HOULTON, Maine — Twenty-four members of the last class to graduate from Ricker Classical Institute gathered for their 50th class reunion on July 2, 2016 at First Settlers Lodge in Weston.
It was only the second time in 50 years that the group had met.
Sally McCluskey Gravelle had traveled the farthest, coming from Lexington Park, Maryland. The group enjoyed getting reacquainted with each other before enjoying their meal and a program. Each guest received a gift bag which included a reproduction of their original yearbook, “The Aquilo,” ‘from an end to a beginning’ and a booklet with current information about each class member.
The class welcomed former faculty member Woody Dunphy and his wife Joann to their reunion. The class was also honored to have four members who held honor parts at their graduation in attendance: Jean Howard, valedictorian, Rosanne Henderson Bowen, salutatorian; Cheryl Warman Ross, first honor; and John Sjostedt, second honor.
The class of 1966 was significant because it was the last class to graduate from Ricker Classical Institute.
In Headmaster Hunter Cotton’s letter to the graduating class he wrote: “My annual message for the last 15 years has been directed to the graduating class. This year I must include all grades because all students, in effect, are leaving this old institution.
“To all underclassmen I apologize for all the events and situations which have made it necessary to discontinue a school which has served very many other fine young people for over 118 years. I wish all of you an easy transition into other schools and happiness and success in your educational endeavors.
“It is with profound regret that I part company with such an old school and with such a fine group of students as we have had here. I feel that few headmasters have been endowed with such a splendid student body with whom to work as I have been.
“The class of ’66 was expected to be the last of the large classes for a while. Now we find it to be the very last class to graduate from this school. This also sets it apart from all other graduating groups. It is my hope, however, that through effort and good fortune on the part of each member you will continue to set yourselves apart: from the fads and frivolities of college life; from mediocrity and mummery of the world of work. Stand straight to your full height, and may God walk with you.”
The class of ’66 dedicated their yearbook to Headmaster Cotton, recalling how welcoming he was to each of them. Students could drop into his office anytime. He always made time to listen to the students’ needs.
Following the meal, Dan Watson, master of ceremonies invited those in attendance to share recollections of their school days. Several members commented on how everyone supported each other. They enjoyed the close knit atmosphere.
Jean Howard, valedictorian of the class, said the school prepared students well for post academia, the ministry and law. She spoke highly of Cleon and Shirley Hatch, who taught Latin and English. Howard went on to receive her Ph.D. in Renaissance literature from Yale. She taught at Syracuse University for 13 years and has been at Columbia University in New York for more than 30 years. Her family still comes back to their family farm in Hodgdon and she is looking forward to retiring in the Portland area in the near future.
Students attending R.C.I. came from surrounding towns such as Monticello, Littleton, Hodgdon, New Limerick, Linneus and Oakfield, as well as many other small towns in the County. Some students who lived far away were boarded at the school or rented rooms from Houlton families. Everyone supported each other; students loved their time at Ricker. Many students participated in extracurricular activities such as Glee Club, French Club, basketball, cheerleading and baseball.
The students remembered being devastated that R.C.I. was closing at the time, but as they reminisced at the reunion, they all were appreciative to have had their four years together at such a fine institution.
Those attending were: Rosanne Henderson Bowen, Marie Jewell Hutchinson, Sally McCluskey Gravelle, Pauline Hogan Folsom, Pamella Smart Richardson, Carolyn Woodworth Jordan, Norma Wright London, Jill Fraser Hurd, Dana Wright, Roger McBride, Danny Watson, John Clark, Jean Howard, John Sjostedt, Ward Hand, Ervin Tower, Sheila Campbell Cowperthwaite, Janet Heath Timmins, Penny Kennedy Nadeau, Cynthia Warman Harris, Cheryl Warman Ross, Nancy Henderson Bubar, Patty McGary Jones and Connie Mills Sandstrom.
