Shawnee Mission West Fight Song

SMW Homecoming Parade

What better way to kick off the 50th Reunion weekend than to ​cheer on the SMW students and faculty at the homecoming parade!

Volunteer to help create the Class of 1974 Alumni ​parade float, show your support at the pep rally, and ​continue the homecoming celebration at a post-parade ​Happy Hour!

Golf

Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club

12501 Quivira Road

Overland Park, KS 66213

Lunch & Games

SERV

9051 Metcalf Avenue

Overland Park, KS 66212

Friday Night Social

Revel Sports Tavern

7300 W 119th Street

Overland Park, KS 66213

SMW Tour

Shawnee Mission West High School

8800 W 87th Street

Overland Park, KS 66212

Heritage Center Tour

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center

8788 Metcalf Avenue

Overland Park, KS 66212

Main Event

Milburn Country Club

7501 W 69th Street

Overland Park, KS 66204

The Reunion Committee is working hard to plan the most awesome 50th Reunion that ​will draw a record number of attendees at an affordable price. Monetary donations of ​any amount would be gratefully accepted to help offset expenses and potentially allow ​for some added amenities at the Saturday Main Event.

Thanks to the generosity of the following classmates who have donated their ​services and/or financial support, this party is going to ROCK!

Jan Aduddell Duffy; John Atwood; Barry Bender; Alyse Bernstein Vernon; Stev​en Best; Lisa Bettis Snyder; John Bilbrey; Laurie Brown Bryson; Brad Casey; Rick​ Cato; Gary Cless; Wyatt Cox; Brian Edwards and Christy Richey Edwards​; Terri Ferguson Harmon; Stephanie Folse Gunderson; Keith Gard; Mark Green ​and Laurel Nevins Green; David Hay; Rick Hill; Marcia Johnson Bohanno​n; Doug Kabrey and Carol Montgomery Kabrey; Toni Kalousek; Kevin Kirchoff; S​heri Lampkin Mortko; Rob Lovelace; Jim McNair; Steve McVey; Bill Nadon; Richa​rd Nickloy; Rick Renfro: Laurie Sandberg Gatzke; Marcia Sandy Scott; Melia Seng​er Sturdivan; Debi Smith Shanahan; Pam Thompson Sik​es; Jay Trieb; Amy Uyeki

PayPal – Send payment to @smw74reunion (tagged to Wendy Jacks and identified by a Viking ship).

Enter “Reunion” in the message field, and choose “For friends and family” as the payment type.

Venmo – Send payment to @Wendy-Jacks (identified by a Viking ship) and enter “Reunion”

as the description. When asked to verify the payee, the last 4 digits of the phone number are 4552.

Check – Make check payable to “SMW 1974 Reunion Fund” and mail to SMW 1974 Reunion,

P.O. Box 19536, Lenexa, KS 66285. I​nclude how your payment should be applied in the memo line.

Help Us Reconnect

The Committee has been able to obtain email addresses for approximately ​200 of our classmates. Of the remaining 573, some have stayed in touch ​through Facebook but are not receiving advanced, first-hand information ​via email. In summary, we have lost touch with most of our graduating ​class. Some have chosen to sever ties for reasons we must respect. ​However, we would like to think that many would not want to miss this ​milestone reunion.

If you are in touch with anyone on the “Missing Email” list, please tell ​them about this 50th Reunion website where they can learn more about ​the fun that is planned. Then possibly they will decide to join us and ​reconnect with friends from five decades ago!

After 50 years, we can all agree that it will be difficult to remember names and recognize faces at this reunion. ​Despite the photo on the name tag, chances are there will be a mutual feeling of cluelessness. So when that ​“senior“ moment strikes in a room full of unfamiliar faces, reach out and meet that person who walked the same ​hallways at SMW but that you might not have taken the time to know. There are many very cool people within the ​Class of 1974, and everyone has a story to tell.

STORYTIME

Thinking back on those days when we were all finding our way, likely there are stories to tell that other ​classmates can relate to or laugh about; whether recalling a person or experience that left a lasting ​impression or directed you down a certain path in life, or possibly confessing a tale of immature, ​irresponsible or embarrassing behavior, thankfully for which the statute of limitations has long run out.

