AUSTIN, Texas--McCallum High School's year-long 60th anniversary celebration continues with the Knight's homecoming celebration with a pep rally, tailgating party and game against the Reagan Raiders Friday, Sept. 27. This year's homecoming also will bring classmates together to form an alumni association to support their alma mater.
The kickoff celebration took place in May with a concert by Floyd Domino and his band to raise funds for a baby grand piano for McCallum's music department.
The idea of combining the school's 60th anniversary with the formation of an alumni association and fundraising efforts emerged from Cari Clark, whose daughter is a recent graduate of McCallum High School, and Tommy Cowan, a McCallum graduate. Both co-chair the McCallum 60th Anniversary Committee.
The celebration will focus on events that invite former students to help improve the school through fundraisers and community-building events. So far, about 20 events have been planned, including a gala in May. Events are organized by extracurricular activities, such as band, cheerleading, football, swim team and the Blue Brigade rather than by class.
For example, the McCallum volleyball team will play against alumni volleyball players for a fundraiser the Saturday following Senior Night game.
"As district and school budgets decrease, we have to continue our efforts to support our schools," Clark said. "There are a lot of people who want to help out with McCallum, but there's not always a clear path to do that."
Co-chair Cowan believes this is a great way to create community while supporting the school as well. He said the goal is to raise a quarter of a million dollars by the end of the year, which will support improvements at the school. The committee has raised about $20,000 to date.
"This also gives graduates a chance to find out what their organizations have been doing since they graduated," Cowan said.
In addition to coordinating the fundraising events for McCallum, the committee secured support from Frost Bank, Taco Shack and Leif Johnson as sponsors for events.
Clark said some of the efforts to get alumni to help are already paying off. A graduate, who is now a welder, is making a new grand stand for McCallum's band. The welder is donating a portion of the band stand. The remaining funding will be raised through fundraising efforts.
"We are excited to celebrate McCallum's 60th Anniversary this year. Thanks to Tommy's and Cari's efforts, many of our alumni will visit us this year and reminisce about their time and many contributions to McCallum," Mike Garrison, principal, said. "Their presence and participation in the events will make it more exciting for our students and our community. McCallum is fortunate to have an amazing alumni group with strong loyalty to McCallum and we look forward to seeing them throughout the year."
McCallum, which has 1,624 students this year, offers an extensive Fine Arts Academy serving about 500 students in dance, music, theater and visual arts. The school is a member of the Arts Schools Network, an organization committed to promote excellence in arts education by supporting and recognizing students, leaders, educators, schools, institutions and organizations.McCallum's athletic program also excels, with most teams advancing to state playoffs each year.
McCallum High School is among the best high schools in the nation, according to rankings by Newsweek and the Daily Beast.
For more information, please visit http://mccallumhigh60thanniversary.com.