Forty years ago, they graduated from high school, received their diplomas, and went their separate ways. Now, members of the Paschal High School Class of 1974 are celebrating their 40th reunion.

“We had around 690 classmates that year,” said Brenda Harris, reunion organizer and 1974 graduating class member. “Our class reunions every 10 years have been averaging around 225 to 250 attendees.”

Harris said the reunion helps the community foster a connection to the past.

“It’s just great seeing people you haven’t seen in so long,” said Don Lanier, a Fort Worth resident and Class of 1974 alumnus. “It brings up old memories.”

Lanier said he hopes the reunion will encourage his former classmates to get together more often in the future.

“I want for everyone to just have fun with each other,” he said.

The main event will happen from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, June 21, at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth. There will be a dinner buffet and cash bar as well as music by Fort Worth’s Pardi Gras band.

Planning the reunion is worthwhile, said Harris, who wants “for people to realize that all those issues and insecurities we all had as teenagers are in the past. After 40 years, no one cares or remembers anymore.”

“People like to come to reunions for several reasons: catching up with friends, remembering their childhood times, coming back to their hometown to see family, or reconnecting with the past,” she said.

Kayela Jenkins, a Paschal High School Class of 2011 alumna and 109 resident, said she hopes she can also keep connected with former classmates later in life.

“I think it’s really cool that friends from high school are still getting together after 40 years,” she said.

Tickets for the reunion can be purchased through Eventbrite.com using PayPal or any major credit card or debit card. Tickets will also be available  at the door for $70.

For more information, email [email protected] or call Brenda Harris at 817-319-0321.