Please share (if you dare) your fondest memories of your elementary, junior high and high school days.

Stories can be sent to contactsmw1974reunion@gmail.com

“Looking forward to the best one yet! I hope EVERYONE will make a BIG effort to be there!!!

[Laurie Brown Bryson]

“Looking forward to seeing everyone and celebrating our 50 H.S. reunion together!” [Bob Carpenter]

If you are on the fence about attending this milestone reunion, perhaps this personal reflection written by ​classmate, Dennis Minich, following the 45th Reunion will help you decide. [READ]

“Hey, Vikettes! If you are coming to the reunion (hope so!), let’s plan to meet at the lunch gathering at SERV on ​Friday. After 50 years, who can remember our “Little Brown Jug” routine? Ahhh!!”

[Wendy Bohren Jacks]

“Can’t wait to see everyone again!” [Jan Evans]

“Hoping to reconnect with old friends from band and make some new ones. It's been 40 years! I attended my ​husband's 50th reunion last year and I had as much fun as he did. Now it's his turn to see where some of my ​great memories were made!” [Linda Hude Young]

“Looking forward to seeing everyone!” [Debbie Wagner Apple]

“Looking forward to seeing old friends and sharing memories after all these years.” [Laurel Nevins Green]

“Who says you can’t go back to the old neighborhood?” [Rob Lovelace]

“I’m there without a doubt. If anyone needs help getting there or wanting company, let me know. I’d be happy ​to make it happen.” [Jim Waechter]

“Can’t wait. It was so good to see everyone at the last reunion!” [Steve Best]

“I look forward to seeing you. Can’t believe it’s been 50 years. Go Vikings!!!” [Todd Karges]

“I am looking forward to hearing all of the stories.” [Jim McNair]

“Looking forward to reuniting with everyone again! I loved seeing my many old friends at the 45th.” [Steven Best]

“My dad used to tell me, "it’s tough to get old," then he'd say, "don't let it happen to you." I should have listened.” ​[Dave Nelsen]

“The website is great. Thanks.” [Rick Renfro]

“We were all blessed to have been at SMW 50 years ago and blessed to be able to return. Looking forward to ​hearing as many stories about those 50 years since, from as many of my Viking friends as possible” [David Sanders]

“Where did the time go? Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces!” [Mike Stein]

“Looking forward to the event. Thank you to the committee for organizing the fun.” [Debi Smith Shanahan]

“I look forward to seeing everyone.” [Cara Taggart Wohler]

“Can’t wait!” [Rick Cato]

“Dig it, players.” [Mike Day]

“Looking forward to seeing everyone Friday night. Unfortunately, I will not be attending the Main Event.”

[John Mathes]

“I am looking forward to seeing you all.” [John Atwood]

“Ok, Ok, you all have nudged me enough. I’ll be there, God willing.” [Wyatt Cox]

“I hope we have a big turnout for our 50th!” [Kathy Hodges]

“Looking forward to seeing and photographing all my friends.” [Keith Gard]

“Looking forward to seeing classmates from 50 years ago.” [Steve Anderson]

“Looking forward to seeing my classmates in September.” [Carole Twork Anderson]

“Very much looking forward to being in Overland Park and seeing everyone.” [Debi Smith Shanahan]

“Life doesn’t stop, and years are flying by. It will be fun to stop for a moment to remember the 70's with ​everyone!” [Terri Ferguson Harmon]

“Looking forward to seeing everyone.” [Alyse Bernstein Vernon]

“See you soon, GO VIKINGS!” [Russ Leavitt]

“It’s been a LONG time... see everyone in September!” [Melanie Love Hannah]

“Looking forward to the school tour. Maybe after that I will stop having dreams about finding a class. Fifty years is ​long enough to look!” [Laurie Sandberg Gatzke]

“So excited to see everyone!” [JK Walters King]

“Looking forward to seeing everyone!” [Pam Thompson Sikes]

“So looking forward to connecting with classmates from SMW. We are privileged to have made it this far!” [Mark ​Hankins]

“Looking forward to hearing your stories!” [Jay Charles Soper]

