By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
For 125 years, generations of Ellis High School graduates have returned home, and this year is no different with a weekend full of activities and events.
The Ellis Alumni Association will celebrate its 125th anniversary Friday and Saturday. Alumni president Sylvia Deutscher said the occasion will recognize the high school's past, present and future.
"We are the oldest alumni association in the state that has had reunions every year," Deutscher said.
For more than a century, Ellis High School has shaped minds, built leaders and created a legacy that has stood the test of time. The following is a list of activities planned for the two-day event, more than 100 years in the making:
Friday, May 22
Golf tournament, 9 a.m. at the Ellis Country Club
Fishing contest, 8 to 11 a.m. at 300 E. Eighth St. at Ellis Lakeside Campgrounds
(Alumni only) Gather and Gab, 7 to 10 p.m. at Ellis Knights of Columbus Hall
Geocaching Fun and Golden Lantern Hunt
Saturday, May 23
Parade and Chrysler Car Show, 10 a.m.
Open houses at Ellis High School, Washington Grade School, Ellis Alumni Museum and old Ellis High School, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Railer Roll, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Banquet (Alumni only) at 5 p.m. and dance featuring the Wes Cossman Band at 8 p.m. at Dolce Vita, 203 E. Second St. The dance includes a $10 cover charge.
Geocaching Fun and the Golden Lantern Hunt are scavenger hunt-style events that will take place Friday through Saturday at 4 p.m.
Geocaching participants use an app and GPS coordinates posted on the Ellis Alumni Facebook page to search for hidden markers around town. The Golden Lantern Hunt follows a similar scavenger hunt-style format, with both events offering a $125 prize.
You can download the geocaching app for the event on iOS and Android. For more details about the events and activities, click here.
"The alumni weekend used to be a really big deal in this town. Everyone would come back for the alumni banquet, and it was a formal affair. Of course, that's dwindled some through the years," Deutscher said.
"But the alumni weekend is still important to alumni. Coming back and seeing all their friends, this is an opportunity where it's not just a five-year reunion, everybody is welcome to come back."
Deutscher said the banquet had sold 370 tickets at the time of the interview. She added the class of 1971 was the largest graduating class from Ellis High School with 71 students, especially compared to more recent graduating classes.
Regardless, Deutscher said the alumni office has worked hard during the last six years to encourage younger graduates to return for reunions and become involved. She said many graduates are not originally from Ellis and no longer have the same incentive to return, such as visiting family.
In the months leading up to the 125th anniversary, the Ellis High School Alumni Facebook page has spotlighted several alumni who went on to find success in unique careers, including at Walt Disney World.
"Personally I liked Dean Gaschler. He worked for the Disney Corporation," Deutscher.
According to his legacy spotlight post, Gaschler is a member of the Class of 1967. He spent more than 20 years working at Disney's flagship resort, Magic Kingdom in Florida, including 14 years as the Grand Marshal Coordinator for the park’s daily parade.
In that role, Gaschler selected individuals to lead the parade, often honoring guests for inspiring stories, milestone celebrations and special achievements. During his career, he selected more than 7,000 grand marshals for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You can learn more about generations of Ellis alumni and follow updates for the weekend celebration here.
The alumni association also announced the launch of the Railroader Legacy Brick Program in January and created a new Alumni Brick Courtyard in front of the Ellis High School Alumni Museum.
The space features a seating area and engraved bricks honoring the tradition of Ellis High School. The association plans to continue selling personalized bricks in the future, with new order forms expected after this year's alumni weekend in preparation for the 2027 celebration.
"Everyone is welcome to Ellis this weekend and share in the games and entertainment," Deutscher said. "There's going to be a lot of activity, and we'd love for everyone to come and be a part of it."