Reunion being planned

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Tracy Olson, class of 1986, and Jennifer Smith, class of 1989, who took over the planning of the Newcastle High School All-School Reunion, have begun holding public meetings to plan the rescheduled 2020 reunion. Last year, they had to make the tough decision to cancel the reunion because of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health orders. 
At the time, Smith said that after holding a Facebook poll, the team decided the best choice was to postpone the event until 2021. 
Smith and Olson are now planning to welcome NHS alumni to the popular Newcastle event July 2-4 this year. 
“We are still working out details as far as a schedule of events goes. We will get that out as the event gets closer,” Smith said, after the team’s last meeting. “We are planning quite a few fun events but need confirmation before making them part of our schedule.” 
Events that are firmly scheduled include the Newcastle Booster Club’s fifth annual golf tournament fundraiser on July 2, the
parade on July 3 and an auction following the parade. The auction will serve as a fundraiser for the event. 
“We are asking each class to donate one item or basket to the silent/live auction that will take place after the parade on Saturday. Details on the location are still being worked out at this time,” Smith said. “We are asking that you [donees] provide us details of the item by June 15 so that the individuals who have agreed to organize the auction have time to get bid sheets prepared ahead of time. Even if you can’t get us the item/items by then, we at least need that information.” 
She said that any questions regarding the auction should be directed to Jennelle Williams-Werner or Alysha Engle, NHS’ Future Business Leaders of America adviser. Smith noted that the local FBLA chapter along with the planners have agreed to help the reunion crew with the auction. 
According to Smith, in addition to all-school activities, several individual or group events have been planned for the weekend. To get an event on the schedule, Smith said that planners should contact her or Olson. 
“We ask that you have that information to us no later than our May meeting. We will then compile a list of what class, location and time and have that information made available in one location during the reunion,” Smith said. “If we don’t have information by our May meeting, it will be up to the class representatives to get that information out to their classmates.”
The group’s next planning meeting for the reunion is April 20 at 6 p.m. at the Weston County Events Center. 
“If you feel that you can be of any assistance to us before the reunion or during, we would be forever grateful for that,” Smith said.