When the Columbia River High School Class of 1966 gathered to celebrate their 60th reunion, they weren’t just reconnecting with old friends. They were also finding a way to give back to the school community that helped shape their lives.
Led by alumnus Brad Skinner and a committee of 12 classmates, the reunion took nearly two years to organize. Tracking down former classmates, navigating name changes, and coordinating the event took dedication, but the effort paid off. Nearly 80 former students and their spouses attended the celebration.
“It was really great,” Brad shared. “Nobody is trying to impress anybody anymore, so it really was a lot of fun, a lot of unpretentious fun.”
After covering reunion expenses, the group found they had funds remaining. Rather than dividing up the surplus, they made a decision to donate $3,171 back to Columbia River High School, the school community that played such an important role in their lives.
Reflecting on his time at Columbia River, Brad credited the school’s unique and rigorous educational approach for helping shape his future. He especially remembered teacher Dr. Ruth Berg, who challenged students to think critically and put in the hard work needed to succeed.
“The most important thing they taught us at Columbia River High School was critical thinking,” Brad said. “How to get at the sources of data so you could come to your own conclusions.”
Since graduation, Brad has earned degrees in political science and economics and built a career that included work with the United Nations, the City of Vancouver, and the transportation and technology sectors. While life has taken him many places and provided countless experiences, he says what he misses most about high school is the sense of camaraderie among classmates.
That sense of connection is one reason Brad hopes other alumni groups might consider a similar approach. What began as a reunion for the Class of 1966 became an opportunity to invest in the next generation of students. This group of friends showed that even 60 years later, the bonds formed in school can continue making a difference for the students who follow in their footsteps.
