Welcome to the official Valley High Reunion site!

This site is run by, and for, alumni of Valley High School. It's main purpose is to help former students reconnect with old friends. You can check here for up to date information on class reunions, as well as the ALL CLASS reunion, held every August.

This site does not include advertising, and Valley is the only school represented. You will never be charged a fee to belong to this site.(although donations are always cheerfully accepted!).

Let me answer a few questions you might have:

WHAT:

Reunion information. That is it. Reconnecting and helping classes find members at reunion time. The classes that contact me first,wanting to have their reunion on the same weekend,  are the ones who help make the decisions about the All Class.

WHO:

Holly Felsen Welch '67

I grew up in old WDM. I lived at 10th and Walnut, 1000 Ashworth Road, and the corner of 16th and Locust.(I'm sure you must have thrown a cigarette butt on my sidewalk, cut through the yard on your way home from Stilwell, or hit a golf ball in my yard on #4 at Clover Hills Golf Course.) I went to Clover Hills, Stilwell, and the old Valley.

Since Saturday night, I've had several  people want to help out with the ALL CLASS reunion. I've even heard from the class of 2000. More on that as I get commitments.

WHY:

Because no one else is. That is the best answer I can give you. I used to dread going to the class reunions every 5 years. It did give me a reason to diet and update my hairdo, but I was always apprehensive. I always enjoyed seeing old friends, though. I think it is important that all Valley alumni have that opportunity.

The ALL CLASS came about because we weren't just friends with people in our own class. We had crushes on seniors when we were freshmen, and many of us grew up and went to school with the same people from kindergarten through 12th grade. (OK, some of us have never really been able to accept that the "Clive kids" joined us at Stilwell, but we'll just live with that.)

Each class shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel every 5 years to locate classmates. It should be in ONE place, EASY to find, and FREE to use. Uncluttered.

WHEN:

We keep using August. The first group that worked so hard on the All Class reunions chose the first weekend in August. As those people became overworked, the reunion sputtered for a few years, and the class of '67 picked it up in 2007. The reasoning for the second Saturday, is so people returning to WDM can also go to the fair. It does interfere with attendance, depending on the group performing at the fair, but we can live with that.

HOW:

Here is the fun part. I've been doing the webiste alone, with a little help from my friends. I've had lots of people with good ideas, so volunteers are WELCOME! Just let me know!! I'm retired, which means I'm busier than ever. I've been starting my own business, as well as trying to republish my dad's books. That is why it isn't worked on regularly, even though it needs to be, until all classmates' names are entered.

WHERE:

The Val Air was chosen because it has meaning to so many of us who group up in WDM. If you are old enough, you will remember walking across that stage to get your diploma, only a few weeks after it had been transformend into some exotic location for prom.

We are able to get the Val Air rented thanks to the WDM Schools Foundation, who has paid the $3000 each year for one night of fun. We are barely able to pay for the entertainment with the door receipts, but hope that will change as the reunion grows in attendance.

I depend on all of you to keep spreading the word, and getting classmates signed up on this page. So, how about trying to get someone else to join today!

Questions? Comments? Contact me through this site.

 

 

Please encourage all Valley alumni to register on this FREE data base.

 CURRENT REUNION INFORMATION

Class of 1959

The West Des Moines Valley High school class of 1959 will have a 50th Reunion casual evening meeting on September 11, 2009 at Bridgewood clubhouse in West Des Moines. 

We are planning a breakfast on September 12th and view by bus tour of the old school area plus many of the changes in West Des Moines and Valley Junction since 1959. Plans for a dinner and program on Saturday evening at Willow Creek are also being arranged.

We have been able to locate all but 9 class members and will be sending out cost/time/place details in next few weeks. If you have questions contact Gary DeSomber at Onegladhouse@aol.com or Sandy (Hayes) Crawford at Crawf809@aol.com.