Larkin High to hold open house Saturday for 50th anniversary
By Dave Gathman dgathman@stmedianetwork.com September 13, 2012 8:26PM
Michael R. Schmidt~For Sun-Times Media Larkin High School is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year.
Updated: October 15, 2012 9:52AM
ELGIN — Alumni, past and present teachers, and all else who are interested are invited to an open house at Larkin High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to celebrate Larkin’s 50th anniversary.
The school opened at Larkin Avenue and McLean Boulevard two days after Labor Day in 1962. At that time, a three-day open house drew 11,000 people to take guided tours of the first new high school built in School District U46 during most of the residents’ lifetimes.
Counselor Julie Ball, a Larkin Class of 1974 alum, chairs the anniversary committee. She said Saturday’s events will include guided tours of the building, which has been greatly expanded and changed since many alums graduated, beginning at 11, 11:30, noon and 1 p.m. In the Commons, there also will be light refreshments, memorabilia from each decade, and a video montage of 800 photos.
The school choir and City Councilman John Steffen, another Larkin alum, will lead a short program in the Commons at 12:30.
Ball said teachers have been asked to hang out in the library, and coaches to hang out in the main gym, to meet with former students. Boosters Club members will sell “Larkin ware.” Historical gym suits and uniforms will be on display, and visitors will be able to buy T-shirts with a “Larkin 50th” logo.
But, Ball said, “I just think (alumni) hanging out and talking to one another will be the best part. We wanted it to be not formal. It’s just kind of come in, see your friends, have a nice day and see your school one more time.”
