Yorkville High School alumni return for multi-class reunion

As alumni from Yorkville High School congregated at the Kendall County Fairgrounds on Saturday for the YHS Alumni Reunion, they were welcomed by the sight of the floorboards and “Y” that once served as center court in the gymnasium at the former Yorkville High School, now the site of Yorkville High School Academy.

The alumni event was created last year in response to the Yorkville School District 115 Board of Education’s decision to change the date of the Homecoming parade and celebration from Saturday morning to Thursday evening. As many alumni would be unable to attend the event on a weekday, due to employment and timing, a group was founded to keep the traditions alive.

Organizer April Morganegg said the event had “really blossomed” from the success of the first year.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” she said. “It’s a great turnout, we’ve got a lot of people contributing picture boards and lots of memorabilia. It’s just blossomed, from getting the word out from having the first year. I don’t think people really knew what to expect, and I don’t think we did either.”

According to Morganegg’s estimate, the range of graduating classes in attendance spanned from the 1940s to the class of 2010.

“I think each year it will grow more and more,” Morganegg said. “It’s just exciting, it’s a very valued tradition in the town ... I think that is just the beauty of it, is we’ve come together to share a lot of memories and good times.”

Inside of the venue, virtually every surface was covered in red, white and black to celebrate the Foxes.

Many alumni donated memorabilia, newspapers, uniforms and photographs that lined a wall of the space, while visitors could sit on one of several benches to peruse yearbooks from past classes dating as far back as the 1940s. Athletic highlights also were featured, as well as several homecoming and prom dresses and other clothing items that were donated by alumni.

John Lovetere, a member of the class of 1977, said, “It’s neat to look back at the history and the stuff we missed or didn’t miss. It’s neat to look at it all ... it’s a small community, you know people, you see them around.”

Yorkville High School Homecoming events continue throughout the week, with the parade at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, the football game against Kaneland High School on Friday, Oct. 5, and the school dance Saturday, Oct. 6.