Big bash planned as Central turns 80

The 80th anniversary of Valley Stream Central High School is coming up and to celebrate, Central’s Alumni Association is hosting an alumni dinner on Oct. 3 at the Coral House in Baldwin.

Every five years, the Alumni Association hosts a gathering of past Central graduates, allowing former students to mingle and network. During the five-hour event on Oct. 3, which starts at 7:30 p.m., alumni will enjoy an open bar, dinner, dessert, martini bar, a chocolate fountain and a DJ. All those in attendance will receive a souvenir reunion journal.

Central alum Scott Muller, from the class of 1974, said that a Central graduate will be recognized at the dinner, but he would not divulge which past student will receive the honor. He said that graduates from classes as far back as 1937 to as recently as 1998 will be at the dinner.

Current Central senior Eda Charmaine Villapando Giminez was recently awarded the Alumni Association art scholarship. Giminez drew the cover artwork for the alumni dinner program, and for her efforts received $250 from the organization.

President of the Central Alumni Association, Jeannine Principe-Puleo — who graduated from Central in 1998 — said the organization has 4,400 alumni, and that twice a year it sends out a 30-page newsletter to its members underscoring its recent work. Principe said the organization gave out $26,000 in scholarships last June.

She said the upcoming dinner is important for new members to network with older ones. “I just hope that everyone has a good time and enjoys themselves,” she said. “And I hope we get some new members.”

Central Principal Dr. Joseph Pompilio will attend the dinner and said he is looking forward to the festivities. He added that he also wants to express his gratitude to the Alumni Association for everything it has done for his students. “I want to show my appreciation to the association for just throwing this party,” Pompilio said. “It was a monumental effort. I have to thank them for sponsoring more than 30 scholarships for our seniors this year.”

Pompilio added that he knows the Alumni Association needs new members, so he is spreading the word to current seniors, in hope that they will join after graduation. He said that the stories told by the older alumni will be the best part of the night. “They love coming back to Central,” he said. “They love to tell their stories and bond. Central was a big part of their lives that they don’t want to forget.”

Anyone interested in atttending should call Muller at (516) 872-3028 or e-mail vscaulmni@ aol.com.