This last year and a half has been a roller coaster ride for everyone. We hope that you and your loved ones have endured the pandemic and remain healthy and safe. Although we were starting to see some positive signs that we were beginning to emerge from the pandemic, too much uncertainty and health risk still exists due to the resurgence of COVID in Florida. Therefore, our Reunion Committee has decided to once again postpone our 50th Reunion that was to take place October 29-30, 2021.

Despite the challenges that we have faced to have our reunion, we will not give up. Our plan is to reschedule for the Spring of 2022. Our committee will be meeting with our vendors and hope to keep the format and details the same as previously planned. As soon as those plans are finalized, we will let you know. For now, we wanted to inform you of the postponement so that you could plan accordingly, especially for those of you who have to travel from out of state. If you have already made your hotel reservations, please be sure to call and cancel them until we have new dates. If you have already purchased tickets, we will carry that forward.

We are looking forward to seeing you again and sharing memories from our time together at Sarasota High School! We will sail again soon!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. Stay safe and be well!
 

Our beautiful friend and SHS Reunion Chairperson, Alicia Byrd Fruehwald, passed away on February 16, 2021 from COVID-19. We have lost an angel and owe her a deep dept of gratitude for her friendship and the many hours she gave to us planning our Reunions. She will be greatly missed by everyone!


Alicia’s service was held onSaturday,  March 6, 2021 


In lieu of flowers, Memorial donation can still be made in memory of Nora Alicia Fruehwald to either:

Hope Lodge
12810 USF Magnolia Dr.
Tampa, FL  33612

Moffitt Cancer Center
12902 USF Magnolia Dr.
Tampa, FL  33612


Our classmate, Rev. Reid Farrell offered these beautiful words for Alicia:

Alicia "fought the good fight," and we have been so blessed to have her  in our lives.  I pray that God will comfort Dale and his family, and all of us who love Alicia, in our grief.  And I pray that we can all have the faith and confidence to see that through her death she has now entered into eternal life where there is no death, neither sickness nor sorrow, but only Life and Love, and Peace and Joy.  As we pray at the conclusion of every funeral... "Rest eternal grant to Alicia, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon her.  May her soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen"





 

Our classmate, Paul Reubens had a fun time on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on Feb. 11, 2021 and dontated his winnings to a great charity - Feeding America!


 

The mission of the Sarasota High School Hall of Fame is to preserve and promote the history of what it means to be a "Sailor."  Nominations are dedicated to honor former students, faculty, and community leaders. Sarasota High held its third-annual Hall of Fame ceremony at Michael's on East on Sept. 25, 2019, once again honoring six of its alumni for their contributions to the school and community.
 

Buff Betz

Buff Betz was the SHS Cheerleading Coach and led the program to multiple championships. She was also an accomplished horse trainer, specializing in eventing. Alongside business partner Traci Mollohan, Buff started the Sarasota Equestrian Center. She passed away in July, 2019. The award was accepted by her sister, Kim Betz. 

Paul Reubens

Paul Reubens, perhaps better known to most as a character he created, Pee-wee Herman, could not attend the event because of work obligations, but sent in a video message thanking the school for the honor. Paul was the president of the Sailors Drama Club and starred in productions like "My Fair Lady" and many others. He received our Senior award of "Most Talented."


 

Photo by Mike Lang, Sarasota Herald Tribune, 2019

Built in 1926 in the Collegiate-Gothic style, the Sarasota High School was designed by esteemed Florida architect, M. Leo Elliott. The 57,000 square foot building opened its doors to students from the 7th-12th grade in the fall of 1927 and flourished for almost 70 years. In 1984 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Although the school closed its doors in 1996, members of the community felt attached to the building and inspired to find its new purpose.

Fast-forward to 2002, the start of a two-year process of community involvement and consensus-building known as the Sarasota High School New Life Initiative. Funders of the New Life Initiative included the School Board, the City of Sarasota, Sarasota County, the Selby Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and private donors. More than 200 potential uses of the historic building were considered.

In October 2004, the School Board voted to lease the historic Sarasota High School to Ringling College of Art and Design to transform the building into the Sarasota Art Museum. Fast forward to December 2019...the doors are OPEN!

 

Photo by Mike Lang, Sarasota Herald Tribune, 2019

Photo by Mike Lang, Sarasota Herald Tribune, 2019

From Sarasota Herald Tribune 2015

Photo by Mike Lang, Sarasota Herald Tribune