The decorating committee worked hard to make the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center ready for the return of the Class of '56.

Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur no longer exists but in 1956 it was going strong.  The slogan of the 564 students who walked across the stage at Yellow Jacket Stadium to receive their diplomas in 1956 was "Sharp as nails, hard as bricks, that's the Class of '56". 

On Friday night 206 of those graduates gathered in Downtown Port Arthur for reunion activities at the Graduate Museum on Procter Street.

On Saturday the number swelled to 292 for festivities at the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center at Lamar State College - Port Arthur.

Guidry News Service Jefferson County Representative Carl Guidry is covering the events, aided by his wife Nettie, who is documenting the people and activities with photos.

Reunion photos from Saturday evening will be available at www.applausephoto.com