Alumni expected for annual weekend
By RACHEL LANE, rlane@newsandsentinel.com
POSTED: May 21, 2008
ST. MARYS — Thousands of St. Marys High School alumni are expected to gather in the city for the annual Alumni Weekend.
Members of classes from the 1930s to 2007 are expected to participate in this weekend’s activities, said Susan Bailey, Alumni Association president. Many classes have reunions on Friday evening.
Saturday begins with a parade at 11 a.m. followed by an alumni picnic. In the evening, alumni can go on a cruise. Sunday continues with the Alumnus of the Year reception at 2 p.m. The weekend ends with St. Marys High School 2008 graduation at 7 p.m.
“This is the biggest weekend for Pleasants County and St. Marys,” Bailey said. “I think everyone enjoys coming home.”
Honors classes, classes that graduated in years ending with three or eight, participate in parades, she said. The honors classes, all of the Homecoming Queens, or Belle of St. Marys, and previous alumni of the year are invited to ride a float in the parade.
The alumnus of the year is someone who has done well with a career and gives back to society, Bailey said.
“The honors classes do a window in downtown St. Marys with memorabilia for their school days,” she said. Pictures, uniforms and yearbooks are included in the windows.
“I love looking at the windows,” she said.
She said she also enjoys the parade and seeing people she has not seen since last year’s alumni weekend.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller will be the keynote speaker at the high school graduation.
“St. Marys’ graduation is more than just a celebration of achievement, but also a celebration of community. And, while I’m so enormously honored to join in wishing these students well, nothing I could possibly say could come close to the words of love and pride from their families and teachers,” Rockefeller said.
