09/22/2026
My heart is truly full as I make my way back to Texas…in a reflective moment..
This past weekend reminded me that a reunion isn’t really about an event. It’s about people, memories, love, forgiveness, and the places and people that helped make us who we are.
To every classmate who came home this weekend, and to every classmate who couldn’t be there, you were part of it. And to our classmates and teachers who have passed on before us, we remembered you, spoke your names, and carried you with us.
Friday night gave us something none of us planned…
Our gathering at Sarah’s on Park unexpectedly put us in the same space with the Hartford Public Class of 1976 and their 50th Reunion kickoff.
Think about that. Two schools that were fierce rivals back in the day, now sitting together, breaking bread, laughing, joking and genuinely enjoying each other’s company.
Who could have planned that? We had a peek into what the next 10 has in store for us looking across the room.
Forty years later for some and Fifty years for others, the rivalry had become fellowship, what a great time.
Saturday was about giving back. We volunteered with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), supporting our classmate Cheryl Sharp and the greater Hartford community. Seeing important state services and agencies brought directly into the community was a powerful reminder that coming home isn’t only about remembering where we came from, it’s also about what we can give back.
Then we celebrated.
The Artist Collective became our living room for the afternoon and evening—food, music, dancing, pictures, laughter and stories that just wouldn’t stop.
Mama Tay’s Kitchen brought food that was absolutely incredible. DJGQ kept the music energy right. Bobby Wells captures amazing photos of the event. The venue was well decorated and was exactly the wanted vibe..And somehow, we managed to stretch the party beyond the scheduled time.
Yvonne Harris and her fantastic Artist Collective team, thank you for letting us overstay our welcome! 😇
Sunday morning brought us together one more time at Sarah’s on Park -Thank you Jay Paris for your flexibility and your team’s support!
Classmate Alfred Collins blessed our memorial breakfast food. We spoke the names of classmates and teachers who have passed. Then Larry Hall from the Class of 1985 brought greetings, charged us to live life fully, and reminded of the words we once knew by heart:
“Weaver High our Alma Mater, To her we will be true. As we search and quest for knowledge she will see us through. We may stray along the pathway but We're always sure to see. Weaver High in all her glory leads to victory!"
Forty years later, those words carry a different weight.
Floyd Mitchell closed us out with a prayer for traveling grace.
And then we mingled for a bit and went home.
But I don’t think anyone really left empty-handed.
We carried home memories, laughter, photographs, stories, and maybe most importantly, a renewed appreciation for the people we once walked the halls with.
I am especially grateful to have worked alongside the planning committee Judy Artis, Joan Carter, Sunsheray Johnson, Deirdre Chambers, Greg Mills, Cheryl Sharp, Simone Powell and Xav Green.
What an incredibly talented group of people.
And to the entire Class of 1986:
Whether you were there, couldn’t make it, or were with us in spirit:
You are part of this story.
You are part of this family.
You are loved.
Forty years have passed.
Life has taken us in a thousand different directions.
But somehow, when we came together this past weekend, I felt like we were teenagers again for a little while.
Weaver High Class of 1986.
We didn’t just have a reunion.
We came home. Until next time…Classmates!
Thank you again Sarah’s on Park, Artist Collective, DJGQ, Bobby Wells, and Simply Elegant for helping to make it a great weekend for my classmates! Supporting businesses that support us.
💚🤍
Once a Beaver, Always a Beaver!
