Reunion Updates. . .

Tips: Planning your Reunion

Upcoming Reunions:

Class of 2005

Class of 1975

Picture 1: Chuck Folsom, Phil Perry, Ray Clapper, Terry Laverty, Ken Dobrovolny, Hilton Martin 

Picture 2: Sue Musgrove, Liz Crosby Martin, Harry Goff, Carol Lujan Roark 

Picture 3: Frank McClanahan, Bob Shaklee, Jill Rhode Cassells, Cheryl Work Martin, Cindy Wright Kirk, Michael Mott, Mike White, Jean LeBaron Laverty 

Picture 4: Tom McWilliams, Alex Lagerborg, Carol Lujan Roark, Mike Huseby, Kent Carney, Lloyd Petersen 

Thanks to Jamie and Liz Crosby Martin for this update.

Class of 1958

An 85th Birthday Party is planned .. we’ll let you know when they send us an update.. keep partying on guys!!

Class of 1955..

yes.. follow up of their gathering will follow soon

Last Year’s Gatherings. . .

Sept 2024

Many thanks to the Class of ’74 for their generous donation to SHAFI in support of the GIVING GROCERY and ROTC. Your support will significantly impact our community, helping us provide essential resources for those in need. We’re grateful for your dedication and encourage you to watch the Newsletter for an upcoming story on the important work made possible by your contributions.

Get your Reunion updates from your very own NEWSLETTER.. join today.

2023 Reunions

On July 22nd, 2023, the class of 1983 held their 40-year reunion at The Campus Lounge, a popular venue for South alumni. The event was a tremendous success, running from 4pm to 10pm, with an estimated turnout of at least 100 former classmates traveling from places like Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and Wyoming. Attendees enjoyed catching up, dancing, and many considered it the best reunion yet. We missed those who could not attend and look forward to our next gathering.

Class of 1973

The South High School class of 1973 celebrated their 50th reunion on August 18 and 19 at the Washington Park Boathouse and South High School. Out of 662 alumni, 131 attended, with many coming from across the U.S. and even Japan.

Friday’s planned speeches were overshadowed by the attendees’ excitement to reconnect, though a moment of silence was observed for our 90 deceased classmates. Conversations flowed as friends reminisced about school and shared life stories.

The planning committee was thrilled with the turnout, enjoying beautiful summer weather. Special thanks to SHAFI for their generous support, providing lanyards, signage, and assistance at the events. The Alumni Museum and clock tower tour were also highlights, inspiring some to join the ROTC Honor Wall.

Class of 1963 Celebrates 60^th in Style!

The Class of 1963 reunited in August to reminisce, with two events scheduled, where many attended both. The morning gathering at the school featured food, drinks, and tours led by alumni volunteers, including access to the previously restricted Tower. A video presentation by classmate Paul Perry showcased memories and photos of classmates, along with an “in memoriam” segment. Additionally, a car show displayed various vintage and new cars, managed by Jerry Marques.

A very special part of our evening program was our honored guest, Coach Bob Mantooth, who taught and coached during our Senior Year at South. We learned via social media that he recently celebrated his 90th birthday and lives in the Denver area, prompting our invitation. He attended with his wife, Nadine, and was featured in our video presentation.

Coach Mantooth, a Denver native and graduate of West High and University of Northern CO, was a 3-sport athlete and has had a remarkable career as a teacher, coach, and sports referee. He officiated for the Western Athletic Conference, including 15 bowl games, and traveled to prestigious venues like the Rose Bowl, UK, Tokyo, and Germany. He spent two seasons on the field for the USFL and supervised officials for the AFL and NFL, humorously noting, “I didn’t work in the NFL because when I was good enough, I wasn’t young enough!”

Now residing at Wind Crest retirement village, Coach Mantooth enjoys playing golf several days a week with friends in the Denver area.

The class of ’58 held their 65th year reunion August 16, 2023.

