After graduating from Shepard High School in 2001, Crestwood resident Brian Prosapio went on to obtain a degree in Spanish from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.
Today, working as a well-established bilingual teacher in Worth School District 127, Prosapio credits his experience at Shepard for contributing to his success.
During his time at Shepard, Prosapio said he took several advanced placement courses that transferred over as college credit to Carthage. He proudly graduated Shepard third in his class out of 420 students.
“Shepard provided many educational opportunities and advanced placement courses that encouraged its students to continue their education,” Prosapio, 33, said. “I really enjoyed the classes here more than anything.”
On Saturday, Prosapio celebrated with about 350 other alumni and others at Shepard’s 40th anniversary dinner at the school, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights.
“For 40 years Shepard has served thousands of students from six different communities,” said Bob McParland, a Community High School District 218 communication specialist. “That’s part of what we’re celebrating, that cohesion among people from different places. When you walk the hallways, you find this rich mix of different people. It’s a microcosm of the United States.”
Shepard staff members hosted the free dinner. The event was organized by Shepard Principal Josh Barron; Cynthia Tebo, ELL teacher; Sheri Reiplinger, counselor; and Meghan Sisk, a literary coach.
“The reunion gave everyone the chance to see what Shepard has to offer, what Shepard students have accomplished, and how our school contributes to the community,” Tebo said. “It was also a trip down memory lane for previous students, and was a great way to connect with students from the past and present.”
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The event provided an opportunity for current and former Shepard students to relax, dine and mingle together, officials said. The dinner meal included a buffet pasta and pizza catered by Beggar’s and desserts catered by Eli’s Cheesecake. Entertainment was provided by The Dancing Noodles and the Shepard jazz bands. Shepard also sponsored a split-the-pot fundraiser with proceeds split between the winner and the District 218 Educational Foundation, which raises money for college scholarships and teacher grants.
“What an awesome opportunity for Shepard Astros to be come together in celebration of our illustrious history,” Baron said.
In attendance was Greg Walder, a former associate principal at Shepard who currently works at Eisenhower High School, and who will be the new Shepard principal at the end of this school year. Baron, the current principal, was hired as District 218’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.
“The diverse population is challenging but what makes Shepard so unique,” Walder said. “I plan to continue to move Shepard in a positive direction that Dr. Baron has started. He has left the building a great place and I am looking forward to continuing improving student achievement.”
The first 100 people at the event received a commemorative bobblehead doll of the school’s namesake, astronaut Alan B. Shepard, who attended the building’s dedication in 1976.
“Schools serve as centers of their communities,” McParland said. “For the people who take time to participate in school events, athletics, the arts, and the great variety of other opportunities here, they learn how much the good people who work at Shepard care about our students.”
Kelly White is a freelance reporter for Daily Southtown.