Decades of Pride: 85th Birthday Party Will Celebrate J.P.’s History

The McCaskey Alumni Association will host a free open house and “85th Birthday Party” at J.P. McCaskey High School from 5 PM to 8:30 PM on May 3 in remembrance of the historic building’s dedication 85 years ago in 1938.

Starting at 5 PM, visitors can gather in front of J.P. McCaskey High School’s main entrance where they will be welcomed by the McCaskey Drum Line. They can purchase dinner from the Homage food truck of Chef Oliver Saye, McCaskey Class of 1993, or ice cream from Mr. Frosty’s ice cream truck. They can also enter the lobby and peruse a display of memorabilia from the high school’s archives, including old yearbooks, which will be available for a donation. Students welcoming guests at various memorabilia tables will be costumed to show the many changes in fashion that have occurred throughout the school’s history.

At 5:30 PM, all guests will be encouraged to gather in front of the high school for an official welcome from “Dr. John Piersol McCaskey,” legendary educator, and “B.B. Herr,” McCaskey’s principal when the school opened in 1938. Millie Rineer Bechtold, perhaps the only surviving member of McCaskey’s first class of 1938, will be introduced.

Following the official welcome, free birthday cake will be served in the lobby and the Alumni Center on the 2nd floor will be open for guests to explore the school’s archives. Historical tours of the building will be offered at 6 PM and 7:15 PM.

Contact: McCaskey Alumni Association – (717)399-6418 – jeremiahlmiller@sdlancaster.org