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Citrus Heights Messenger

San Juan High School Plans All-class Picnic

Sep 10, 2021 12:00AM ● By By Thomas J. Sullivan

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Members of the San Juan High School Alumni Association (SJAA) are calling for their fellow Spartans, near and far, to join them for the 2021 San Juan All-Class Reunion Picnic, Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The picnic will be held at the west end of Rusch Park, near the corner of Rosswood Drive and Antelope Road.

Members of the SJAA are also checking in with their fellow SJHS alums who may be planning to attend the picnic and who may be willing to volunteer to help with the event. Volunteers are needed to greet and register fellow alumni and oversee the program schedule, said Larry Fritz,’73 San Juan High grad and SJAA board vice president.

Set-up begins with the Antelope Road gate opening at 10 am. Chairs and tables will be provided under the shade of the old oak trees. Snacks and beverages will be available. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic lunch, Fritz said.

The popular annual event features an antique Model T Ford show, the historic San Juan Unified School Bus, live music, classic cars, and tours of the historic Rusch home, courtesy of the Citrus Heights Historical Society, Fritz said. A drop-off area with a free shuttle service to the Rusch Park parking lot will be provided to alumni guests.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to connect with your fellow San Juan classmates you haven’t seen in a while, and to help support our student scholarship fund,” Fritz said. “At the end of the day, we’ll pose for a keepsake group photo.”

“The main reason to join the San Juan Alumni Association is to stay in touch or reconnect with classmates,” Fritz said. The SJAA publishes a quarterly newsletter with information about the school, alums and upcoming reunions.

The San Juan Alumni Association, a 501(c)3 non-profit with about 800 active members was founded in 1980.  The class of 1929 had $500 left over from their 50th reunion and awarded their left-over money to two graduates in the form of scholarships.

“Joining the association is also a way for alums to support current San Juan High School students,” he said. The association is also open to those who may not have graduated from San Juan High. These “affiliate members” either work at, have relatives who attended or have other connections with San Juan High.

Since 1980, the SJAA has awarded about $450,000 in scholarships to about 250 San Juan graduates. Every year the San Juan Alumni Association (SJAA) gives out Student Scholarships to a select group of graduating seniors to support them attending college. In addition, the SJAA also supports the teachers, coaches and administrators of San Juan High School with various fund-raising efforts for campus projects during the school year.

The current SJAA budget allows funding for seven student scholarships at $2,000 each, for a total of $14,000. Individual classes or families also donate amounts to award scholarships named in honor of persons or groups above and beyond the amount from the SJAA.

“So far, we have only collected about $5K toward the Spring, 2021 SJAA general scholarship fund,” so we’re encouraging recent fellow alumni to join the SJAA and for their support.”

Spartan alumni are encouraged to enjoy a tour of the popular Legacy Exhibit Room at San Juan High School at 7551 Greenback Lane which opened in 2013. Guests are invited to browse through the 100-year history of the school. Open Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Legacy Exhibit Room is located just inside the San Juan High School Cafeteria building. Visitors need to check into the San Juan High School Administration front office before entering the school grounds.

For information about San Juan High School Alumni Association or to join, visit https://sanjuanalumniassociation.org/