Many remember elementary school as a time of carefree fun and a place where friendships that have lasted over a decade were built, and on Wednesday, April 30, students who attended Carillon Elementary were hit with the ultimate nostalgia trip. The class of 2025 was able to return one last time for a reunion with classmates and former teachers. Walker and Parton Elementary also held their reunions on the same day.
Students entered through the front office then headed down the opening walkway, a path that was a daily trek years ago.
“Walking on to campus again was super nostalgic. Everything felt smaller than I remembered, like the hallways and chairs shrunk or something,” senior Alex Tsompanidis said. “It was weird but also kind of comforting. The teachers were still just as kind as ever, like nothing had changed.
In the lunchroom Carillon alumni were able to mingle with peers, catch up with teachers with teachers and enjoy Carillon-colored cupcakes.
“It was very sweet. They all seem like they’re doing well. They all were so happy to see us and it was evident that they cared and loved us a lot,” senior Nico Garces said. “They all had so many memories and stories about us, you could tell we impacted them as well.”
After the introductions students and teachers headed outside to take photos as a group and with individual classes. John Smith and Christine Jamrok’s fourth grade class featured the most attendees with almost half of the alumni in attendance being in their photo.
“Seeing Mrs. Voodre, Mr. Smith, Mr. Estes, and Mrs. Jamrok brought back so many memories. They really helped shape who I am today. Mr. Smith especially made a big impact by always encouraging curiosity and making learning fun,” Tsompanidis said.
Students took a trip down memory lane as they enjoyed a tour of the school, they were able to revisit the music room, art room and P.E. pavilion as well as Smith’s classroom. P.E. coach Hal Estes was another figure who made a big impact on the Carillon alumni. Students gasped as they stepped onto Estes’s P.E. pavilion for the final time.
“You could tell Mr. Estes really enjoyed his job and what he did. I remember how much fun I used to have in P.E. class and all the games we played,” Garces said.
The day was bittersweet as students soaked in the memories and discussed the future with the teachers who helped shape them. Carillon’s reunion was easily the biggest with upwards of 40 former alumni attending due to its close proximity to Hagerty and the students maintaining contact with teachers.
“I still see and talk to my former students often, but having all of them in one place was magical. I think this Carillon class was one of the most impactful of my career. There is just something about this year specifically. It’s kind of a community between parents, teachers, and the kids,” Estes said.
