Lux et Veritas
The class of 1967 entered the newly constructed Vero Beach High School in the fall of 1964 and was in the first class when the school was integrated. The City had over one third of Indian River County’s mid 30,000 population. There were over 13,000 mainly year round residents compared to 15,200 46 years later.
Next year the classmates will be 65 and most had attended grade school together. Indeed, a young man or woman graduating in 1967 had opportunities for a decent job, never thought about a distant war in Southeast Asia, was brought up in a small Florida community by the beach and envisioned raising a family in a community where everyone knew the neighbors. There was no museum, theater (except Saturday movies downtown), their parents constructed Jaycee Park, they swam at the saltwater pool (now the footprint of the Holiday Inn) and planned for an anticipated wedding. College was an option for some. The majority chose otherwise. The future seemed to be predictable and secure.
Then there were two high schools, Vero Beach and Gifford (closed in 1970, was on the site of one of today’s middle schools). City of Vero Beach had a curfew for blacks staying in the city after dark. Saturday night drag races were held on A1A on the north barrier island, and the police would drive inebriated motorists home. Eastern Airlines served the airport. Drugs were virtually nonexistent until the late 60’s and the demographics were distinctly different; growing families, a minority of retired, a limited underclass, and lower unemployment. Vero Beach was primarily middle class community.
Many of the class of 67 served in Vietnam and are active today in veteran events and support; nineteen Indian River County men and boys were killed in action throughout Southeast Asia. Current regal gated communities and beach side mansions were either swamps or groves.
Churches were and remain a major nexus for the city, numbering more than 100 in the area, in part a remnant of segregated congregations. There were few banks compared to the proliferation currently. Virtually all politicians were Democrats. The first Republican Governor in 100 years was elected in 1966. The Dodgers arrived in 1948 and departed six decades later. For many, their departure was a hollowing of the City’s heritage, pride and engagement.
As years passed, children grown and careers over, those who had moved afar began to return. Reunions and frequent social events were promoted through the social networking and a web site Bulletin Board pioneered by Jim Wilson (VBHS class of 1976) “Growing up in Vero Beach”, which unites former classmates and friends spanning all ages. The online site is particularly active in focusing on the lagoon and unlike the halcyon days of their youth, 67ers are participating in lagoon protests from Sebastian to Lake Okeechobee.
As the class of 1967 ages, 31 are known to have passed and many are caring for their elders. Of the 243 known alumni contacts (of 357 who graduated) nearly 80% live in Florida and 45% in Indian River County; only 20 now live above the Mason Dixon line and beyond the continental divide one is in Canada and two are in Germany.
Then and now…Fifty years ago as freshmen in the old high school, Vero Beach was the epicenter of Indian River County, as it was when incorporated in 1925 as the first county seat. Utilities were expanded to customers outside the city limits. Fire rescue evolved from volunteers to professional municipal employees. The County services and administration multiplied and new County facilities and a courthouse were constructed.
As the 20th Century ended Retirees were attracted, tourists and visitors flock to the beaches and area. Today the City of Vero Beach is the core of Indian River County and a premiere shopping, cultural and recreation destination on the Treasure Coast.
Epilogue
At Crestlawn Cemetery, our ancestors, parents and siblings are interred, under brilliant sunshine, illuminating moonlight, pewter speckled skies, or teeming storms. As they rest in peace, a silent reminder to the heritage of Vero Beach.
Editor’s Note: Much like “Lexington,” an anonymous commentator for The Economist magazine, “Lux et Veritas” offers commentary for readers of Inside Vero, addressing local politics, lagoon contamination, quality of education, Libertarian and Liberal excesses, media reporting and agendas, wealth disparity and more. The views and opinions expressed by Lux et Veritas represent the editorial philosophy of Inside Vero.
Indian River Guardian 
I’m still so sad that the historic Vero Beach High School was razed and in its place was built the very unattractive Freshman Learning Center. Another piece of history torn down and carted away. I went to Junior High School there until we had to leave and go to the current VBHS for double sessions. One year I attended the morning session and one year the late afternoon session.
This is the first time I’ve seen a picture of the old VB High School. That was a good-looking building – unlike the generic-style of the Freshman Learning Center. Sad. Had no idea kids at one time attended via double sessions. Had thought that only occurred south of the border and overseas. Glad it is no longer the “norm”.
