YHS Class Of '88 Marks 25 Years With Benefit For Yukon Schools

The Yukon High School graduates from the class of 1988 are gearing up for their 25-year reunion with two social events in July, one of which is aimed at giving back. The planning of two events is no small task, as more than a dozen former 1988 classmates have worked together for several months to make it happen.

"I was more than thrilled to be a part of the planning committee for the Yukon Millers "88" 25-year class reunion," said Amber (Morris) Stuckey, 1988 YHS Graduate. "This experience was much more than detailed event planning. It was an opportunity to motivate and inspire classmates while giving back to the community that most of us were raised in."

On July 26, the reunion weekend kicks off with a tour of the new Yukon High School, now located at 1777 South Yukon Parkway (formerly a portion Mustang Road). Yukon Miller alums can tour the new school anytime from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Immediately following the tours, the Yukon Millers "88" will host a social to benefit the Yukon Public Schools "Foundation for Excellence" (YPSFE) grant.

"It is very exciting that the alums want to give back to Yukon Public Schools," said retired Yukon Public Schools teacher Pam Shelton. "Seeing former students helping Yukon is very impressive. It shows the community that they have pride in being a Yukon Miller."

YPSFE was founded in 1990 to promote academic excellence in Yukon classrooms. Since its inception, 442 grants totaling $279,060 have been given to dedicated Yukon faculty. Each year, teachers apply for grants for creative and innovated programs that will increase their regular budget.

The YPFSE Allocation Committee studies each anonymous grant request and selects the highest point winners to receive grants. The teachers are honored with the YPSFE's "Gold Star" for the award-winning grant.

"One thing exciting about the Yukon Public Schools Foundation for Excellence is everything that is donated goes to the teachers because there's no overhead for salaries as all board members are volunteers," said Shelton. "Yukon teachers appreciate the efforts of the foundation enabling them to get that little extra for their classrooms."

The benefit will be held Friday, July 26 at Grady's 66 Pub at 444 West Main Street in Yukon from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Yukon alumni from all classes are invited. Those who attend are asked to donate at least $10. All proceeds will go to the Foundation for Excellence, Inc. The goal is $1,000.

"The class of 1988 is very hopeful that other classes will adopt this simple idea and use their reunions to serve dual purposes by giving back to Yukon," said Stuckey. "We are most definitely Miller Proud!"

The main event of the weekend, though, will be Saturday, July 27, at the Skirvin Hotel, One Park Avenue in downtown Oklahoma City with a dinner and dance for 1988 alumni only.

Find out more about the Foundation For Excellence and how you can donate!