Sadler Elementary School’s kindergarten class of 1938 is showing the world the meaning of “friends until the very end.”
That’s because the kindergarten class from Alameda, California, US, earned the record title for the longest running class reunion after reuniting for 83 consecutive years.
“In the first get-togethers, there were 10 to 15 out of the original class of 27,” said Sadler graduate, Porter Davis.
“In our record-breaking 2018 reunion, six were living and three of us attended.”
Porter says there is a group of eight that have kept in touch over the years and attend most of the reunions.
“Then there are others that get the ‘bug’ for socialising and start to attend,” said Porter.
“It shows how people can change their habits and the need to socialise and come together.”
Porter enjoys being able to share life’s journeys and hear wondrous stories from his classmates.
Although each of the reunions are different and the venues vary, Porter says he has enjoyed seeing his classmates change over the years and has learned of marriages, divorces, children, grandchildren, and mutual successes and failures.
To date, the most memorable reunion was Sadler’s last one on 29 June 2021 because the classmates were celebrating their 88th birthdays along with the 83rd reunion.
The group met at the world-famous Ole’s Waffle Shop and invited friends from other schools that they had met throughout middle and high school.
“Those who were not from our kindergarten were so happy that we had kept in touch for 83 years,” said Porter.
“It created a very festive and lively atmosphere, and a very joyous mood.”
Porter is ecstatic about the record achievement and enjoys sharing the record with everyone he meets.
Although Porter would like to continue reuniting with his kindergarten class, he says the group is now in their 90s and one classmate has passed away while two others are ill.
“I think there might be two of us that might get together in the future, but not for a Guinness World Records title. It would take too much organizing.”
However, Porter encourages others to host their own class reunions.
“Make it an event that will enliven everyone’s lives,” he said.
“There will be lots of mistakes along the way but keep going and you will find a lot of joy in the end.”
Although he is proud that his kindergarten class has managed to reunite 83 times, Porter is now looking forward to the 84th reunion.
“We hope to be alive to help celebrate the next school that has their 84th reunion,” he said.
“It is quite an accomplishment.”
Want more? Follow us across our social media channels to stay up-to-date with all things Guinness World Records! You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Snapchat Discover.
Don’t forget, we’re also on YouTube!
Still not had enough? Follow the link here to buy our latest book, filled to the brim with stories about our amazing record breakers.
Related Articles
