The class of ’85 met at the High School one evening, soon after the school had closed for that summer, for the purpose of organizing an Alumni Association; they then decided to have a picnic, to which the classes of ’84 and ’86 were to be invited. Such as the beginning of the High School Alumni Association.

The Association held picnics every year until ’93, when it decided to change, and January 4, ’93, occurred the first banquet at "The Livingston", where toasts were responded to by both teachers and pupils.
In the winter of ’94, the Scholarship Fund Association was formed. To Professor W. A. Greeson belongs the honor of originating this fund; and a nobler monument could not be reared to the name and ability of one who gives the means of obtaining an education to minds which will afterwards inspire and benefit mankind.
This society was chartered in June, ’95. There are two classes of members – alumni and donors. Evry graduate who has paid his dues is an alumni member, and any subscriber who pays fifty dollars in five years, in ten dollar annual payments, is a donor. The alumni elect three and the donor three trustees and the principal of the High School is ex-officio member of the Board. The Michigan Trust Company generously offered to handle all funds free of charge. Two hundred and fifty dollars is the maximum amount loaned to any one student, who gives a personal note, endorsed by the parent, with no interest, for five years; after that, four per cent, is charged.
Three students are a present maintained by this fund in the University.
December 31, ’95, a reception was enjoyed at the St. Cecilia Building, where Professor Strong’s familiar voice was again heard in his own modest fashion and each member will welcome the next reunion, when we meet again for old acquaintance sake.

Mrs. Walter K. Schmidt, ‘85

1862 – Class badge with inscription "Ava Kparos"(Greek) on one end and "Mahs" on the other, the interpretation of which was known only to the class. The number of graduated was 13, all girls; the only boy the class would have had, Mr. George Caulkins, enlisted and went to the war. The graduation exercises were held in Luce’s Hall, which was the hall in those days.

1863 – The class had no formal organization or motto. Number graduated, 11.

1864 – Class pin bore inscription "S. Y. F.", the significance of which was known by members of the class only. Number of graduates, 11.

1865 – No class graduated.

1866 – Class adopted a secret motto, "S4". Number of graduates, 13.

1867 – Motto: "Haec Olim Meminisse Juvabit." Class pin in shape of a crescent, marked with
"H.O.M. J." Number of graduates, 14. The class took part in laying the corner stone for the now "old" building.

1868 – Number of graduates, 12. The last class to graduate from the old stone building.

1869 – Motto: "C.A.N." "We are locked in Memory’s chains." Number of graduates, 10. Class emblem, a gold ring.

1870 – Motto: "Zevy Ma Pixwv".(Greek) Class pin, Zeta over Phi. Number of graduates, 16.

1871 – Motto: Nulla Vestigia Retrorsum". Class pin, a slab, inscribed with "N.V.R. Class ‘71’. Number of graduates, 12.

1872 – Motto: "Gradu diverso, Via una". Class pin, shield inscribed with "G.D.V.U.", "Class ‘72" and Psi over Delta. Number of graduates, 7.

1873 – Motto: "Three of a kind beat two pair." Number of graduates, 3.
Class List: George F. Foster, Edward A. Gilbert, Edgar W. Ford

1874 – Motto: "Bury not your faculties in the sepulcher of knowledge". Number of graduates, 12.

1875 – The class had no organization or motto. Number of graduates, 16.

1876 – Motto: "Quitium non Finis". The class being the "Centennial Class", the national colors of Red, White and Blue were chosen for the class colors. Class reunions and picnics were held in the summers of ’76, ’77 and ’78. Seventeen graduated, ten girls and seven boys. Of the ten girls, seven have been teachers in the public schools.

1877 – Motto: "Alte Vestigia". The class exercises were held on a platform erected in a grove. Number of graduates, 27. Colors, Blue and White.

1878 – Motto: "Nobilia per Nobilia Quaerenda". Number of graduates, 39. Colors, Red and White.

1879 – Motto: "Respice Finem". Number of graduates, 36. Colors, Crimson and Light Blue.

1880 – Motto: "Finis Coronat Opus". Number of graduates, 38.

1881 – Motto: "Certeni Pete Finem". Class book contains 27 pages. Number of graduates, 31.

1882 – Motto: "Nondum Est Finis". Number of graduates, 32. Class book contains 34 pages.

1883 – Motto: "Pas a Pas". Number of graduates, 32.

1884 – Motto: "Know Thyself". Color, Cherry Red. Number of graduates, 34. Mr. Strong was in Europe at the time of the graduating exercises.

1885 – Motto: "A Posse ad Esse". The last class which graduated under the principalship of Mr. Strong. Number of graduates, 27. Class color, Heliotrope.

1886 – Motto: "Deeds not Words". Color, Pink. Number of graduates, 47.

1887 – Motto: "Sic Itur ad Astra". Color, Crushed Strawberry. Number of graduates, 45.

1888 – Motto: "Vincit qui se Vincit". Colors, Cream and White. Number of graduates, 42.

1889 – Motto: "Thus Endeth Our First Lesson". Colors, Pink and White. Class pin, Six Pointed Star, inscribed "Class of ‘89". (Number of graduates not listed.)

1890 – Motto: "On the Threshold". Number of graduates, 49.

1891 – Motto: "Honor Waits at Labor’s Gate". Colors, Light Green. Number of graduates, 61. Yell: "Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah! Ki-Yi! KiYi! Ninety-One Boom, T-I-g-e-r!"

1892 – Pin, four leaf clover. Motto: "Have some Definite Aim". Colors, Blue and White. Yell: "Rah-Roo, Rah Roo, Roo, Hah roo, Grand Rapids High School ‘92". Number of graduates, 56.

1893 – Motto: "En Avant". Colors, Lavender and Cream. Yell: "Boom ta ra da, Boom da ree, Hoo-rah, Hoo-rah, Ninety-Three!" Number of graduates, 70. Prophecy written by Mary Smith, and history written by Maria S. Vanderveen, published in the Mirror.

1894 – Motto: "Kaipo Tvwoi" (Greek). Color, White, Gold and Blue. Yell: "Hurrah! Hurrah! Zip, Boom-Road, Grand Rapids High School, ’94"! Number of graduates, 72. Pin, a monogram "’95".

1895 – Motto: "Kpanora Zn_oure" (Greek). Colors, White, Gold and Cardinal. Yell: "Rah, Rah, Rah! Who’s Alive? We are! We are! ’95!" Number of graduates, 100. Century class. Pin, a monogram "‘95". History written by Regina Tyroler for the Delphian, and by Maude Thayer for the Mirror. Prophecy written by Bertha Vincent for the Delphian, and May Wyman for the Mirror.