CORPUS CHRISTI (KIII NEWS) — Before it's demolished, Baker Middle School alumni wanted to create a final, middle school memory, minus the awkward braces and funky hair styles.
Ofilia Juarez was the mastermind behind the giant reunion. Students and staff as far back as the school's opening in the mid-20th century to the 2000's gathered for a tearful good bye to the building they once called home.
"Seeing the younger generation that came out also, mixed in with the old generation it was overwhelming!" Juarez said.
Over 140 alumni lined up, tallest to shortest, in front of bleachers on Saturday afternoon for the last class picture. Some of the former students recognized each other and met up as if no time had passed. Others, like Joy Pointer, represented her class, the first one to ever attend the school.
"I don't know anybody else actually most of them were quite a ways behind me, but it's been fun," she said.
Melissa Stoval joined the giant reunion and class picture with a piece of Baker history, a yearbook.
"It's wonderful that so many came out to enjoy this reunion and participate as our building gets torn down," the class of 1961 alumna said.
The alumni stated it's sad to see the school go however, the new building will serve the students well.
"It's very sad but I understand we have to have progress and we need all the new equipment in the new building," Stoval added.
Retired teachers and faculty were also a part of the photo. They sat in the front row, including Luis Ortega and Cathy Weber, formerly Boyd. Ortega started as a teacher after leaving the Vietnam War, at the ripe age of 24.
"It was like the greatest job I ever had!" the teacher and coach said.
Next to Ortega was a former student turned teacher.
"I expected them to name the school after me! It's good I'm glad I'm still above ground and able to be here and enjoy" Cathy Weber exclaimed.
While this final middle school memory may have only taken a couple minutes to create, the former students said it was equally as important as the memories they've made over the years. Now, they said, they'll have tangible evidence of their love for Baker Middle School.