By Christy James

(Left) Sherrerd Hartness, Trina Thorne Carter, Julia Keenan Norwood (decked out in a Kudzu costume), Katherine Jackson Anderson,Margaret Clarkson, and Christy James plan their Big 50th Kindergarten Reunion.

Who knows you better than the kids you went to kindergarten with? There's no hiding behind those designer shades when you're facing the person who used to dare you to eat paper with a nice side of paste, or the one who stole your lunchbox, or called you monkey- face, or made you eat sand in the sand box at recess. The Heathwood Hall Kindergarten Classes of 1962 and 1963 have decided the perfect way to celebrate their first half- century is to go back to their roots, revisit the youngsters they all were, and find out what they've been up to since that last recess.

Alumna Margaret Clarkson came up with the idea about a year ago as she contemplated how she'd spend the big 5- 0. She shared the idea with classmates Katherine (Jackson) Anderson, Trina (Thorne) Carter, Sherrerd Hartness, Will Prioleau, and Christie James, all of whom jumped on board to help out. They decided to hold the party at the Clarkson family's Lake Murray home this July. Along the way, they found themselves trying to sort out the Heathwood Hall kindergarten alums from those who went to Heathwood Park kindergarten. In the spirit of "the more the merrier" they expanded the idea to include both. Julia (Keenan) Norwood, Theodore DuBose, Betsy (Fellers) Taylor, and Bob Fitzsimmons volunteered to help with the Heathwood Park group.

(Above) Margaret Clarkson, a graduate of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School Kindergarten and Taylor Boyd, a graduate of Heathwood Park Kindergarten reminiese about the good 'ole days

Clarkson says most of the Heathwood Hall classmates have been identified and contacted. She said those conversations are revealing a wealth of information and stories. Members of this little crew of movers and shakers have provided news in both TV and radio across western N.C., operated several successful interior design companies across the S.C., and operated an advertising agency in London. One classmate has a career that would make Tom Clancy drool, while others have danced their way through life in the U.S. and Europe. The class includes several lawyers, engineers, nurses, doctors, an insurance specialist, military experts, entrepreneurs, university professors, an audiologist, conservationist, political strategist, several homemakers, and Indian chiefs!

Memories about the little Red Schoolhouse, nap blankets, rhythm sticks, outdoor chapel, early French lessons, who kissed whom, and stories about attending school at the former Heath home.

The Episcopal Church founded Heathwood Hall in 1951 with the assistance and guidance of Susan Gibbes Robinson, its first headmistress. The school was named for and located in the former Heath home on Heathwood Circle. While most kindergarten classes were held in outer buildings, several classmates went on to attend upper grades in the Greek revival style home. A few of the kindergarteners will also recall the daunting experience of visiting their principal, Elsie Lamar, in her office.

Heathwood Hall outgrew its first home, and in 1974 moved to a 133 acres site in southeast Columbia along the Congaree River. It currently provides almost 900 students from kindergarten through 12th grade with a nationally recognized college preparatory education. The old Heath home has been torn down to make way for new development along Heathwood Circle.

Heathwood Hall School has grown up, as have these young kindergarteners. But this July 19, 2008, on what will likely be a hot Lake Murray day, some of the school's oldest alumni will gather to celebrate their 50th birthdays and to reminisce about the good old days when Columbia was much smaller and life was much simpler. When naps could be counted on to follow lunch, and snacks might include a little paper and paste.

The grand reunion will be at Lake Murray on July 19, 2008. But alumni, be prepared. A fall into the sandbox at the ripe old age of 50 comes with different expectations than sand in a sippy- cup Miss Page or Miss Ann gave you, and no crying over spilt milk or a sandy scotch and soda.

See page 12 for the photographs and lists of people in the 1962 and '63 kindergarten classes of Heathwood Hall Episcopal School and Heathwood Park. To RSVP or to identify a lost person, email Margaret Clarkson.

Visit www.heathwoodhall50.com.