Table of Contents
This is the webpage for Golden High School (GHS) class of 1976 (GHS '76) in Golden, Colorado.
If you build it, they will come.
(slightly misquoted from
Field of Dreams)
Left: What GHS currently looks like. The buildings that existed during the GHS '76 years were removed, and an entirely new campus was created. Life goes on....
The improvements would make even a Demon (pun alert!) turn green with envy! (Demons are the mascot of GHS.)
GHS now has a "Mountain Bike Engineering" class. (In our day, we didn't even have mountain bikes! =:0)
Some classmates lived in a region that were supposed to go to Wheat Ridge High School, but requested special permission to attend Golden High School instead.
Thanks GHS, for all that you did for us!
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The 50 year reunion will be in (or near) Golden, Colorado on , .
Below is the proposed itinerary.
| date | day | time | event | activities | venue | cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 August 2026 | Friday | 5 p.m. | Happy Hour | meet and get reacquainted | TBD | free admission, possible cash bar |
| 29 August 2026 | Saturday | 3 p.m. | GHS courtyard | tour of the new GHS campus and possible slide show of memories in the cafeteria | Golden High School | free |
| 29 August 2026 | Saturday | 5 p.m. | dinner | dinner and possibly dancing | Golden Hotel | estimated at $50 to $75 person |
| 30 August 2026 | Sunday | TBD, various | sightseeing | optional family-friendly sightseeing trips | sites of Golden | cost of attraction (some free) |
Please RSVP so we can determine the number of people to plan for.
There are two ways to RSVP:
Please RSVP even if you don't plan to attend so that we know you were at least notified of the event.
Hope to see you there!
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Below are classmates that have RSVPed.
So far, we have yes responses, guests, maybes, and nos; making a total of attendees (possibly ).
| # | last name | first name | née | confirmation | guests | comments | RSVP method |
|---|
Below is the XML used for the above table for XML-savvy stakeholders to copy/edit.
transcript
parsed xml
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The venue for dinner will be the Golden Hotel.
Our contact at the Golden Hotel is Eliza Carroll. You can contact her at (303) 215-4144 for rooms at a discounted rate if you'd like accommodations at the venue.
The venue for Happy Hour (Meet and Greet) has not been finalized. If you have any suggestions, let one of the organizers know.
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The following people are contacts for GHS '76 and are the organizers for the 50th reunion.
| contact | comment | contact method |
|---|---|---|
| Debbie Dalton | dal10dj@comcast.net | |
| Kurt Papenfus | kpapenfus30@gmail.com | |
| André van Meulebrouck | contact section on André's home page | avanmeul.github.io/home/#secToC |
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The following are resources for alumni information.
The following is a table of all known classmates.
If you aren't in this table, then we don't know about you.
If your entry in the "reachable?" column is "no", then we don't know how to contact you.
You can do ctl-f in your browser to search for anyone you like, and the table (and/or XML) will scroll to the first hit.
| key | last | current | first | middle | short | prefix | suffix | title | reachable? | comment |
|---|
The following is the sparse XML data for all known classmates that is used to populate the HTML table above.
Sparse herein means that empty nodes are left out of the XML to make it smaller in size.
The key field was determined by sorting all classmates in Excel by last (maiden) + first + middle names, and then incrementing a one-based ordinal.
This data can be imported into Excel and many other applications that consume XML.
The GHS '76 website is cited on the Golden High School Alumni website.
The GHS Facebook alumni site is a great resource.
Golden High School 125th anniverary (1873-1998) Alumni Directory 1998
This is a hardbound book listing classmates, the class they were in, and their contact information (when known).
It is believed to be out of print and unobtainable.
This is a hardbound book listing classmates, the class they were in, and their contact information (when known).
It is believed to be out of print and unobtainable. If anyone has a copy of this, please contact the organizers.
Classmates.com is a wonderful and very helpful resource that can help in researching classmates.
You can even purchase Yearbooks from them!
A free account is all you need to RSVP to reunion announcements, and to receive (and send) private messages between paid classmates.
We have a Google Shared drive with resources for our class, including the definitive spreadsheet of all known classmates.
The spreadsheet drew from the 1976 Yearbook, the 1998 Golden High School Alumni Directory, the 40th reunion RSVP list on Classmates.com, and includes current information given to us by classmates (including who is deceased).
If you would like access to this spreadsheet, please send André (or one of the other contacts) an email, and we'll add your email address to the access list for this share.
We anticipate eventually making the spreadsheet downloadable from this webpage. That would obviate the need to have access to the Google shared drive.
