Addison Trail hosts events to celebrate 50th anniversary
The 2016-17 school year has featured a variety of events and programs to celebrate Addison Trail's 50th anniversary, and below is a recap of those events.
Golf Outing
The 50th Anniversary Golf Outing took place on July 29 at Indian Lakes Golf Course in Bloomingdale. Despite inclement weather, Addison Trail alumni and friends, as well as village officials and administrators from the school and District 88, enjoyed a fun gathering and dinner. The golf outing was rescheduled for Sept. 23, and the event raised more than $1,000 for the District 88 Foundation, which benefits students at Addison Trail and Willowbrook.
Alumni Hockey Games
This event took place on July 30 and featured two games, divided by graduation year. Gary Gould, who coached the Addison Hockey Team from 1973 to 1979, was there to cheer on his former players.
Community Nights
On Aug. 19, the fields at Addison Trail and Willowbrook were filled with Blazer and Warrior Pride, as nearly 2,000 District 88 stakeholders came together to celebrate the beginning of the 2016-17 school year with the first Blue and White/Silver and Blue Community Night. The Community Nights were sponsored by the District 88 Foundation and showcased the schools’ athletic teams and extracurricular activities. The events raised more than $500 for the foundation through donations and split-the-pot raffles. During the evening, Addison Trail had a soccer scrimmage and a football scrimmage; performances by the Marching Band, Orchesis Team, Cheerleading Team and Blazettes; and introductions of the fall varsity sports teams.
Boys Soccer Alumni Celebration
On Aug. 25, the Addison Trail Boys Soccer Team welcomed back about 14 former players, who were announced to the crowd during the home game. All coaches of the varsity and junior varsity Boys Soccer teams are Addison Trail graduates, and three of those coaches are former players on the team. The Blazers took on Fenton High School and won 3-0.
Football Alumni Celebration
On Sept. 2, the Addison Trail Football Team welcomed back about 16 former players, who were announced to the crowd during the home game. The Blazers competed against Oak Park and River Forest High School, with a score of 14-35.
WGN-TV segment
On Sept. 2, Addison Trail was thrilled to share its Blazer Pride with WGN-TV during an “Around Town” segment in honor of the school’s 50th anniversary. To see highlights from that broadcast, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/6007.
Theatre Alumni Show
On Sept. 24, about 250 people attended the Theatre Alumni Show, which featured highlights from plays and musicals that have been performed at Addison Trail through the years. Each decade shared memories of being part of Theatre, and representatives from each decade sang songs and acted out scenes from shows that took place during that timeframe. Several alumni who were unable to come in person sent video messages as well.
Homecoming
Addison Trail’s 50th Anniversary Homecoming took place from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. Alumni were recognized by decade during the Homecoming Football Game on Sept. 30 and joined the Marching Band, Choir, Color Guard and Blazettes when those groups performed during that game. You can watch a video of that event at https://youtu.be/sL4hnpUabAo. To read more about the Homecoming festivities, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/6063.
"50" on the 50
On Nov. 17, our entire student body and all of our staff members (about 2,250 people) formed a “50” around the 50-yard line on the football field in honor of Addison Trail’s 50th anniversary. To watch a video of the formation, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNHyF-5qJEI&feature=youtu.be. This event was coordinated by ATtribute (Addison Trail's yearbook) and members of the Addison Trail Marching Band.
Pack the Place
On Dec. 2, we hosted our annual Pack the Place event, which featured:
- Recognition of winter and spring sports teams (Pictured below – from left to right, top row to bottom row: Boys Baseball, Special Olympics Basketball and Girls Bowling)
- Girls Basketball Games (all levels)
- Boys Basketball Games (all levels)
- Alumni Celebration for the Girls Basketball Team
- Alumni Celebration for the Boys Basketball Team
- Alumni Celebration for the Cheerleading Team
- Alumni Celebration for the Blazettes (the Blazettes also hosted a Winter Dance Clinic for children in kindergarten through eighth grade)
- Performances by the Blazettes, Cheerleading Team and Orchesis Team (pictured below – from left to right, top row to bottom row)
- Alumni were encouraged to gather, network and reconnect with Addison Trail and fellow graduates in the balcony (pictured below, top left; pictured below top right are alumni Katherine (Tomaszewski) Ruffolo and Sergio Ruffolo, class of 1983, as they visit with Addison Trail's mascot, Bucky Blazer). Several alumni also performed with the Blazettes, Cheerleading Team and Orchesis Team when those groups performed the “Fight Song” during the games (pictured below, bottom).
Holiday Benefit Concert
On Dec. 7, Band, Chorus and Orchestra alumni performed the “Hallelujah” chorus with current music students during the concert. To watch the performance, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEjMZXMt51I.
