Dear editor:

In 1909, the community of Powell was formed and named after John Wesley Powell. From that small establishment, this wonderful little city has grown to well over 6,000 people today. The first graduating class of Powell High School was in 1915, and this year, June 27-28, 2025, PHS will be celebrating its 110th reunion. Many reunions indeed, but of note, there has been an Annual All Class Reunion every one of those 110 years. Not quite a Guinness Book of World Records, but Powell High School is number two when it comes to consecutive all class reunions. It is interesting chatting with people about not having reunions, or maybe only seeing their own classmates. It’s rather fun attending annually the reunions, and renewing old friendships of those fellow PHS graduates that we grew up with whether in our own class or those around us. Also, seeing how our community has changed and grown over the years, and reliving memories of days gone by whether at school, the ballparks or around town has always been interesting. 

It is with pleasure your Alumni Committee has continued to present yearly activities for your reunions, including activities around PHS and also showcasing the community and offering gatherings around town. Each year it’s a challenge to continue, as we now face the internet and all its wonders. The reunion weekend has been said to bring in the most out of town visitors of any given weekend of the year. With these visitors, money comes to the community with spending at motels and restaurants, small businesses and other venues. So not only is this a PHS weekend, it is a city function as well. The reunion participation varies from year to year, with numbers varying yearly from 200 to as high as 600 people. Local PHS graduates need to come out and support the annual reunion, and renew old friendships with the people they grew up with. 

As we prepare for the 110th reunion, we reach out to all graduating classes who are planning their class reunion to let us know of your planned activities so we can help share your information and perhaps help with any questions you may have. We ask for your input to help make these reunions a success. 

Everyone in this wonderful community of Powell has some association with PHS or will as your children graduate. As June, 2025, approaches, put it on your list of activities to come out and support your school and all the graduates of Powell High School! Go Panthers!

Gerry Wilkins

Billings, Montana