Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
One year ago, a group of dedicated graduates established the Clay Alumni Association (CAA) to strengthen community ties and honor the rich legacy of Clay High School.
The CAA centers on three pillars – Engagement, Celebration and Support, according Amy Hansen, alumni relations director at Clay, and member of the CAA Advisory Board. Through providing help coordinating reunions, networking events and social gatherings, along with scholarship initiatives and school support, the organization hopes to engage alumni across all graduating classes while also investing in the success of current students.
Hansen said CAA’s mission – to create and manage a premier alumni organization – will be achieved by:
In keeping with the first step in this mission, CAA will present “Eagle Fest” Saturday, Sept. 13, from 5-10 p.m., rain or shine, at Oak Shade Grove on Seaman Road in Oregon. The celebration is open to Clay High School alumni and guests age 21 and older from every graduating class Staff, former staff and friends of CHS are also encouraged to attend.
The event will be held outdoors, with covered pavilion and Swiss House access. Casual dress appropriate for the weather is suggested.
Tickets are $20, cash only, and can be purchased at the gate presale at the district administration building (ask for Dana Wheeler). Admission includes four drink tickets. No refunds on ticket sales. No outside food or drinks will be permitted.
Attendees can enjoy a DJ, food trucks, raffles, a spirit wear contest, selfie station, and recognition of the anniversary classes.
There will also be a showcase of Clay High’s history with a display of memorabilia, and a sign-up board available to help alumni find their classmates. Alumni shirts will be available for purchase.
"Feel free to rep your class gear or school colors for the Spirit Wear Contest,” Hansen said. “We’d love to see some old varsity jackets.”
Organizers designed the all-class reunion event to be part homecoming, part festival and part alumni reunion, Hansen said.
“Eagle Fest is a refreshed version of the previous ‘Groove in the Grove’ held by the prior alumni organization, Clay High Alumni and Friends Association (CHAFA). “They developed the concept of the all-class reunion, and it was widely attended in the past,” Hansen said.
“We knew that this was one of the events that CAA wanted to bring back to provide a way for our Clay alums to stay connected; people loved it in the past, and the grounds at Oak Shade Grove are just perfect for this type of gathering,” she said.
CAA plans to continue to host Eagle Fest each year, as long as there are funds to do so, Hansen said. This will be the first event that will raise much-needed funds to host future events and gatherings for alumni, establish scholarship opportunities for Clay seniors and support other areas at Clay.
CAA wants students to see the power of the Eagle network – how the Clay family extends far beyond high school, Hansen said. “Whether you graduated five years ago or 50, you’ll always be a part of something bigger. Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.
“Eagle Fest is about more than attending an event,” Hansen noted. “It’s about building a tradition that honors our past while strengthening our future. We want current students to see what it means to be part of the Eagle family, and we want alumni to feel that their connection to Clay is lifelong,” she added.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for Eagle Fest. Email ahanen@oregoncs.org for more information. Like and follow the CAA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ClayAlumniAssociation for event updates.
