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Tammy singing Faithfully by Journey

Homecoming…SGHS Reunion and Rock Concert
Beth Volpert

The flowers alone were enough to transport many of the South Gwinnett High School alumni back in time. Mrs. Gloria Still outdid herself at the request of the reunion committee to “reproduce” the much-loved giant white Homecoming mums with a simple Comet Blue pipe cleaner shaped into an “S” and placed on top. She wasn’t sure at first that she could find a big supply, but the lady came through! While the flowers, memorabilia case, concert jerseys, letter jackets, cheerleader uniforms, tube socks and record albums (Complete with the HotLanta HomeCookin’ releases!) decorated the beautiful high wood-beamed ceilings of the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage center, the real highlight was the music. Song always was…and still remains…the same for the attendees who spanned the classes of 1978 to 1987.

The planning began about three minutes after a huge multi-year reunion in 2009.  It seemed that despite the games on the big screens inside along with the bars, food and photo shows, most folks wandered outside to stand in the chilly autumn night just to hear live music from the era. That night, it was determined that the next reunion would include and be centered around a rock-n-roll concert featuring some of our own alumni talent. It didn’t hurt that one of our own who had performed on one of those HotLanta HomeCookin’ albums had married a favorite radio personality from the station of choice, 96ROCK. Laura Peters had an “in” with JohnBoy Bryant and we suddenly had a Master of Ceremonies who could bring back the memories with just the sound of his voice.

It was that voice that introduced the folks who were instrumental in turning the normal “doorprize” offerings into an auction to benefit another alum. The Auction for Aimee idea took hold and raised $3,500. Snellville has changed over the years, but the years have not changed the idea of “hometown” and caring for your neighbors.

That same voice introduced the committee members headed by Cal Cooper. Cal held tight to the idea that more than 500 would likely attend the event and although numbers were not trending that way close to a month prior to the event, just after Labor Day, the RSVP’s began to pour in. “The Reunion” became the talk of the town. Snellville was buzzing with questions about the signage dotting every corner (thanks to the mayor for permission…). Even Brookwood High School joined up and alerted their first graduating classes to the party. Following a 1980 split-session year, Brookwood High School opened. Many of those first Brookwood graduates had also attended SGHS coming up through Snellville Middle to create a vast membership in “The Reunion”. The committee worked hard to spread the word that all were welcome and it would be an event not to be missed.

And the song…the music took center stage. There is a certain feeling that the era of the late 70’s and early 80’s music can create with the first note. That feeling took over quickly and transported the 500 +/- attendees from 2012 to 1980! The music, organized by 1984 grad Tommy Taylor, centered around school dance and 96ROCK after school playlists. Musicians from among the alumni rotated on and off stage all night playing favorites spanning many genres. Journey, Prince, Tom Petty and Led Zepplin, among others, brought out the dancers. And dance they did! The floor was covered all night long. Slow dancing was still a crowd favorite all these years later, especially when Tammy Shirley Tompkins gave her all with a beautiful rendition of Faithfully. Laughing faces could be seen in the glow of the show lights as well as cell phones and iPods as attendees shared photos of children and grandchildren.

The organizers stayed busy all night making sure everything went smoothly. Bar owner and alum, Glenda Bramlett  maintained a tightly-run bar and efficient crew. Professional help at all levels of the event helped make it enjoyable for everyone. At the end of the night, the volunteers stood back and waved “see ya‘ll” with satisfied smiles and tired feet.  Planning began again that night, about three minutes after the doors closed with the statement, “Next time we need to…” Chances are there will be music. Even though time passes…the song really has remained the same.

http://www.southgwinnettreunion.com or https://www.facebook.com/groups/SGHSREUNION/

Glenda Bramlett and Tommy Taylor ready for the reunion.

Organizer Cal Cooper shows the reunion concert t-shirts to Pam Marsh Hughes