50th Class Reunion Tradition - Gifts to Ashland High School
When a graduating class of Ashland High School celebrates their 50th reunion, it has been along standing tradition they commonly give a collective memorial gift to Ashland Schools. Gifts given in the past are reader board along the boulevard, Mountain Ave Theater marquee, memorial benches, library furniture, scholarship funds and more.
If your class has celebrated its 50th reunion, we’d love your help! The Ashland High Alumni Association is gathering information about past 50th reunion gifts made to Ashland High School. If you have details about what your class contribute or know someone who might, please reach out and share to email: info@ashlandhighalumni.com Your insight will help us preserve this important tradition.
ATTN: All Classes getting close to your 50th Reunion. Take advantage of the generous partnership with Ashland Schools Foundation
Ashland Schools Foundation (ASF) provides a generous matching opportunity for 50th Reunion classes. When your class raises $2,500, ASF will match that amount (pending approval of the designated gift to Ashland High School), allowing your reunion year to make an even greater impact. For matching opportunity contact Erica Thompson erica@ashlandschoolsfoundation.org
Class of 1975 - 50th Reunion Gift
Article supplied by Class of ‘75 for Ashland High Alumni Newsletter - December 2025 edition.
Have you been wondering where you might sit in comfort and repose on the AHS campus to ponder the passage of time, perhaps with a former classmate? The Class of 1975 is about to solve that question for you!
Who: Generous graduates of the Class of 1975 who celebrated their 50th reunion in August, 2025 by donating money to purchase and install benches on the newly remodeled campus of our Alma Mater.
What: At least one, perhaps two, benches made of a weather- and vandalism- resistant material to be permanently installed on the AHS campus.
When: To be determined. But soon - we hope! The gears connecting the designers, the Maintenance Department, the Administration, and the bench manufacturers are grinding. (Shhh - can you hear them?)
Where: Also, to be determined. See above.
Why: As the recent renovations to the AHS campus were coming to a rapid close last August , barely in time for the opening of the 2025-26 school year, it became apparent that a few expenses had to be trimmed from the budget. Two items set aside were benches such as those poetically as well as prosaically described above. Reps from ’75 thought, “Why not make this dashed wish come true?” And they have done their part. Thank you, Class of ’75, you kind and thoughtful Grizzlies!
How: This project has been brought to fruition by a fabulously generous offer of matching funds from none other than the esteemed Ashland Schools Foundation, which does everything in its power to make our schools the very best that they can be. Thank you ASF
Class of 1970 - 50th Reunion Gift
Due to Covid the Class of 1970 had to postpone thier 50th class reunion a year. So in 2021 they celebrated their 50/51st reunion.
Class of 1970 started fundraising for their 50th Reunion gift at their 45th Reunion. Goal to raise enough funds to provide a Marquee for the AHS Mountain Avenue Theater. Each year classmates sent $40 plus donations - a little over a number of years resulted in banking $14,000 for the marque. It was presented to the school at our 50th Reunion.
Plaque found in the archives. Presented by class of 1954. We need your help to fill in missing classes and their gifts. Send info to: info@ashlandhighalumni.com
Photos Courtesy of David D. Davis
Reunion Committee: Left to Right: Rhonda Cullop Collins, Susan McCracken Jain and Karen Columbo
Class of 1973 - 50th Reunion Gift
In 2023 Class of AHS 1973 celebrated their 50th Class reunion. They raised $7,500. They used $5,000 of the funds they raised, and the $2,500 matching donation from Ashland Schools Foundation to provide AHS Library with much needed shelving, chairs and a loveseats. The remaining $2,500 they provided a scholarship to a deserving AHS Graduated.
Photos provided by Carol Christlieb Jensen ‘73
