Granada High School's 50th Birthday Bash Weekend

Information submitted by the GHS Alumni Association—

Aging is what you make of it. At 50, some may wish to pass this milestone quietly and privately. To the contrary, Granada High School will celebrate their mid-century milestone in high spirit this May 23-25th, Memorial Weekend 2014. 

The Granada High School campus was established as the second public high school in Livermore as a response to significant population growth in the 1960s and officially opened for its first class in 1963. Times have certainly changed in fifty years. The school has undergone some major renovations that will surprise many alumni. New sports fields, gyms and classrooms were added in the 90’s. In 2008, a new science wing opened with 14 state-of-the-art classrooms.

More recently, a media and library center was established. A brickyard in Alumni Plaza was even started with inscribed mementos serving as the depth of gratitude alumni and faculty feel towards their years at GHS. Granada’s Homecoming Celebration of napkin-stuffed floats gliding around a gravel track has evolved to full production of song, dance and spirit with artistic backdrops, costumes and competition. 

Although much has changed, many traditions transcend through the years. The 
school mascots, The Matador & Bull, school song, and the motto Granada: “Pride and Excellence” remains the focal point of the school.

Excited to mark these fifty years as a school, a special celebratory weekend is planned for all alumni and friends, current and former faculty, current students and GHS families, and the community: an all-Inclusive Black & Golden Anniversary Celebration scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend. 

It is a family affair for the Cortez’s. “I attended GHS Homecoming last fall and 
watched a heartfelt stadium dedication and thank you to the Granada Supporters 
Club during halftime, marking the official GHS 50th year kick-off. It was especially 
meaningful to be there with my husband, Russ Cortez Class of 1987,” shared Michelle (McDonald) Cortez. “I have two sons who have also graduated from GHS (Rett, 2011 & Tanner, 2013). I have two more sons who will graduate (Trey, 2017 & Kobe, 2020). I wouldn’t think about missing the 50th celebratory weekend. Granada High School is part of our extended family. ” 

With a little something for everyone, registration will “tee-off” at 11:00am on Friday, May 23rd, with the GHS Golf Tournament at Las Positas Golf Course. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Granada Supporters Club. “Downtown Decades” follows that same evening at 6:00pm offering an opportunity for GHS alumni, faculty, family and friends to gather and enjoy all that downtown Livermore has to offer. 

Merchants will honor purchased Matador wristbands with special offerings and 
discounts. The celebration continues bright and early on Saturday, May 24th, at 8:00am with the Annual Granada Invitational Basketball Tournament held in the school’s gymnasium. Tennis & softball competitions are slated as well as a fun-run. After the athletic events conclude, a special 11:00am ceremony will recognize former principals and local dignitaries.

The “Day on Campus” will continue with live performances, multi-media presentations, memory lane campus tours, principals, coaches’ and “Early Years” panels, and children’s activities and games. Good food, beverages, alumni commemorative bricks, shirts, photos, and memory books will be available for sale during this celebration lasting until 3:00pm. 

Saturday night beginning at 5:00pm, the “Black and Golden Birthday Dinner” will 
feature culinary delights, local wines and no-host bar along with the musical talents of Granada alum and IDOL winner, Chris Lebel. Amos Productions will provide music spanning the decades from 1960’s to present. Toshio Photography will be offering formal photographs as take away mementos. 

The weekend’s activities conclude on Sunday, May 25th with informal class gatherings at local Livermore wineries. Those students having reunion years may decide to have events of their own this day as well. 

Margot (McNeill) Bellucci is making a long-distance trek from Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend the big 50th at Granada High. “I am truly excited to see so many people from GHS that mean a lot to me and walk down memory lane,” says Bellucci. 

“Visiting with classmates and wonderful teachers who helped shape my life, as well as seeing the kids I once baby-sat, now 'all grown-up,' will be great. I haven’t been back to Granada since graduating in 1971 and am looking forward to taking it all in!”

For additional details, ticket purchases, participation or sponsorship opportunities, 
please visit www.granadahigh.com/50thbirthday.

Former students are encouraged to send PDF’s of old photos to granada50thbirthday@gmail.com as well as any questions one may have can be directed there as well.