BHSAA News

Barrington High School Alumni Association (December 2019)

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It was a sweet BHS Homecoming 2019!

Holiday greetings from the Barrington High School Alumni Association! We had a busy fall as alumni converged on the Village of Barrington for the 2019 Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. The theme was "Candyland Homecoming: It's Going to be Sweet!"

The class of 1969 (pictured above), which celebrated its 50th reunion, led the annual homecoming parade down Main Street. Class of 1970, you're up next!

The BHSAA also sponsored the annual BHSAA Alumni and Friends Tailgate Party in the Chessie’s parking lot. The turn-out was terrific! Alumni enjoyed good food, drinks and live music.

The traditional Sunday brunch at Chessie's was a fitting end to the weekend, which always begins with the Annual Quarterback Club Pancake Breakfast in the BHS Cafeteria.

PHOTOS: class reunions at the Homecoming Parade

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PHOTO: The 2019 Homecoming King (Tarun Voruganti) and Queen (Marche Salley) at the parade down Main Street.
2019 Alumni Legends: Journeys in Journalism

2019 Alumni Legends: Journeys in Journalism

The 2019 Homecoming festivities got off to a great start with the annual Alumni Legends program, held on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 at BHS. Organized by the Barrington 220 Educational Foundation and the BHSAA, "Journeys in Journalism: Past, Present and Future" featured a panel discussion among BHS grads who now work in the journalism field. Chris Erskine, a BHS alum who now works as an editor and columnist for the LA Times, moderated the discussion. Panelists included:

  • Andy Armas: 16-time Emmy Award winner at ESPN and ABC Sports
  • Lauren Magiera: WGN-TV Sports Anchor and Reporter
  • Scott Stahmer: Villages Daily Sun Editor
  • Gary Suson: Official Ground Zero Photographer, Founder 9/11 Museum Workshop
  • Mike Tobin: FOX News Correspondent
  • Anna Werner: CBS This Morning Consumer Investigative Correspondent


Click here to view photos from the event.

Click here to read an in-depth write up of the event, written by Jodi Suson ('81).

2019 Alumni Legends: Journeys in Journalism
Meet our 2019 Distinguished Graduate

Meet our 2019 Distinguished Graduate

Congrats to Alumni Legends panelist Gary Suson, who has been named our 2019 Distinguished Graduate. Suson is a photographer, best known for his intimate images, captured in the wake of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. He spent months documenting the aftermath, becoming the official Ground Zero photographer. Click here to learn more about Gary, in an article written by his sister, Jodi Suson ('81).


Do you know a BHS alum who is doing great things? Click here to nominate that person for our Distinguished Graduate Award. To view past recipients, click here.


Photo: Gary Suson speaks at the October 2019 Alumni Legends event at BHS.

WANTED: Class Reunion Chairs!

It is not too early to begin planning reunions for Homecoming 2020 and the BHSAA is in search of 2020 Class Reunion Chairs for the following years: 1960, 1985, 1995 and 2010. If you would like to act as the reunion chair for your class, please e-mail BHSAA Reunion Services Chairs Chris Dineen ('71), Kay Griffith ('66) and Lee Youngstrom ('59).

To see a list of current Class Reunion Chairs, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dancing with the Barrington Stars

Dancing with the Barrington Stars

February 8, 2020: Come support BHS Principal Steve McWilliams ('93) as he takes the dance floor in Dancing with the Barrington Stars! This annual event organized by the Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA) takes place on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 6pm-10pm at the Stonegate Conference and Banquet Center. Click here for tickets and information!
BHSAA March Madness Social

BHSAA March Madness Social

March 19, 2020: Join the BHSAA at the BHSAA March Madness Social on Thursday, March 19. Celebrate the first day of spring by connecting with old friends, making new friends and rooting for your favorite college team! Location and time TBD.
BHSAA Alumni Night

BHSAA Alumni Night

July 3, 2020: Join generations of Broncos and the rest of the Barrington community as we celebrate an all-American holiday at the Brat Tent (near the Barrington Metra station). The celebration will include great food, live entertainment and daytime activities for children.
Homecoming 2020

Homecoming 2020

Oct. 3, 2020: Save the date for Homecoming 2020! The theme is "Around the World". The annual homecoming parade and cook out at Chessie's is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3. Can't wait to see everyone there!

Share your news with BHSAA!

Do you have some news to share with the BHSAA? Send an email to Samantha Ptashkin, Barrington 220 Director of Communications at sptashkin@barrington220.org
Click here to visit the BHSAA website!

Visit the BHSAA website to stay up to date on your alumni news! Register and log in to access our searchable alumni directory.

#Binspired featuring Don Thompson

#Binspired featuring Don Thompson

The Barrington 220 School District inspires all learners to achieve excellence. Click here to read the district's #Binspired story featuring Don Thompson, a Barrington High School grad, former Barrington 220 teacher and principal and founder of the Barrington High School Alumni Association.
BHSAA Board of Directors

BHSAA Board of Directors

President: Chuck Thyfault (‘82)

Founding President: Don Thompson (‘61)

VP: Jim Potter (‘65)
Secretary: Kay Griffith ('66)

Nominating: Holly Madden '79
BHS Alumni Legends: Don Thompson ('61), Jodi Suson ('81) and Terry Sanders ('82)
Performing Arts Liaison: Claudette Carstensen ('71) and Randy Karon ('80)

Reunion Services Chris Dineen (‘71), Kay Griffith (‘66), Lee Youngstrom ('59)
Special Events: Robert Siegworth ('66), Skip Tonigan ('68)

Registration/Membership: Beverly Kramer ('62) and Kristine Breneisen ('70)

Social Media: Ginger Pillman ('72) and Todd McCollough ('05)

Staff Representative BHS Principal Steve McWilliams (‘93)

Advisory Board: Kristine Breneisen ('70), Craig Bopp ('75), Sue Chambers Ferry ('74), Jay Istvan ('77), Nancy Ahrbeck Suria ('61), Mike Shackleton ('80), Jodi Suson ('81), Mary Walbaum Williams ('55)

chuckthyfault@gmail.com barrington220.org/alumni