About 120 octogenarians gathered at the Church Office Building May 19 for the 70-year reunion of the final graduating class of LDS High School.
Originally known as the Salt Lake Stake Academy, the private school opened in 1886 and was located on what is now the administration block of the Church in downtown Salt Lake City.
Many notable men and women were former students or graduates of LDS High, including President Gordon B. Hinckley (class of 1928); the late George W. Romney, former Michigan governor and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; the late Alexander Schreiner, former Tabernacle organist; and the late Elder Marvin J. Ashton and the late Elder Bruce R. McConkie, both of the Quorum of the Twelve.
LDS High School closed in 1931 when an additional public school was built in Salt Lake City. President Heber J. Grant made comments at the school's final commencement exercises, where 325 graduating seniors received diplomas.
Class reunions have been held every five years for the past 25 years to keep the memories of their beloved school alive.
"We were a very close knit group," said LDS High School graduate Wayne Richards, 86. "All of the [reunion] speakers did a bit of reminiscing about the school."
Brother Richards said the group promised to meet again in five years for their 75-year class reunion.