Independence High School (IHS) in San Jose, California, has hosted an unforgettable school reunion with two official Guinness World Records attempts.
Going way beyond a normal reunion, alumni, staff, and administrators across 41 graduation years (1978-2018) at the US school along with family and friends, came together to attempt the Most signatures in a yearbook in 24 hours and Most consecutive graduation years represented at a secondary school (high school) reunion.
The event kicked off on Friday 19 October with a football game that included performances by the school’s award-winning 76th Cavalry marching band and color guard (SuperBand), cheer squad (Super Spirit Squad), and dance ensemble (IDance), bringing together musicians, cheerleaders and dancers from all 41 classes!
The festivities continued into the next day with more than 3,300 people from across the nation in attendance who were treated to a group barbecue, numerous special guest speakers, the induction of the first class of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame, and the greatly anticipated record attempts.
With an adjudicator on-site to verify the attempts, it was announced on Saturday 20 October that Independence High School had broken both record titles with 1,902 signatures in the yearbook and 41 consecutive graduation years represented.
The energy was high as attendees celebrated and commemorated their school’s legacy with family members and childhood piers.
Many attendees took to social media to express gratitude for participating in such an incredible event as well as to share their stories of reconnecting with old friends throughout the weekend.
For some, the event also provided hope.
Due to the reunion and the extensive network it brought together on the school’s Facebook page, the IHS community initiated a GoFundMe account for attendee Mark Nelson (class of 1985) who tragically lost everything in the recent California wildfires.
Thanks to the school's incredible support system, there is now hope of raising $40,000 to help the Nelson family rebuild and get back on their feet.
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