Thanks to all who helped prepare a great reunion.

Thanks to all who were able to come!

To remember our reunion and share it with those who could not come, we have created a picture gallery, 50th Reunion Galleries on the left. You will soon be able to upload your pictures from the reunion. If you want to send them while memory is fresh, I can post some of them in this gallery, attributed to you, and then you can label them. My email (bkim1554@gmail.com). 

Searching Classmates:

Our Outreach Committee has provided an update on their search for missing classmates. Because the chair, Dave Busath, is leaving with his wife for Boston soon, we hope someone will step up and take over the search. Dave would love to train you and help you get started. There is a committee that shares in the work. The update is followed by a list of those who remain "lost." Anyone with information on any of these classmates, please contact Dave, if during the coming month, at (david.busath@gmail.com), and his successor (TBD, this could be you!) thereafter.

Here is the update:

After removing duplicates, there are 806 classmates that we have identified, from records of the School Board, those in old yearbooks, the late Kay Hinckley Cannon who was picked up in a review of our 20th and 30th reunion books, and the late Judith Isaacson Jacobsen from classmates.com.

In addition, there are 30 other people (including Roseanne Barr) who claim to be East High School class of '70 in classmates.com, but most do not appear to have actually been in our classes. 6 were ruled out using old Eastonias as being from later classes. 

Of the 806,

• 289 were previously registered, and several emails have been updated so that almost all of the email addresses are now functional.
• 99 are known to be deceased, many discovered during our search.
• 177 have been contacted personally, invited to join the website, and prepare for the reunion. Several have joined the website. I'll call these "found."
• 129 we have texted, emailed, left messages on answering machines, and/or reached out to through social media but have not been able to connect with personally. I'll call these "missing." 
• 122 we have not been able to contact and have no good leads. I'll call these "lost".

Here is the list of missing classmates, maybe you'll find yourself there:

Well here we are at the 45th BBQ. This is a pretty good looking group and it was a great time visiting with each other. This should make us anxious for a 50th 51st Reunion!

A Thought for Our 50^thReunion

John Thomas, Tom Clawson and I had a great walk through the flowers of Albion Basin last week and John told me about the East High Student and Family Support program. I knew nothing about it, but maybe some of you already do. It struck me that supporting this program could be a great challenge to do something as the Class of 1970 to help East High students and families as we move toward our 50^thReunion. Obviously, it is up to each of us individually, there is no obligation. But read John’s letter and give it some thought. If you think it would be a great challenge for our 50^th, then go for it. I will email this letter to the whole class (as far as we have email addresses) so you will have the links and information handy. [NOTE: You may have to copy and paste the links into your browser)

East High School Today

As an institution, East High is over a century old, and what it was created to do - educate students and prepare them for life - it still does. Today, however, there are new challenges for the East High community. Changing demographics in Salt Lake City and expanded school district boundaries mean that East’s student population is larger and significantly more diverse ethnically and economically than when we graduated in 1970. 

Of East’s 2,000 students, 2/3 live below the poverty line and at any time, as many as 80 students are homeless.  Foundations for student success are having enough healthy food, adequate clothing and health care, hygiene and family support. Meeting these basic needs are challenges that many East High students face day-to-day. 

The East High administration, PTA and community are working to ensure that all East High students have the support they need to succeed in school and life. The East High School Student and Family Support program runs an on-campus food pantry, the Leopard Stash, where students and their families have free access to healthy food. The Leopard Boutique is East’s own clothing source where students and families find new and gently used clothing, shoes and jackets. The recently completed East Washrooms provide a safe place for homeless and vulnerable students to shower, wash clothing, and prepare for their school day. The program also supports students and families in times of crisis.  

Check the web site for a description:  http://east.slcschools.org/community/family-support/index.php

There is much debate about how to respond to poverty and educational needs in our communities, and taxpayer support cannot be relied upon to meet these needs. The East High Student and Family Support program is dependent on donations – food, clothing, volunteering and cash. Contributing to the program will help students achieve success and is a direct and personal connection to the East High community. Successful students become successful citizens. 

I encourage all of you to contribute, as I have, to the East High Student and Family Support program. If you would like to make a donation, become a partner, or volunteer your time please contact Kris Barta at kris.barta@slcschools.org.  Donations can be made through the Salt Lake Education Foundation specifically for East High at  https://give.saltlakeeducationfoundation.org/easthighalumni/give-a-gift. When you contribute please designate “family support” and place the phrase “Class of 1970” in the comments box. Contributions to East Student and Family Support from the Class of 1970 will be tallied and reported on our class website. 

Thanks for your support, 

John Thomas, East High Class of 1970