From the early days, when Rincon High School was built to alleviate congestion at other schools, to more recent times, when it was struck by lightning, the school has seen its share of history.
Now the purple and white Rincon Rangers will honor that history with their 50th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 3-4.
Former students are sure to roam the halls viewing memorabilia displays.
"I am humbled to be principal," Kimberly Babeu said. "You can't help when you walk through the halls and you walk on this campus to feel the rich history."
For alumni who want to rekindle that history, the campus is open for tours. Alumni also are invited to sit in on classes.
That means today's students, born in the early to mid-1990s, will have a rare opportunity to talk to former students who walked the halls in the 1950s. "You can't get that out of a book, and that's a learning experience the kids will remember forever," Babeu said.
People are also reading…
In the afternoon, past yearbooks, the Echo (the school's newspaper) and prom pictures will be on display. Alumni may also contribute to the memorabilia display.
Not only will there be physical representations of the past, but verbal accounts of the past also will be swapped at this reunion.
Paula Welch, class of '60 and former Miss Arizona (1962), will have stories to share. She was the one responsible for the school's logo.
"I was thrilled when it was chosen back in 1958, and I'm still thrilled today," Welch said.
Her trip to Hermosillo, Mexico, with the school band is another memory that stood out.
John Martin, class of '61 and a committee member for the celebration, has several fond memories to share.
He recalls the 7-6 football victory over Tucson High School in his senior year as being one of those particularly fond memories.
After reminiscing about the past, alumni can have dinner on Friday at 5:30 p.m. Lucky Wishbone is providing a $5, two-piece chicken dinner, but tickets must be bought in advance. Other options include Little Anthony's Diner and Eegee's, which are meant for walk-ups. Commemorative T-shirts are available for $10 at the Rincon finance office.
In the evening, there will be "Arts Under the Stars" performances. Performers will include the school's band, choir, orchestra, dance ensemble, pom and cheer squads, and flag line. Students and alumni will be performing.
During the performances, former student body and class officers will recount stories of Rincon in 1958. Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, class of '65, and David Fitzsimmons, cartoonist for the Arizona Daily Star, class of '73, will be speaking.
In addition, the auto-shop teacher is encouraging anyone with a 1950s or '60s car to bring the vehicle to the celebration.
The event will move to Viscount Suite Hotel, 4855 E. Broadway, on Saturday for a night of cocktails, dancing and dinner. The price for an individual is $58.08, or $110 per couple.
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If you go
• What: Rincon High School's 50th Anniversary Celebration
• When: Oct. 3 at Rincon High School, 421 N. Arcadia Ave.; and Oct. 4 at Viscount Suite Hotel, 4855 E. Broadway.
Cost: $5 for the Lucky Wishbone two-piece chicken dinner on Friday, Oct. 3; $58.08 for singles at Viscount Suite Hotel or $110 for couples on Saturday.
• For more information: Call John Martin at 1-623-362-8675 or send him an e-mail at martin61@cox.net. To pay for the chicken dinner or the night at Viscount Suite, send checks to John Martin at 6866 W. Lariat Lane, Peoria, AZ 85383.
For discounted rooms, use the code RINCON50. For Saturday's event, call 1-800-527-9666 or go online to www.ViscountSuite.com.
For more information or to use a credit card, go to rincon50.rsvpbook.com.
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