In celebration of the 50 years since those times of giggly fun and serious studying, the class of '53 met on June 6 to host its biggest reunion since graduation.

All the stops were pulled out for the four-day celebration that included a banquet, breakfast, tour of the high school and special outdoor party at the home of Los Gatos Mayor Sandy Decker.

The reunion was held at the Deckers' because it was the former residence of 1953 graduate Mary Hadly Crowell, whose family owned the home from 1945 to 1996.

Crowell's classmate Clayton Bruntz spearheaded the idea, believing it would be a nice treat to hold the event at her former home, since it was where the high school crowd regularly gathered.

Once Decker learned of the home's history, Bruntz said she "was wonderful and very generous," and encouraged the committee to use it for the event. "We wanted to make sure the 50th reunion was a special event, and it turned out to be everything we wanted it to be. It was just wonderful."

Bruntz said the classmates are "very close" and hold a reunion every five years. This event was the most popular, with 70 members of the graduating class of 112 attending.

Crowell was one of the classmates traveling from the East Coast to attend the event. She has lived in Cape Cod, Mass., for 10 years, running a bed and breakfast. This was the second reunion she's attended and her first time viewing the home since the Decker's purchased it after her mother's death in 1996.

"It's a whole different house. It's nothing like it used to be," Crowell said with an amazed look. Classmates continually made the same remarks as they moved room to room, analyzing each modification.

Changes included the removal of a heavy oak front door that had been a beloved item among many guests, and remodeling Crowell's bedroom into the kitchen.

Although Sandy Decker could not attend the event, her husband, Gil, was on hand to enthusiastically show guests the renovated rooms, commenting on how much fun he was having.

"The original house had really solid, good lines," Gil said, explaining that he and Sandy took two years to renovate and redesign the inside of the house, but left the outside relatively intact.

As more and more guests arrived, nearly everyone took time to say hello to Crowell and tour the house, sharing stories about the parties held there in the past.

Crowell said she was "blown away at seeing so many people" that she hadn't seen since the 25th reunion. "It's really neat to see everybody," she said, remarking that many people were just as she remembered. "What a crowd—isn't this great?" she remarked to a group of old friends.

Crowell was only able to stay in California for 24 hours, because of a family wedding held in Cape Cod the following day. "I was determined to make it," she said. "When we were planning this, I was so excited. We've had very close contact for 50 years and I had to come out and be part of the house party."

In addition to a tour of the house, a full buffet was set up on the lawn, where classmates mixed and mingled while sipping drinks. In front of the porch, a memorial was set up for Gloria Alvernaz, who "was one of the most outstanding in keeping the group together," reunion committee member Nikki Keesling Henry said.

Although guests were happy to see one another, emotions ran high at times as deceased classmates were remembered. "There is so much love in our reunions, we are all so close," Henry said. "I'm just very blessed that I've been able to live all these years and have these friends. We've lost quite a few, and we all take it hard because we are so close. But, we really are very fortunate to have what we've had."