Classical fundraiser to help reduce college costs

SAUGUS – This March, at Prince Pizzeria in Saugus, you can eat pizza and help send a kid to college at the same time.The Alumni and Friends of Lynn Classical will hold their pizza/comedy night fundraiser March 19 at Prince, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., with all the cheese pizza you can eat being rolled out at 7.The purpose is to help reduce college costs for Classical students. To that end, there will be a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction to establishments such as the Lazy Dog (owned by Classical alum Tom Dill) and Longhorn Steakhouse.Alumni president Paul E. Stafford ?61 said that anyone who missed last year?s event missed a good time, and that he expects this year to be just as good.?Last year was a record year,” he said. “We gave out more than 800 scholarships totaling $78,840.52. We gave out $8,000 at the scholarship award ceremony alone. The scholarships are established by Classical graduates or the family of Classical graduates for memorials.”Stafford said it?s likely that in three years $1 million in scholarships will be given out.?I can?t think of any other alumni association that raises so much money,” principal Gene Constantino said. “We have various donors and various amounts. It?s unheard of for public high schools.”?The reason why people should go remains constant,” alumni vice president Stephen Upton said. “There?s a continual need to raise funds for student scholarships.”Stafford said a golf tournament Saturday, June 20 and a 5K road race in the fall are also in the works.Laura Durant ?87, formerly Watson, will sell tickets in the guidance office. Visitors need to check in the main office with their driver?s license.?Last year?s fundraiser was a huge success,” said Durant. “We?re hoping to sell out this year. I didn?t see an empty seat. Paul asked me to sell them, and I was happy to. I?m an easy person to get to, right as you walk into guidance.”For information, call Durant at 781-477-7409, ext. 2222.