Woodward High School was a “melting pot” when she graduated in 1966, alumna Cathleen Heidelberg said.
She remembers going to school with students of all nationalities and religions, which is something she’s grateful for, Mrs. Heidelberg said.
“There was so much diversity,” she said.
Mrs. Heidelberg joined about 100 Woodward alumni Tuesday at the second annual Golden Bears of Woodward High School Luncheon recognizing alumni as well as students who graduated 50 years ago.
Woodward Principal Jack Renz said the luncheon draws people from multiple classes to fellowship together.
“The deal is they have to have graduated 50 years ago,” Mr. Renz said. “Each year, we add another year. We’re at 1974 now.”
The event also marked a significant milestone for Toledo Public Schools : the 175th anniversary of the first students beginning classes on Oct. 8, 1849, five months after the school system was founded in May, 1849.
For those gathered Tuesday in the school gym, it was a day to reminisce about their time at Woodward. Mrs. Heidelberg sat next to her mother and fellow Woodward alumna, Janet Stoeckley.
Mrs. Heidelberg said she loved Woodward because “we all just got along and enjoyed each other and made friends with people from different areas that we didn’t know before. I think that was one of the true gifts of Woodward, is that it was such a cross section.”
Mrs. Stoeckley, who is 100 years old, graduated in 1942 and was the oldest alum at the luncheon.
She said remembers how much fun she had writing for the school’s former newspaper, the Tattler, with her daughter following suit when she got to the high school years later.
Julia Lewandowski, who graduated in 1951, said she looked back fondly at her high school days.
Mrs. Lewandowski shared memories of her fellow students shouting a Polish chant during football games and how funny famous actor, Jamie Farr, was when she knew him in high school.
“He was just crazy from the beginning,” she said. “We would go to a building at Riverside Park, he would entertain on Friday nights there. He was just a silly person but honest and sweet and just a nice guy.”
Mr. Farr, who was in Woodward’s Class of 1952, was inducted into the high school’s Hall of Fame in 1984.
Gerry Mockensturm, who graduated in 1954, added she also remembers how humorous the M*A*S*H star was, even though she didn’t know him very well.
“He was two years ahead of me,” Mrs. Mockensturm said. “They used to do skits in the auditorium and another one of his classmates would do a skit and they were funny.”
Ron and Terie Zaciek, who are both in the Class of 1973, said they met in the halls at Woodward, making small talk and getting to know each other in between classes. The couple of 52 years said it’s surreal for them to see the new Woodward High School, which opened more than 10 years ago.
“It’s cool for us because we live right down the street,” said Mr. Zaciek. “I used to jog around and work out. ... We’re truly from the neighborhood.”
In addition to the alumni luncheon, the school system is hosting a series of 175th Anniversary lectures . The next is Thursday at 7 p.m. at Waite High School, 301 Morrison Dr. Local historian and author Larry Michaels will discuss “East Toledo in the Civil War.” Other lectures are scheduled for Nov. 14, Jan. 9, Feb. 13, and March 13.
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