ALLIANCE, OHIO – (Sept. 22, 2022) – The “new” Alliance High School (AHS) opened its doors to students for the first time on Sept. 5, 1972. On Sunday, Oct. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m., AHS will celebrate 50 years with an Open House for all alumni and community members.
With the community approving the Capital Improvement Bonds in November of 1968, construction on the current high school started shortly after and finished in time for the start of the 1972-73 school year. The state-of-the-art building featured many aspects that were rare to find in a high school during the 70s, including an auditorium, career tech wing and designated areas for the performing arts programs.
The “new” high school replaced the old building located on Broadway, which housed students from 1911 to the spring of 1972.
“High school buildings are often one of the most used and important buildings in a community and AHS is no exception to that,” Said Rob Gress, Superintendent of Alliance City Schools. “Over these last 50 years, tens of thousands of people have utilized and benefited from it. We have worked hard to ensure that our taxpayers have gotten a great return on their investment in AHS. We hope not only staff and students from the 72-73 school year will come, but anyone who would like the opportunity to see firsthand how the building has changed and maybe even reminisce a bit as they once again walk the halls of AHS.”
Some of the notable changes over the past 50 years include the addition of the auxiliary gym, expansion of the career tech hall, the updated Len Dawson field and redesigns of the media center and cafeteria.
Visitors will be able to view yearbooks and memorabilia from when the building first opened along with a slideshow of photos from that time.
If AHS alumni from 1973-76 have photos from their high school days that could be included in the slideshow presentation, they can email a scan of the photos to Cheyanne Gonzales at gonzalesch@alliancecityschools.org. Photo submissions will be accepted through Oct. 9.
For more information about the Alliance City School District, visit www.alliancecityschools.org.