Merritt Island High Grads Plan School’s 50-Year Anniversary Celebration

By  //  April 25, 2015

50 years of 'Mustang Pride'

Mark your calendar now for Merritt Island High School's Golden Anniversary Celebration that will honor the rich history of the school and community – and 50 years of "Mustang Pride."
Mark your calendar now for Merritt Island High School’s Golden Anniversary Celebration that will honor the rich history of the school and community – and 50 years of “Mustang Pride.”

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – Mark your calendar now for Merritt Island High School’s Golden Anniversary Celebration that will honor the rich history of the school and community – and 50 years of “Mustang Pride.”

This two day gala event, set for August 28-29, is being hosted by the original four classes that started school on August 30, 1965. The committee has been working very hard to formulate a fun-filled weekend, while raising money for the school.

The celebration events are centered on the school and will include 50 years of alumni, former faculty and members of the community.

Organizers Maria King-Byrd and Denise Walter have been hard at work planning the event for almost a year.

Denise Walter
Denise Walter

“After our meeting with former Principal Dr. Karyle Green on June 10 of last year, what started out being merely a multi-year reunion for the four classes of 1966-1969 with an offering to the school to provide an activity in consort with their celebratory plans, ended up being a two-day, 50 alumni-year event,” said Walter, a Class of 1968 alumnus.

All event proceeds will benefit the Brevard Schools Foundation, Inc. Project 8424 and are tax deductible.

The foundation is issuing all checks and all net proceeds will go to the school’s general fund, and may also be in the form of scholarships, should the organizing committee have significant residual funds.

Maria King-Byrd
Maria King-Byrd

This is one of the biggest fund-raising events in the school’s history,” said event organizer and Class of 1966 alum Maria King-Byrd. 

“The net proceeds will benefit many students with assistance in continuing their education.”

1965 THE YEAR OF THE MUSTANG

As fate would have it, 2015 is also the 50th anniversary of the legendary Ford Mustang.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey
Sheriff Wayne Ivey

On Saturday, August 29, vintage 1965 Mustangs will highlight a parade with Sheriff Wayne Ivey leading the way as Grand Marshall.

The parade will include current students, former alumni, past and present faculty, local businesses and organizations.

Organizers are inviting everyone with a Ford Mustang of any year to join the fun in honoring 50 years of Merritt Island Mustang heritage. Alumni are encouraged to enter a car, vintage to their year, or a float.

The parade is also a fundraiser and offers great sponsorship exposure to local businesses.

Merritt-island-high-school-logo-580-“We would like to invite the entire community to join us for this very special weekend,” said King-Byrd and Walter.

“We’ve worked hard for the past year, meeting regularly with Merritt Island High’ new school principal Mollie Vega, Brevard County officials, energizing alumni classes and fine-tuning the plans for our two-day celebration.”

Mark your calendar now for Merritt Island High School’s Golden Anniversary Celebration that will honor the rich history of the school and community – and 50 years of “Mustang Pride.”
Mark your calendar now for Merritt Island High School’s Golden Anniversary Celebration that will honor the rich history of the school and community – and 50 years of “Mustang Pride.”

MERRITT ISLAND HIGH GOLDEN 50th ANNIVERSARY AGENDA

Friday, August 28

• The “Mustang Stampede” will be held at Mustang Stadium and include alumni and former faculty, including some original teachers from 1965. Attendees will meet up with old friends, pose for photos, chill to the tunes of ‘our’ generation and assemble on the field for The Big ‘5-0’ aerial photograph. Attendees will then retire to the watch a pre-game show featuring the original band director, Mr. Marian Scott, as he leads the 2016 Marching Mustangs.

Under the cover of darkness and canopies of black and gold the U.S. Army's elite Parachute Team, the Golden Knights (Black Team) will perform a night demonstration jump with pyrotechnics.
Under the cover of darkness and canopies of black and gold the U.S. Army’s elite Parachute Team, the Golden Knights (Black Team) will perform a night demonstration jump with pyrotechnics.

• The Mighty Mustangs will take on Heritage High School in an exciting football game.

• Under the cover of darkness and canopies of black and gold the U.S. Army’s elite Parachute Team, the Golden Knights (Black Team) will perform a night demonstration jump with pyrotechnics.

• Post-game fireworks display.

Saturday, August 29

• The parade will begin from Edgewood Jr./Sr. High school and travel two miles north on Courtenay Parkway to the Merritt Island High campus. Churches and schools may enter for free and civic group entries are minimally priced.

• Following the parade, alumni, former faculty, and the community are invited to attend an open house at the high school with SGA-guided tours, and memorabilia on display from the school’s 50-year history.

• After the school events, each alumni class will return to their hotels and restaurants of choice for their own individual celebrations.

Sunday, August 30

DOCS-BAIT-400-1
Doc’s Bait House will sponsor an early morning fishing tournament open to the community, while others site-see and enjoy our beaches that many returning alumni have not seen in 50 years.

• Doc’s Bait House will sponsor an early morning fishing tournament open to the community, while others site-see and enjoy our beaches that many returning alumni have not seen in 50 years.

Monday, August 31

• Alumni, faculty and friends will depart on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas for a four-night cruise, which is also a fundraiser.

FOR MORE INFORMATION & TICKETS

• E-MAIL: info@MIHSGoldenAnniversary.com

• WEBSITE: MIHSGoldenAnniversary.com

• FACEBOOK: Mustang Sally

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

Sponsorships are available and includes great exposure and amenities. E-mail info@MIHSGoldenAnniversary.com for more information.

Alumni, faculty and friends will depart on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas for a four-night cruise, which is also a fundraiser. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
Alumni, faculty and friends will depart on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas for a four-night cruise, which is also a fundraiser. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

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