The BCHS “Class with Class” Celebrates 20 Years at Reunion
The last time the Bolivar Central High School (BCHS) class of 2002 came together was for its tenth-year high school reunion, and the students gathered again on Friday, September 16, 2022, in Bolivar for its 20th class reunion.
There were 40 students of the original 155 graduates that enjoyed an evening of seeing familiar faces and reminiscing over good food at Simon’s Fish Camp & Grill.
“Not only were we happy to see each other, but to also learn of our successes and what we are doing now,” said Lacy King Jacobs who organized the reunion. “It brought back memories and a sense of community.”
According to Jacobs, the Class of 2002 was the first ninth grade class to start at the high school. Previously, ninth grade students attended Bolivar Middle School.
“Our class had ‘class’ as Principal Freddie Kessler always reminded us to have some class,” said Jacobs. “We went all four years of high school with no fights.”
The small intimate group of people who attended the reunion enjoyed sitting around eating and chatting, while looking at yearbook pictures. The conversations included a lot of laughs and there were some heartfelt moments as those who were lost over the years, were remembered. Some of those students who are “gone, but not forgotten” included Chris Cheairs, Courtney Herron, Jamarcus Hurde, Erica Norment, and Cory Lewis.
“I knew Courtney Herron and Erica Norment,” said Jacobs. “I remember them both being fairly quiet and very nice.”
Jeremy Lawson was looking forward to the reunion not only for himself, but also for his friend Chris Cheairs, who passed away more than 20 years ago.
“I was just blessed to be there in honor of my best friend, Chris Cheairs,” said Lawson. “He was also part of the class of 2002. Chris passed away in 1996 when we were in the sixth grade.”
Surprisingly, many of the students from the class of 2002 have returned to live in or never left Hardeman County.
“I do believe there are quite a few who remained or have returned to our home county,” said Jacobs. “I was surprised how many still live in the county that I don’t seem to cross paths with. People may have stayed due to family ties, but in a small-town family extends past genetics and you grow where you are planted. Small town living isn’t for everyone, but I believe we have a nice community.”
The reunion gave all an opportunity to catch up and make new memories. A picnic was planned to be held on Saturday at Bolivar City Park. A common thread for the evening was “memories” and how those connected everyone from the “class with class”.
“It was awesome seeing old friends and reconnecting,” said Canedra Henderson. “It definitely does not seem like it has been 20 years since we walked the halls of BCHS, because nothing seemed to have changed. We spent the night chatting about the good ol’ times.”
Plans for the next reunion are already being considered.
“We missed the ones that couldn’t be there and hope to have another gathering in maybe five years instead of waiting until 10,” said Jacobs.
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