38 classmates and 15 guests attended the gathering on the patio at the Brewery Bar III in Lone Tree. Everyone enjoyed re-connecting with classmates and reminiscing about our high school days. A good time was had by all!

Class of 1961

The South High Class of 1961 held a magnificent 60+1 reunion on June 2, 2022 at the Wellshire Inn on South Colorado Boulevard from 5-10.

Over 90 classmates and guests registered, attending from far and near. Some were attending their first ever reunion.  Classmates started arriving early for a cocktail hour and were happy to greet each other and find table partners to renew friendships and memories.  Tables were colorfully decorated with white linen table clothes, purple napkins and purple wine glasses provided by Patricia O’Donnell Untiedt that were engraved by David Detary with the year 1961 and the South High Rebel emblem. 

After greetings of special alums – veterans and first responders – by Joanne Ronnfeldt Detary and a blessing, an abundant buffet dinner was served.  In case class members exhausted their conversation, each table was provided with ten trivia discussion questions about South High compiled by Roberta Dice and Lorene Sims.  Deceased class members were honored in a display assembled by Mary Wheeler Bronnimann.  Finally, Roberta Dice compiled a display of illustrious South High grads; she and Gary Moses displayed information on teachers of ‘our’ time.

At the end of the evening the answers to trivia questions were shared and several class members made impromptu informal remarks.  It was unanimous that another reunion should be held, perhaps an informal affair in collective celebration of 80^th birthdays.

The reunion committee, led by Joanne Ronnfeldt Detary, included Kitty Bowman Hadji (treasurer), Ione Bramberg Stoddard, Roberta Dice, Lorene Gerton Sims, Karen Kofoed Boesel, Gary Moses, Patricia O’Donnell Untiedt, Mary Wheeler Bronnimann and Sandy Carter-Duff (wife of Duane Duff, Jr – deceased).

 Class of 1962

Jane Potts reported that the South High School Class of ’62 celebrated its 60th Anniversary on September 8th – 10th.  Total attendance over three days was 73 classmates and spouses.

Everyone received a name tag with their Senior annual photo that included their current town of residence. We also held a ZOOM call while at Heather Gardens with a few classmates around the country that could not attend and set out framed photos of previous reunions.  A big highlight was the production of a full-color, bound YearBook of 52 classmates’ photos and their bios since high school.  It will be mailed to others who could not attend.  A copy of the YearBook will be added to the Alumni Museum.

1965- 75^th Birthday Party

Between 60 and 70 members of the Class of 1965 gathered for lunch on Saturday, August 27 in the gym lobby. Special guests were Stephanie Dewald, South’s College Advisor, and three recent graduates of South who are continuing their education at Metro State University, aided by scholarships granted through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF). They are Elba Palma-Tellez, Yaya Estrada, and Leyla Abdi. The class made a significant contribution to the foundation at their 70^th birthday party in 2017.

1970- Birthday Party

More than 100 members of the Class of 1970 got together to celebrate its “How the Heck Did This Happen: Denver South High School Class of 1970 Belated Reunion and 70th Birthday Party” onSeptember 9 and 10. On Friday night we gathered in the Skyline Ballroom at the Courtyard by Marriott.  It was a relaxed evening of stories, a plentiful pasta bar, a view of the SHS Tower and, of course, birthday cake. We had classmates from across the country–New York to California–and it was a good thing our name tags featured our yearbook pictures.

 1972 50^th Reunion

Yes, we had a great time! 

“The Class of 1972 had its 50th reunion August 13th, starting with a noon picnic on the front lawn of South High and a tour of the school. SHAFI volunteers were terrific hosts and we spent time with them in the Alumni Offices looking at memoribilia and got to climb up to the clock tower. That evening over 60 people attended the evening casual buffet at the Washington Park Grille, an excellent venue with good food and staff.  Everyone said they had a great time and agreed it didn’t seem like it had been 50 years since we graduated!”