Sunnyside High School Class of 1976 Launches Endowment Scholarship to Celebrate 50th Reunion and Create a Lasting Legacy

The Sunnyside High School (SHS) Class of 1976, renowned as Sunnyside’s Centennial Class when the nation celebrated its Bicentennial, marked their 50th reunion this past August with an extraordinary commitment to the future. As America celebrates its 250th birthday, these alumni are making history once more by establishing the Sunnyside High School Class of 1976 Endowment Scholarship.

The Sunnyside High School Class of 1976 held its 50th Reunion last August and decided to create something special to leave their alma mater. for years to come!

The vision for the endowment took root when Chris Golob inspired the class to rally behind a fundraising rube. Excitement quickly escalated after a lively apron auction exchange raised over $1,100. With Ken Potter spearheading additional fundraising contributions, the campaign gained impressive momentum and reached nearly $15,000 by the reunion’s end.

A passionate committee took it from there, led by Dana Cummings and supported by Juan Aquilar, Chris and Cindy Golob, Dale Funk, Terry Dahlstrom, Ken Potter, Allene (Dodge) Bestebreur, and Jan Pistorese.

“We are proud to give back to the SHS Fighting Grizzlies and our Sunnyside community by investing in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and professionals,” Dana Cummings, 1976 Bi-Centennial Scholarship Chair

Inspired by the legacy of Ralph Pistorese, a former SHS Superintendent, the committee drew on the Pistorese Family's ongoing example, which annually awards two scholarships in his honor. Building on this tradition, the Class of 1976 has taken tangible steps to establish a permanent nonprofit endowment that will provide scholarships for future SHS graduates.

Partnering with the SHS Alumni Scholarship Fund, the committee launched a dedicated Class of 1976 donation page on the Fund’s website. Thanks to classmates' and supporters' generosity, more than 26 contributions have poured in, raising nearly $45,000 to date—far surpassing the original goal and demonstrating the Class’s and the community’s remarkable commitment to local youth.

The Endowment Scholarship aims to award at least one $2,000 scholarship annually to deserving students after their first term of post-secondary education, with plans to expand both the number and amount of awards in the years ahead. The fund will support students who do not qualify for government grants and aspire to pursue degrees in fields such as agriculture, business, education, engineering, science, health care, and trade or technical schools—fields that offer strong job prospects upon graduation.

The SHS Class of 1976 invites the community and fellow alumni and classmates to join in supporting the endowment and helping to build a brighter future for Sunnyside’s youth.

For more information or to contribute to the Sunnyside High School Class of 1976 Endowment Scholarship, please visit the Sunnyside High School Alumni Fund’s website at https://www.shsalumnifund.com/ or contribute by check to SHS Alumni Fund, %Class of 1976, PO Box 1149, Sunnyside, WA  98944.