A longstanding tradition of honoring alumni who graduated 50 years ago will return to the Flathead High School commencement ceremony this year.

Steve Geddes, a member of the Flathead County High School Class of 1967, got the ball rolling on re-establishing the tradition largely because he has a granddaughter who graduated earlier this year but will receive her diploma during the June 2 ceremony. Geddes contacted Flathead Principal Peter Fusaro and arrangements were made to honor all of the 1967 alumni who can attend.

Geddes said he remembers the 50-year alumni being honored at his graduation in 1967, but doesn’t know when the tradition was sidelined years ago. There were 380 students in his graduating class, and he said he’s wondered how many other alumni have had grandchildren who have graduated a half-century later.

“I get to present her with her diploma,” Geddes said proudly about his granddaughter, Courtney Geddes, who stayed in Kalispell in order to graduate after the rest of her family moved to Arkansas.

Organizers of the Flathead 50th class reunion are gathering names of those who can attend the June 2 graduation ceremony, working under an April 14 deadline because the school needs to know names and heights to order robes for those who will be honored. If you can attend, email Wanita at rw2000@centurytel.net or Geddes at neonrat26@yahoo.com.

Plans are underway for the class reunion to be held July 28-30.

A meet and greet will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the Elks Lodge in Kalispell. On Saturday, July 29, the reunion dinner, with music and dancing, begins at 6 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel at Kalispell Center Mall. Sunday, July 30, will feature trolley rides throughout the Flathead Valley. The group will meet at Flathead High School at 11 a.m.

The cost to attend is $50 for singles or $75 for couples. Register online at www.alumniclass.com or send a check made out to FCHS 50th Class Reunion, to Randy Mohn, P.O. Box 908, Lakeside, MT 59922.