GSL Hosts First All-School Alumni Reunion

May 16, 2005 (Memphis, TN) – From north to south, from east to west, GSL alumni came from all over to attend the first all-school reunion of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School (GSL). There have been class reunions before, but this was the first time as many classes as possible were included. The newly-formed GSL Alumni Association organized the event, inviting students who attended from 1976-1998.

“GSL was founded in 1947, and we would have loved to have invited some of our first graduates,” said Robbie Weinberg, Alumni Association Co-chair. “We want everyone to be involved! But it was hard to find contact information for many of those early students. We’re still building – and rebuilding – those data bases though, so maybe we’ll find them yet!”

More than 300 people attended the event, which was held in the GSL gymnasium. Food, beverages, and live entertainment were of secondary interest as the gym and Lassandrello Hall were filled with squeals and hugs, cheers and applause – especially when favorite faculty arrived, including former  headmaster Edward Gamble, who flew in from Florida just for the occasion; Mrs. Gladys Griffin, the Spanish teacher who also received a birthday cake that evening in honor of her 80th birthday; Barbara Daush, former guidance counselor, Latin teacher, and head of the middle school, who is now President of St. Agnes-St. Dominics; Jim Lassandrello who coached at GSL for more than 25 years; and Nick Scully, former coach, teacher, development and admissions director, and one of the elite who was qualified to drive “The Bullet.”

Also for the first time, the GSL Alumni Association presented the annual Outstanding Alumni Award. The recipient was Meg Patterson Comes, ’80, for her on-going, enthusiastic support of the school and for her hours of volunteer work on behalf of the Alumni Association. Comes is not only a graduate of GSL, she is also a PK teacher at Miss Lee’s Pre-School.

 The event was supposed to end at 8:00 p.m., but the party was such a success, school officials had to actually move all the tables and chairs and turn out the lights, before the revelers decided to continue the celebration at other locations around Midtown. This was at 10:00 p.m.!

“This is unbelievable. I can’t believe the turn-out,” exclaimed Marci Woodmansee, Alumni Association Co-chair. “And everyone is having such a great time.”

Plans are already underway for the all-school alumni reunion to be held on a regular basis. Meanwhile, GSL alumni who are under the age of 21 will be invited to a special Homecoming gathering in the fall.