Homecoming for Riverdale Academy Class of 1973

By Wanda Anderson Hanna

Riverdale Academy welcomed home five classes at the homecoming celebration on October 13, 2023. The classes of 1973, 1983, 1993, 2003, and 2013 were honored with a reception in the gym. But our class, the class of 1973, met at Armadillo Grill before the celebration at the school in order to enjoy some delicious Mexican food and to have some extra time to “catch up.”

Even though the Class of 1973 was a relatively small class, we’ve tried, through the years, to get together when we can. We’ve lost 7 of our 17 classmates over these 50 years, so when we can get together, we always take time to remember those that have passed away.

The original 17 graduating class members were: Marilyn Almond (Tisdale), Wanda Anderson (Hanna), Kenneth Bierden, Whitten Foster, Charles Friday, Timmy Gahagan, Jerry Glover, Sonny Higgs, Leigh Jackson (McCune), Trudy Lafield (Abboud), Cecil Leonard, Rusty Lester, Ricky McCoy, Nick Moore, Glen Roddy, Benjamin Rush, and Gray Stothart.

Understandably, not all of the remaining members were able to attend this year’s homecoming celebration. Gray Stothart made the longest trek to make it here, coming from Tennessee. Cecil Leonard drove in from Monroe, and Rusty Lester arrived from Springhill. Jerry Glover and I had the shortest trip, since we both still reside in Coushatta.

We were honored to have Leta Townsend (Brown) as a special guest, coming from Natchitoches. Leta was a member of our class until she graduated early with the Class of 1972. While she might not have actually graduated with the 1973 class, she will always be considered as one of us!

Beginning on the left, and going around the table, those attending the meal at Armadillo Grill were Hallie Hanna (Wanda’s granddaughter), Wanda Anderson Hanna, Susie Lester, Rusty Lester, Jerry Glover, Tresha Glover, Ron Brown, Leta Townsend Brown, Gray Stothart, Jean Leonard, and Cecil Leonard.

#oncearebelalwaysarebel