Alumni of Glenwood High School are once again organizing a campaign that honors GHS graduates and faculty who have passed on by collecting funds that will be contributed to Central Square, the former Glenwood High School building. 

The idea for an alumni memorial fund campaign was conceived by 1967 graduating classmates Larry Zavadil and Rick Fischer to pay tribute to their late classmates by donating funds in their classmate’s honor to help preserve the building that holds special meaning for both alumni and faculty. The campaign was set up as a good-natured challenge between classes to coincide with the all-class reunion in 2021 at Central Square during Waterama weekend. “The challenge raised funds that helped with the upkeep of our school building which gave all of us an opportunity to acknowledge our classmates in a meaningful and tangible way. A lot of wonderful memories were made in that building, and our classmates are a part of those memories,” Zavadil says.

The campaign will run from July 25 through August 5. Zavadil and Fischer decided to stay with the timeframe of the 2021 campaign because it happens over Waterama. “It’s that time of year when those who don’t live here come back and gather in smaller defacto class reunions. We’re all reminded of what a great community Glenwood is and how great it was to grow up and go to school here. There are always reflections on the past and, of course, on those who aren’t with us any longer. Memorializing them in this way feels like a natural fit at the right time,” said Rick Fischer.

More than 250 people attended the 2021 reunion. “Person after person expressed how much it meant for them to honor their friends in this way. We’re thankful for the many alumni dedicated to seeing their building preserved. What Larry and Rick started with this campaign is remarkable. We’re so grateful to all who contributed,” said Central Square’s executive director, Cheryl Larson.

In the 2021 challenge campaign, the class of 1966 raised $2,925 in donations, making them the challenge winners. Steve Nestor organized the class of ’66 contribution as a single donation by him and his classmates. The class of 1967 came in second with $1,290 raised. The class of 1957 raised $25, the class of 1955 raised $100, and the class of 1952 raised $55. The total amount raised was $4,395. 

There won’t be a challenge component to the current campaign. “That was just a fun way to get this started during a reunion year,” says Fischer. 

“The goal is to establish a yearly memorial campaign that honors our friends and classmates and helps sustain or improve the building in their honor. The fact is, we’re all graduates of a great school and want to contribute to its longevity. I think we all enjoy visiting the building and seeing it utilized in a way that enriches the community. A memorial campaign gives alumni a chance to collectively gather resources to achieve our goal of remembrance and preservation,” Zavadil adds. 

 To donate to the Glenwood High School Memorial Fund, go to CentralSquare.org and click on “Donate.” After choosing a donation amount, donors are asked to make note of their graduation year—there is a place at the top of the payment page that says: “add a note.”

Central Square has an In Memoriam section on the Alumni page on their website. Those who would like to remember a late family member or classmate, please contact Central Square at 320-634-0400.