Charlie Groh

Another great job, Richard.  The drone work is outstanding!

Richard Maurer

Thanks for the nice comment Charlie.  I love using the drone, but there is a fairly steep learning curve for getting the thing to do what you want.  Fortunately I like trying to learn how to use it.

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

Wonderful Video, Richard. You made us feel like we were actually there. Andamazingly, your voice sounds exactly like it did in high school; the sterling voice of a TV narrator. Can't wai tto see your next production.

Richard Maurer

Thanks Linda.  I think that the voice may be the only thing that is holding steady.  Everything else is old, worn out and tired.

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

 Just like the rest of us. 

Richard Maurer

Fair point.  Simple math makes it clear that it has been a number of years since our Savanna days.  Not surprising that there has been a litte wear.  

Nancy Andersen (Madeira)

Doug Bell

Hi Nancy!  You look great -- not so much for Skip.  Just kidding, Skip!  What was the event?

Linda Marks (Bird)

Tom "Skip" Johnson

Doug, I wear "frumpy" well.  Nancy and I and our spouses were at a fundraiser for Musical Theater Heritage.  It's one of the non-profit, professional theater groups here in K.C..  Cuts in funding....you know.  We have our own "class reunion" every other month or so.  We laugh, cuss, bitch, complain, eat, drink and thoroughly enjoy ourselves.  You're all welcome to join us...here, of course.

Richard Maurer

Wow, Nancy and Skip, you both look terrific.  You somehow seem to be evading father time.  Your youthful faces make it seem impossible that it has been 60 years since our Savanna days.

Tom "Skip" Johnson

Thanks Richard!  You're looking fit, trim and as good looking as ever.

Jerry Labuda

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my fellow Rebels.

Bob Lanphar

Hey fellow Rebels, does anyone remember the name of our Chemistry teacher?

Bob Lanphar

Richard Maurer

Mr. Kaylor was chemistry teacher.  He was alway very enthusiastic and encouraging.

Greg Cook

I know it's been a while, but I came across something today that brought the Class of 1965 to top of mind. (and at my age that's a journey fraught with peril. Apparently, we've graduated from being Baby Boomers to being STBO (Soon To Be Octogenarians). But achieving that milestone made me wonder.

What would be the one thing you would tell your younger high school self that you've learned in the years since Savanna?

Looking forward to reading your replies

Greg Cook

I remember Mr Kaylor vividly. He didn't kick me out when I created an explosion during chemistry class. He was a classmate of John Wayne (Marion Morrison) at USC, and he said that annually the classmates would meet on his yacht for a party weekend.

Bobbie Bechtold (Ryan)

Bobbie Bechtold (Ryan)

Sadly, we have lost another Savanna Rebel. Kathy Benson Rudd Jackson passed away on December 15, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona. She recently had hip replacement surgery, but passed away while in rehabilitation.

Kathy Benson will be remembered as one of the three Savanna Baton Majorettes.

Please visit the In Memory site on the left side of the Home Page.

Bob Lanphar

Thank you. I remember Mr Kaylor and his antics to emphasize some chemical reaction point. He was the one the placed the chemistry bug in me. I ended up getting two undergraduate degrees in computer science and mathematics along with two classes away from a degree in organic chemistry. 

Greg Cook

You're welcome Bobbie, I guess now that 2025 is nearly over, I can let the cat out of the bag. That was my first venture into AI-enhanced writing. Your remarks have inspired me to create something so we can celebrate our STBO (Soon To Be Octogenarians). Stay tuned!

Greg Cook

The Savanna STBOs: Is the Class of ’65 the G.O.A.T.?

Let’s be honest: back in the day, if you told a Savanna Rebel that we’d all be staring down our 80th birthdays together, we probably would have checked your punch bowl for something suspicious.

But here we are. We have officially entered the STBO phase (Soon To Be Octogenarians).

If you look at the history books, this many people from one graduating class making it to the 8-0 milestone isn't just a "good run"—it’s a statistical miracle. In the world of graduating classes, we aren’t just the Rebels; we are officially the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time).

The Legend of the Indestructible Rebel

Think about what we’ve survived. We survived cars made of solid lead with no seatbelts. We survived hairspray that was probably 40% jet fuel. We survived the "mystery meat" in the Savanna cafeteria (which, let’s be real, probably contained the preservatives that are keeping us all alive today).

Scientists should probably study us. While the rest of the world is worried about "anti-aging" creams, the Savanna STBOs are just keepin’ on, keepin’ on. We’ve traded our drag races for morning dog walks, and our "all-nighters" now end at 8:30 PM, but the Rebel spirit hasn't dimmed—it’s just become more... durable.

A Toast to the Pioneers Who Led the Way

As we look toward 80, we have to pause and tip our caps to the Rebels who were "STBOs" before us but didn't quite make it to this specific finish line. They were the ones who taught us how to live fast, laugh hard, and make the most of every Saturday night.

They might not be here to argue with us about who had the fastest car or the best hair, but they are a permanent part of the G.O.A.T. Class. We carry their stories with us—even if we have to squint a little harder to remember the details now.

The "Long Haul" Hall of Fame

Reaching 80 is like winning the ultimate "Enduro" race. We’ve seen the world change from black-and-white TVs to phones that talk back to us. We’ve seen trends come and go, but the Class of '65 remains.

We aren't just getting older; we are optimizing our legacy sleeve. We are the generation that proved that 80 is the new 60 (with maybe just a few more naps).

So, here’s to the Savanna STBOs. We’ve made it this far because we’re too stubborn to stop and too Rebel to follow the rules of aging.

Watch out, world—the 80s are coming, and the Rebels are leading the pack.

Michael Elliott

Great stuff, Greg.  Amazing the lifetimes we've come through.  

Regarding Mr. Kaylor.  I remember when he was telling us to heat our test tubes with bunsen burners:  "Heat your bottoms til they're rosy red!"  Quirky fascinating character.  I was in his class on November 22, 1963 and he told us the shocking news that occurred while we were in class.  Etched in my mind.  

Joan Elliott (Euans)

Jerry, That's a beautiful painting of the Nativity! I hope you and yours had a blessed Christmas and have a Happy New Year!  Joan

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

That is delightful Greg! Thank you.