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O’side High School alumni set to celebrate all-class reunion

OCEANSIDE — Once a year armed with class banners, old yearbooks and fond memories, alumni from Oceanside High School get together for an all-class reunion. This year former graduates will meet June 26 at Heritage Park.

The annual gathering is akin to an extended family reunion. Alumni can stop in and visit, or set up a class table and spend the day.

A building at the park will be open to share photos and other memorabilia.

Entertainment is spontaneous, and usually includes singing the school song.

Glenda Kimbrel, Oceanside High School Foundation president and 1968 alumni, said class participation depends on how much former students cheer on the event.

Passing years also endear the reunion to graduates.

Kimbrel said she first attended the reunion to bring her mother, who is an Oceanside High School graduate.

Nowadays top participation is from graduating classes of the 1960s. About 100 alumni get together each year.

“Alumni are a big family, we’re interconnected and well-rooted,” Kimbrel said. “It’s a wonderful event for old-timers.”

Oceanside High School holds a lot of local memories. A school was first built on the site in 1891. Oceanside-Carlsbad High School opened in two rooms of the school in 1906.

Kimbrel said the oldest building that still stands is the Senior Hall built in 1913.

Other campus facilities bare the names of teachers who have made a significant impact. The gym was renovated and re-dedicated to teacher Wally Molifua in 2006. The stadium got an AstroTurf field and was soon after named for Coach John Carroll, a long-winning football coach, in 2014.

Present construction on campus is adding a performing arts center, which is expected to be completed next year.

Oceanside High School Foundation took over organizing the all-class reunion a couple of years ago.

The foundation also holds the annual Hall of Fame awards in October to honor graduates for their notable accomplishments. Awards have been given since the high school marked its 100-year anniversary in 2006.

Additionally the foundation provides student scholarships and teacher grants, which are funded through donations and foundation membership dues.

The all-class reunion will be held June 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Park, 220 Peyri Drive.