I loved high school for a bunch of reasons, but for me it was a fresh start. Yes I struggled with certain subjects, math being the main one, and today I still have a difficult time with it. But Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ was my mother’s and her brother’s school. She was the Class of 1967, he was the Class of 1969, and I was the Class of 1991. I made new friends, I worked hard, and had a lot of fun.

So my mother was on the decorating committee for her Golden Year Reunion, of our Notre Dame Family. Then the next day they escorted the Class of 2017 as they graduated from NDHS. The committee looked at other photographers and then I was hired to photograph their once in a lifetime event at the Mercer Oaks Country Club. I’ve shot a quite a few events there before, so I’m very familiar with this venue. A bonus that evening was the woman supervising, was in the wedding party one of my last weddings I photographed last year. I got their early with my mom, who had to help set everything up. You couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather. I already knew where I wanted to shoot this large and very important group picture of all the alumni. The flowers were done by Petal Pushers, the owner is also a NDHS Alumni and also my neighbor. The live band was The Meg Hanson Group, with Billy Hill.

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

Here is the Class of 1967, those that could make it to this event. The evening sky was just beautiful!


They presented a check of $1,000 our school.
The ladies of the committee.
After the large group photo and presentation of the check, we came inside for a few guest speakers, and a prayer before eating.
They honored their Vets and those no longer here.
The Class of 1967 has the most student who have passed away from either the Vietnam War, accident, sickness or cancer in our high school’s history to this date still. My mother’s yearbook has so many notes next to classmates pictures that say died or passed away, a fifty-something kids…



The band started to play and hardly anyone stayed in their seats. Remember, this class had the year of incredible music.

Links to music is courtesy of http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1967.htm :
Ode to Billie Joe – Bobby Gentry
I’m a Believer – The Monkees
Light My Fire – The Doors
Happy Together – The Turtles
Groovin’ – The Young Rascals
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli

Yes, that’s me dancing with my mom LOL I’m so glad that she had a great time.
I Think We’re Alone Now – Tommy James and The Shondells
Respect – Aretha Franklin I Was Made to Love Her – Stevie Wonder
Come Back When You Grow Up – Bobby Vee and The Strangers
Soul Man – Sam and Dave
Incense and Peppermint – Strawberry Alarm Clock
Ruby Tuesday – The Rolling Stones
It Must Be Him – Vicki Carr
Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone – The Supremes
For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
Your Precious Love – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Somebody to Love – Jefferson Airplane
Get On Up – The Esquires
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Jimmy Mack – Martha and The Vandellas
A Whiter Shade of Pale – Procol Harum

They held a raffle…

And then suddenly all of the Catholic grade school classmates wanted group photos. These schools aren’t around anymore so I waited around for everyone to come to where I was so that the photos could be taken. 

The band was rocking and awesome! I actually know the lead singer, he actually knows my good friend Phil, a fellow photographer and musician.

Reflections – Diana Ross and The Supremes
Please Love Me Forever – Bobby Vinton
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers In Your Hair) – Scott Mckenzie
This Is My Song – Petula Clark
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher – Jackie Wilson
I’ve Been Lonely Too Long – The Young Rascals
Penny Lane – The Beatles
 You’re My Everything – The Temptations
Dedicated to the One I Love – The Mama’s and The Papa’s

How Can I Be Sure – The Young Rascals
Friday On My Mind – The Easy Beats
Gimme Some Lovin’ – The Spencer Davis Group

You can’t have a party like this without a conga line 🙂

Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) – The Hombres
Let’s Live for Today – The Grass Roots
Groovin’ – Booker T and The MG’s
Funky Broadway – Wilson Pickett
Pleasant Valley Sunday – The Monkees
I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) – Aretha Franklin

Cold Sweat, Pt. 2 – James Brown and The Famous Flames

Here We Go Again – Ray Charles
White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane
Bernadette – The Four Tops
The Beat Goes On – Sonny and Cher
Snoopy vs. The Red Baron – The Royal Guardsmen
Society’s Child (Baby I’ve Been Thinking) – Janis Ian
Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon – Neil Diamond
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

I Dig Rock and Roll Music – Peter, Paul and Mary
Daydream Believer – The Monkees

Baby, I Need Your Lovin’ – Johnny Rivers
Mirage – Tommy James and The Shondells
Green Green Grass of Home – Tom Jones
I Can See for Miles – The Who

Here at last is the Notre Dame High School Class of 1967 Alumni Committee, they put on a fabulous night for everyone. Thank you for letting me a part of this evening, I had a blast!