Published: July 16, 2008 08:02 am      

On the Bright Side: Alumni weekend hits 10-year mark

By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer

The Sidney High School All Alumni Weekend celebrates its 10th year this weekend, starting with a full slate of activities Friday.

“We’ve built something that has resonated with the community,” said Sidney Central School Alumni Association President Terry Dermody. He helped found the group a decade ago.

“It’s been an exciting time to see a vision transform into a reality,” he said.

One of the ways to judge the success of the weekend is the annual march of the classes, he said, which is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Keith Clark Park.

The first year, there were only a couple of classes represented, Dermody said. But now there are usually more than 40 groups that participate by holding banners and marching around the field in a show of unity.

The golf tournament, which will be held in two sessions Friday at the Sidney Golf and Country Club, started with 28 participants the first year and is expected to have 120 this year. This event is one of several that raises money for scholarships. Another such event takes place during the Sunday luncheon. At 11 a.m. at the Sidney Fire training center is the induction for those chosen for the fourth annual Wall of Fame, said Greg Davie, class of ’76 and a member of the board of directors. Four to six alumni are chosen annually, he said, and because a tough criteria is used, “It’s very special.”

This year’s recipients include: exemplary leadership in public service _ Riley Henry Heath, class of 1907; excellence in teaching, mentoring and leadership _ Mary Scofield Ruland, ’08; exemplary community service _ Nancy Sue Burns, ’56; excellence in teaching and scholarship _ Suzanne E. Wade, ’63; and distinguished service to journalism and education _ Brenda Wrigley, ’72.

There are several changes to the calendar this year, including the volleyball tournament, which starts at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The alumni basketball tournament that was held in November is being moved to the weekend with an informal game this year, Davie said.

About 1,200 to 1,500 alumni have attended in recent years, Davie said, and that could increase this year.

David added that it is satisfying to look back on the decade and see how through establishing a newspaper, website and scholarships, the group is fulfilling its mission of connecting school, alumni and community.

More information on the weekend, including biographies of Wall of Fame inductees, is available at www.sidneyalumni.org.