The building on the right is the old auditorium. Sometime in the late 40s, a graduating senior (not my father) dropped a bucket of marbles from the balcony of the auditorium during a performance. Imagine the sound of all those marbles hitting the wooden floor and then rolling forward toward the front of the auditorium.
A few years ago, a gtoup of us “concerned VBHS graduates” got togetherr, raised some money and dedicated a momument just north of the old VBHS. There is a very good picture on that monement. Drive by and look at it.
Jim Thompson VBHS Clsss of “50
Jim, I will go by there tomorrow and take a look at it. Mark
My family moved from a tiny town in Idaho to Vero Beach in 1961, and I started the 10th grade in the magnificent Vero Beach High School. I loved everything about the large and impressive stucco structure from the very first time I saw it, especially the beautiful two-story courtyard. All buildings have meaning, and buildings with great character have deep meaning and a strong sense of place. This is especially true for those, like us, who spent their teenage years with them. This gorgeous structure had personality, style and substance, and you could just see that it was built to last. My class of 1964 was the last group to graduate from the old high school, and as we plan our 50-Year reunion, we have a collective sense of loss and poignancy over the destruction of this great structure. Thank you for publishing this article and especially the picture of our school.
Wow, I haven’t seen that building in years. I recall sitting in Mrs. Twitchell’s math class on the second floor just to the left of the doors. I also remember her sending me upstairs to see Mr. Wyatt who swung a pretty mean canoe paddle… I was somewhat of a clown in those days. One trip to his office was usually enough for most of us. We would run several blocks to Pete’s Meats for lunch, back then a sub sandwich was fifty cents. Looking back, those truly were the good old days.
Hey, Randy, this is Vicky Leffew Gould (from the Beuttell Family….or do I even want to say that?). Haha, hope things are well with you.
Things are great here in Alaska… this is Gods country.
Hi folks! On more than 1 occasion, I have scoured the so-called “Reunion” websites hoping to find some reference to the beginning of plans for a “Class of 66” 50th Reunion. But… No Luck (yet).
After having assisted my wife in the planning of her 50th, I am well aware of the need for a considerable amount of forethought, & effort to “make it happen”. It took more than a year just to assimilate & edit a reliable address/contact list.
I also realize for some, the occasion may be of no interest. But I am also certain that, out of the more than 320 class member/graduates, many would have an sincere interest, and would be READY, ABLE & WILLING in some measure to help “get the ball rolling”. To make manageable, at least 20 commitment would be needed to comprise at least 4 different planning committees. I’ve reached my word limit here, so if anyone of the recent posts know who is (already) in charge, please let me know what I may do to help. LOOKING FORWARD TO A GRAND EVENT!!!
HI RANDY!
Hope you remember me(?). Well, maybe not as well as the $.50 subs @ Petes Meats.
I have communicated on & off with your sister Linda (& Tom) over the years. They remain good friends.
Perhaps I should apologize to any/all of them in advance if I am wrong, but I’m simply amazed, and somewhat disappointed in our Class Officers for (apparently) not having a vision or forethought of the advance planning iniative regarding this upcoming opportunity to re-unite.
If I have missed/overlooked something, perhaps you would clue me in. The first thing we need to do is set up a (dedicated & secured) website w/blog. I have seen where so much can be managed & accomplished with a good site. I’m convinced Fbook should NOT be the first choice, because for many like myself – I’m just not into it, OR Linked In, because you have to be a Registered User for either, and there’s no telling where some/all the info could/would end up.
I would like to know more, and would even offer to help in some way. Can you offer some insight?
Keep yourself WARM up there in the Frontier/Wilderness.
J. Tate
I was in the VBHS Class of 1980, but have been on every reunion planning committee except the first one. I must say, our reunions have been a blast! Don’t wait for class officers to organize it. Gather some like-minded people and start the ball rolling! A group of about 10 of us would gather once a month at first, and then every couple of weeks as the date got closer. Those planning sessions were some of the most fun because it became our monthly group “happy hour.” Facebook was the best way of connecting with people at first. Then we paid to get on a reunion website, which greatly lessened our workload. It gave us the ability to send out e-mail blasts with reunion info. The hardest part, for sure, was trying to track everyone down. Every classmate usually keeps up with a couple of people and that helps get the word out. Out of our class of 500, about 150-200 people participated in one way or another. If you get started soon, you can be sure to have a terrific class reunion. Good luck!