Arundel High School Class of 1976 Celebrates 35-Year Reunion

The year of 1976 was one of major milestones.

The United States celebrated its bicentennial, the $2 bill was issued and Democrat Jimmy Carter defeated Republican Gerald Ford in the Presidential election.

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak formed the Apple Computer Company, the first laser printer was introduced by IBM and NASA unveiled its first space shuttle, the Enterprise.

Nadia Comaneci won three gold medals at the Montreal Olympics with seven perfect scores.

Popular music artists included the Bay City Rollers, Barry Manilow, Diana Ross and almost everyone went to see the movies “Taxi Driver” and “Rocky.”

Here’s the shocker: a gallon of gas cost 59 cents. Yes, 59 cents.

While all of these changes were going on in the world, the 968 seniors of Arundel High School were preparing for a life changing event–high school graduation.

The Arundel High School class of 1976 gathered to reminisce about great times at their 35-year reunion held at Club Meade on Saturday.

Reunion committee member and 1976 yearbook editor Janet Selckman Johnson talked about what things were like for her back in high school.

“Oh my, am I really supposed to remember back that far?" she said. "You know, I thought it was such a great time. I had so much fun in high school."

Selckman Johnson was the yearbook editor, a position that was also once held by her mother.

"I didn’t know that at the time. So, it’s like I followed in her footsteps. We did everything by hand. We had to layout all of the pictures, the stories and everything all before sending it to the printer.”

Cliff Keifer, who was the yearbook photographer and captain of the Arundel High Academic Team, said that even though he was a conservative guy back in high school, he had a lot of friends and great memories.

“I didn’t get into a lot of trouble but I had a lot of friends who did," he said. "I did get to hear all of the wild tales though. Life back in the day, I suspect, is no different than today. I mean the big difference is the technology. But as far as friendship, activities, going to school six to eight hours a day, homework, and tests, teachers you love and teachers you hate, your first girlfriend, going to prom. It’s no different.”

What would high school be without the class clowns and pranksters? Most would say pretty boring.

One notable classmate, Mark D’Antonio, who was voted “Most Friendly,” reminisced about wearing a two-piece swimsuit during the Mr. Arundel contest.

“It was for a show. I think we did it to raise money. Someone decided that we were going to have a male beauty pageant,” D’Antonio said. So the guys got together and decided instead of wearing a tuxedo, we would wear a girl’s bikini. Hey, we weren’t shy about it obviously and we got great reviews. It was so much fun. It’s great to come back after 35 years to see everyone and I thank God that I’m alive to still be here.”

D’Antonio works as an attorney in New Mexico.

Cherrie Clark Lail remembers the Mr. Arundel pageant fondly.

“The things we got away with back then in school, kids of today would have never gotten away with,” she said.

The Arundel grads handed out awards for categories incuding who had the the most children and grandchildren, who travelled the farthest, who has been married the longest.

Later, the classmates danced the night away to popular tunes from their high school years.

The reunion committee consisted of Clark Lail, Kelcey Jube Hureau, Joe Heil, Steve Harris, Steve McBee and Janet Selckman Johnson.

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