In mid-January, the current Torringotn High School building will be officially deserted as students and staff move into the new structure. Before the final bell rings, alumni will gather on January 4, 2025 to bid farewell to the old location and celebrate 62 years of THS history.
The reunion is set for Saturday, January 4th, from 1pm to 4pm, followed by a girls’ and boys’ basketball game to close out the day. The event will feature a tour of the current THS building where alumni can visit their old classrooms one last time. There will also be a memorial walk, food, music, and memorabilia of old THS photos. Guests can even pay a small fee to take a sledgehammer swing against the building to kick off its demolition.
Following these activities, 125 years of basketball history will be celebrated in the Connie Donahue gym with basketball games and a ceremony sponsored by the Varsity Alumni Club.
Organizer Erin Sullivan explains that the reunion came from conversations with a variety of people, who expressed their sadness about the building being torn down.
“There are so many wonderful milestones that happened in this building,” states Sullivan. “People want to honor that before Torrington moves on to a new era.”
Many people, including senior Isabella Viscarello, have memories of the building from a young age. She was one of the early helpers to jump into the committee work, along with Vogel-Wetmore teacher Jennifer Lopez.
“I have memories from attending events for [my children,] and that is very special to me,” says Lopez.
Other committee members include Torringford teacher Natalie Giampaolo, THS teacher Richard Dubois, alumni Rachel Harrel, and alumni Travis Lipinski.
The purpose of this event is to bring together the community for a final goodbye to the THS building that played a role in many lives. The committee of this event has worked with Torrington Historical Society to gather old pictures of the building since the 1960s and display them around the halls. Student volunteers will be giving tours of the building for guests to have the chance to view the displays and walk the same halls they did as high school students.
So what should expected participants know? THS alumni are being invited. Over 290 people have already RSVP’d for a student-led tour. Any other community members who wish to come are welcome, and there is no entrance fee. If you are wondering if you should bring any money, there will be a small fee to take a swing with the sledgehammer, and there will also be a Batchy Brew truck. Other complimentary snacks and refreshments will be provided. Tours will need to be scheduled and can be signed up for on eventbrite.com, but guests can also sign up when they arrive at the event.
“The Reunion is a social space where people can reminisce about their time here and the memories that they made,” says Dubois.
Participants will be able to roam in the cafeteria and Little Theatre where they can look at pictures, eat, and socialize. The rest of the building will only be available by guided tours.
Interested in volunteering? Current THS students are needed to help decorate, run tables at the event, or lead tours. Any students interested in volunteering can reach out to Sullivan.
