Not many schools age as gracefully as Charles Wright, and not many get to celebrate their 50th birthday with the glitz, glamor and theatrics found at CWA’s big event two weeks ago. The organizers more than delivered on their promise to throw the biggest, boldest, birthday party ever!

For the more than 700 people who attend, however, the highlight was clearly reuniting with classmates, teammates, teachers, administrators and colleagues from years gone by. People in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and even people in their 90s, all offered the same thought: I’m so glad the school celebrated this milestone while I was still around to be part of it.

There were many moments not to be forgotten:

Founder Sam Brown, having celebrated his 89th birthday the day before, offering a blessing for the school’s next 50 years and then dancing the night away with Dee Knight.

Founder Sam Brown and Headmasters Ted Sanford, Bruce Haertl, Phil Havens, Bob Minnerly, and Rob Camner receiving their glass martlets and a standing ovation from the crowd.

Grown adults stuffing their cheeks with gummy bears and playing PacMan in the ’80s tent.

John Forier and the Challenges of Improve taking everyone back to the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s with the help of a few volunteers.

Alums cheering for their favorite teachers during Jennifer Rand’s movie about the history of Charles Wright.

And there were so many more! Fortunately, there was a photographer in the room and he captured all these moments and many more. You can view the whole photo album at photos.charleswright.org.

If you don’t already have it, you’ll need the password posted on Get Wright Online! If you’ve never been to Get Wright Online! you’ll need a user name and password. Alumni can contact Molly at mpennell@charleswright.org. Everyone else can contact JoAnn at jmackay@charleswright.org.

You can also watch Jennifer Rand’s movie on our website, just click here.

If you didn’t get a copy of the Birthday Book and you’d like one, we have a few extras. Drop Brooke Judge an email at bjudge@charleswright.org, and we’ll be happy to send you one. We only have a limited supply, so it’s first come, first serve.

Finally, don’t miss Headmaster Rob Camner’s reflections on the 50th birthday celebration on his blog, Rob’s Reflections.