SCRANTON -- How far are you willing to go to get to your high school reunion? A man from California thought his 50th reunion back home in Scranton was a big enough event to bike to.
Peter Sidlauskas is a member of Scranton Central High School's class of 1965 which is set to celebrate its 50-year reunion over Labor Day weekend. Sidlauskas biked almost 3,400 miles to be in Scranton for that milestone.
At the same time, Scranton High is celebrating a milestone of its own.
Sidlauskas definitely would not have been voted most likely to bike cross country when he graduated from Scranton Central High School in 1965, so it's even more surprising when he did it 50 years later.
"Basically, because I could, I guess," he said.
Sidlauskas thought what better a way to kick off such a milestone. Some of his classmates celebrated the end of his trip on the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Trail in Scranton.
"When you look at a 50-year reunion, you think of old people, but we are certainly not old. And he is certainly not old! We keep thinking he must've been in an earlier class; he just kind of snuck in here with us," said classmate Betty Cawley Moreken.
Pete left the San Diego area at the beginning of July and arrived in Scranton two weeks ahead of schedule. The class reunion is over Labor Day weekend.
"You know, it's great to be here in Scranton, it's great to be back. I was saying before how when you get away from this environment, you forget the character and the quality of the community," Pete said.
A community that didn't let the passage of time affect their pride.
"i call him the new ironman for our class. He really has shown what you can do. It's really a great testament -- if you're dedicated and committed -- what you can do," said Bill Lynn.
Pete and his classmates graduated from Scranton Central High School 50 years ago. It was 25 years ago when Scranton Central and rival high school Scranton Tech merged to become Scranton High School. Its football team is honoring that merger this season.
The football helmets bear the logos for both Central and Tech. Many graduates of both still hold on to their school pride and the old rivalry. The Central class of 1965 is no exception.
"It's a great way to recognize the schools and their history," Lynn said.
"I think it's a wonderful idea to honor both the schools. They were here for a very long time, thousands of students went through them and a lot of them are still in the area," added Moreken.
Scranton's football team will wear those special helmets all season. Their first game falls on Labor Day weekend while the Central class of 1965 will hold its reunion.
Pete Sidlauskas says he plans to take a plane back home to California.
