Our President Reports… Bennett High Lights the Corners of My Mind
Bennett, Bennett, Thine Forever. Those words of our Alma Mater echo through my head all of the time. Forever. One hundred years is a pretty remarkable time. Dad lived to a few months past 100 years old. Although neither Dad nor I graduated from Bennett, we shared a special bond with the place where I worked for 34 years. Dad attended most of the special events over the years. He became known as “the REAL Mr. Lange” and was well known with students and adults. That was the magic that Bennett holds. Bennett embraces so many special people. I have so many memories of us together doing Bennett things.
I learn of your special memories all of the time. I love talking to you, our alumni, and learning about the memories you hold dear. There is nothing I would love more than to be able to compile a journal of all of your memories. As a part of our celebration, I am hoping that each of you would take some time to complete a special homework assignment for me.
I would like for you to memorialize your time at Bennett. Who were some memorable people? What was a special moment that you fondly recall? Was there a humorous story that happened at Bennett? What was the impact of your high school days?
In September, I would love to have all of your stories available for all of our guests to read. And then, after compiling them into a book, I want to place that in our time capsule so those who celebrate our 125th Anniversary will open that book and learn about you!
The events have happened over a remarkable century – from prosperity to Great Depression; to World War and recovery; to Space Age and Civil and Women’s Rights; Vietnam and the Fall of Communism; to the Computer Age and Artificial Intelligence. What a time we have seen! And through it all, we focused on giving our students the best possible.
Bennett started as a very special place evolving into a school of excellence. In the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Bennett was renowned throughout the state. We have most recently been tasked with the revival of our high school. And, as only Bennett Alumni can do, we returned 2885 Main Street into a remarkable technology-based school.
Your membership dues, Endowment Fund contributions, Legacy planning, Anniversary sponsorships, Silent Auction donations and Souvenir Program ads finance our growth for the students.
I can’t wait to see you in September! I am especially hoping to catch up with the thousands of students I met during my years at our beloved Bennett.