All-class, all-district reunion to benefit SD 218 foundation

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Adm. Alan B. Shepard, the former astronaut, signs an autograph at the building dedication for Shepard High School in Palos Heights in 1976. | Supplied photo

Updated: February 25, 2012 8:16AM

Johanne Kernahan vividly recalls the day in 1950 when she met former President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“It was quite a thrill,” Kernahan said. “I was just so happy to be there. It was really something.”

Eisenhower was on hand to give the keynote speech at dedication ceremonies for the new Blue Island High School building.

An Army general during World War II, Eisenhower was president of Columbia University at the time. Blue Island High School, which was founded in 1897, was renamed in Eisenhower’s honor in 1962, after his presidency.

More than 60 years after the encounter with Eisenhower, Kernahan, a 1945 graduate of Blue Island High School, is looking forward to attending Community High School District 218’s first all-district/all-class reunion Saturday. The district includes Eisenhower, Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Richards High School in Oak Lawn and the Delta and Summit learning centers in Robbins.

Kernahan reflects fondly on her high school days.

“That’s how I met my friends. It means a lot,” said Kernahan, an Alsip resident.

Kernahan is expected to be one of the oldest alums to attend the reunion, which will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park.

The event includes dinner, open bar, a disc jockey and raffles. Tickets are $50 per person and are available at the district’s administrative center, 10701 S. Kilpatrick Ave. in Oak Lawn, or by calling (708) 424-2000, Ext. 2500.

The event is open to all members of the District 218 community, including graduates, teachers, parents and staff.

The reunion is sponsored by the Friends of District 218, an educational foundation, which raises money to support college scholarships for students and grants for teachers for innovative classroom projects.

Gail O’Dea, secretary for Supt. John Byrne, is looking forward to meeting Kernahan.

“I actually went and pulled her transcripts,” O’Dea said. “She graduated 67 years ago. I can’t fathom it.”

Kathy Lachowicz, chairman of reunion committee and educational foundation trustee, said the goal is to sell between 300 and 700 tickets and increase attendance each year.

“Hopefully, it will be an annual event,” said Lachowicz, a teacher’s assistant at Shepard High School. “I think it is going to be extremely successful in years to come.”