HISTORIAN'S CORNER
By Lorraine Wayner
Historian - 795-3575

I would like to tell you about a unique organization in our midst. Perhaps you have heard of the BCS Alumni Association - this is a condensed story.

On a cold day, January 30th 1912, dedication ceremonies were held for the Union Free School District #1. Barker now had a high school. June rolled around and upon the suggestion of the president of the class, Stanley Coleman, it was decided after graduation that they should have a picnic at Olcott Beach. All six members of the class attended. It was great.

Annual picnics continued until 1927 when a real banquet was held in Medina at the Fairview Manor. It was so enjoyable they decided to have banquets every year. In 1929 the depression, and lack of funds, caused a change of plans. In 1930 & 1931 the banquet was at the Grange Hall. (Quaker. Rd, Near Somerset Corners) The Junior Class served the dinner.

For the next few years finances were a problem for the Association but­-

The twenty-fifth anniversary celebration was held at the Lox-Plaza Hotel, Lockport in 1937. A large crowd, one hundred eighty-eight people attended. A newsletter was to be published "Alumni Mirror". 1938, a second edition, and for several years, the "Alumni Mirror" was distributed. Since the school had progressed from the Union Free School District to Barker Central School, a name change was in order. The name was to be "Alumni Association, Barker, New York".

In 1941 the banquet was in the school gymnasium due to the gas shortage during WWII. In 1942 a collection was taken to buy gifts for BCS Alumni that were in the military. The collection of $53.98 was enough for gifts and a $25.00 war bond.

No banquet was held in 1943 due to wartime travel restrictions. 1944, the banquet was in the gymnasium again with two hundred forty nine present.

In 1948, at the Lox-Plaza, ten-year classes were honored. This system still exists.

BCS Principal, Milford Pratt, assumed responsibility of the banquet, but in 1956 due to health reasons, Marion Pike, history teacher, assumed the leadership role, a position she held, with utmost respect for thirty years. Upon her request in 1985, an Alumni Committee was formed to take responsibility of the organization.

Awarding scholarships was a long-term goal, discussed over the years. In 1959 it became a reality. The first Alumni Scholarship for $50 was awarded. It is important to know the purpose of the Alumni Association is to generate funds for scholarships and determine the yearly recipients. It is almost hard to believe, but over the years with careful planning by board members and interest on endowment funds, several scholarships, totaling around $17,000., are awarded to senior class graduates & college students each year at the banquet (now called reunion).

In 1987 a nine member Board of Directors was formed to assure the continued life of the group. Countless hours go into the business of the annual reunion. This year over 4,000 invitations will be mailed. Quite an achievement from the original six that held a picnic at Olcott Beach. Stanley Coleman and his classmates certainly started something. If you talk with Susan Coleman Rose she will tell you "yes", that was my grandfather.