Wrestling Alumni Celebration
The 50th Anniversary Wrestling Alumni Celebration took place on Dec. 9. During the Blazers’ home wrestling meet against their sister school, Willowbrook, more than 30 alumni and former Addison Trail wrestling coaches were announced to the crowd and had an opportunity to reconnect with fellow graduates and Addison Trail students, parents/guardians, community members and staff. The former Addison Trail wrestlers and coaches were invited to gather in the balcony, take a tour of the building and enjoy refreshments. The Blazers won the competition, 37-30.
Happy birthday, Bucky!
We implemented #BuckyTurns50 on Twitter, where alumni and the Addison Trail community are invited to “Tweet” happy birthday wishes to a very special member of our Blazer family – our mascot, Bucky Blazer. Bucky is now 50, and this fun hashtag allows people to share their memories of Bucky and Addison Trail.
Orchesis Alumni Celebration
On April 21 and 22, Addison Trail presented its annual Orchesis Show. This year’s theme was “Beyond the Lights,” and the show featured about 25 dance numbers that showcased an array of styles such as hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, tap and modern/contemporary. There also was a special performance by Orchesis alumni as part of Addison Trail’s 50th anniversary celebration this school year. About 20 former Orchesis Team members (including Addison Trail social studies teacher LeVonne Cescolini-Boyer, who graduated from Addison Trail in 1987 and has directed the Orchesis Team for 25 years) took the stage for the alumni number. The piece was themed “Dance Again” and featured several songs (mixed together by Addison Trail Theatre Tech Assistant and class of 2009 alumnus Alex Holod) and genres such as tap, jazz and hip-hop (choreographed by graduates Alexandra Longo, class of 2010, and Angela Pitello, class of 2015). To watch that performance, and to see a photo album from the show, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/6460.
Girls and Boys Gymnastics Alumni Celebration
On April 28, Addison Trail welcomed gymnastics alumni back to the school. Nearly 90 people attended the event, including Fred Dennis, who coached the Boys Gymnastics Team from 1973 to 2003 and the Girls Gymnastics Team from 1978 to 1993. During the event, alumni were introduced to the crowd, and those who won titles at the Conference level and above were recognized. The group then toured the building, and participants were able to see the gymnastics practice area, as well as their high school athletic accomplishments/photos displayed on the wall.
Baseball Alumni Celebration
On May 13, about 40 alumni attended a Baseball Alumni Celebration, and about 22 played in an alumni baseball game. The event included a building tour, watching the Addison Trail Varsity Baseball game and a barbecue after the alumni game.
Blazer Bash
It’s hard to believe the 2016-17 school year and Addison Trail’s 50th anniversary are coming to an end – but there's still one more fun event to join!
Addison Trail alumni and retired staff members are invited to attend a "Blazer Bash" Super-Reunion (all years) to celebrate 50 years of Blazer Pride! The “Blazer Bash” will be the last get-together to recognize the school’s 50th anniversary. Be sure to spread the word to all alumni!
WHEN: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on June 10 (A post-event gathering will take place at Blue Line Bar & Grill in Addison. The restaurant will provide free appetizers, and menu items and beverages also will be available to buy.)
WHERE: Addison Trail, 213 N. Lombard Road in Addison
WHAT: Visit with retired faculty and fellow alumni; enjoy an appetizer buffet; and dance to live music by the band FANTASIA, featuring four Addison Trail alumni and music from 1967 to 2016
COST: $20 a person (net proceeds will benefit the District 88 Foundation, which supports Addison Trail students)
* Mail your check to Addison Trail, 213 N. Lombard Road in Addison (attention Principal Michael Bolden)
* Make checks payable to "Addison Trail High School"
* You also can pay at the door
TO RSVP: CLICK HERE to register for the "Blazer Bash" (RSVP by June 2)
FOR MORE INFO: CLICK HERE, or call 630-530-3989
Stay up to date with Addison Trail 50th anniversary events
- Calendar of events: www.dupage88.net/AT50thAnniversary
- 50th anniversary hotline: Call 630-628-3300
- Facebook group: http://tinyurl.com/zz9g76y
- Twitter: Addison Trail implemented #BuckyTurns50 on Twitter, where alumni and the Addison Trail community are invited to “Tweet” happy birthday wishes to a very special member of the Blazer family – the school’s mascot, Bucky Blazer. Bucky is now 50, and this fun hashtag allows people to share their memories of Bucky and their alma mater.
- Alumni database: Register at www.dupage88.net/atalumni
Thank you for your continued support of Addison Trail – go, Blazers!
* This is a column by Addison Trail Principal Michael Bolden.