By Diane Lee Hall, Bronxville High School Class of 1996 

Oct. 12, 2016:  Twenty years after the class of 1996 parted ways, nearly two-thirds of the graduates showed up to celebrate homecoming together. 

The reunion was organized by Class President Jen Walsh Wells, and it was no small feat. There were four events in two days, culminating in a large party at Siwanoy Country Club the night of Saturday, October 1.

Walsh actively sought out classmates from near and far, creating a 1996 reunion website dedicated to keeping classmates informed about the details, financials, and schedule. For a graduating class of 84 people, the turnout of about 50 classmates plus roughly 30 spouses made for a full and lively event.

The three classmates who travelled the farthest were Shunta Takahashi from Japan, Chris Ford and his family of five from Hungary, and Alex Borges from Brazil. 

The weekend began with a kickoff party at Tavern 32 on Palmer Avenue, hosted by Catherine O'Conner Williams. Classmates were excited to learn the mother-of-three is now expecting twins. 

The next morning, Alexis Pope Porter hosted a 10:00 am bagel brunch on the front lawn of her Garden Avenue home right near the school. The class was very appreciative of her hospitality, especially while being eight months pregnant with her second child. Kids of the graduates were welcome, and there were plenty of them running around. Stephanie Zipf Ross organized a successful kids craft area, a great idea that allowed parents to talk while the kids were occupied.  

After the brunch, classmates, with kids in tow, headed over to the school for a private tour led by Eddie Sulimirski, member of the Bronxville School Foundation.

To add a little drama to the tour, one child pulled the wrong lever in a science room, releasing a flood of water. To protect the identity of a minor, no names are mentioned here, but we did confirm that the parents cleaned everything up and there was no damage. 

Stephanie Zipf Ross was also in charge of the decorations at the brunch and the Siwanoy party. She put together BHS-spirited table center pieces and managed to find huge silver, blue, and white balloons that spelled out "1996 20th Reunion" in an arch as classmates walked into the dining area/dance floor.

Maura Fitzgerald Herman, a Siwanoy member, sponsored the group. She also helped Jen Walsh Wells with the overall planning and support. Danny Farrel helped coordinate '90s style music, and you certainly didn't need to drag people out to the dance floor. 

A big highlight of the night was the green-screen photo booth, organized by Alexis Porter. She worked with the company to add BHS-specific backgrounds, like the front of the school, onto which photos of classmates could be superimposed. Other backgrounds included beaches, distant lands, and this author's personal favorite, a dinosaur about to make someone a meal.

Wells says she is "definitely" planning to organize a 25th and hopes the next reunion will be just as successful. 

Pictured here:   Bronxville 1996 graduates at their 20th reunion. 

Photos by Diane Lee Hall