Senntennial Reunion Blog

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

http://www.edgewaterhistory.org/ehs/

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,

Jan Stoner

Damaris Garcia

Helen Murtaugh

Kathy Khoshaba

Pamela Bean

Mert Silbar

Richard Prince

Beth Ryan

Niki Hammer

Carl Toy

Ron Kesselring