Former students and teachers from James O. Harper Elementary School have been gathering for the school’s annual All Class Reunion since 2009. The reunion, started by Fountain Valley resident and former Harper School student Karen Quo, is open to anyone who attended or taught at the school, which was open from 1965 to 1984.
“It was a special place since it was kindergarten through eighth grade, and we were all very close,” Quo said. “We have been having the reunion every year on the last Saturday in July at Harper Park which is still there.”
This year’s reunion was held at Silky Sullivan’s, but the group hopes to move future reunions back to Harper Park.
Quo said the early reunions attracted as many as 200 alumni and about seven teachers.
“It fluctuates in size now but those who come always have fun talking about the fun times or what we remember about the teachers. The teachers have fun seeing their former students and each other,” Quo said. She added, “It’s become a tradition.”
Alumni also stay connected through the James O. Harper Elementary Alumni Facebook page.