MHS Alumni Decades Reunion is September 19-20

The McKenzie High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) has announced the MHS Alumni Decades Reunion Weekend is set for September 19-20, 2025. It is in conjunction with this year’s MHS football homecoming.

Events this year include an alumni tailgate prior to the MHS homecoming game against Camden, the MHSAA golf scramble, an MHS Memorabilia Pop-Up Exhibit, and the MHS homecoming parade to feature McKenzie High alumni.

All graduates of McKenzie High School, plus all past and present faculty and staff of the McKenzie Special School District, are invited to attend. An area will be designated at the tailgate party for faculty and staff so that Rebel alumni can reconnect with their former teachers.

MHS graduating classes who are celebrating milestones in 2025 are encouraged to consider holding their reunions during the weekend. The MHSAA is happy to help spread the word on any class reunions.

Last year’s events also included a Block Party on Broadway after Friday night’s homecoming game, sponsored by the City of McKenzie. Live music featuring MHS alumni in the band “Flashback” was also enjoyed on Saturday night at Hometown Hangout. Other similar events are being considered again for this year.

Six graduating classes of McKenzie High celebrated milestone reunions at different locations around McKenzie on Saturday. It was estimated that over 500 MHS graduates from the late 1940s to 2024 and from throughout the U.S. participated in activities throughout the weekend.

Drew Beeler (Class of 2020), MHSAA President, said the first Decades Reunion held in 2024 was a huge success. “We learned a lot during planning the event last year, and we hope that our reunion this year will be even bigger and better. It was fun to see so many MHS alumni return to McKenzie, and we hope that even more will take advantage of our event, make the trip to our hometown, and help us have an even larger turnout in 2025!”

Terry Howell (Class of 1969), retired MHS principal and MHSAA Executive Board member, helped his class pull together their reunion in 2024. Howell shared, “Last year was one of those milestone years for my classmates and me, the 55th anniversary of our graduation from McKenzie High School. As we met to discuss the details and logistics of our reunion, we all agreed that having our reunion on the same weekend as the Decades Reunion hosted by the McKenzie High School Alumni Association would give people a greater incentive to celebrate McKenzie High School and those people who had an impact on their lives. The Decades Reunion would be a multigenerational gathering while the 1969 Class could celebrate the following day. Alumni of our school could meet as a group to rekindle friendships, recollect stories from our past, relate their life histories, and enjoy each other’s company.”

He added, “Eight to ten people from the 1969 Class met to plan our reunion. I think we told more stories than doing actual planning. But we did have a first-rate reunion with beautiful decorations, an excellent catered meal, an entertaining program, and a memorial moment for our deceased classmates. We had people from several states who made the trip back to McKenzie to celebrate McKenzie High School. Our old three-story high school is a distant memory having been razed in 1975. But the Decades Reunion reminded me that McKenzie High School is not a building; it is the collective memories, spirit, and soul of all those who have attended school there. I do look forward to the second Decades Reunion on September 19 of this year. Let us celebrate McKenzie High School together.”

Cara Priestley Kelly, president of the McKenzie High Class of 1995, now living in Cross Plains, Tennessee, traveled home for last year’s event. Her brother, Brice (Class of 2006), also came back to McKenzie from Dallas, Texas. “The alumni weekend festivities were so enjoyable for all ages. Alumni from various decades were seen mingling, catching up and reminiscing about their time at MHS. My class will celebrate 30 years at this year’s annual alumni weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there,” said Kelly.

Mistee Vinson Cooper (Class of 1983), is a retired McKenzie Middle School teacher. She and her family all came to the 2024 reunion. Cooper said, “I can’t wait for the 2025 Decades Reunion! This is such a wonderful idea created by our Alumni Association. It was so much fun seeing and visiting with my former teachers, old friends, classmates, as well as Kelsey’s and Savanna’s friends and my own recent students. The evening was perfect! It was in a relaxed atmosphere, with great conversations, lots of laughs, and Rebel football. I am looking forward to September and seeing everyone again!”

Betsy Hall Campbell (Class of 1973) got involved in helping set up various aspects of last year’s event and is now Vice President of the MHSAA. “Months of meetings of the MHSAA officers, committees, and others, worked to make the weekend a great time for all. I was excited to see classmates from the MHS Class of 1973 and everyone else. To be able to work with the committee and officers and to help set up was fantastic! It was great to see old friends and make new ones. Smiles were shared and memories were made by all,” Campbell said.

She added, “All McKenzie High graduates should mark their calendars for September 19, 2025, and come home for the next MHSAA Decades Reunion. You will not be disappointed!”

The MHSAA encourages alumni and former faculty and staff to follow The Banner, the MHSAA Facebook page or @mckenziehighthrowback on Instagram for updates on this year’s events. The MHSAA also asks alumni to help spread the word about the weekend with MHS friends, classmates and fellow alumni who may not use social media.

See you in September!