Currently we have 13 deceased classmates in the GHS '76 spreadsheet, but this number is probably too low (due to lack of contact with many classmates).
| # | last name | first name | middle name | comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Love, née Benson | Debbie | A. | Died around 2021 due to lung problems/cancer. Was an organizer for past reunions. Source: André. |
| 2 | Boileau | Joan | C. | Passed away June 26, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Source: Cindy Betz (via Debbie). |
| 3 | Byers | Bradley | J. | Brad started at Golden, but graduated from Evergreen High School. Boulder City Review Obituary (2021) . Source: André. |
| 4 | Channon | Douglas | Source: 1998 alumni directory. | |
| 5 | Holsinger | George | Curt | Passed away April 16, 2025 in Mead, Colorado. Source: Cindy Betz (via Debbie). |
| 6 | Keitzman | Wayne | Source: 1998 alumni directory. | |
| 7 | Lamed | Patricia | J. | Source: 1998 alumni directory. |
| 8 | McDonald | Bradley | Source: 1998 alumni directory. | |
| 9 | Orr | Scott | W. | Source: 1998 alumni directory. |
| 10 | Park | Stephen | Source: 1998 alumni directory. | |
| 11 | Perella | Rocco | R. | Source: 1998 alumni directory. |
| 12 | Sherman | James | Luke Patrick | Denver Post Obituary (2015). Source: André. |
| 13 | Stekr | David | K. | Dave Stekr died after being hit by a car in 1976 while working for CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation). Source: Debbie. |
Below are some interesting statistics about our class.
| # | statistic | value | description | comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | number of years we were in school | 3 | from September 1973 to June of 1976 | |
| 2 | number of people in our class | 518 | includes one person who started with our class but graduated elsewhere | the spreadsheet includes John Doe to reconcile with Classmates.com; also students that started with our class but didn't finish with our class (either due to dropping out or finishing elsewhere) |
| 3 | deceased | 12 | number of classmates known to be deceased | this figure is probably too low due to lack of contact we have with many classmates |
| 4 | classmates in yearbook | 434 | number of classmates cited in GHS '76 yearbook | this excludes people that dropped out or finished elsewhere; the discrepancy with the number of people in our class seems inexplicably large |
| 5 | classmates in last alumni directory | 441 | Golden High School 125th Anniversary Alumni directory (1873 - 1998) | |
| 6 | classmates profiles on Classmates.com (according to Classmates.com) | 241 | a free account on Classmates.com is all you need to receive reunion invitations and RSVP | a paid account allows receiving messages on this system |
| 7 | actual classmates on Classmates.com | 203 | excludes duplicate profiles and John Doe | many people have duplicate profiles, probably due to sporadic use of this system |
| 8 | classmate with duplicate profiles on Classmates.com | 34 | Classmates.com allows duplicate profiles, even with the same names | |
| 9 | total duplicate profiles on Classmates.com | 38 | some classmates have more than one duplicate profile |
Relive past memories! Or, if you missed a past reunion, live vicariously through pictures and information about the event you missed.
If you have any information that we're missing, please let us know! Please help us piece together our class history.
Information about the 40th reunion can be found on Classmates.com .
Here's a brief summary:
Attendees (i.e. those that said yes on Classmates.com):
Want a copy of this photo? Just right click on the image and opt for "Save image as...". In the near future we hope to provide a download link for convenience.
Note: we are trying to identify (and number) everyone in the above picture. If you can identify anyone that we haven't been able to identify, please let us know!
(Think of it as a team building exercise! =:0)
People in the picture that we can identify:
Relevant yearbooks for our class can be found online:
Printed Yearbooks can be purchased from Classmates.com.
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deceased
Picture not in yearbook; using recent picture from Classmates.com.
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Passed away June 26, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Source: Cindy Betz (via Debbie).
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deceased
Brad started with our class, but graduated from Evergreen.
No yearbook entries could be found for him in any yearbooks; so the following headshot was excerpted from a 1975 yearbook picture of him in band practice.
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deceased
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Picture not in Yearbook, using a "then" picture from Classmates.com.
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No official picture in Yearbook; headshot created from a picture in Yearbook.
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Picture not in Yearbook; excerpt is from 1975 Yearbook random pictures.
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No senior picture; using junior picture.
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Passed away April 16, 2025 in Mead, Colorado. Source: Cindy Betz (via Debbie).
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deceased
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No senior picture; using junior picture.
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deceased
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deceased
No picture in Yearbook, using Classmates.com "then" picture.
deceased
No senior picture; using junior picture. Now picture is from 2010.
Herein, we will replicate portions of the yearbook (without permission, hopefully we're covered under the rubric of reasonable use).
However our version will have amendments, corrections, additions, and updates. Note: women are alphabetized by maiden names.
We welcome your updates! Did you miss the chance to get your picture in the Yearbook? Did you have a bad hair day? No problem, we've got you covered! =:0) Also: please send your now pictures.
