Class of 1959

Gardner High School

Gardner, Massachusetts

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As we were planning the 50th we received a note from Kirsten (Wallgren) Babbin regarding the GHS Alma Mater song. It seems that her Aunt,.Ruth (Wallgren) Rubens, was responsible for the writing of our beloved song. We looked up the printed copy from our last reunion, and sure enough there is Ruth’s name  right at the top.
   Many of us remember learning the Alma Mater as a requirement to passing Music Appreciation, which also was a required course.  Some of us may have wondered why this was a requirement but Kirsten noted that Ruth once dated Henry Gates. Ah! Ha!
   For those who don’t remember Kirsten, she started GHS with us but her family moved so she wasn’t with us at graduation. She contacted us years ago and attended a reunion and remains part of our ‘59 family. Kirsten reports (May 2012) that Ruth lives in S. Carolina, recently turned ninety, is still vital and artistic, and occasionally plays the piano at her daughter's home.

Thanks Kirsten and Thank You Ruth.      

NOTE: Ruth passed away on January 7th, 2013.

GARDNER HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER

Words by Wilma E. Johnson '42 and Louise B. Allen '42 Music by Ruth Wallgren '40

All hail to Gardner High School
Our Alma Mater dear;
All hail to loyal classmates
And friendships we've made here.

We lift again our voices
In praise of Gardner High;
To you we pledge devotion,
Now and as the years go by.

We sing of love and honor
And of a heart that's true;
Of days we've spent together
In happiness with you.

The years can never part us,
For mem'ries will remain
That bind our hearts together,
'Till the day we meet again.

Ruth (Wallgren) Rubens
Class of ‘40

Mike Richards wrote an article on the history behind the GHS Alma Mater and recently updated it on "the GardnerScene" where he has stories of everything Gardner. Here is a link to that article.
ALL HAIL TO GARDNER HIGH SCHOOL - ALMA MATER

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