Wheaton North planning 4-day gala to mark 50th anniversary
Falcons from every Wheaton North High School graduating class are invited to spend the weekend of Oct. 17 celebrating their alma mater's 50th anniversary.
For the past year, the Wheaton North Alumni Association has been planning an all-class reunion that has turned into a four-day gala, said John Hartness, a member of the association's board of directors.
"Some people, they get out of high school, they put it in a rearview mirror and they never look back," he said. "This is for the people who want to hear the stories, who want to find out what some of the history is about Wheaton North."
The festivities begin Thursday, Oct. 16, with a "Burgers and Beer" gathering at VFW Post 2164, 0N731 Papworth St., Wheaton.
On Friday, Oct. 17, before the 7:30 p.m. homecoming football game against Naperville North High School, alumni are welcomed back to the VFW for a fish fry. At the game there will be a ceremonial coin toss by all seven principals who have worked at the school and special recognition of the alumni in attendance. Alumni bands will play live music at the VFW following the game.
Former students will be welcomed back into the school Saturday morning, Oct. 18, from 9 to 11 a.m., where Falcon ambassadors will give tours. Old yearbooks will be on display, and segments of the old gym bleachers will be on sale. Principal Matt Biscan, Wheaton Mayor Michael Gresk and school board members will speak about 9:15 a.m.
That night, alumni are invited to a reunion party - or prom, as it's being called by the alumni association - at Oscar Swan Country Inn Bed and Breakfast in Geneva from 5:30 to 11 p.m. The cost is $75 and includes music, dancing and more than a dozen appetizers.
Old and new friends will gather at the VFW one last time Sunday, Oct. 19, to say goodbye during a pancake breakfast.
Admission to all the VFW events is $15. Tickets are available on the alumni association's website, wnhs-aa.org, until Oct. 12. They will be $20 at the door.
Hartness said alumni are traveling from as far away as Oregon and Connecticut to attend.
There's even a woman driving from Alaska who is already posting photos from her journey on Facebook, he said. Dozens of current and former teachers also have been invited to the events. Hartness confirmed that English teacher Marty Brackin and coaches Roger Heaton and Richard Helm are coming to the game, but he expects many more to be in attendance.
Several area businesses are offering specials for alumni, Hartness said. Cantigny Park, for example, is offering free admission all weekend. Ivy Restaurant is offering a 10 percent discount and the Holiday Inn in Carol Stream is also offering reduced prices for hotel stays.
So far, more than 160 alumni have registered to take part in celebration. That includes more than 40 from the class of 1967 and 30 from the Class of 1968. There are also more than 50 people who graduated in the 1970s and more than 35 people who graduated in the 1980s.
A full list of the names of people attending the 50th anniversary events is posted on the association's website.
Hartness said no matter what graduating class the alumni were part of, they'll find they had a lot of similar experiences, from the social activities and classes they took to the friends they made.
"What's fun is to hear the stories from the different classes and the stuff you've forgotten," he said. "It's going to be a great time."