Shawnee Mission West

Class of 1974 – 50th Reunion


September 26-28, 2024

Shawnee Mission West

Class of 1974 – 50th Reunion


September 26-28, 2024

SMW

SMW

50 Years!

50 Years!

Come home and celebrate!


Reconnect with classmates and relive your best SMW High School memories

at an unforgettable Homecoming weekend celebration!


Come home and celebrate!


Reconnect with classmates and relive your best SMW High School memories

at an unforgettable Homecoming weekend celebration!


SMW Class of 1974

50th Reunion

Planned Activities

SMW Class of 1974

50th Reunion

Planned Activities

Thursday, Sept. 26

HOMECOMING PARADE

PEP RALLY

HAPPY HOUR

Friday, Sept. 27

GOLF

LUNCH &​ GAMES

FRIDAY NIGHT ​SOCIAL

Saturday, Sept. 28

SMW TOUR

JOCO HERITAGE CENTER

MAIN EVENT

Thursday, September 26

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!

Friday, September 27

Golf

Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club

12501 Quivira Road

Overland Park, KS 66213

Pickleball paddles and ball in shadow of net
Shuffle board on tourist ship

Lunch & Games

SERV

9051 Metcalf Avenue

Overland Park, KS 66212


Friday Night Social

Revel Sports Tavern

7300 W 119th Street

Overland Park, KS 66213

Saturday, September 28

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


Please submit your RSVP and payment by A​ugust 1st.

Late submissions will be subject to an i​ncrease in

price per person to attend the M​a​in Event.


(If both you and your spouse are Class of 1974 ​graduates, please submit separate RSVP r​e​sponses.)


T​h​a​nk you!




$ Donations $

$ Donations $

Any amount will help!

Any amount will help!

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 offered their ​services and/or financial support, this party is going to ROCK!

Rick Renfro; Jim McNair; Keith Gard; John Atwood; Alyse Bernstein Vernon; ​Steven Best; Wyatt Cox; Brian and Christy Richey Edwards; Terri Ferguson ​Harmon; Marcia Sandy Scott; Debi Smith Shanahan

Payment Options

Payment Options


Activities Requiring Prepayment


  • Friday Golf - $70/person, payable in advance by September 15th


  • Friday Night Social - $19/person (applies ONLY to those not ​attending the Saturday Main Event)


  • Saturday Main Event - $74/person if paid by August 1st; ​$90/person after August 1st


When submitting payment, please indicate which

activities have been included in your payment.

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.

Look who’s coming home!

See a list of classmates planning to

attend the Reunion as of



Suggested Hotels

A block of rooms has not been reserved, but a list of ​nearby hotels is available for those in need of overnight ​accommodations during the Reunion weekend.


Hotel room serviced breakfast. In cozy hotel.

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!

Reach Out and Meet Someone

That awkward encounter,

an inconspicuous glance at the name tag ​–

Should I know this person?​

Closeup of Two Men Shaking Hands

After 50 years, we can all agree that it‘s going to 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

Frequently Asked Questions


  • How much does it cost to attend the reunion activities?
  • Have rooms been blocked at any area hotels?
  • How can I find out what classmates plan to attend the reunion?
  • How do I make a donation to help offset the reunion expenses?


Answers to these questions and more,


Frequently Asked Questions


  • How much does it cost to attend the reunion activities?
  • Have rooms been blocked at any area hotels?
  • How can I find out what classmates plan to attend the reunion?
  • How do I make a donation to help offset the reunion expenses?


Answers to these questions and more,


Shared Comments

Shared Comments

Comments can be submitted on your RSVP form

or 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]

Serene beach landscape

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


Jackie Boothman

June 2019


Casey Boyle

February 2023


Mark Bloomingdale



Malon Coop

December 2020


Mel Brown

August 2015

Cindy Branam Boyer

March 2021

Bryan Cooper

November 2012

Serene beach landscape


Bryan Gedstad



Erik Eastwold

November 1997


Bart Hollister

December 2022


Tina Hutting

March 2014


Cindy Hartter Vermilye

November 2022


Linda Jepson Doonan

May 2024


Donna Haslam

June 2000

Barb Heizman

February 2023

Susie Hinrichs Turner

November 2020


Robert Johnston



Brad Kirkland

July 2013


Susan Lind

April 2010


Harold “Skeet” Livingston

July 2018


Dennis Lowery



Barry Martin



Pam Meeks



Jeanne Mitchell

August 2004


Renee Petty


Serene beach landscape


Larry Pfliegier


Stephanie Robinson



Terry Scafe Jacobs

September 2023

Roland Schlotzhauer

June 2006


Frank Stasi



Tom Stewart



Ken Stockdale

January 2021


Karen Wallace Carpenter

December 2014

If you are aware of the passing of a SMW classmate, please share that ​information with the Reunion Planning Committee at ​contactsmw1974reunion@gmail.com.

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




40th

Reunion

45th

Reunion

2023