“How can it be 50 years?! It’s going to be a great time! Thanks to the reunion committee for all of the planning ​and work to put this weekend together! Hope to see some ”old” friends and acquaintances there.” [Shelley ​Stephens]

“WYIZDERSOMENIMORORZIZAZIZDENDERIZORZIZ - Sign in Jacks Bar.” [Keith Gray]

“Looking forward to seeing ”old” friends!” [Kathy Barber Pinkelman]

“Hello, friends! I wish I could be there, but it appears that I will be unable to attend. I will be thinking of you all, ​and the great time you have organized for the reunion. I hope you will post lots of photos!” [Susan Schultz Kelley]

“After serving on various SMSD PTA’s, including SM Area Council and the Kansas PTA Board (woo-hoo) for 17 ​years (late 80's and most of 90's), I know the amount of work you all put in to make these events successful. I just ​wanted to thank you all for serving us, your classmates. I’m sure you did not realize it would be a lifelong ​commitment – or maybe you did :) Bless you! You are much appreciated.” [Kathy Barber Pinkelman]

“Looking forward to seeing my old classmates and catching up!” [Steve Clark]

“Looking forward to seeing everyone.” [Cathy Caines Clough]

“Looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and people. My how time flies.” [Leigh Dickerson]

“Looking forward to seeing all you Vikings from the Class of ‘74! Thanks for the great organizing!” [Amy Uyeki]

“Hi, Classmates! I went on to write four books, and my last is my favorite, the funny and telling tale of my days in ​Hollywood. It’s entitled, “The Wrath of Blonde.” If anyone from our class wants a copy, I will autograph and send it ​for the cost of shipping and wholesale of the book, about $7.00. Go to http://www.laurabanks.com, then go to the ​contact form and connect with me! (I miss my bestie, Linda Jepson most days. We were close to the end.) Happy ​50th! Really? We’re still on the planet!” [Laura Banks]

In Loving Memory

of classmates we have lost but not forgotten.

Howard Anderson

June 2017

Sara Arnold Kimbrell

April 2005

Dave Billings

October 2019

Terry Beatty

Dan Billings

November 2007

Mark Bloomingdale

Casey Boyle

February 2023

Jackie Boothman

June 2019

Mel Brown

August 2015

Cindy Branam Boyer

March 2021

Debby Carlos Roberts

August 2024

Malon Coop

December 2020

Keith Durrie

August 2024

Bryan Cooper

November 2012

Donna Haslam

June 2000

Barb Heizman

February 2023

Erik Eastwold

November 1997

Michelle Ewertz

July 2017

Bart Hollister

December 2022

Susie Hinrichs Turner

November 2020

Bryan Gedstad

Cindy Hartter Vermilye

November 2022

Tina Hutting

March 2014

Bob Hughes

June 2024

Robert Johnston

Linda Jepson Doonan

May 2024

Brad Kirkland

July 2013

Harold “Skeet” Livingston

July 2018

Dennis Lowery

Susan Lind

April 2010

Barry Martin

Barb McDonald Merry

May 2023

Pam Meeks

Jeanne Mitchell

August 2004

Renee Petty

Sheila Patterson Kinder

June 2015

Larry Pfliegier

Stephanie Robinson

Terry Scafe Jacobs

September 2023

Roland Schlotzhauer

June 2006

Frank Stasi

Tom Stewart

If you are aware of the passing of a SMW classmate, ​please share that information with the

Reunion Planning Committee at ​contactsmw1974reunion@gmail.com.

Karen Wallace Carpenter

December 2014

Ken Stockdale

January 2021

CONTACT US

We are here to help, and it would be great to hear from you!

contactsmw1974reunion@gmail.com

Back row, left to right,

• Anthony Liu
• Rick Cato
• Mike Day
• Jim Waechter
• Bob Carpenter

Not pictured,

Ken Anderson

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SMW Class of 1974

Reunion Planning Committee

Front row, left to right,

• Laurie Brown Bryson
• Jan Evans
• Cindy Schuler Davidson
• Wendy Bohren Jacks
• Susan Wyman Sundby

Not pictured,

Vicki Coulter McCue