As a surprise, the press box was named after math teacher and cross country coach Reynold Middleton as alumnae were welcomed back for the annual homecoming dinner Oct. 19. They had dinner in the gym and a tour of the campus given by current students.

“It was an honor. I didn’t expect it,” Middleton said. “Usually you think something like that happens when you’re old and have been here for a long time. But Mrs. Middleton reminded me that I am old and have been here for a long time.”

In the middle of dinner, both teachers and alumnae were asked to follow a path of lanterns down the stairs and towards the press box on the field. This was a big surprise to most, including math teacher Reynold Middleton.

“Watching Mid walk down the path in front of the giant crowd of alums was nerve-racking,” senior cross country runner Brenna Richart said. “But, it was also super exciting because we wanted to see his reaction to the surprise.”

After the anonymous donation for the athletic field, there was a request to name it after Middleton. President Alicia Herald Kotarba announced that the field’s press box would be called Middleton Press Box in honor of his work for the athletic department and as a teacher.

“The timing was interesting. We had to make sure he was gone before the installers came and just everything went perfectly,” Events Coordinator Molly Fisher said. “With the students helping out doing all the lights, it was great. We couldn’t have done it without everybody.”

Adding to the number of alumnae at the event was to help increase interest in the school. They are hoping to keep this specific event open for all classes. They surprised the attendees with a naming ceremony at the field.

“Our new alumni coordinator Cristen Summers has been planning since probably before summer,” Director of Development Amy Drouin said, “getting things ready, inviting people and it was fun.”

Unlike last year, all alumnae were invited to this event at the high school. Before, only those who were having their class reunions that year were invited to attend. This year it would have been only those who graduated in a year ending with a three or an eight.

“We opened it up to all years was really fun. Usually, we just do for example it’s 2018, so we would do eights and threes,” Drouin said. “So somebody that would have 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 usually it’s just those years. But this was fun because we open it up to all years.”

In all, the event was a major success according to Drouin. They hope to continue alumnae interest in the school with more events including tailgates in the spring and other events where alumnae feel comfortable coming back, according to Fisher.

“We have a big focus in our department to really grow and enhance our alumni relations,” Drouin said. “I think this night has proven we are on the right track.”