Byron Bergen School Superintendent Mickey Edwards accepted a bench from the class of 1969 as they celebrate their 50th Class Reunion this weekend.
The bench is 5 years in the making.
The Class of 1969 meets every five years and at their last reunion, they decided to raise funds to purchase the bench which was created by Paul A. Boccolucci of Real Stuff Gallery and Gifts in West Valley, NY.
50 classmates gathered at the flagpole in front of the High School on Friday night to officially dedicate the bench. 88 students graduated in the Byron Bergen Class of 1969. 18 have passed away. Some classmates are visiting from as far away as San Diego, Nevada and Florida.
“So many classes graduate, but nobody leaves something to the school to remember you by, ” says Janice Gilbert, 50th Reunion Committee member.
“We talked about it at the last reunion, and next thing you know one of our class members passed the hat and said I’m in, that night we gathered over $500.”
The bench contains 13 languages, it represents their 13 years in school, Kindergarten through 12th grade.
“Nothing like this has ever been done, Don Partridge and I came out and scoped out this place five years ago, the bench was finished this spring.”
The Class of 1969 hopes this will inspire other classes to add on items next to the bench, like planters.