‘Changing the Status Quo’ at an all-school Montpelier High School reunion, July 14-15
July 8, 2023 | By Mary (Campo) McPheatJuly 13 UPDATE - All activities for the reunion have been called off for this year. Mary McPheat sends this message:
“As of this evening we have canceled all events for the 2023 MHS Alumni Roundup scheduled for this weekend. The focus needs to be on restoring the towns, cities and infrastructure around Vermont at this unprecedented time. A 2024 MHS Alumni Roundup Reunion will be planned.”
For as long as anyone can remember, Montpelier High School held annual reunions at the class level – but rallying a group of 100 or fewer people, many of whom are dispersed around the country, has led to fewer and fewer reunions.
This year, the MHS Alumni Committee is turning the status quo on its head with an “all-high-school” reunion vs. just a class reunion. Our primary driver is the fact that there are so many memorable things about high school that aren’t specifically within your class – our teachers, staff, coaches, extracurricular leaders, sports teammates – the list goes on of people who influenced and had an impact on our lives. Our classes are great, but if people travel across the country to reunite around high school memories, it would be great if it was a full-package event - and of course, there will be more people to celebrate with.
This full high school reunion started as an idea to enhance my own 20th reunion and it was made a reality by partnering with Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools Partners in Education, Montpelier Alive, Elevate Youth (formerly Washington County Youth Service Bureau) and the Montpelier Recreation Department. We have been met with such enthusiasm and support throughout the planning of this inclusive fun-filled weekend welcoming all classes, faculty, staff, coaches, and respective families from Montpelier High School - I couldn’t have asked for a better crew to make this happen.
The goal is for the MHS Alumni Reunion to be an annual fundraiser, celebrating the MHS experience while giving back to both the school and the Montpelier community. This year’s inaugural weekend-long event kicks off on Friday, July 14, with a “Welcome Back Street Party” from 4 to 10 p.m. hosted by Langdon Street Tavern’s Dave Thomas (MHS Class of ’06), featuring pub food and drinks for purchase with entertainment by the locally popular Gallison Hill Band.
The fun continues on Saturday, July 15, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Montpelier Pool and Pavilion with fun for all ages, including face-painting, a raffle, games, and swimming. Northfield’s popular pub and brewery, Good Measure Brewing, will be on-site with a beer garden and their food truck in addition to the Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream, Vermont's quintessential farm-to-cone ice cream company.
At 6:30 p.m. we cheer on our Vermont Mountaineers at their home field where they will start by honoring the MHS athletic teams that won a state championship this past year in addition to all MHS alumni in attendance. The game will begin with a special national anthem performance by MHS alumna Meghan (Hatch) Sheeran (Class of ‘03) and her daughter, followed by a first pitch thrown by legendary former MHS principal and school board member, Charlie Phillips.
Real Bounce from Barre will be at the game with a bounce house for the kids. The Mountaineers’ 50/50 raffle will benefit the event’s charity, Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools Partners in Education, a 501c3 nonprofit supporting the school district’s four caregiver groups through fundraising, advocacy and community building.
The planning committees would also like to thank sponsors Coldwell Banker Classic Properties and Bolduc Metal Recycling & Storage Containers for making this event possible!
Registration is open – all MHS alumni, faculty, coaches, and staff may reserve tickets through Seven Days Tickets and can join the Facebook page for regular updates. Tickets will also be available on site for both Friday and Saturday events.
Mary (Campo) McPheat is a member of Montpelier High School’s Class of 2003.