Many thanks, again, for attending the Senntennial
celebrations in honor of the first 100 years of Senn High School! From
sea to shining sea, over eight decades of Bulldogs gathered together, reminiscing
favorite memories and rekindling old friendships. Since these
celebrations were not limited to one's own class year, we all were able to also
enjoy the company of those in class years surrounding ours, which made the
weekend even more special.
Many of you braved the vagaries of finding street parking and
returned to Senn for Friday night’s festivities hosted by the school. If
you haven't had occasion to be back2school recently, I know you were impressed
with the tours and entertainment by current Senn students, as well as the
condition of the facilities. Thank you to Principal Susan Lofton, her
staff, the students of Senn High School, and Friends of Senn, for their
hospitality!
Saturday's gala at the spectacular Grand Ballroom of
Navy Pier was everything the Senntennial Committee hoped it would be: a festive
gathering of friends, family, and colleagues; delicious food -- and plenty of
it for those who were patient with the lines inevitable when 850 people are
looking to eat -- music and dancing from
across the ages. We hope you got out to stroll along the Pier and
take in Chicago's magnificent skyline on such a beautiful night, too!
We were blessed to have plenty of Senn talent to keep us
going throughout the evening. Gratitude
goes out to Senn’s ROTC for Presentation of Colors. Another huge thank-you to our Emcee, Scott
Simon, and his wife, Caroline, who endured flight delays, heavy rain, and O’Hare-to-Navy
Pier ground traffic to come back and lead us through the evening's events. We
know you have a very busy schedule, so we appreciate your returning to honor
alma mater.
We also thank our distinguished speakers: Elston Elston; Courtney Shanken; Jeremy Lazarus, MD.; and Centenarian Walter Sobel. Your sharing of memories from your time at
Senn was very touching and helped us all appreciate what a special era this was
for each of us.
Our musical entertainment was also an all-Senn alumni cast,
and we thank you as well:
·
Disc Jockeys - Pear Jones and Chris Underwood
·
Senn Loyalty Song remix – Carl Green, composer
·
Flash Mob
– Pearls of Purity, lead by Clarybelle Navarrete, Marquita Curry, and other
Senn alumni
·
Generations song
mix – Ron Kesselring
·
Photography – Zeba Zafar
All of the above would not have been possible without the support
of benefactors, who believed in our dream long before it ever took shape, and
alumni who reached out to their friends to buy tickets. The Senntennial Committee of twelve
volunteers could not possibly have contacted everyone across the years, so we
are especially grateful for your pitching in for the cause! Remember, as Dr. Nicholas Senn’s epitaph reads: “Nil sine labore.”
Just a few details before we close up shop with our event
site at Constant Contact. First, unfortunately our PowerBall returns were
not what we had hoped for! We did have 19 winning tickets, yielding
a Grand Total of $103! Since that is well below our $100 per-person
minimum prize award, we will determine how the proceeds will be donated to Senn
once we finalize finances with Navy Pier.
Many of you have asked us about posting pictures. We have
created a shared website with the on-line photo developer, Shutterfly. I
have uploaded a couple people's photos. Please feel free to upload and share your
own photos, if you have a Shutterfly account. There is also a mobile “app
for that,” if you are so able. The link
to the Shutterfly site is: https://senntennialgala.shutterfly.com/
Follow the instructions for viewing and/or posting pix. You can also purchase prints and create
memory photo albums through Shutterfly.
Finally, if you
are in the area and have not yet had the opportunity to visit the Edgewater
Historical Society’s exhibit on Senn’s 100 years, the showing will run through
the weekend of October 20, 2013. Hours
are Sat & Sun, from 1:00-4:00 pm.
More info at:
5358 N Ashland Ave Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 506-4849
(773) 506-4849
We hope you had a SENNsational time! While our Sentennial website will be closing
soon, our senntennial@gmail.com
email account and blog http://senntennial.blogspot.com/
remain open: Feel free to stay in touch
through either or friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @Senntennial. (Sigh.
It’s just not the same, but will have to do!)
Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. “High ho, Silver, Away!!!”
SENNcerely Yours,
Damaris Garcia
Helen Murtaugh
Kathy Khoshaba
Pamela Bean
Mert Silbar
Richard Prince
Beth Ryan
Niki Hammer
Carl Toy
Ron Kesselring