Former ‘trade schoolers’ reunite in Lawrence

This year’s Trade School reunion at the Five Towns Community Center in Lawrence was successful, according to Inwood resident Annette “Pat” Jones, but attendance dipped.

“We typically have about 200 people and up but this year we had around 100 to 125 people there,” she said. “With Hurricane Sandy, people coming from out of state and weather-related incidents over the past year, I think that held people back because normally the place is packed.”

Jones leads the Trade School Reunion Committee, which began in the late 1960s, to unite students from the former Trade School that was located where the community center is now. It served as a recreational and educational center, where toddlers through teenagers could learn skills, such as cooking or photography, or play games with friends.

The committee also awarded 11 scholarships to Lawrence High School students who graduated in June, Jones said.

“Overall, I think it went very well,” she said “Throughout the year we fundraise and donate our time and money each year towards this event. [The Five Towns Community Center Executive Director] Bertha Pruitt always helps us to make this a successful event.”