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Date: 6/10/2020
CHESTER – June 27 would have been the 117th annual reunion of Chester High School, which graduated its last class in 1968 when Chester joined the Gateway Regional School District.
Walter Boomsma, Chester High Alumni Association president, announced the board was unanimous in both making the decision to cancel the reunion and regretting it was necessary. “In a sense, it was an easy and hard decision to make. Most of our potential attendees are in the ‘at risk’ population, and there’s uncertainty where we will stand by the end of June, the usual reunion time. We are compelled to make the best decision even though it’s not the happiest,” Boomsma said in his announcement.
Reunions typically are attended by 80 to 100 people, Boomsma said. Association membership is open to anyone associated with the former Chester High School, including Chester residents who graduated from Gateway after Chester High School closed.
In place of the usual invitation, the group planned to mark the occasion with a printed and mailed newsletter, providing some of the information usually shared during the reunion.
Other business normally conducted during the reunion includes election of officers. Boomsma said although they hadn’t made a firm decision, they were leaning towards pretending “this year didn’t happen,” and having everyone continue in their current positions until next year.
Officers of the association include Robert Goewey, vice president/secretary, and George A. Morey, treasurer. Board Members include Judith Olson of West Hatfield, Brenda Budreau of Huntington, Jackie Conklin and Edith Whitaker of Westfield, Jack Young of Hinsdale and Tino Cardarelli, Diane DeMoss, and Janice Brown, all of Chester.
For the past 12 years, the Chester Foundation has been hosting the reunion, and it is an important and major fundraiser for them, according to Boomsma. He said he would be encouraging folks to support the foundation in the newsletter.
The Chester Alumni Association will be awarding annual scholarships as they do every year to Gateway Regional seniors who live in Chester.
The next reunion will celebrate the 118th anniversary of Chester High on June 26, 2021. More information may be found on the Chester High School Alumni Association website at https://chesterhigh.wordpress.com.