Unlike the online (or printed) version of the Yearbook, our version is software friendly.
Names are listed (as much as possible) as they appeared in the yearbook.
Please pardon our (geeky) dust for this work in progress!
Eventually, we hope to list the teachers that taught our class and recognize them too.
go back to Table of ContentsThe mascot has undergone many transformations over the years.
The 1998 Alumni Directory has an excellent one page summary of "Demons through the Years" on page xi.
The history of the demon mascot is described in an article that appeared in "Golden Today".
This is Demon Dan (in color) which was the mascot during our days.
Our actual mascot may have been black and white.
The original painting (1963) of Demon Dan can be seen in the Golden High Alumni gallery.
This picture is from memorabilia during our days; featuring two different mascots.
The demon on the left is the 1958 mascot.
The demon on the right is affectionately known as Demon Dan and was introduced in 1970.
Some people think the demon mascot is too dark and sinister.
As long as the mascot is fair game to undergo transformations, here is a joyful mascot.
It would be interesting to hear what fellow classmates think of the GHS mascot!
go back to Table of ContentsWe had a lot of feel good music getting air play during our 3 years of high school (1973-1976).
The following are songs that André thinks are noteworthy.
(Note: these selections should not be construed as an endorsement of any mores or ideas in the music. The selections were picked for their musicality.)
There were songs that came out prior to our time, that got air play during our time; those are considered fair game herein.
The order of the music is chronological, from earliest release date.
Some of this music might be new to some classmates. Even if not, it might be interesting to see live historical performances that you might never have seen before; and to learn more about the music.
| song | group | release date | comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nadia's Theme | Originally "Cotton's Dream", from the Soundtrack for Bless the Beasts and the Children, and the soundtrack for the TV soap opera The Young and the Restless; it was written by Barry De Vorzon and Perry Botkin Jr. | Released 1971, it became known as Nadia's Theme after the 1976 Summer Olympics in honor of Nadia Comăneci. | Moving, uplifting; filled with proud memories of a stellar Olympics performance. |
| Day by Day | Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak from the musical "Godspell" | 1971, released 1972, film version 1973 | Moving. Uplifting. A classic. |
|
Summer Breeze |
Seals and Crofts | released 1972, subsequent live performances | Anthemic classic; uplifting, harmonious, evocative. |
| Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing studio | Stevie Wonder | 3 August 1973 | Funky, spunky, anthemic, upbeat. Well done! |
| Photograph | Ringo Starr and George Harrison | 24 September 1973 | Delightful and nostalgic. |
|
Ashes Are Burning
|
Renaissance (band) | 10 October 1973, best: "Live at Carnegie Hall" | Learned of this after high school. Wow! Hypnotic, mesmerizing. Great lyrics. Example: "Your sins you won't remember, and all you'll find there is love.". In memory of classmates no longer with us. |
| Love's Theme | Barry White (Love Unlimited Orchestra) | December 1973 | Beautiful, anthemic, timeless. |
| Bluebird | Paul McCartney and Wings | 1973 | Ebullient. Pedagogical (explains Rhythm Box). |
| Come and Get Your Love | Redbone | 1973, 1974 | Nostalgic, got lots of air play; great feel good tune! |
| Jazzman | Carole King | 1974 | Fabulous upbeat hit with great lyrics. The lyric line "a touch of Georgia slide" presumably refers to a slide guitar as played in Georgia; but can't confirm this. |
| Leonid and Friends (Chicago cover) | February 1974 | Ethereal, uplifting. | |
|
Us and Them |
Pink Floyd | recorded 1 June 1972 - 9 January 1973, released 4 February 1974 | Trenchant political polemic in the style of an exquisite ballad. |
| Rikki Don't Lose that Number | Steely Dan | April 25, 1974 | A classic! |
| So Sad | George Harrison | 4 December 1974 | Fantastic song by an underrated Beatle. Pattie Boyd's dancing is reminiscent of the times. |
| The Hustle | Van McCoy | 1975 | Upbeat. Great dancing. Superb choreography. |
| Rainbow City | Tim Weisberg | 1975 | Beautiful, flowing, upbeat instrumental piece. |
| Entre dos Aguas (between two waters) | Pac de Lucia | 1975 | Learned of this after high school. Canoncial flamenco. Excellent. |
| I'm Not in Love | 10cc | 11 March 1975 | Nice ballad. |
|
Old Days
|
Leonid and Friends (Chicago cover) | 24 March 1975 | Nostalgic and upbeat. Leonid and Friends does Chicago better than Chicago! Drummer version in memory of deceased drummer and classmate Brad Byers. |
| Karla Bonoff | Recorded March 1976, released November 1976 | Hauntingly beautiful, evocative, pensive. |