La Feria Alumni Gather For a Multi Class Reunion

Updated: October 14, 2023

By Irene Zuniga

The La Feria High School Multi-Class reunion of 1950s,’60s, and ’70-’75, was held on September 8-9, 2023 at the local American Legion Hall. The member organizers were Irene Zuniga, Class of 1963, and Gloria Puente Saldana, Class of 1965. They worked diligently on planning and organizing to make the reunion a memorable one. Several Alumni came from as far as California, Ohio, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Oregon, Georgia and Idaho. Approximately 130 Alumni and guests were in attendance.

Some Alumni first met on Friday with a dinner at The Smoking Oaks Restaurant in Mercedes where they enjoyed an evening of reminiscing and socializing.

Saturday morning some met for breakfast at La Feria Cafe and Los Leones, our local restaurants. By Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. several of the Alumni met at the La Feria Veterans Memorial located on Main Street to pay tribute to our Veterans who served bravely in the armed forces. Rosalinda Taguilas, secretary/treasurer of the La Feria Veterans Memorial Monument Committee presented the tribute. Guest speaker was Olga Maldonado, Mayor of La Feria. She thanked all the veterans as well as the classmates who served our country proudly after they graduated from high school. She spoke of her own family and their time in the military.

The Reunion finalized Saturday evening with a dinner at the American Legion Hall. Four-Twenty Eats Treats Serves from La Feria provided a meal to our Alumni. Mayor Olga Maldonado was gracious enough to volunteer to cut and help serve the cake. Thank you Mayor! Throughout the evening everyone had a very unforgettable time reminiscing and socializing with one another. Many who attended had not seen each other since graduating from La Feria High School. Some looked around the Legion Hall, trying to remember which area the dances they use to attend were held. It became hard for them to find the right area since the Legion has changed some.

A Memorial area was displayed of the classmates who are no longer with us. Also, a tribute to the High School teachers of the 1950s, 60s and part of the 70s was on display. A Photo area was set up where each class could take a group or buddy picture to remember the Reunion of 2023. Congratulations to the Class of 1963, who celebrated their 60th anniversary and 1973 who celebrated their 50th.

All in all, these classmates came home, where their life story began; where they grew up and graduated from La Feria High School.