Wickliffe High Class of 1974 50th Birthday Bash! Recap
by Frank Foti (1974)

Saturday, July 22nd, Marinko’s Firehouse in Willoughby Hills was rockin’ Blue Devil style, as 75 members, or so, of the Class of 1974 gathered to celebrate their 50th birthday together. With great tunes from 1970 – 1974 playing in the background, there was much to catchup on among classmates, as well as a wonderful display commemorating the Boys-Baseball Team State Championship, good food, and those amazing Wickliffe High peanut butter cookies. The cookies were baked fresh, that day, by the BD Bash committee, which consisted of: Lynn Longo, Gloria Whitmer-Majeski, Robin Gallese-Shannon, Tony Fischietto, and Frank Foti.

Some classmates were making their first ever appearance at a class event, and it was readily apparent that they had been missed, and it was easy to see that they will be back for our next
reunion, which will be here soon enough. We were honored to have Mr. Lenenski, and his lovely wife, join us. He brought some of the choir CDs that he has produced, and some raffled a few off. Along with leading the group in “Happy Birthday,” he created a touching moment, when he asked if the group would join him in singing the Alma Mater. Even many years later, the entire room knew to stand, respect, and honor Wickliffe High School as
everyone joined in to sing along. (We also learned that Mr. Lenenski wrote the words to our beloved Alma Mater in 1958.)

As with any birthday party, there must be  presents, and this class went home happy. Each classmate received a special 3-CD set of “50 Blue Devil Greatest Hits (1970 – 1974).” The popular songs that spanned our years in the hallowed halls of Wickliffe High!