Thirty Years Later: Sexton High School Class of 1996 Reunites to Celebrate Memories, Friendship, and Legacy
- Yanice Y. Carter
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Thirty years ago, members of the Sexton High School Class of 1996 walked across the graduation stage filled with dreams, uncertainty, and excitement about what the future might hold. On Saturday June 13th, 2026, many of those same classmates gathered at One North Kitchen & Bar in Lansing to celebrate their 30th Class Reunion. Organized by Dr. Brian Beverly and Alyssa Lucas, the event brought together former classmates for an evening filled with laughter, reflection, fellowship, and a renewed appreciation for the bonds formed decades ago.
From the moment guests arrived, it was clear that this reunion was about more than simply reconnecting. Tables were filled with yearbooks, photographs, memorabilia, and cherished keepsakes from our high school days. Classmates gathered around the displays, pointing out familiar faces, sharing stories, and laughing about memories that seemed both distant and surprisingly close. The carefully curated collection of photos, yearbooks, and mementos served as a time capsule, transporting us back to a chapter of life that helped shape who we are today.
Yearbooks, photographs, letter jackets, and other memorabilia provided a walk down memory lane as classmates revisited their high school years. The displays sparked laughter, storytelling, and countless conversations about shared experiences from the 1990s.
For many attendees, one of the most meaningful moments came while flipping through old yearbooks. Time seemed to stand still as classmates revisited snapshots of their younger selves and remembered the people, activities, and experiences that defined our years at Sexton High School. I smiled as I found my own photo among the pages. During my junior year, I had the honor of serving as Junior Class President and was voted “Prettiest Eyes” during the junior mock elections. Looking back at those yearbook pages thirty years later was both humbling and nostalgic. At the time, none of us knew where life would lead. The young woman smiling from those pages had no idea she would become the publisher of The Chronicle News, the founder of Lansing Community Catalyst, and mom to two wonderful children, while carrying forward a family legacy of journalism, community engagement, and storytelling.
Throughout the evening, classmates shared updates about their careers, families, and personal accomplishments. What stood out most was not how much had changed, but how much remained the same. The personalities, humor, and friendships that defined our high school years were still very much present.
As conversations unfolded, I had the opportunity to share some of my recent work. Many classmates took time to look through the newspaper and coloring book, offering words of encouragement and congratulations on the work we are doing to preserve community stories, promote literacy, and inspire the next generation.
The evening was also marked by moments of reflection. A touching memorial display honored classmates who are no longer with us. Seeing their names and photographs served as a reminder that while reunions celebrate milestones and accomplishments, they also encourage us to cherish the time we have and the relationships we hold dear. Friends who once shared classrooms, hallways, sporting events, and school activities remain forever part of the Sexton story.
As I looked around the room, I couldn’t help but think about the hopes and ambitions we carried as teenagers. Some became educators, business owners, healthcare professionals, public servants, parents, and community leaders. Others took paths none of us could have predicted. Yet the lessons, friendships, and experiences we shared at Sexton helped lay the foundation for many of the accomplishments we celebrate today.
Outside on the patio, classmates gathered for photographs as the evening sun cast a golden glow over the celebration. Laughter echoed through conversations that picked up as though no time had passed at all. For a few hours, we were transported back to a simpler time while also appreciating the lives we have built since graduating in 1996.
As the evening came to a close, one thought lingered in my mind: we may have graduated thirty years ago, but we will always be Sexton Big Reds. Perhaps that is the true gift of a reunion, not simply remembering where we came from, but recognizing how our shared experiences helped shape who we have become. Thirty years later, the memories remain, the friendships endure, and the story of the Sexton High School Class of 1996 continues to be written. As I exited the reunion at the end of the night one chant stood out in my head “SHOULD HAVE BEEN A BIG…WHOOT WHOOT WHOOT!!!” Cheers to the J.W. Sexton class of 1996. This was one for the books!