By Tom Momberg
Bayside High School is about to turn 80 years old, and teachers and alumni are reaching out to all former students to join in the celebration.
Following the school’s 80th anniversary on March 16, the Friends of Bayside High School will host an open house Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where former students can mingle, walk the halls and flip through yearbooks on display in the library.
But organizers said the open house is only a preview for the big event slated for Saturday, June 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the grounds of the high school at 32-24 Corporal Kennedy St.
The Friends of Bayside High School is promoting the events now, hoping to reach as many alumni as possible to establish contact, plan future events and further build the alumni organization’s community involvement.
“We want people to come back—we want to welcome them back anytime—and have as much fun as possible walking down memory lane,” said Vanessa Valente, English teacher and Friends of BHS board member.
Valente said there are many more details to work out before the 80th anniversary celebration, as many of the organizers are first and foremost educators. But the most important thing in the meantime is—“getting out to as many people as we can,” she said.
The Friends of BHS is also working to compile a directory of alumni who went on to become prominent people in society in preparation for the 80th anniversary.
Anyone who would like to refer people to the alumni organization’s directory and anyone interested in being on the contact list for the Friends of Bayside High School should e-mail frien
Gearing up for the June 11 celebration, for which the ticket price has yet to be determined, alumnus and Friends of BHS Chairman Gregg Sullivan said he is reaching out to businesses in Bayside to help cater the event or donate items, to keep costs low.
“I think to help highlight the businesses on Bell Boulevard, and rather than just hiring one company to cater the celebration, we’re going to bring a taste of Bayside to share with everyone,” he said.
Anyone interested in contributing to the event should contact Sullivan at gregg
Reach reporter Tom Momberg by e-mail at tmomb
