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NORTH ATTLEBORO - They may have been slightly older than the other graduates crossing the stage at North Attleboro High School on Friday, but they had just as much Red Rocketeer spirit.

Members of the North Attleboro High School's Class of 1958 were presented with honorary diplomas during the school's graduation exercises on Friday.

Honoring the class that graduated 50 years ago had been part of graduation exercises at his prior school, and Principal Robert Gay decided to bring the tradition to North Attleboro this year. The Class of 1958 is very active and holds monthly reunions at Box Seats.

Gay took a few minutes during the ceremony to give a few tidbits about the year 1958 and about some of the 92 members of the class - some of whom had nicknames including "Petticoats," "Zeke" and "Buzz."

When they graduated, gas cost 25 cents a gallon, candy bars cost a nickle, stamps had recently increased from 3 to 4 cents and hula hoops were all the rage. "Perry Mason" and "Gunsmoke" were popular television shows and "At the Hop" and "Poor Little Rich Girl" were popular songs. One member of the Class of 1958, Linda (Paquin) Perkoski, also had a granddaughter graduating in the Class of 2008, Margo Tuzzo.

A total of 33 members of the Class of 1958 received honorary anniversary diplomas during the ceremony:

John Balut, Helen (Ferns) Bennett, Judith (Cornell) Bezema, Robert Cauger, Jo Ann (Charron) Daley, Arlene Davis, Frederick Demarco, Henry Desautel, Judith (Chace) Doyle, Michael Dupelle, Judith Fisher, Donald Fontaine, George Fricker, Howard Neil Harris, Susan (McDonald) Herman, Richard Howard, Ernest Iaconis, Beverly (Dezotell) Jorde, Richard Linneken, James MacDonald, Laurie Jean (Sherman) McGill, Robert Miller, Mary Patricia (Hickman) Newbert, Doris (Cox) Pedro, Linda (Paquin) Perkoski, Dennis Redding, Mae (Theofolis) Rocha, Ann (Petti) Rollins, David Rollins, Joseph Scarlatelli, Pauline (Rabbitt) Shaeffer) Jacquelyn (Reynolds) Shepard and Janet (Precourt) Smith.