Sparkman School was crowded in the 1971-72 academic year, grade 10 was added to Madison School,” Sanderson said.

On Dec. 7, 1972, officials named grades 9-11 as ‘Bob Jones High School.’ “This group remained at Madison School (the campus at 17 College St.) until the new Bob Jones building was ready of occupancy. The charter class of 1974 held their graduating ceremonies in the new building,” Sanderson said.

“In 1974, when the students and teachers of Bob Jones moved to the new location, Mr. Deason went there as principal,” Sanderson said. “Mrs. Jean Clark was hired during the 1973-1974 school year to be the secretary at Bob Jones. Mr. Larry Sharp became principal of Madison Middle School.”

“This was a time for adjustments. Grades 9-12 had just gone and grade 5 had come in,” Sanderson said. “Madison Middle School was now serving grades 5-8. With several experienced faculty members, everything was soon back to normal.”

“We have been unable to locate a few class members. If anyone knows any of the following people, please ask them to contact us: Charlene Coke, Teri Drappier, Nancy Downey, Elmond Lee, Susan Keith, Kim Keplinger, Sherri Kyzer, Bill Lindsey, Billy Scruggs, Calvin Smith, Frank Smith, John Smith, Janice Throop and Davis Yates,” Sanderson said.

Deadline to pay for reservations is Sept. 1.

For more information, email Sanderson at cws56@aol.com or Theresa Binford Nelson at mrsnel01@aol.com.