Classical fundraiser is a real hole-in-one

LYNN – In 1995, the alumni organization of Lynn Classical High School handed out $2,000 in scholarships that was split among five students.The association gave 64 graduating seniors more than $50,000 in scholarships on Thursday, a number that organizers say reflects the group’s commitment to its alma mater.”It’s Classical High School. It’s a family,” said Paul Stafford, the president of the Alumni and Friends of Lynn Classical.Stafford said the association, which is made up of Classical graduates from the early 1950s to the present, has been wildly successful supporting current Classical students, especially through its scholarship fund.Donors have provided students 680 scholarships totaling $621,546 since the scholarship fund launched in 1995, said Stafford, who graduated in 1961. On Thursday, students received college scholarships ranging from $500 to $6,200, almost all of which was donated by alumni.”It is fabulous,” said Stafford, 69, a retired Classical teacher who met his wife, Geraldine Stafford, 67, while at Classical.The high-school sweethearts’ children attended Classical, and this year they have one grandchild graduating from the school.Geraldine Stafford, who is also the association’s treasurer, said their family’s commitment to the school is characteristic of many other alumni.”This is what keeps it going,” she said.Classical Principal Gene Constantino said the school’s alumni organization is one of the most generous in the nation.”I don’t know of any other high school association in the country that does as much as these people do,” he said.In addition to raising money for the scholarship fund, Constantino said alumni in the organization volunteer to mentor students and hold fundraisers, such as a June 16 golf tournament at Gannon Golf Course in Lynn that will raise scholarship money for next year’s batch of college-bound seniors.”We’re so lucky to have alumni giving back,” he said.Joe McGovern, a Class of 1980 graduate, is the co-chair for the golf tournament. He said this is the first year the association will hold a fund-raising tournament at a Lynn golf course, as opposed to past tournaments held outside of the city.”We’re happy to be back in Lynn,” he said.The nine-hole tournament will begin at 3 p.m. with staggered tee times until 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.Lynn Classical alumnus Tony Gallo, class of 1981, will perform with his band at the Gannon Clubhouse. There is a suggested donation of $100 for golf and dinner and $40 for just dinner.Stafford said non-golfers who want to support Classical are welcome.”It’s a combination of a social event and a fundraiser,” he said.He and the association are hoping to hand out even more scholarships next year.For more details on the June 16th golf tournament and scholarship fundraiser for Lynn Classical High School, visit www.lynnclassicalalumni.org or call Paul Stafford at 781-599-7685 or Joe Geary at 781-581-0851.Amber Parcher can be reached at [email protected].