LTHS homecoming week has long been a big deal, even for alumni

While the rain, wind and low temperatures scotched plans for the annual Lyons Township High School’s Homecoming parade on Sunday, the spirit did not flag — it just moved indoors.

The LTHS homecoming week has long been a big deal for the district, drawing alumni from around the country for tours of the north and south campus but, even without the parade, dozens of graduates packed the Corral the Corral on the South Campus prior to the football game to catch up and soak up Lions spirit.

“Spirit never gets rained out at LT,” said LTHS Principal Jennifer Tyrrell. She said the parade cancellation aside, everything else had been a hit.

“It’s been a really nice week,” she said. “We’re just happy to be celebrating with our entire community.”

Mary Lin Muscolino, a district spokesperson, said the week is popular among graduates, seniors and even underclassmen, who get a chance to meet successful graduates and take part in a longtime local tradition they can look forward to long after graduation. It’s a week of building community — and bad weather can’t take that away. Though, she agreed, the last-minute decision Saturday morning to cut the parade was tough as it is one of the most public and popular traditions of the week, as it also includes neighborhood residents, some of whom are new, have small children and don’t yet have a taste for what the district means to so many.

“I think everyone really looks forward to it,” Muscolino said. “The parade has been such an important part of the community for so long, it was a tough decision to make.”

But at the Corral, the mood carried on, entirely unimpeded, among the alumni. Muscolino said this she knew of 13 reunions planned, and Superintendent Brian Waterman said it’s a big year for threes, with the classes of ’63, ’73 and ’83 out in full force, though he praised all the alumni for making the week a hit.

“We could not be more proud of our school and our school community,” he told the alumni. “That’s because of you.”

Muscolino agreed. This was past week was a chance to return to a common place, to the past, to bring back lessons to current students, rehash memories and rekindle friendships.

“It’s a great way for alumni to come together,” Muscolino said. “And 100%, rain or shine, we knew the alumni who love this school would be here.”

And, beyond reminiscing, many enjoyed giving back during the week.

One of those alumni was songwriter Jimmy Dunn. Muscolino said Dunn, a 1973 graduate who now lives in California, stopped by some LTHS music classes to offer up some pro tips to future graduates and, possibly, future songwriters, as part of his visit.

Others traveled across the country just to help out the alumni association and to represent their graduate year — even if it wasn’t a 10-year-anniversary.

David Smidt, class of 1969, was one of those.

“I’m living in Naples, Florida. And it’s cold here,” he laughed. Smidt said he’s on the committee of the Class of 1969 so reunions are important to him, as he helps organize them. But beyond the bureaucratic detail, visiting is personal for Smidt.

“It’s nice seeing people you haven’t seen in a while,” he said. “And I like the remembrance. I always like reflecting on the good times.”

For all the graduates, the week was a walk through the past, a remembrance of youth the good times and, for some, a few struggles, too.

“It’s fun to revisit the school and walk down the hallways you walked down in the past and revisit the memories, the good and the bad,” said Kathi Rodak, class of 1983.

Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.