1948 High School Buddies Reunited in Retirement

Harold Bowser and Jim Replogle were good friends at Replogle High School in 1948 where they sang together in the chorus and boy’s octet. In fact, they were the lead tenors in the octet. It was an outstanding time for the music groups from Replogle because they regularly did very well in Pennsylvania Forensic and Music League competitions. In 1948, the chorus was topnotch in “Class C” (small schools) competition while the octet was second in “Open” competition against schools of all sizes.

The friends parted company following graduation, Harold in 1948 and Jim in 1950. Harold prepared for a career in the ministry while Jim studied education and was a career teacher and administrator. Consequently, the friends saw each other very infrequently over the years.

That changed when Harold and his wife Betty moved to Cross Keys Village, the Brethren Home Community in New Oxford, PA. Much to his surprise, there he found Jim who, with his wife Carol, had already settled there. That reunion provided ample opportunity for the two old friends to reminisce which inevitably led to their shared experience in the high school octet. They both were clear that their octet regrettably did not place first in the 1948 competition, but rather came in second. They have been unable to agree, however, on the name of the school that did win first place. But there is one matter on which they are very clear. While the winning octet sang very well, the boys from Replogle High School were clearly better!