With no shortage of community pride and sense of accomplishment, area residents are taking part in a centennial community-wide celebration by commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Brandon High School (BHS).
According to event organizers who have been planning for more than a year, the much-anticipated program scheduled for Saturday, March 1 at McLane Stadium, located at the eastern boundary of Brandon High School just off of Kings Ave., is promising a fun-filled day of activities from start to finish, which will be remembered for years to come.
“The Greater Brandon Community is over 150 years old and the school that became Brandon High School is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. It is certainly a milestone worth a community celebration,” said Mark Nash, a BHS Class of 1979 graduate, who now serves as a member of the Brandon High School 100th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee.
Activities filling the day will begin with a 5K Fun Run and Walk, starting with registration at 8 a.m., followed by a list of activities including food, music, a food truck rally, Alumni Team corn hole, horseshoes, three-legged race, obstacle course competitions, a vintage car show featuring one car from each decade and a number of child-friendly activities just to name a few.
“We have a fantastic day planned and hope residents come out to reunite with long-time friends and make new ones,” Nash said, emphasizing that Brandon is a community filled with leaders who have some connection to its high school.
Nash said that whether they attended BHS or someone in their family did, Brandon High School is intricately woven in the historical fabric of this area.
“There is still a large amount of community pride and great memories of growing up in the Brandon area for many East Hillsborough residents,” he said. “This celebration is for Brandon High Alums and the community at large.”
True to his words, Nash pointed to the celebration’s main event scheduled for mid-afternoon with BHS Alumni sitting at McLane Stadium in sections from 1914-1940, followed by each decade represented from the 1950’s onward.
The hour-long main event will feature former BHS principals as well as speakers such as current principal Carl Green and former Hillsborough County Superintendent, Dr. Earl Lennard, who is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
Besides Lennard and Nash, well-known BHS graduates and area community leaders also include Dick Stowers (1947), Lisa Rodriguez (1975), Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee (1977), Tom Lee (1980), and Ryan Odiorne (1989) just to name a few.
Many are looking forward to experiencing the opening of a time capsule, which will then be filled with new items, resealed and once again buried for the next generation.
Brandon area resident and former American Idol contestant, Jeremy Rosado, will entertain all present with a performance at McLane Stadium, which will lead the rest of the day for all to mingle, meet and greet and enjoy some more reminiscing and fine fellowship.
Nash was thankful for all who took part in the planning and organizing the rain or shine event, which he said would not have been possible without the tremendous effort of event chair, Cher Stanbro, Karen Rodriguez (BHS class of 1972 and BHS Alumni President and event co-chair), and longtime BHS faculty member, Teri Wehinger, who spent nearly 40 years at the school.
“We have had many local businesses owned by Brandon High Alumni who have graciously supported this effort and we are eternally grateful for this,” he said.
For more information and event sponsorships, call Cher Stanbro at 775-8096 or visit www.brandonhsalumni.com or www.facebook.com/BHS100thAnniversay.
