Pike County Training School, Hillcrest High and Pike County high held a reunion Saturday in Brundidge. Chairman of the organizing committee, Charlie Caffey, said the reunion is a special time for everyone that attends.

“I’ve seen people embrace and in tears,” Caffey said. “Some haven’t seen people in 50 years.”

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect correct attributions.

More than 15 representatives of graduating classes in the 1950s attended the reunion. Ollie Thomas was one of the few from the earliest class in attendance, 1954. The schools have had reunions since 1985, but this is the third one under the current committee.

“It’s awesome, seeing schoolmates and friends. That’s a word that sums up everything well,” Thomas said.

Thomas drove 14 hours with her two sisters 14 hours from Detroit, Michigan, to attend the reunion. She’s lived in Detroit for 35 years.

Thomas was one of many classmates that made a long trip to be at the reunion; Caffey said that people have come from California, Miami, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia and other states.

Not only were graduates of the high schools present, but former teachers attended as well.

Joe Boyd, who started the football program at Hillcrest High, was honored during the evening. Forrest Robinson and other former educators were honored as well.

“It was a pleasure teaching all of you,” I hope you have gotten just what you wanted out of life. I’ve been here a long time, and I look forward to this. Not too many of us still around and I think about all of you,” Robinson said to the audience.