Alumni get ready, 2025 Newcastle All School Reunion managers do prep work

Next summer, all Newcastle High School alumni are invited to return for an “all school reunion” three-day extravaganza.

The reunion, which welcomes alumni of every graduating class, is scheduled every five years, organizer Tracy Olson said. It will take place July 4-6 in 2025.

“Being such a small community and everyone knowing people from other graduating classes, it seemed logical to combine class reunions,” Olson said. “The attendance over the years has been exceptional.”

This is the second time she and co-organizer Jennifer Smith are managing the event.

“It’s a big job, but after taking on the task in 2021, we are very efficient at what needs to be done,” Olson said. (The 2020 reunion was rescheduled to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they want to keep the schedule on track.)

Smith said that she is looking forward to spending time with friends from school, like she did at the 2021 reunion.

“The reunion is an opportunity to reconnect with classmates and catch up on life updates,” Olson said. “It’s a fun way to reflect on memories and experiences of the past.”

Smith said she is also eagerly anticipating the auction, which raises money for scholarships for graduating seniors. The scholarships are awarded based on criteria that includes community involvement, GPA and recommendation letters.

According to Smith, the event not only gives alumni “a reason to come home” and spend time with classmates, but it also supports Newcastle’s businesses and economy. She also hopes to see financial support for the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department, which has consistently participated in the reunion’s activities. In 2025, the department has agreed to set off fireworks on July 5 “to coincide with the downtown activities that day and night.”

Olson’s and Smith’s duties for the reunion include asking people whether they would like to organize certain events and gathering class representatives, who will distribute information to their classmates.

The 2025 event will be a lot like the 2021 reunion, according to Olson. Activities will include golf tournaments, a parade, an auction benefiting the scholarship fund, a teacher social, historical re-enactments, fireworks, food trucks and individual class parties. The parade will take place at 11 a.m. on July 5. Every class may create a float or class car for the parade.

Alumni who would like to learn more may either contact their class representatives or review updates in the 2025 Newcastle All School Reunion Facebook group, Olson said.

She made a Facebook post on Oct. 22 listing class representatives and calling for more. She wrote in the post that class representatives distribute the event schedule to classmates, plan a gathering for their class, lead the class’ involvement in the parade and arrange for the class to donate an item for the auction.

Anyone who is interested in organizing an event as part of the reunion can check out the Facebook group or contact Olson, who can be reached at tracyolson23@hotmail.com, or Smith at jennweigel@hotmail.com or 307-689-6225.