<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0OrfAT_0o4q8UGf00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0OrfAT_0o4q8UGf00" width="850" height="680" > The Battle Ground High School class of 1953 experienced World War II while in their earlier years of schooling, as well as survived earthquakes and more. In 2023, that class of 1953 celebrated their 70th high school reunion. A total of 12 members of the 125 members of the graduating class met at Kiwanis Park Saturday, Aug. 19, to celebrate. Louise Tucker, a graduate of 1953, said they have contact information for 24 class members of the original 125 who still live in Clark County, with 11 of those attending the reunion and one traveling as far as Phoenix to visit their alma mater. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> With the class members all around the age of 88, they honored the classmates who have passed with a poster board of their names and photos. Since the class’s 65th reunion, 15 classmates have passed away, according to a binder of “class stats.” The binder noted, “As far as can be calculated, there are approximately 75 grads and fellow classmates who are no longer with us.” The 12 members in attendance shared stories and smiles, told jokes and were in high spirits.Tucker and her husband, Bill, have known each other since the seventh grade. Bill Tucker spent some time in California before moving back to Battle Ground and marrying Louise within a week of the class’s 35th reunion. The 2023 70th reunion marked two milestones for the Tuckers: their 35th wedding anniversary and double that time since graduating. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> “I’m glad we found each other again,” Louise Tucker said. Louise Tucker is best known for writing the history book, “Battle Ground … In and Around.” She’s watched the community change in many ways since 1953. Battle Ground’s first official census in 1960 reported the population at 888. Fast forward to the 2020 census, and the population of this small bedroom community reached 20,743, with an estimated population in 2023 of 21,655 by worldpopulationreview.com. Bill Tucker was absent for some of the city’s growth during its slower years but now believes the city where he graduated is far from the small town he remembers. For fellow classmate Jack Massie, he recalled when he was10 years old, his family traveled to Battle Ground and a small green sign stated Battle Ground’s population was 735. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> “The roads have changed quite a lot. I used to have to zigzag around to get up here. We lived in Orchards at the time.” Massie said. “It’s gradually changed to a city. You don’t think about it until you look back and think, ‘Wow.’ ” Louise Tucker said she is unsure a 75th reunion will be organized, but she is hopeful. </div></body>

Mountain View, CA

The Battle Ground High School class of 1953 experienced World War II while in their earlier years of schooling, as well as survived earthquakes and more. In 2023, that class of 1953 celebrated their  ...