With the next reunion three years away, in 2019, Whitehall High School’s Class of 1959 got together July 23 for a 75th birthday bash and to give its class a historical footnote - they were the last seniors to graduate from Whitehall High School at its Lehigh Street location.

The reunion of sorts was held at the Hokendauqua American Legion pavilion and social hall, not far from the former Whitehall High School, which is now Zephyr Apartments, a seniors facility. The concrete facade still has “Whitehall High School” in large letters in tribute to the hundreds of students who were enrolled.

Among the 32 former classmates present for the 75th birthday bash, three of the class officers, Carol (Koehler) Beer, president; Sam Beidelman, vice president; and Al Bandle, treasurer, were among the attendees.

And for the first time present for such a reunion was Bill Nagle, of Chester, Conn.

“It was time I did it,” said Nagle, who excelled in science at Whitehall, was accorded honors in competition and who then went on to teach in high school and college.

“We were a tight-knit class,” Joseph Ebner said, noting the class had 117 students.

Some came as far as Washington State, Michigan, Tennessee and others, along with a large number remaining locally.

In looking back at their 50th anniversary, class members said it was not a one-day celebration but three days that included being recognized at Stabler Arena for the Whitehall High School graduating class and attending a banquet at the then-called Northampton Community Center.

Beer recalled the music the Class of ‘59 grooved to was Elvis, Fats Domino and others.

Many reminisced about having chalkboards and typewriters instead of iPads and computers.

In agreement there was no bullying, a group said there was rivalry based on the villages you resided in, each proud of their identity whether it was Egypt, West Catasauqua, Cementon, Fullerton, Stiles or Mickleys.

While excelling in the classroom, athletes also won titles in football, baseball and basketball.

Ebner said, “We played our basketball games at the Catasauqua High (School) gym. When we were the home team at Catty, they were on the visitors bench.”

Zephyr pride is still the class’ motto, Beer mentioned. “We were a good group.”