To continue the celebration of the 50th anniversary of WHHS, the anniversary committee distributed stickers commemorating the 50th to fall athletes with winter and spring athletes set to receive them also.

The 50th-anniversary of the school, which opened its doors in September of 1966, kicked off at an event on October 1, attended by more than 100 people!

The stickers were provided by the athletic department to be worn on helmets, jerseys, and other sports attire during the year.  Other plans for the commemoration of the 50th include burying a time capsule at some point this year.

The event started off with the flag salute and national anthem lead by the WHHS marching band and choir.  Dr. Mark Toback, the district superintendent, and Mayor Christopher Vergano were given the opportunity to speak and welcome the guests back to the school. Later in the day, alum Jim R. Freeswick from the first graduating class in 1968 presented a speech.

“Wayne Hills always will hold a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of my fellow classmates of the Wayne Hills Senior High Class of 1968,” said Jim Freeswick, first Student Council President of the first graduating class, in his address to the attendees.  Freeswick has been an integral part of the committee to organize the event.

Food vendors such as Positano and Zorba provided lunch for the guests followed by a tour of the building to witness the changes that the school has undergone within the past 50 years. The guests were given the opportunity to “Walk Down Memory Lane” in the media center and take photos with classmates that attended WHHS.

Dr. Glenn E. Grube, one of the first school administrators at Hills, then presented a speech about his experience at Hills and read from the first yearbook of the senior class.  He praised administrators past and present for creating such a welcoming environment at Hills from the very start.

“Enthusiasm and interest have been generated, for he has allowed students to handle the responsibilities of a liberal institution,” as quoted about the first principal, David Carran, in Volume One of the Heritage yearbook of 1968.

The “Hands on the Wall” allowed the alumni to follow in a tradition begun here at Hills in the mid-2000s.  They were able to put their imprint on the wall  located in front of the Gifford Gym. The event ended with a group photo and the opportunity to attend a Patriots football game to cheer on the players.
The event was a complete success and allowed the alumni to rekindle their memories from their time at Wayne Hills.