More than 100 members of the 1982 Fort Hunt High School graduating class gathered this past weekend for their 25th reunion. Unfortunately, their high school no longer exists.
What was Fort Hunt High School is now Carl Sandberg Middle School. The former Fort Hunt High School, along with Groveton High School, were merged into what today is known as West Potomac High School, according to John Lorusso, president, Fort Hunt High School's 1982 graduating class.
After the dissolution of Fort Hunt High School most of the students were enrolled in West Potomac High School. Some went to Mount Vernon High School, according to Lorusso. The last graduating class of Fort Hunt High School was 1985.
"But, we are still the greatest class," said Lorusso at an alumni family picnic in Fort Hunt Park Sunday afternoon concluding three days of celebrating their quarter century reunion.
"We have been trying to have these reunions every five years. We missed a couple but we hope to keep on schedule from here on out," Lorusso, a Chantilly resident, said.
"When it comes to the picnic, members of other classes usually join with us. Some even come to our Friday and Saturday night cocktail receptions. We try to publicize the reunion among other graduates," he said.
This year's get-together started with cocktails at the Village Wharf in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center on Friday night. That was followed by a more elaborate cocktail party at 100 King Street Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria on Saturday night.
The picnic Sunday was scheduled for noon on Sunday. At 1 p.m. the crowd was just beginning to build. "Last night was a very late night. But, they will be coming," Lorusso said as others pulled up in their cars and vans unloading children and picnic goodies that were not part of the graduation ensemble in the more carefree days of 1982.
Out of a class of approximately 350 students, this reunion drew an estimated 100. The most distant alumni came from Germany, according to Lorusso. "About one third of our class still resides within the DC metropolitan area," he said.