Chattanooga Valley High School ceased to exist after its Class of 1989 graduated, but the building today will be bustling with former students recalling bits of the high school’s 58 years of memories.

“Mostly what we do is provide a time and place for people to get together and chit-chat,” said Eddy Combs, a teacher, coach and principal at the high school, about the all-class reunions every two years.

The high school began as Chattanooga Valley Consolidated School in 1927, serving Walker County residents from Blowing Springs to Cooper Heights. It was divided in 1955 to create the high school and elementary school.

Later, the high school and Rossville High School were merged into Ridgeland High School, which opened in the fall of 1989.

Class of 1935 graduates Lucille Leath Strickland and Robbie Burke Madaris will attend today’s event.

“I was in the third class to graduate from the high school,” said Mrs. Madaris, 89. “We had the smallest class ever — it started with a dozen, four quit and eight of us graduated.”

She still has her diploma, the commencement exercise program and the speech she delivered as salutatorian, she said. “I’m glad I went there.”

Mr. Combs said the all-class reunions are popular, and about 300 attended in 2006. The 1-5 p.m. time slot will not interfere with individual class reunion events, he said.

“At 3 p.m. there will be a program to honor the 1984-85 girls’ softball team that won the region championship and the 1949 football team, our first varsity team,” Mr. Combs said.

There will be a roll call for all classes, and the day is dedicated to sharing memories of the school that is no more, he said.

“No reservations are needed,” he said. “Just show up and have a good time.”

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