Highland Park High Class of 1972 to Hold 50th Reunion Celebration in August   

Yvette Woodruff, left an HPHS alumna and reunion organizer, graduated from Highland Park High School in 1972. Anita George, right, Highland Park High School alumnae, and chair of the upcoming Class of 1972 school reunion. 

Fifty years ago the average yearly income was $9,697, U.S. President Richard Nixon was in office, and “The Godfather” just came out in the theaters.  

The year was 1972, also a commemorative time for the Highland Park High School (HPHS) Class of 1972, who just graduated from their beloved school.  

Now, 50 years later this class is celebrating its semicentennial anniversary with a reunion hosted by the HPHS Class of 72 Reunion Committee.  

With the appropriate theme of “Living Your Life Like It’s Golden,” the reunion will be held from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, August 6 at St. Johns Banquet & Conference Center, 22001 Northwestern Hwy in Southfield. The committee is welcoming all graduates to join in the celebration of its 50th Year Class Reunion. Also, an August 7 picnic will be held with the location and time announced at the August 6 reunion.  

Yvette Woodruff, an HPHS alumna and reunion organizer, told the Michigan Chronicle that she grew up in Highland Park and attended the schools in the school district from first grade. “Me and my 11 siblings graduated from Highland Park High School.” 

“It’s a community you know, it’s an enclave inside of the city of Detroit. And it was always kind of separate. I only went to kindergarten in Detroit. We moved to Highland Park. I started first grade. And I develop lifelong friendships. A lot of those friendships went with me to college,” she said adding that she kept those lifelong friendships even after school including her schoolmate and friend Anita George. You’re talking over a 50-year relationship.”  

George, who is very active and instrumental in the city, an HPHS alumnae, and chair of the event told the Michigan Chronicle that she has been chairperson or co-chairperson of every class reunion (held every five years) since 1982, and the school holds a special place for her in the city.   

George also said that even though the school is no longer in operation and has not been for many years, the desire to uplift their community and young people to succeed in life through education is still there.  

“When the public Highland Park High School was operational, we were the first class to give back a scholarship to a graduating senior with a demonstrated need,” George said in an email. “Our plan this year is to donate to two community events that inspire and uplift the City of Highland Park. We may have graduated 50 years ago, but in our hearts and spirits, we continue to hold the Highland Park banner high.”  

George hopes the community will be involved too in scholarship efforts for their own students, and for good reason, too. 

WDIV recently reported that the Highland Park School District is looking into potentially building a new high school in the city after years of using Detroit Public Schools District’s high schools for its students due to not having a high school in about a decade.  

“It’s a need for the community,” said Highland Park resident Jimmy Thomas in the article. “Education is extremely important.”  

City officials are exploring the idea shortly with a completion scope set for 2024, per the article.  

“We’re finding out what is feasible,” said Highland Park City Schools Board President Shamayim Harris in the article. “We’re finding out what we can do with the land that we have, the spaces that we have, what’s available. What things we’re going to have, what things are going to cost, and we’re moving at that pace.”  

Woodruff said that the 50th anniversary holds a special significance because over the years the past reunions marked the changing times.  

“With our 10-year reunion we were just out of high school 10 years and the theme was, ‘Putting the pieces together,’” she said.  

Woodruff added that the 40th reunion was one of “Reflection,” and this one is to celebrate a time when children are more than likely grown, classmates are retired and people can enjoy their lives and their golden years.  

The graduates, in their success over the decades, always look back to the school that helped shape them forever.  

“The Highland Park educational system of the 60s and 70s springboarded our careers, and we are forever indebted to this City,” George said.  

Event payments can be made online via the Eventbrite payment system. Or via check mailed to— Attn: Anita Anthony George, 13200 Northfield Blvd, Oak Park, MI, 48237. (note that tickets purchased via check saves us fees and allow more funds for our HPHS 72 charitable events)  

• All ticket pickup will be at the will-call table at the entrance to the event.  

• All Alumni of past graduating classes of HPHS are welcome to join us.  
• A portion of the event proceeds will go to fund community events within the city of Highland Park.  

For questions send an email to hphsclassof1972@gmail.com. 

For more information search for the Highland Park High School reunion on eventbrite.com.